Where are the worst frost heaves?

The people have spoken. And grumbled, fussed, and wheezed. Anyway, we have a winner in the "Worst Frost Heaves" contest. The top vote getter was Ashby Road in New Ipswich, which one person described as "one crater shy of a moon landing site." Note that the award was based on voting, not on any actual scientific measurement of the heaves. This is democracy in action folks, where the majority decides what is right or wrong without regard to facts.

The winner of the prize drawing for voters was Larry J., who seemed very excited to have a genuine Frost Heaves t-shirt to sport around town. No accounting for taste, as they say.

Anyway, congratulations to the folks who live or drive on Ashby Road. We think.

Here's the breakdown of the actual voting, by percentages:

31.3% - Ashby Road, New Ipswich
22.9% - Middle Road, Hancock
16.7% - Troy Rd. between Rt. 124 and Rt. 12 (aka Marlborough Road, Troy)
10.4% - Rt. 31, Greenfield to Lyndeborough
 8.3% - General Miller Highway, Temple
 4.2% - Rt. 124, Marlborough to Jaffrey
 4.2% - Rt. 137, Dublin to Hancock
 2.1% - Francestown Turnpike, Mont Vernon

And here are a few notes and comments we received as the contest progessed:

Friend Rose L. suggested General Miller Highway in Temple: "Huge heaves, undulating rivers ofheaves, and axel-cracking dips... for miles!"

Lisa R. wrote in her vote for Rte 124 between Marlborough and Jaffrey.

Hope P. noted that the correct name is Middle Road in Hancock, so I corrected that. She also notes, "the worst frost heave is near where Vatcher Road joins Middle Road.  It's actually a dip, not a heave...!!!!!!" (Sorry, Hope. The dips will have to do their own poll.)

Jami B. voted for Middle Hancock Road, but says, "There's a doozy of a frost heave on Route 137 right before you come upon Del Rossi's Restaurant," so I added Rt. 137 to the list.

Larry J. nominated the Mont Vernon section of the 2nd NH Turnpike, the last mile into the town, going south.

Sarah K. cast her vote for Ashby Rd. in New Ipswich and says "every year the frost heaves get worse.  I don't know how much longer my car can take the abuse of driving up and down the road daily.  With the recent snow/rain storm huge pot holes have opened up.  It's just like playing a video game trying to maneuver around not only the frost heaves, but now the pot holes."

Kathleen A. voted for the road from Greenfield to Lyndeborough, but notes that "the best worst road is West Peterborough to Hancock - very bad short stretch at Sargent Camp - a short v e r y s l o w stretch......."

According to Ray P., "Us people from away in Massachusetts have our share of Frost Heaves too. Hale St. in Winchendon is one fun ride at the right speed."

Don U. voted for Troy Rd between RT 124 West in Jaffrey and RT 12 in Troy Village, stating, "This 3 mile disaster is impossible to walk no less drive."

Comments

[M. Booth]

I'd like to add my own location.
Yesterday, I was driving on Rte. 123 south from the center of Hancock to Rte 202 and (gasp) actually had to slow down because there were so many frost heaves one after another.
This stretch may not have the largest individual frost heave, but it might have the most per mile.

[Louise M. Simonetta]

I voted for Middle Rd. but The road going from Dublin School in Dublin to Harrisville and into Nelson have to be the worst. Potholes are everywhere especially out near Harrisville Design, Harrisville. Does Harrisville have a road Dept?

[Lenora]

Lenora writes...I Know nuthin! Have no idea where they are...but they must be pretty bad to earn a vote. Ashby Road sounds like a bad name...must be a bad road. Think you should detour and come down I94...why take out the bottom of your vehicle! Heave Ho off you go~!

[JJL]

I'd like to nominate Ledge Road in Hancock. It's already very steep and now it's like going up a roller coaster.

[Pat Aho]

Robbins Road in Rindge in the area of Rand/Old Military Rd. Can't crawl through there slow enuff!