Southeast - 3-State 3-Mountain Challenge (5 May 2007)

My evil side reared its ugly head--a got a kick out of seeing some of the flatlanders toil on the hills. :)


I knew it! :eek: You guys are really gonna have a good time watchin' us flatlanders on the Wheezers and Whiners ride! :mad:


Congrats on your ride, baybuh! :beer: Quite an accomplishment! Maybe by next year I'll give it a try. :)


Was that an out-loud thought? :eek:

You guys are really gonna have a good time watchin' us flatlanders on the Wheezers and Whiners ride! :mad:
:)
Although it's noteworthy that a number of the people I reference weigh twice or more what you do. That certainly doesn't help. ;)

I saw someone sporting a "Velo Vixens (http://www.velovixens.net/)" jersey and thought about you, due to the name similarity. Apparently it's a local team.

VeloVol, were you decked out in a UT kit? I finished with almost the same ride time as you, and I remember seeing a rider in a UT kit. Just curious if it was you.

man, burkhalter was insanity...great ride and luckily I managed not to flat(seemed like TONS of people flatted this year) total time 5:30, ride time was around 5:16

The flats were insanity! One of the women I was riding with had her tire blowout right at the start line! We started about 25 minutes after the official start, and spent the day catching up. Alabama roads are AWFUL, and Burkhalter was just comical. "They want me to climb THAT????" Ouch! Oh - and the mud pits at that one rest stop? At least some of the mud puddles had settled enough that we could wash off our cleats in the water. I think my favorite was that little short climb right before the rest stop before Burkhalter. Super steep, but short enough to power over.

VeloVol, were you decked out in a UT kit?No, not me.

Here I am in my sweaty, grimy, post-ride glory. Note the aforementioned mud on my shoes.

http://www.brianarner.com/photogallery/albums/userpics/10001/IMG_1242.jpg

Hey Pedalwench,

Remember me? We talked while climbing Suck Creek. It was nice to see a BF'er in real life.

I was getting worried when it poured and stormed all night. Then just before the ride, it started sprinkling, I was like, there you go. However the rain stopped and the temperatures also stayed low all through the day which was a big relief.

Having climbed Suck Creek once before, I had decided to take it very easy on there. I think almost 80% of the riders passed me on there, I must have been going too slow, but it helped me out later. I hadn't ridden any serious miles in last month or so, and have gained about 10lbs over the winter. So I was worried about my abilities on Lookout Mountain.

Halfway through the Sand mountain climb, my energy system went out of whack on a switchback that I didn't handle well and there was a excruciating muscle ball in my right leg. Took me 5 minutes to recover out of it and was able to get back on the bike to climb the rest of the mountain. At the next sag stop, someone from my bike club got me a Electrolyte burst pill and one Tums. I think that helped a lot, because my cramp disappeared fast.

After this experience, I took it real easy on Burkhalter Gap. Oh the fear of the unknown. Long, steep climb that almost broke my back, when the road turned to the right, I knew something was up. Suddenly it hit me like a thunder, man oh man oh man, what a frekin climb. I said outloud: Are you kidding me? I am not climbing that thing. Someone around me said, yes you will and you can. Just set a comfy pace and go for it very slowly, no sudden movements.

What a glorious moment, when I reached the top. My bike club friends were standing at the top cheering the rest of us on, that helped so much.

This was my first century. Total ride time: 7Hrs 49Min, Average speed = 12.73MPH.

Here is a pic from the finish line:

http://160.129.141.112/photos/cryptic-finish1.jpg


http://160.129.141.112/photos/cryptic-finish2.jpg

Hey Pedalwench,

Remember me? We talked while climbing Suck Creek. It was nice to see a BF'er in real life.



Glad to see you finished strong! It was nice to see the BF jersey in real life!

My first century (sorry so long)

After purchasing my first road bike in Nov. 2006, I started the popular 10-week century training plan from Burke's "The Complete Book of Long Distance Cycling", about two months ago with two other local riders. Hey Ed, tell me again how a 62 mile weekend ride + one week on tapering = 100 mile 3 mountain century? Must be that new math that I keep hearing about.

My two ride partners and I took our place with the other 2,400 cyclists and were herded past the start/finish line with the sounds of Queen's "I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike…" blaring from the loud speaker. Very cool. I passed a guy attempting to complete the 3-State on a unicycle! Talk about brave. Not sure if he was able to complete the ride, but I could not imagine trying to ascend or descend those climbs with one wheel! During the first few miles over the 27 Freeway to Signal Mountain road, I must have counted at least 10 riders with flat tires on the side of the road. About 4-5 miles into the ride, a rider had forgotten one of the fundamental rules; always cross wet railroad tracks at a right angle. He went down with a "thud".

During the five mile climb up Suck Creek road, I settled into a steady pace of 7-8 mph and a fairly comfortable heart rate. The descent was a little nerve racking; many hairpin curves, wet roads, skinny bald tires, and caliper brakes; not the smartest thing to do I thought to myself. Some of the faster (read more crazy/less intelligent) riders were moving into the oncoming lane to pass slower riders. One guy passed me using this method giving me only a foot of space and had to swerve back into the downhill lane to avoid an oncoming car. We headed off for a 15 mile ride across the Tennessee valley with rolling terrain and our group of three immediately hooked up with four other riders to form a nice paceline. We were traveling over the rollers at about 20 mph pace and making great time, until I cut my front tire and had to pull to the side and change out my tube. It was disheartening to watch waves of riders pass us while I wrestled with the tire on the side of the road. At the 40 mile mark, we stopped at the second SAG to refill our water bottles, eat something, and use the restroom. All tasks were accomplished in roughly 15 minutes and we were ready to continue. The only problem was that the third member of our group was "missing in action". We waited for him by his abandoned bicycle, being suited up and ready to roll. After the extended stop, we headed towards Alabama. After crossing the state line, we witnessed two more cycling crashes from riders taking sharp turns on slick surfaces. The results: Road Surface 2 - Cyclists 0. Thanks for playing our challenge; we have a parting gift for your efforts (red road rash to the arms and legs).

We reached Sand Mountain and I shifted down into my lowest gear to begin the three mile shuffle. There is something to be said for ignorance (attempting a climb for the first time). You don't know how long you have until the top, so you can constantly fool yourself, "oh yeah, one more crest/turn until the top, got it made", "oh, well THIS ONE is the last…". The road surface was rougher, the grade was not constant with some surprisingly steep sections and two tight steep switchbacks in the road. My rear tire lost traction and spun a couple of times when I was standing up climbing due to the wet road. I was able to climb the second mountain with an acceptable level of suffering. It felt good to know that I had two of the three climbs in the bag. After taking on food and water at the third rest stop and sending out a 15 minute search party to find our lost member, we rode up and down roller coaster hills atop Sand Mountain for 15-20 miles, followed by a fun, fast 40+ mph descent. Note to self #1, "attach GPS location device to his ankle next year so that we can find him at rest areas".

In less than 10 miles, we would be at the foot of Lookout Mountain. I was beginning to feel like I could successfully complete the 100 mile course. There was a totally different mood at the next rest stop. The majority had serious looks on their faces. I took the left turn onto Burkhalter and started the climb. At the start of the climb, I could see about 40-50 riders at various stages along the climb, performing the death march to the top. I was in my low gear performing my Lamaze-inspired breathing technique. Note to self#2: "Be sure to tell the wife that you now know what it must feel like to go through the pain of childbirth". J/K. I saw riders resting by the roadside, pushing their bikes, and a couple of riders were zig-zagging back and forth from the left and right sides in an effort to cheat the steepness of the climb.

After 30 long minutes, I had completed the first 2-mile portion at the slow pace of 4-5 mph and was able to keep my heart rate down. After peddling through a very short break when the grade eased up, it was time to finish the climb. At the last section near the top, there were about 30-40 people clapping, ringing cow bells, and shouting words of encouragement to the riders ("you can do it", "doing great", "almost there"). There were two little girls who had made up a cheer, which they faithfully repeated over and over ("…don't worry about it, the top is right around the corner, you can do it, you can do it…"). All the encouragement definitely helped. My technique was to peddle for a short time with my rear pressed against the seat, followed by briefly standing up and peddling (repeat and rinse; YMMV; some assembly may be required; tax, title, and license not included; not valid with other offers; not valid in Puerto Rico). Within about 60 seconds of extreme suffering, I saw the painted line at the top and the climb was over.

At the top, I watched the other riders slowly crest the hill for a minute or two, with a huge smile on my face. Riders who had completed the climb were ecstatic giving each other high-fives and shouting at the top of their lungs. YAHOOOO! I took off down the roller coaster path along the top of Lookout Mountain and into the finish line area. I felt great. Momentum on the downhill side of the rollers are your best friend. The organizers had a nice sound system pumping out the music and many people on either side of the finish line clapping and cheering. After I crossed the finish line, all that was left was to enjoy the pizza and drinks and to discuss the day's details.

Cliff Notes version:

Elapsed start-to-finish time: 8 hours 20 minutes
Saddle time: roughly 6 hours 45 minutes (an estimate from my other two partners stats. I must have bumped my distance/speed pick up when I changed my front tire. No data from that point forward)
Speed: 14.8 mph

VeloVol and Crpticlineage: After having seen your pictures, I remember seeing you guys on the ride.

All said, it was a great experience and definately worth the time and training. An awesome experience. Next year hopefully I won't flat. I spent way too much time at the SAGs.

Bob, you must've been close to me...i finished in 8:30 total ride time and around 6:53 saddle time. I was the blonde, 240 lb guy on a black Pegoretti Marcelo

Bob, you must've been close to me...i finished in 8:30 total ride time and around 6:53 saddle time. I was the blonde, 240 lb guy on a black Pegoretti Marcelo

I do remember riding down Chestnut with two larger guys that had Nashville club jerseys. I think I over-heard one of you guys talking smack to the other one about, "...I would have kicked your butt on the hill, except for the (insert excuse here)...". Was that you?

Nope...i was wearing a red and white jersey from Bikes Plus in Northwest Florida...my riding partner had a Canada jersey on and was riding a blue and green Waterford

Nope...i was wearing a red and white jersey from Bikes Plus in Northwest Florida...my riding partner had a Canada jersey on and was riding a blue and green Waterford

Sorry. There were so many riders Sat., it is becoming a blur to me.

crypticlineage and Bob Wilson, good job on your first centuries.

I didn't notice your Bike Forums jersey, but there were so many people, especially at the beginning, that it's easy to miss.


At the start of the climb, I could see about 40-50 riders at various stages along the climb, performing the death march to the top.I like that line. Because that road is fairly straight at the beginning, you can see farther up the slope than you can on many of the climbs around here--I think that adds to the intimidation factor. :eek:

Thank you VeloVol.



I like that line. Because that road is fairly straight at the beginning, you can see farther up the slope than you can on many of the climbs around here--I think that adds to the intimidation factor. :eek:

I agree. It really did seem like a death march and the climb after the turn was just so depressing. I almost gave up before even starting to ride that part, but once I had done a part of it, I realized it was doable.

In case you're interested, on the right column of the front page (http://www.chattbike.com/) there are links to view and purchase event photos.

All I can say is "wow what a ride"! I was one of the clydes trudging up the climbs and blowing by everything and everyone on the down hills! Even though the day started wet and dreary it turned into a good ride day after all. I think one of my favorite things about doing new rides, is meeting new cyclist, some faster, some slower, all having a good time!
crypticlineage, I am the fella with the white beard, just out side the photo of your self, to your left, and commented on the Bideforums jersey.
I finished in just under 8:30 with a saddle time of 7:59, I didn't linger at the rest stops long at all. The most time I spent there was waiting in line to empty! ( They realy do need to look into a very basic system for the guys at the first few stops) This was my first time doing the ride and I hope it won't be the last! After returning home, I have learned that West Tennessee has NO hills, NO climbs, and NO rollers. I just thought it did!
Maby next year it will be clear so one can take in the views and not the fog.;)