Bike Week

2012-06-14 18:32:42.000 – Emanuel Janisch,  Summit Intern

The Parking Lot

Glancing out the window of the observatory the first thing to catch your eye is the sunlight gleaming off the chrome of motorcycles, trailing their way up the last stretch of the mountain as they approach the summit. The Mount Washington Auto Road was open only to bikes today in appreciation of bike week in New Hampshire.Stepping out on the observation deck, it is teaming with activity. Bikers, hikers and visitors all taking advantage of this wonderful weather moving from corner to corner enjoying the views and snapping pictures. Looking over the edge down the mountain, a continuous trail, of what looks like ants is making its way up the mountain, accompanied by a steady hum as the bikes make the final push up the last stretch of mountain to the parking lots.

Taking a walk around the summit, I can’t help but notice a single person not enjoying the summit. The parking lots are full with bikes which give it a different feeling, laugher and echoes of conversations can be heard all over the summits. As bike day progresses, the streams of Bikers winding their way up the mountain becomes more and more continuous with less breaks between groups. The continuous streams of people eagerly coming into the museum to soak in more knowledge about the summit are greeted by a great staff eager to help.

As the day begins to wind down the trail of bikes coming up the mountain begins to dwindle and is replaced by a stream that starts to head down slowly indicating that this year’s bike week is coming to an end, leaving some big shoes for next year’s to fill.

Emanuel Janisch,  Summit Intern