A C177 PLT; OVERFLYING THE MOUNTAINS OF WEST VIRGINIA; ENCOUNTERED TURB AND A MOUNTAIN WAVE CONDITION; RENDERING HIM INCAPABLE OF MAINTAINING ASSIGNED ALT.

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I WAS BRINGING A NEW PURCHASED C177RG FROM GRAND STRAND; SC; TO HOME BASE IN NASHUA; NH; AFTER 4 DAYS IN AN INTENSIVE ACFT FAMILIARIZATION AND VFR/IFR REFRESHER PROGRAM. LEG FROM CREW TO REFUEL/LUNCH STOP AT MRB WAS AT 7000 FT; AFTER CLBING TO CLR LIGHT TO MODERATE TURB BELOW. N OF MRB; HAD INCREASING DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING ALT; AND RECEIVED CLRNC TO 9000 FT. I HAD ALERTED CTLR ON EACH FREQ CHANGE THAT I WAS BEING CARRIED ABOVE AND BELOW ALT BY TURB; (I BELIEVE I RPTED NOT ABLE TO HOLD ALT; BUT ABLE TO AVERAGE IT) BUT HAD NOT REQUESTED A BLOCK ALT AS I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN WITHIN +/-150 FT. MY ADJUSTABLE SEAT WAS RAISED FULLY; FOR BETTER OVER-THE-COWL VISIBILITY CONDITIONS. AS THE AIRWAY HEADED CLOSER TO THE MOUNTAIN RIDGES; A PARTICULARLY SEVERE DOWNDRAFT DROPPED THE ACFT 200+ FT; LIFTED EVERY UNSECURED ITEM; AND GAVE ME (BELTED IN) A GOOD CRACK AGAINST THE HEADLINER. I WENT TO CLB PWR; AND REDUCED AIRSPD 50+ MPH IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLB BACK TO 9000 FT. THE UPDRAFT SIDE OF THE WAVE CAUGHT ME IN THIS CONFIGN; AND THE VSI PEGGED UP. I HAD THROTTLED BACK TO 12 INCHES; AS AIRSPD WENT WELL INTO THE YELLOW (165-170 KIAS) AND I WAS CONSIDERING DROPPING GEAR AS CTR CALLED 'SHOWING 9300 FT.' I COULD RESPOND WITH THE PUSH-TO-TALK; EVEN WITH BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL; AND RPTED I WAS DOING EVERYTHING PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN ALT. SOON AFTER THIS; I MOVED WESTWARD OVER THE RIDGE LINE AND OUT OF THE WAVE CONDITION AND WAS ABLE TO REGAIN ALT CTL. ONE LESSON FROM THIS EVENT: TREAT MODERATE PLUS TURB LIKE TSTM CELLS; AND LOWER SEAT. I HAD CONSIDERED THAT ADVICE MEANT TO REDUCE NIGHT SIGHT EXPOSURE TO LIGHTNING FLASH; RATHER THAN ADDING HEAD CLRNC! ALSO; I SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE DEFINITIVE WITH ATC; REQUESTING AN ADEQUATE BLOCK EARLIER; RATHER THAN FIGHTING THE WX CONDITION WHICH HAD ME AT AIRSPD WELL ABOVE MANEUVERING -- MY 'INFORMING' ATC OF FLT CONDITIONS WASN'T ADEQUATE WARNING.