I'm always telling people that Whiteface Mountain is the most versatile of the Adirondack High Peaks. And I thought that I had already conquered the mountain in every way possible.

Let's see:

• Of course, you can ski or ride down the alpine slopes in winter. Check. 

• And ride downhill mountain bikes on those same slopes in summer. Check.
• You can hike up the trail to the top. Check.

• You can drive your car up the Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway. Check.

• You can ride your bicycle up the Highway. Check. 
• You can ski up the Highway in winter. Check.
• You can ride the Gondola to the top of Little Whiteface in summer and fall. Check.
• You can ride your motorcycle up the Highway....wait; I hadn't done that yet!

On this beautiful, sunny, 70-degree Adirondack day, I decided to add it to my list. Though it would be similar to driving a car, it would also be quite a bit easier than riding a bicycle up to the top.

I remember when riding my bicycle back down the highway after racing in the Uphill Bike Race that it was tiring to maintain pressure on my hand brakes - and there were several bumps that made it impossible NOT to try to keep my speed in check.  (I also remember that there is a sign that says "Toll House ahead" on the way down just before you reach the gate at the bottom. In my exhaustion after that same race, I hoped that they had toll house cookies in there. But I digress.)

I have an antique motorcycle; not one of those cool sport bikes or classic Harley's. But it's a good size for me, and very comfortable to ride on my commute from the Lake Champlain Region. I wondered if the bumps I remembered from the road bike descent would be as noticeable on my cushiony Kawasaki.

First, to ascend. I stopped at the Little Supermarket 
in Wilmington and got a sandwich and a drink for a picnic at the top, then I strapped a video camera to my helmet to capture the views, and headed to get my ticket at the toll booth.

I'm familiar with the road, but once I approached the first of many overlooks - most complete with handy picnic tables, I was still awed by the view. The perspectives that this short drive to the top affords are breathtaking.

I arrived at the end of the highway and parked in the motorcycle section as directed by the attendant at the top. From here, one can walk into a tunnel to take an elevator to the very top of the mountain, or walk up a rocky stairway to the summit. I have only taken the tunnel/elevator ride once; and being mildly claustrophobic, I took the stairs.

Immediately, I was aware of the lower temperature as compared to the toll house. There was a brisk wind, and I "ran" up the stairway to take a couple of pictures of the AMAZING views from the summit before returning to my bike, committed to having my picnic lunch on the way back down at one of those tables I spied on the way up.

I geared up and headed back down the hill. As I descended, much more comfortably than on my bicycle as I could coast in low gear, I passed a couple of bicyclists making their way to the top. It was about 2 p.m., so they had plenty of time to reach the top. (I was told by the attendant at the top that they'd appreciate all bicyclists starting their ascent by no later than 4:30 pm).

There were families at the first few pull-offs, so I grabbed the first one that was free. Happy to stop and enjoy the view, I fully appreciated the fact that
1. I get to live here,
and 2. I had the foresight to get candy along with that sandwich.

So what's left for me to conquer on Whiteface? Well, I have skied alpine since I was a little girl, but I haven't tried snowboarding yet.

As I understand it, you just lock both feet onto a board and point it downhill...what could possibly go wrong?
Tune in when the snow falls to find out, I guess! 

 

-Kim Rielly is the director of communications for the Lake Placid CVB/Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism.