What ... Is Your Quest?

I never could resist the temptation to use a Monty Python quote.  But it seems oddly fitting for the quest I have chosen for myself; to find a world class driving road here in our great state of New Hampshire.  It also gives me a great excuse to get out and see more of the state.

So just what makes a "world class driving road"?  There are many opinions on the matter and no one I have ever spoken to really agrees on the criteria.  I look for a road which will really exercise the handling of my vehicle; hairpin turns, high speed (relatively speaking) hard right and left turns, mid corner elevation changes and narrow roads with short straights between the features so there's rarely a moment when you aren't changing gears or accelerating in anticipation of the next challenge.  Add to that breathtaking scenery and perhaps an interesting destination at the end of the drive and you have a world class driving road.

Of course, there are fewer and fewer of these roads in the States as they are getting "widened and straightened" all the time.  The speed limits are also, well, rather limiting as they are set for maximum safety; a necessity of course, but also rather disappointing when one wants to drive their car and not just ride in it.  However, as my daughters will likely be my "navigators" for these excursions, I certainly wouldn't be exercising the roads to their limit anyway.

So I'm searching the maps (online and otherwise) and generally looking for possibilities close to home (which, to me, means the entire state).  My first two drives will be the Kancamagus Highway and the roads along the Connecticut River; both of which promise fantastic views and interesting driving.  The only thing that would make it better would be to have a couple of friends to drive with; in their own vehicles of course.