Okemo Mtn, VT – Okemo Mountain in Ludlow, VT is another popular climb among cyclists. The paved summit road winds through the ski area en route to the summit. It is a state road, but not a park, so no entrance fee is required for those interested in training here. The Race for Grace is different from most other Hillclimb events in that the race does not start at the base of the climb.

It starts in Jackson Gore village and follows flat or slightly downhill Rt 103 for nearly two miles before picking up the steep summit road. This means racers need all the gears on their bike, as most will be traveling over 20mph to reach the base of the climb. The climb throws some really steep punches, but nothing like the first 2 miles of Ascutney.

Okemo offers occasional breathers. The finish line is just shy of the end of the pavement. There is minimal parking area at the summit, so most riders will be expected to ride their bikes back down. The pavement is decent for climbing, but great care must be taken on the descent. Like any New England road, old man winter eventually has its way with asphalt.

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Mount Kearsarge

The Mount Kearsarge Hill Climb is a very scenic 8-mile track that climbs up to the summit parking lot of Mount Kearsarge in Warner, New Hampshire. The climb includes a 3.5-mile section towards the end that comes with an almost 9% average grade and rises almost 1,740 ft.

The first section of the Mount Kearsarge Hill Climb is 4.5 miles long and includes some level, uphill, but also some downhill sections which allow for some deep breathing. The ride also includes a 1-mile section with a 12%-plus gradient.

The Mount Kearsarge Hill Climb is actually the only U.S. hill climb that provides free coffee for all bicycle riders provided by Schoodac’s Coffee House of Warner; mid-climb Men’s and Women’s primes that value at $100; Cycling Mallorca prize vouchers and more valuable prizes for all category winners; and a hearty and healthy chili lunch after the race.

At the day of the race, registration & number pick-up are open at 7:30 am and the road to the summit parking closes at 9:15 am. The Mount Kearsarge Hill Climb starts at 9:30 am. No vehicles or riders are permitted on the course track until all riders have finished. Helmets for the participants are mandatory.

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Mount Washington NH, is the biggest climb in the Northeastern United States and often dubbed the toughest hill climb in North America or even the world. I wouldn’t challenge the idea that this is the toughest hill climb in the Northern Hemisphere. Additionally, foul weather is often taking on a big role in this hill climb.

The Mount Washington Bicycle Hillclimb is regarded as the grand-daddy of all hill climbs in the northeastern portions of America and careers were launched for winners on this impressive mountain. In 1997, for example, Tyler Hamilton broke an almost 20-year-old record here and in 1999, he again broke his own record. In 2002, we witnessed a new kid on the block named Tom Danielson, who brought Hamilton’s record down by one more minute.

The track is mostly paved and it rises more than 4720 feet in just over 7.5 miles which translates to a nearly 12% average grade. At the top, there’s even a 22% grade section! The Mount Washington climb is rising pretty monotonically and on the way up, there are no flat or downhill parts that allow for catching your breath.

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