PINKHAM NOTCH, N.H. — Hundreds of bicyclists are set to take part in a grueling race up the highest peak in the northeastern United States.
The Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb on Saturday is a 7.6-mile (12-kilometer) ascent to the summit at 6,288 feet (1,915 meters).
Riders deal with a steep grade that averages 12% and rises to 22% at the finish, as well as Mt. Washington’s unpredictable weather.
The race raises money for the Tin Mountain Conservation Center in Albany, New Hampshire, which provides environmental and recreational education.
Last year, Barry Miller, of Beverly, Massachusetts, was the top finisher in 53 minutes and 34 seconds. In the women’s race, 40-year-old Aimee Vassee, of Longmont, Colorado, finished the course in 1 hour, 4 minutes and 5 seconds.
