For those unfamiliar with this event visit this site for all the details:
Official 2025 photos: Joe Viger Photography
More pics here: Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb | Facebook
Background –
I rode up the mountain for the first time way back in September 1974. 
It was a USCF two-day event that year with 100+ mile road race on Saturday (Conway/Notch/Gorham loop) followed by the hill climb the next morning with a traditional TT start. My climb time was 1:16:09 which was 20th place.
The Auto Road had lots of gravel sections back then including some washboard. It’s fully paved now. 
I decided to tackle the climb one more time before fading to black.
Nowadays there are six staggered waves of riders starting with elites and Top Notch riders (prior finish 1:20 or less) then various age groups. I was in Wave 6 (age 60+, 90 riders).
Registration is capped at 635 entrants.
The road is closed to vehicles during the event (6:30am-2pm) other than an emergency ATV.
You cannot ride down from the top. Too steep and dangerous. Riders need a designated support driver to head up before 8am (or pre-arrange a ride down with one). First wave kicks off at 8:30am.
Entry fee is steep too but keep in mind it’s a fund-raiser for Tin Mountain Conversation Center. Consider all they do putting the event together with many volunteers helping out.
No refunds if the weather forces a cancellation although you can pre-register early the following year if that happens.
1st attempt: 2023
Goal: <100 minutes; top finish in my age division (70-74).
Prep: Two XATA Base-Build-Peak progressions. first starting in Dec and peaking in April then a week in XATA Continuous before initiating another progression. Capped out hours prior to event in mid-August.
Was blasting through hill repeats during Peak phase; PRs on many Strava climb segments including a couple KAGs (king of age group) during 2023.
Race day: Slight breeze and drizzle in the low 60s down below and dipping into the 40s up on the summit. Unfortunately*, the event was cancelled as Wave 1 lined up at the starting arch.
Wind up top was 35mph with gusts to 50 plus visibility was poor. That meant wind chill at the finish was in the upper 30s. Next day (rain date) was worse (70mph gusts with near zero visibility).
2nd attempt: 2024
Goal: Same as 2023; reached a similar fitness level.
Prep: Two short XFAI plans starting in Dec then switched to XATA Base-Build-Peak progression which included a short break. Higher TP than 2023.
Race day: Reasonable weather all around. Cool breeze above tree-line.
Good start but too much grinding triggered radiating lumbar-sciatic pain before Mile 2. Forced to take five walking breaks for some temporary relief.
Finished 15th out of 31 riders in 70+ age group. Not content with that but got a great pic.
3rd attempt: 2025
Goal: <110 minutes. No walking! 
Prep: Similar to prior years but more indoor workouts due to weather (too much rain or ridiculously windy), plus a break before committing to XATA progression in late March. Not the same TP attained as in past, but felt good enough to try again. This time on a lighter bike with a lower gear.
Race day: Nice weather from base to summit.
Got ahead of myself following a rider on a classic 70s bike. Felt comfortable at that point due to start gun adrenaline rush before “ugh” settled in with the realization I’d been over-reaching (neglected to monitor head unit).
As soon as I felt a twinge of back pain, I throttled things back to an easier spin and focused on maintaining that pace. That was slower than I’m capable of but a safer bet to avoid a sciatica flare-up which begins in my lower back and radiates down left leg as it gets worse. Tried standing a few times but was too choppy doing that.
Left leg inner thigh cramps during last mile but pushed through them (very sore the next two days). No doubt due to lack of hydration, but I wasn’t able to fuel like I normally do. Too awkward handling a water bottle with pedaling effort required. There are only a couple brief respites on the climb. I missed the first one and only got one gulp down on the second. Bottle should have been empty well before the top. That didn’t happen.
Result: Placed 3rd in M70-74 group with a time of 1:50:29, just over my 110 minute goal. Close enough. Mission accomplished.
For those interested in adding MWARBH to their bucket list , here’s some informative links. You don’t need to race up it. Ride it for FUN and the challenge. 
2022 event highlights (18 min) – https://youtu.be/G4VpQGQa8FU
Phil Gaimon’s infamous finish in 2022 (5 min) – https://youtu.be/uFcnaGI_5Ow
Illi Gardner’s record ride this year –
‘It’s harder than almost every climb I’ve done’ - Illi Gardner sets the all-time record on Mt. Washington | Cycling Weekly
The ever-changing summit weather report with webcams –
Only one word is needed to describe the MWARBH – RELENTLESS.
In bad weather it would be BRUTAL. 
*I’m glad they cancelled at the starting line in 2023. I was warming up on a trainer with rain jacket on, about to stow lightweight gloves in a jersey pocket. I was perplexed by all the riders mulling about in normal summer kit waiting for their start. Were they naive or a lot tougher than me?
I’ve hiked up the mountain before in bad weather (during summer) and it can be TOTALLY NUTS. If you can’t quickly find a place to shelter when a squall rolls in, you’re in serious trouble. There were two rescue incidents that weekend for hikers that’s weren’t prepared for what can happen above tree line.
OTOH when the weather is nice it’s beautiful up there as my summit pics attest.
