3-State 3-Mountain 2001
View From a Southerner at Heart
Venue: Chatanooga TN, Saturday, 5 May 2001
Number of riders: about 500
Course: Century Challenge ride, 3 State 3 Mountain
Course record: (as reported in the local paper): 4 hours and 50 minutes. Whew!
Tool utilized: 91 Basso Coral (chromor tubes) with a Shimano Ultegra triple drive train.
As I drove into Chattanooga Thursday afternoon, the
weather was clear and you could easily see the summit of Lookout Mountain. Lookout
represents the final 20% of an entire day in the saddle encompassing a full 100 miles with
roughly 7,500 feet of climbing. While the amount of vertical leap might seem manageable,
the pitch (especially the last two mountains) is enough to make you cry. The heat is also
a factor during the most grueling climb up Burkalter Gap Road, at the base of Lookout.
The afternoon temps this year reached 84 degrees and
seemed hotter at the base of the climbs. This years goal was to complete the Century
without dis-mounting on the final ascent up the dreaded Burkhalter Gap Road which I
believe is the "great equalizer". The previous two years I had to dismount on
Burkalter and succumb to heat and a spiking heart rate. I finished the centuries in 2000
and 1999 with no problems though.
I suppose that everyone regardless of bicycle rider
pedigree has to have that annual event that represents the "why" behind the
miles pedaled every year. For me, there's the friends and great weather, but moreover,
it's this ride that drives my training and motivation. I know. Enough philosophical B.S.
Dave. This ride is a bitch and if you can finish it, a crappy job or a mid-life crisis
just doesn't seem like such a big deal. It simply puts everything else, in life in total
perspective.
The starting line this year was moved to a parking lot a
few blocks east of the Aquarium in downtown Chattanooga. Typical gaggle of riders mulling
around, greasing chains, and loosening up for the ride. Some guy with a bull horn was
trying to belt out some pre-ride instructions. His mic kept cutting out, so not much
understood there. Ride got underway at 0810.
Felt comfortable in the saddle as we crossed the Market
Street Bridge and made our way to the first climb almost 4 miles away. Passed a Barbeque
joint (believe Schufords) and the eats smelled pretty good even this early in the morning.
Climbing started in earnest up Suck Creek Road. Engaged my granny gear and spun for what
seemed to be 45 minutes to one hour. First climb 2000 feet. Stopped at the SAG atop Suck
Creek Mountain briefly and kept pushing for the next break which was at mile 40.
Screamed down the back end of Suck Creek Mountain and
dried off in a cool breeze @ 38 MPH. Pushed on to the next SAG at mile 40 attempting to
keep 18 to 20 rung up and negotiate rollers along the way. Checked into the SAG at Marion
County Park at 1045. Put on the oat bag, dispersed fluids/took on fluids.
Departed the SAG and pushed on to climb #2, Sand Mountain
(1600 ft), state of Georgia. Good news, the road this year is paved!! Prior two years, the
switch backs and grooves of this onerous climb were laden with guess what: SAND and small
rock and usually ground up Bud bottles! Back into granny and made it to the top feeling
good. Kept on truckin and enjoyed the great view of the valley floor until I reached the
3rd SAG at mile # 56.3. More PB and J, more moon pies, and bananas.
Underway again and cruising down the descent of Sand
mountain and pointed towards the base of Lookout. Kept checking my Camel Back for levels
just to ensure that I wouldn't run out during the most difficult riding up Burkalter Gap.
Temps climbing.
Arrived at the base of Burkalter around 2 PM where I
heard one guy exclaim: "I'd give my left nut right now for a triple crank!". I
looked down into my drive train and thanked God, Shimano and Bushey's Cyclery of
Harrisburg PA for equipping such a worthy machine for this task. Another guy at the stop
sign at Creek Road and Burkalter looked like he was going to either spew or pass out. Not
sure what ever happened to him. I passed them and started climbing in earnest up
Burkalter.
Made it to the top (1800 ft) spinning (ah those winter
turbo sessions in the gym)and weaning my HR to keep it at a manageable 157-160 BPM. Made
it to the top and took on stores. This a good time in my prose to heap praise on the
Chattanooga Bike Club. Year 2000 Century SAG support at this point was abysmal. Some poor
soul managing the SAG last year ran fully out of water atop Burkalter. In fact, I think he
might have been beaten, if not verbally abused by an ugly mob of riders for running out of
drinks. This year, the fluids were plentiful, and they even had medical assistance in
addition to more eats. Someone obviously listened to a very ugly story from the 2000
century. Thankyou whoever you were.
Negotiated more rollers atop Lookout while grinning
happily and knowing I had 15 miles to go. Made my way down Lookout at warp speed and
finished the Century just before 4 PM.
Things that helped this year:
- Improved SAGS (need a better one at the finish line for
century riders PLEASE. We are special people who have guts enough to not turn at Marion
County Park and brag about the tough metric!)
- Shimano's Ultegra Triple drive train: (don't go south of
Staunton VA without one!), Obviously fluid and carbo load two days in advance.
- Cytomax: while I'm not convinced it is any better than the
other sports drinks, Recommend it.
- Dr. Arnie Baker's book: Smart Cycling.
- The turbo trainer sessions that focused on hill training
and HRM training was key this winter. A great training asset. Polar HRMs... what can you
say... your own personal tachometer.
- Basso cycles... well maybe not the best... however,
chromor climbs pretty well and that old tool has made it over those mountains now 3 years
in a row.
Dave Mailander
Mechanicsburg, PA
A Southerner only by marriage; while understanding that is not legitimate; but not a
Yankee!
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