Ride The Rock Pile (Mt. Washington 2026)

General Event Notes and PoliciesThe ride information and policies outlined in the registration policies, e-bike policies and the general event policies are to ensure riders have a safe and successful endeavor up Mt. Washington and have fun doing it, which means being prepared. The information below and policies set forth by the event coordinators are to ensure a successful and safe ride.General Event InformationThe steepness of the road and the possibility of extreme weather are there regardless of the type of bike you’re riding.The Auto Road route is 7.6 miles in length with an average grade of 12% and extended sections of 18% with the last 50 yards reaching 22%.Only Class 1 e-bikes that utilize pedaling and electric power (in accordance with USA Cycling’s definition outlined in #2 below) will be allowed to participate in the Early Bird ride.It is critical that riders train and adequately prepare (physically and mentally) to take on the challenge of riding the Mt. Washington Auto Road.Mt. Washington is home to the worst weather in America. According to the Mount Washington Observatory’s website, July temperature averages range from 44.5 to 55.3 degrees F. The record high is 71 and the record low is 24. Riders should anticipate, and be prepared for, weather-related challenges and changing conditions between the base and the summit. High, gusting winds and rain add to the physical challenge of riding up the mountain.It is important for all riders registering in the Early Bird Ride, including E-bikes, to understand that the Early Bird Ride has extremely limited resources. This is an unsupported ride. All participants, and their drivers, need to be prepared with the essentials for completing the route.There is no technical support at the base, on the road, or at the summit.Event Policies1. Organizers reserve the right to deny a rider participation if they fail to comply with any of the event policies.2. The information and policies are subject to change.3. All riders must check-in at registration to receive a bib number. Bib numbers must be pinned on an outer layer of clothing and visible at all times during the ride. Riders failing to present a bib number or whom do not have bib number will be required to immediately cease their ride and will not be allowed to continue up the Auto Road, regardless of where they are on the route.4. All riders must start between 5 am and 6 am; no exceptions.5. All riders are strictly forbidden from riding down the Auto Road.6. Safety First – You MUST have lights on both the front and back of the bike for visibility and we recommend hi-vis clothing. Because this is self-supported, bring adequate hydration, food/fuel, first aid, tools and extra tubes.7. All riders must wear a helmet.8. Summit Vehicle Driver Information – All riders must have their own support and a ride down from the summit is solely the responsibility of the registered participant and not that of Tin Mountain Conservation Center, event volunteers, or the Auto Road.Support Driver – Only cars associated with the practice ride are allowed up to the summit.The Toll House opens at 5 am and cars must be on the road heading up by 6 am.Support Vehicles must go directly to the summit and may not wait for their rider to pass by (no-leap frogging with other riders and cars).Driving to the summit is authorized by the Mt. Washington Auto Road and drivers need to be aware of the rules and regulations regarding use of the Auto Road. We encourage all riders and drivers to review the vehicle restrictions and other information posted on the Mount Washington Auto Road site.View Auto Road Vehicle Restrictions2026 Auto Road Fees apply – The Auto Road pass for the support driver and vehicle are not included in the $150 registration fee. Your support driver and their vehicle are subject to the passage fees as described on the Auto Road website: https://mt-washington.com/. Fees will be paid at the toll house.*The interior weight in the support driver’s vehicle cannot exceed 900 lbs coming down (driver, passengers, bikes, gear). Please add up the weight of each passenger and any additional luggage to make sure it is under this 900 lbs limit. This is a CRITICAL safety issue on the Auto Road. Tested over and over again, we have found that if you put more than 900 lbs in an automobile, the weight is too much for the transmission to hold back the vehicle on the steep grades. It can cause you to use your brakes too much, which will lead to overheated brakes, or worse. Please keep the interior weight of the car in check.*2026 Event Registration PoliciesRegistration is limited to 150 riders (including E-Bikes)Registration is $150 per rider.Registration opens at 9 am on April 1 and closes on July 12, 2026 at 5:00 pm.Cancellations prior to July 1 will be refunded the amount paid at the time of registration minus a $25 administration fee.Waitlisted riders will be moved into the event in the order registered. No-shows will not be refunded their registration fee.There is no day-of registration. This is due to the complexity of the ride and requirement to have vehicle support at the summit to ensure your ride down.If you know you will be a no-show, please contact the event coordinator, eholmes@tinmountain.org. It would be great to get a waitlisted rider in if we can.Please see our website for additional information regarding weather conditions.MWARBH Early Bird Ride 2026 E-Bike PoliciesRecognizing that e-bikes are a fast-growing part of recreational and competitive cycling, we offering an e-bike category at the Early Bird ride. The Early Bird Ride presents a significant physical and mental challenge. We want you to be successful in this endeavor and have fun doing it, which means being prepared. The information below and policies set forth by the event coordinators are to ensure a successful and safe ride.The following policies are to ensure riders registering for the e-bike category understand the challenges of riding up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. By registering for the event, you are agreeing to the e-bike policies outlined below and the registration and general event policies:1. This ride will generally adhere to the USA Cycling E-bike Policy (https://s3.amazonaws.com/usac-craft-uploads-production/documents/E-Bike-Policy.pdf) and allow only Class 1 e-bikes that meet the definition adopted by USAC below:(a) Only Class 1 e-bikes that utilize pedaling and electric power will be allowed to participate in the Early Bird ride.(b) Bike must be unmodified, which includes no chips or tuning packages.(c) No Throttle.(d) Freely operable pedaling system: rear wheel drive train of pedals, crank, chain and gear system.(e) 750 watt or less motor (manufacturer’s label of compliance is the minimum standard requirement).(f) Motor engages only with pedaling.(g) Motor assistance cut off at 20 mph (32 kmh).2. Exceptions to the Class 1 e-bike policy may be approved at the sole discretion of the event organizers.3. E-bike riders should be prepared to provide information demonstrating their bike meets the definition above. Failure to provide the requested information may jeopardize a rider’s registration and participation in the ride.4. E-bikes may be required to start at a specified time within the 5 am to 6 am window in order to maintain safety for all riders and drivers participating in the early bird event. If determined, start times will be communicated closer to the event date.5. E-bike riders are responsible for their own equipment if technical support is required on the route; this includes tools and extra batteries. This is a minimally supported ride.6. All riders are strictly forbidden from riding down the Auto Road.7. Organizers reserve the right to deny a rider participation if they fail to comply with the e-bike policies8. The information and policies are subject to change.