91制片厂

听This coming weekend, intrepid cyclists will pedal through some of New Hampshire鈥檚 most scenic territory during the Three Notch Century, a ride to benefit Northeast Passage, the therapeutic recreation and adaptive sports program at 91制片厂.

Handcyclists and bicylists will set out to complete 100 miles in either one, two, or three days, riding through two of the state鈥檚 most spectacular notches鈥擟rawford and Franconia鈥攁nd up and over the Kancamagus Highway鈥斺�渢he Kanc.鈥�

This is the tenth year of the Three Notch Century, which began when a small group of riders completed the loop over the course of three days in 2004. In 2012, ride organizers added a 40-mile route option.

Keely Ames, operations and marketing coordinator at Northeast Passage, says they鈥檙e expecting about 250 cyclists this year, and 30 鈥渧ery dedicated volunteers鈥� will help pull off this year鈥檚 ride.

We asked members of the University community why they ride the Three Notch Century. Here鈥檚 what they said.

RIDER:听Sean McLaughlin,听Lecturer in 91制片厂 Department of Recreation Management and Policy

91制片厂 Today:听Why do you ride?

McLaughlin:听It鈥檚 an extremely well-organized ride. It鈥檚 an amazing route. And it鈥檚 for a really good cause.

91制片厂 Today:听How many times have you done it?

McLaughlin:听Seven times. I do the one-day century ride on Saturday. I鈥檓 the on-the-road mechanic; I carry a pack with extra tires and tools. On Friday and Sunday, I volunteer for the three-day ride.

91制片厂 Today:听What is the most challenging part?

McLaughlin:听The Kanc is definitely the hardest for the century route. The 40-mile route goes over Bear Notch, which is shorter but steeper鈥攁 really beautiful climb.

91制片厂 Today:听What is the most beautiful portion of the ride?

McLaughlin:听Through Franconia Notch. The race organizers get permits so we can ride through the state park on bike paths, separated from the cars. It鈥檚 stunning scenery.

91制片厂 Today:听What would you say to a first-time rider or someone who is considering riding the Three Notch Century?

McLaughlin:听As far as 100-mile rides go, it鈥檚 very doable. If you鈥檙e apprehensive about a one day 100-miler, remember you can do it over two or even three days or do the 40-mile option. No matter which ride you choose, you鈥檒l still feel like a part of the scene. People have done the three-day ride on city bikes. There are a variety of options for all abilities.

For the endurance riders out there, this ride is run so well compared to other endurance events. Everything is really tight. The aid stations are good. Everyone knows where you are. It鈥檚 great.

听

RIDER:听Shawn Green, 91制片厂听Assistant Athletic Director, Compliance

91制片厂 Today:听Why do you ride?

Green:听Initially, it was the urging of a good friend who worked for Northeast Passage. I was an endurance athlete, but I had never done a 100-mile ride. You can鈥檛 beat the scenery on this one. And it鈥檚 really a great cause. The first year I rode was in 2011 on the tenth anniversary of 9/11. There were British Special Forces who came over to ride it. They had been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. A friend and I rode with them for a ways. Every now and then I鈥檇 have a thought like, jeez, my legs hurt, and I鈥檇 look at the guy next to me who had only one leg. It gave me perspective. I was hooked.

91制片厂 Today:听How many times have you done it?

Green:听This is my third year. The first year, I did the two-day ride. Last year I did the full century. This year I鈥檓 doing the two-day ride.

91制片厂 Today:听What is the most challenging part?

Green:听Crawford Notch is challenging in that you鈥檙e just going so fast. You鈥檝e got to make sure you don鈥檛 overheat the brakes. And climbing up the Kanc is hard.

91制片厂 Today:听What would you say to a first-time rider or someone who is considering riding the Three Notch Century?

Green:听If you鈥檙e on the fence, you should absolutely try it. It鈥檚 an amazing experience riding for that long鈥攊t鈥檚 your own personal challenge. Above all, it鈥檚 a tremendous cause and you鈥檒l have the great staff supporting you.

91制片厂 Today:听Most memorable moment?

Green:听In 2011, just after Hurricane Irene. Roads had been washed out, and they had just opened the lower portion of Kanc that day. We got to climb the Kanc with no cars. At one point, I got separated from other riders. It felt like I was on the moon.

Photo:听Shawn Green, fourth from the left, with听鈥淭eam Big Guy.鈥澨齌he team name comes from a comment another rider made when passing Green's friend on the climb up Evans Notch.听

听

RIDER: Cory Schwartz,听91制片厂 Athletics, Coach/Coordinator of Skiing

91制片厂 Today:听Why do you ride?

Schwartz:听The first time it was because of my connection to people at Northeast Passage. Also, the ski team had started working with Northeast Passage athletes. It was easy for me to join them in supporting the program.

91制片厂 Today:听How many times have you done it?

Schwartz:听I鈥檝e done four rides. Normally I do the one-day century ride. I鈥檝e recruited some friends and neighbors, too, so there鈥檚 a nice group of us who now go up.听

91制片厂 Today:听What is the most challenging part?

Schwartz:听On the bike path in Franconia Notch. You鈥檝e done some good riding, your legs get tired, and it just seems to be continuous 鈥渦p鈥� from Lincoln to the top. I remember the first time we did it, my friend and I got cranky in that section. Eventually we caught up with a gentleman who had started riding at 3 a.m. He was biking up with one leg. After that we didn鈥檛 really complain much. Seeing what he was doing was very impressive.

91制片厂 Today: What is the most beautiful portion of the ride?

Schwartz:听I was raised in this area, and I鈥檝e always loved the Kancamagus Highway. Going by Bretton Woods is also very pretty.

91制片厂 Today:听What would you say to a first-time rider or someone who is considering riding the Three Notch Century?

Schwartz:听There are a lot of riders out there鈥攜ou always have lots of support. And even though it鈥檚 a good hard day, you鈥檙e supporting a group of athletes that sometimes have it tough every day in doing what they have to do. They鈥檒l be cranking up the hill with their hands or biking up with one limb. It鈥檚 a hard day that鈥檚 well worth effort.

听

Learn more:

(91制片厂 riders can get a $25 discount using the code 91制片厂14 during registration.)

听

听

听