Bicyclists Prepare for Mt. Washington Bike Race

Six hundred cyclists are heading to New Hampshire to compete in the annual Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb.

Saturday's race is a grueling 7.6 mile climb up the highest mountain in the northeastern United States. The men's record stands at 49 minutes, 24 seconds. The women's is 58 minutes, 14 seconds.

The race is so popular with hardcore cyclists that registration was filled within four days of opening in February. Riders pay a $350 entry fee and raise donations for the Tin Mountain Conservation Center in Albany, N.H.

 A 13-year-old cyclist from New Mexico, riding in his fourth Auto Road race, leads the fundraising pack with $4,200 in pledged donations.

 If weather on the mountain is too dicey Saturday, the race will be moved to Sunday.

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