Better than Expected

I thought I knew what peak season looked like.

Photo courtesy of Ellie Trent

I thought I knew how pretty the White Mountains were.

Photo Courtesy of Kristin Anderson

But then I rode up and over the Kancamagus Highway last weekend, and learned my lesson.  The colors and the views, right there in front of me, were too grand to accept as real life.

Photo Courtesy of James Fox

This year’s Kanc ride was one for the ages, and will have me daydreaming for some time.  The air, crisp and cold, climbed as slowly as we did, and topped out in the low, blissful sixties.  Cloud coverage was equally stunning, including some altocumulus patches that may as well have been painted in the sky.  The sky, impossibly blue, made for a perfect backdrop.

Photo Courtesy of Melissa Panter

Our group was thirteen strong, and rode with dropped jaws throughout the day.  We debriefed over tacos at Cafe Noche, then headed up for the longest climb of the day, twenty-two miles or so, to the top of the Kancamagus pass.  We rode with heads on swivels, we rode in awe, and we rode in silence for long stretches.  There was so much to take in, so much to see.

The summit was windy and chilled our sweaty jerseys so quickly, we didn’t stay long.  The final descent took place late in the day and we were treated to a final panorama of the sun setting over the peaks.

The Kancamagus ride is one of my favorite weekends of the year, and this year elevated it to a new level.  If you are interested, I bet you have another week or two to catch the fall foliage before it falls.

Don’t forget to hashtag your best foliage shots #trueautumnchallenge for a chance to win a free True Cyclery T-Shirt.