The Kanc of NH

[waveman]

Can anyone tell me what the condition of the Kanc is in this year ? Is it worse than last year at about this time after hurricane Irene ? I was considering a trip up on the 13th , 14th

[Kazinator]

I was driving my car through there a few weeks ago, didn't seem too bad to me at all.

[GingahNinjah]

i have been up on the Kanc a few times this year. there was alot of new paving done on both the east and west ends. the middle area was prety much untouched and still a bit bumpy but the majority of the rough stuff at either end was smoothed out to the point where i ran it from end to end on a sunday in roughly 24 mins with out issue

[nhbubba]

I was there Sunday. I did it West -> East as far as BNR.

New pavement from the west side. But it is that real granular crap. Good traction, but not perfect ride. Also ambiguous passing zones as the road is not painted, just flagged with those stick on flags. I would not pass unless you are 100% sure it is either a real passing zone or there are no LEO's in sight.

I am on a V-Strom, so pavement quality is less of a concern for me than most. Later in the day I was tearing up Sandwich Notch road waving at the dudes on dual-sports.

Sunday was a shit-show on the kanc. I was there shortly after noon and almost wished I'd found a different route. Saw a guy on a Harley pass me illegally, jamb himself between me and the two 'wings in front of me, and then proceed to nearly make himself a hood ornament trying a pass on the double yellow on a blind left hander. Fucking numnutz!

Hopefully that crap dies down and I can actually enjoy the road later this fall.

[SwiftTone]

Are you talking about Kancamagus Highway?

[SwiftTone]

I was there Sunday. I did it West -> East as far as BNR.

New pavement from the west side. But it is that real granular crap. Good traction, but not perfect ride. Also ambiguous passing zones as the road is not painted, just flagged with those stick on flags. I would not pass unless you are 100% sure it is either a real passing zone or there are no LEO's in sight.

I am on a V-Strom, so pavement quality is less of a concern for me than most. Later in the day I was tearing up Sandwich Notch road waving at the dudes on dual-sports.

Sunday was a shit-show on the kanc. I was there shortly after noon and almost wished I'd found a different route. Saw a guy on a Harley pass me illegally, jamb himself between me and the two 'wings in front of me, and then proceed to nearly make himself a hood ornament trying a pass on the double yellow on a blind left hander. Fucking numnutz!

Hopefully that crap dies down and I can actually enjoy the road later this fall.

My gf and I were taking a break at a gas station at the White Mountains yesterday. There were a couple other groups of bikes there, then there were a group of old guys are Harleys. When they got back on a bike to get going, one of them started tipping over and eventually fell over with there bike. Didn't even look like he was trying to muscle the bike back up while he was going down. Anyways, his buddies help him back up. There was so sort of fluid leaking from his bike. He stood there for a few minutes catching his breath. Gets back onto his bike, pulls a tall can of Pabst Blue Ribbon out of his jacket, takes the last gulp and chucks it across the grass, lights a cigarette, starts his motor up, and leaves.

Everyone was WTF at the gas station. I hope he just crashes and burns on his own, and take his buddies with him along the way before he kills someone innocent.

[sveesix]

Are you talking about Kancamagus Highway?

Yes, also known as the Kanc.

[SteveM]

I've ridden it twice in the last three weeks, including Sunday. The Kanc is a tourist road, not a racer road, especially at predictably busy times. In my opinion, anyone who rides it at these times to push their bike is a nitwit.

I rode it to enjoy the scenery, stop for some pictures and lunch at the top. While I probably passed a few cages in marked areas along the way, it was more to let them enjoy their pace than for me to push my bike.

Sunday I was following a few cages as the westbound lane began to head to Loon and I was passed on a double yellow by a sport bike and BMW so that they could tuck in directly in front of me and one car up for the last three miles into Loon. I hope the extra forty feet they gained made them feel better.

There are times when the Kanc can be a spirited ride, a fun ride, a shitshow, or a parking lot. Which it will be is fairly predictable. I just try to go with the flow and enjoy the scenery.

[nhbubba]

I was not out to "push" any limits. All I ask is that we do something better than 10 under the limit! If you want to stare at the mountains, pull over. There are plenty of places to do so.

And I am most definitely not signed up to see a fatality due to a shit-head rider over-riding his motorcycle or the traffic.

[GingahNinjah]

the last time i was up there when i made that particularly spirited ride as mentioned above the Kanc was empty save for a handful of other vehicles it was a sunday evening and there was practically noone on the road. this doesnt happen often so i had to take advantage of it.

[SwiftTone]

Bear Notch Rd that connects the Konc to 302 is a fun road. When we were there yesterday around 1PM there was little traffic. Also, there are a few pull offs to enjoy scenery and the road is a little bumpy but nothing to be scared of.

[Kenn157]

Bear Notch is great!

[RandyO]

Last time I was on it, it was pretty much snow covered above 2000 feet, below that, more ice as we had freezing rain earlier that morning, I ride it once a year on StupidBowl Sunday

[SwiftTone]

Last time I was on it, it was pretty much snow covered above 2000 feet, below that, more ice as we had freezing rain earlier that morning, I ride it once a year on StupidBowl Sunday

Dang dude, I'm nervous to ride with wet asphault, and you're riding in snow!! lol. What kind of tires were you using?

[nhbubba]

http://www.generaltire.com/tires/AltiMAX-Arctic



Yeah, it's a car tire.

Welcome to NESR Swift. Sure is some interesting stuff to read here...

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...kanc-ride.html
http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...ide-today.html
http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...ide-tires.html
http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...tire-wear.html


Edit: I stand corrected, see below... Randy's threads are still interesting reads tho.

[RandyO]

Dang dude, I'm nervous to ride with wet asphault, and you're riding in snow!! lol. What kind of tires were you using?

[waveman]

I was not out to "push" any limits. All I ask is that we do something better than 10 under the limit! If you want to stare at the mountains, pull over. There are plenty of places to do so.

And I am most definitely not signed up to see a fatality due to a shit-head rider over-riding his motorcycle or the traffic.

. That's the way I feel about it , just a nice run thru the twistys . Too many tourists and traffic / POPO out there to rail . I love the area after the hairpin heading East . Thanks for the update . I would enjoy it mid-week . It could be possible , thanks all

[nhbubba]

Slow people seem to hate mornings. Have fun.

[RandyO]

the upcoming foliage (leaf peeper) season is the worst time of year to explore the Kanc

[Evadd]

the upcoming foliage (leaf peeper) season is the worst time of year to explore the Kanc

Since I dragged my wife out here from cali last year and she has yet to really experience fall color change, I will definitely be one of those cagers driving around going "ooh, lookit the pretty colors!" (assuming I can't get her to ride pillion for half a day).

[GingahNinjah]

Since I dragged my wife out here from cali last year and she has yet to really experience fall color change, I will definitely be one of those cagers driving around going "ooh, lookit the pretty colors!" (assuming I can't get her to ride pillion for half a day).

if you wanna do some real leaf peeping take the Auto Road up Mt Washington or drive up to Franconia Notch and hike up Mt. Lafayette, Lincoln, or Liberty. other option there would be to take the Cannon Mtn Tram.

[Mike Qube]

the upcoming foliage (leaf peeper) season is the worst time of year to explore the Kanc

I went up there last year during leaf peeping season, I went around the hairpin (not sure if it was eat or west, whatever uphill is on it) and there was a pickup truck stopped in the middle of the road when I came out of it. What were they doing, you ask.... taking pictures with their cell phone

[Evadd]

if you wanna do some real leaf peeping take the Auto Road up Mt Washington or drive up to Franconia Notch and hike up Mt. Lafayette, Lincoln, or Liberty. other option there would be to take the Cannon Mtn Tram.

Thanks, I'll look into those.

[nhbubba]

The views of the Pemi wilderness to the East of that Haystack-Lafayette ridge are just incredible. I have not been up there in way too long. Last time I had lunch perched on a rock ledge watching the shadows of the clouds roll across the valley. Just epic.

[Marc R]

Last time I was on it, it was pretty much snow covered above 2000 feet, below that, more ice as we had freezing rain earlier that morning, I ride it once a year on StupidBowl Sunday

Wow, I never would imagine this kind of riding. I've seen pictures from earlier posts, suggesting you ride while the snow is coming down. With respect and curiosity I have to ask, how bad is the weather when you say it's too risky?