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

Anyone riding the 3-State 3-Mountain Challenge (http://www.chattbike.com/events/3_state/3stchlng.htm)?

I did it last year and had a good time (other than the tack-induced flat tire). I'm thinking about doing it again.

I did it the past two years but not this one. I have a graduation to attend. I also got a flat from what must have been a tac cause it was just a pinhole in a new tire and tube. It happened right after the first sag stop after the descent off Suck Ck.

VV, where did your flat occur? If there's a problem in a certain area, I would love to warn my group who's going.

I hit my tack near the end of the decent off Suck Mountain, right before the road flattened out, about a mile(?) before the SAG stop. There were reports of a number of flats in the area; in fact, the SAG stop ran out of tubes.

Of course, if the party* responsible for doing that last decides to do it again, he/she could lay the land mines somewhere else this year. So you never know.

*Otherwise known as a$$hole.

Good enough to know that two of you had flats at or near the bottom of Suck Mountain - I'll alert my group. Thanks!

Despite being woefully unprepared, I went ahead and signed up.

Anyone else riding? The website says over 2,300 people are registered.

A group of us from Atlanta are planning on riding it. Looks like a great ride!

A group of us from Atlanta are planning on riding it. Looks like a great ride!

It is a great ride. Just a few notes. Watch the RR crossing in the early miles. Also, coming off the bridge at the start there is often a big slowdown. Be aware. 2500 cyclists of all skill levels are out on the road with you! The descent off Suck Ck isn't all that technical, but there are a couple of switchbacks that seem to give some riders trouble. Watch your spacing around other riders. Other than that, it is a fast ride through the valleys and on the plateaus with great scenery. Hope you have good weather. Wish I could be there this year.

Anyone else riding? The website says over 2,300 people are registered.

I'll be there. This will be my first mountain century. Lots of hills where I ride, but none like these mountains. Just get a new cassette to improve climbing gearing, and I've been riding LOTS of hills lately. The hills are getting easier, so I hope the mountains aren't too bad. I plan to ride the full century, all three gaps, as longs as I'm not dead after the first one. If this goes well, I'll attempt 6-gap in September.

Wish me luck!

Walter

Registration closed on the 23rd. Anyone that hasn't registered won't be able to as they have reached their limit. My wife and I aren't going so if anyone wants to purchase our registration numbers, let me know.

PM me.

Count me it too. I have been training for it for 2-3 months. I have been road biking for about 6 months and this will be my first attempt at a century. Being from Chattanooga, I have the luxury of practicing on part of the ride route. I just successfully climbed Burkhalter Gap Road for the first time yesterday. I have a compact double crankset and 12-27 cassette so it wasn't too bad. The last part of the climb (the wall) was a little longer and more painful than I expected.

Good luck to all. Let's pray for pleasant weather.

Walter: if you've been doing some hill work, you should be fine. I wouldn't call this a true "mountain century" as is lots of flat riding between the mountains.

The first mountain almost seems like a long hill. The second mountain is somewhat more difficult, but at least it's shaded. The last mountain has the toughest climbing--it has a nice kick at the end. But it's only 2(?) miles, so in the worst case it's not a real long walk.

Hopefully it won't be as hot as last year. The sun beating down compounded the misery of the last climb.

BikeWNC rightly noted the descent off Suck Creek Mountain; here's a safety advisory (http://www.chattbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=146). There's been two bad accidents there the past two years.

The first mountain almost seems like a long hill. The second mountain is somewhat more difficult, but at least it's shaded. The last mountain has the toughest climbing--it has a nice kick at the end. But it's only 2(?) miles, so in the worst case it's not a real long walk.


Thanks for the good info. I hope I really enjoy this ride. As a young adult, I spent more weekends than I could count in the N. Ga. mountains. The mountains on a nice day are the most relaxing place in the world. I can hardly wait to ride my bike up there. I'm hoping to do this well enough to ride 6-gap in September, which I understand is a "real" mountain ride.

Anyone know what the grade is toward the top of Burkhalter Gap climb on Lookout Mountain?

Anyone know what the grade is toward the top of Burkhalter Gap climb on Lookout Mountain?

My polar 720i recorded 12.5% in about 0.3 miles. But I think that it gets a bit steeper somewhere in that distance, like maybe 15%?

Anyone know what the grade is toward the top of Burkhalter Gap climb on Lookout Mountain?

VeloVol,

Not sure if you have seen this but the CBC website gives the following info for the three climbs, "Note: I get a lot of questions concerning the gradient of the mountains. This is a hard question because I get so many different answers. This is the best guess that I can figure from the various information I've been given. The mountains increase in difficulty. Suck Creek is long and gentle - around 5 miles at a 4-6% grade. Sand is shorter and slightly steeper - 2.5 miles at a 6-7% grade. Lookout is by far the steepest - 2.3 miles at a 8-10% grade with a 14-17% grade at the top. The total climbing is somewhere between 6000 and 9000 ft. I've come up with over 9000 ft using two different topo software programs but the folks recording it say they only get between 6000 and 8000 ft.

VeloVol,

Not sure if you have seen this but the CBC website gives the following info for the three climbs, "Note: I get a lot of questions concerning the gradient of the mountains. This is a hard question because I get so many different answers. This is the best guess that I can figure from the various information I've been given. The mountains increase in difficulty. Suck Creek is long and gentle - around 5 miles at a 4-6% grade. Sand is shorter and slightly steeper - 2.5 miles at a 6-7% grade. Lookout is by far the steepest - 2.3 miles at a 8-10% grade with a 14-17% grade at the top. The total climbing is somewhere between 6000 and 9000 ft. I've come up with over 9000 ft using two different topo software programs but the folks recording it say they only get between 6000 and 8000 ft.

That sounds about right from my experience.

My polar recorded 6385 and 6385 ft of elevation gain the two times I rode 3 State. It doesn't feel like more than that especially since my ride time was 5:50.

Edit. Both years recorded 6385 ft of elevation gain.

Thanks guys. I'm not good at estimating grades.

For any first timers out there (as I was last year): have your low gears ready for the last stretch on the third mountain; it will get your attention in a hurry. :o

What kind of training rides are you doing this weekend? I hope to do a 50-60 mile ride which may or may not include a longer climb.

This is my first century of the season, and I haven't gotten the longer rides in that I should have. I've only done one ride longer than 45 miles this year. :eek:

I'm doing the Burnsville Metric tomorrow, really it is only 59 miles.

What kind of training rides are you doing this weekend? I hope to do a 50-60 mile ride which may or may not include a longer climb.

This is my first century of the season, and I haven't gotten the longer rides in that I should have. I've only done one ride longer than 45 miles this year. :eek:

I am doing my last long ride before the 3-state tomorrow morning. I plan to do the Suck Creek/Signal mountain ride (http://www.chattbike.com/maps_cues/Road/SuckCrkSignal.htm) followed by a ride up Mowbray mountain (http://www.chattbike.com/maps_cues/Road/RedBankMowbray.htm) . That will give me 3 climbs in one day with around 92 miles, which will be similar to the 3-state ride (although none of the climbs are as difficult as Burkhalter Gap :eek:

Bob, at 92 miles you might as well just ride the whole thing.

Showoff. :p

Bob, at 92 miles you might as well just ride the whole thing.

Showoff. :p

Yes, I know, nobody likes a show-off. :D I did not say what speed I would be riding tomorrow (read slow and steady). I am 40-something and about 185 lbs, so I can't climb the mountains like the young 150 lb gazelles.

I just want to finish my first century with an acceptable amount of pain and suffering. Is that too much to ask?

What kind of gears would be recommended for this one?

jw

Bob, congrats on your first century! You've come a long way in six months, eh?

John, see the above post listing the climbing grades.
Lookout is by far the steepest - 2.3 miles at a 8-10% grade with a 14-17% grade at the top.Use whatever you need to get over that. I was able to mash through it going 39x25, but your results may vary

I finally got in a good training ride today. The course is good preparation for the Challenge: 69 miles, lots of rolling country, a few flat stretches, and a moderate 7 mile climb up the Foothills Parkway (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foothills_Parkway). There's even a rough, quasi-gravel stretch to simulated the Alabama roads. :lol:

Awesome weather today; too bad I couldn't put it in a bottle and break it out on Saturday.

I'm feeling my legs tonight. :o

Bob, congrats on your first century! You've come a long way in six months, eh?


Velo Vol,

Thanks, but I was referring to finishing the 3-state Century with acceptable pain levels. If you would have told me that I would be attempting the 3-State Century back in Oct. 2006 when I bought my road bike, I would have told you to back away from the crack pipe.:)

Saturday, I completed a 65 mile ride that included climbs up Suck Creek and then Signal Mountain and finished off with some rolling hills in Red Bank. The climb up the back side of Signal Mountain was a long steady grind (6 miles). I was hoping to also climb Mowbray mountain, but our group decided we had experienced enough fun for one day.

How much riding do people normally put in on the week before a century ride? I was thinking of resting except for doing about 30 miles of rolling terrain on Tues. and then 10 easy flat miles on Thurs. What do you think?

I'm not a seasoned century rider, but that sounds like a good plan. I'll probably do a regular workout ride Tuesday and/or Wednesday, then a light cardio-type ride on Thursday.

How are the roads along the route? Any surprises? I hope they repaved that road in Alabama.

I'll be there. It will be my 5th year doing this crazy ride. Heed all the cautions about the decent off Suck creek. I believe the law caught the arse who threw out the thumbtacks last year. Some in-bred local yocal who was irratated about them spandex clad outsiders slowin down traffic on his mountain for 2 hours once a year. The mass start is also a little hairy. There are idiots who look like they should know better doing some stupid, stupid manuvers jockeying for position.
I run a standard Ultegra Triple gear set on the front, but I have a 11-34 XTR cassette on the back with a long cage derailler. I'm a "stout fellow" and believe me I need all them gears!

I don't know of any surprises or detours for the 3-State, although I have not been on the route between Suck Creek and Burkhalter Gap. From what I have heard, the payment in Alabama is pretty rough. I think this picture is from the climb up Sand Mountain.:D


http://www.phlumf.com/other/photos/adams/northridge4.jpg

Yeah, you don't need a sign to tell you when you enter Alabama :-) The road is rough all the way from the "state line" to the top of Sand Mountain. It becomes better at the top. The view at the top offsets the rough road. it is simply glorious!

How many miles is the rough surface?

How many miles is the rough surface?
I would guess about 8 miles. It's not that the road is bad, it is just the large aggregate gravel used to make the road which makes it bumpy. There is a smoother part of the road near the center. You'll know it when you get on it. Stay on it!

I did have pity on several riders on AL bikes that were off to the side just chattering away while my Ti bike rolled pretty well, especially on that center line. ;)

It's not that the road is bad, it is just the large aggregate gravel used to make the road which makes it bumpy.Meh. A distinction without a difference, methinks. Either way it's bad. :rolleyes:

I think I may give my legs a 30 mile workout this evening and that will basically be it until the ride. Only light riding, if any, the next two days.

I'm in!!! Just got a number from a fellow whose wife isn't going to do it. I'll be coming in from Nashville on friday afternoon! Think the rain is gonna pass by?

. It's not that the road is bad, it is just the large aggregate gravel used to make the road which makes it bumpy. There is a smoother part of the road near the center. You'll know it when you get on it. Stay on it!

Alabama's favorite rural road surface - chip seal :rolleyes: . Center lines good, and sometimes near the edge is good, too, but you have to pay closer attention. The key is: the faster you ride the smoother it is.

Saturday...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid to upper 70s.
A short afternoon shower wouldn't necessarily be the worst thing in the world, but I'd just as soon have a dry ride.

Anybody riding a recumbent bike or trike?

I have a little bit of a pulled groin muscle, but I am gonna give it all I have!

See you and DaveW Saturday, maby even Friday!

This will be my first go at this ride.

I would guess about 8 miles. It's not that the road is bad, it is just the large aggregate gravel used to make the road which makes it bumpy. There is a smoother part of the road near the center. You'll know it when you get on it. Stay on it!

I did have pity on several riders on AL bikes that were off to the side just chattering away while my Ti bike rolled pretty well, especially on that center line. ;)


Grrrr, I hate a shake-and-bake surface. So, it's 8 miles, but how far into the ride is it? I did a century last weekend that had about 5 miles of the stuff, but it was late in the ride and just awfully hard to maintain any speed.

Grrrr, I hate a shake-and-bake surface. So, it's 8 miles, but how far into the ride is it?
Right at about the 50 mile mark

Yeehaa, wonder how I missed this thread. This will be my first century, official or unofficial. I have never ridden more than 63 miles at once before. Until a month ago, I was in decent shape, but have gotten very little if any miles in, at all during last 30 days, so I don't know how I am going to do. I am confident I can manage Suck Creek (I climbed it one and half times from both sides in a day last month) and Sand with moderate effort. What I am worried about is Lookout Mountain. Like others have noted, it has upto 18% grade in some places, this is going to be brutal.

I am also coming in from Nashville (Harpeth Bike Club) and will be wearing Bikeforums Jersey. Say hello if you see me. It won't be hard to spot an Indian dude in the crowd, I guess there is only 2 Indian guys riding.

May the spirit of the mountains bless us.

Good luck crypticlineage.

Don't push yourself too hard early on and you should be fine. I'll be on the lookout for a BikeForums jersey.

Thanks VeloVol, I will do my best not to push myself too hard. One thing I learned from climbing Suck Creek was maintaining low heart rate was the key to sustained long distance climbing. So I am going to test my skills on that.

Hope to see you there :).

Weather. :rolleyes:

Early in the week the rain chance was 20%. Then it went to 40%, then 60%. Now this:
T-storms
80% chance of precipitation
Right now there's a thunderstorm dumping rain outside.

Hopefully, tomorrow those showers will be widely scattered and of the non-thunder, thunderstorm variety.

Ride safe everyone.

I hear ya. I'm sitting in my hotel room hoping I don't get wet tomorrow!

We dodged a bullet!

I left K-Town dark and early this morning and headed down I-75. There was a light to moderate rain much of the way down. About 25 miles from Chattanooga, it started pouring. I was thinking, "Oh, great."

But eased up when we got to Hamilton County. Aside from the light precipitation at the start, I wasn't rained on at all. It looked like it might start raining the entire ride, but it never did. I'm very relieved.

In a way, the damp, overcast conditions were nice because they kept the temperature down. Still, thanks to the humidity, I sweated like a pig on the climbs, particularly Sand Mountain. And the haze blocked the scenic mountain views we worked so hard to obtain. :(

Random musings:

2,000+ riders makes for a slow start. I don't think I got much above 10 mph until the 3rd mile.

The first 40 miles is flatter than I remember it being. Oh, to have flat stretches like that around here. It's not often that I get to cruise at 20 mph or so for that long. :)

As a practical matter, I assume they can't move the the SAG stops. But that Marion County mud hole sure did a number on my cleats.

Alabama roads still suck.

Riders pick the oddest places to pee. Is it really that hard to walk a few extra feet to a tree? One guy was whizzing right on a narrow bridge when I rode by.

Either my rear tire is too worn down, or that road up Sand Mountain is extra slippery when wet. Several times my wheel lost traction. The climb is bad enough as it is, I don't need to be wasting power. :o

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

Note to self: do not veer into the on-coming lane at high speeds to avoid a road hazard if you are approaching a curve. :eek:

Oy, Burkhalter Gap. Rarely does the biggest gear on my cassette seem so small. :eek:

It's to have cheerleaders along the route; I imagine that gets old really fast.

The rolling stretch atop Lookout Mountain has more climbing than I recalled. Or my legs were just tired. :o

By and large, they do a great job managing traffic (though I'd feel differently if I was waiting at an intersection in a vehicle). But after two rides, I have yet to figure out what's going on at the bottom of Lookout Mountain. It's my understanding that the traffic directors are there so cyclists don't have to stop. But what they succeed in doing is backing up traffic so that there's way to get around it. At least it wasn't obvious to me how I was supposed to get through a few of those intersections.

I finished in roughly 6:08 of riding time.

Glad the weather held off for the ride.

Most people think the climbing is over at the top of Burkhalter, but we know different. It's not until the last 5 miles that the rollers end.

No accidents this year? That would be a much welcome change.

I posted a ride report over in the road forum...here's the link if you want to check it out

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=295243

I didn't hear of any major accidents.

There were a few people stationed on descents cautioning riders to slow down. I don't recall if they had that last year or not.