3-State 3-Mountain 2005

3-State Review

by Dave Mailander

Saturday, 7 May 2005

3 State 3 Mountain Challenge 102 miles, 7800 Feet Vertical (metric an option)

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Riders from PA:  Dave Mailander (Palmyra)*, Mark Wanco (New Cumberland)*, Darrell Keefer and Karen Keefer (Chambersburg), Dale Masser (Carlisle), Celia and Wayne Millington (State College), Raymond Skinner (Mercersburg)

*Verified completion of the 102-mile course.

 This year marked the 18^th edition of the 3S3M Challenge and an event that has been on my ride calendar for the past 7 years.  Way back in 1998, I found myself looking for a ride that offered a bit more than your average jaunt through the thickets.  This is more than average and requires late winter and early spring preparation to complete (survive) the 102 mile course that launches you over 3 mountains bordering the states of Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia.  Back in 1998, I was the lone PA rep on this course and it is encouraging to see that this year’s squad from the Keystone state (per the web site) has grown to eight total riders.  Total ride participants was 1250, including riders from Mexico, Hawaii and Canada.  See the Chattanooga Bike Club Web site (www.chattbike.com) for statistics and info on next years challenge.

As usual, I departed on Thursday morning for the 11-hour trip via Route 81 South in order to have Friday as a “kick back” day.  Mark Wanco decided to leave on Friday morning and he made it to the area around 8 PM. 

Weather for the drive down and the weekend was the best that I had experienced for this event.  Temps at 8 am on Saturday were in the mid 60’s and they reached the low 80’s mid way through the Century and at the foot of the infamous Burkhalter Gap Road.

The ride kicked off en mass from Finley Stadium this year, just across the street from Cricket Pavilion.  The century route hasn’t changed much over the years.  The first climb up Suck Creek Mountain is as potent as a cup of double strength expresso that energizes the cardio power plant for a good 3-4 miles until you reach the top and scream down the other side of this long meandering climbfest.  

Forty miles later I found myself at SAG 2, (45 miles) re-charging the battery.  During this break, I was informed one rider had crashed head on with a truck and had been life flighted to a local hospital.  Accident occurred on first descent down Suck Creek Mountain.  Also witnessed another rider who had obviously been ejected from his Cannondale at a speed or mode not recommended by the folks at Cannondale USA.  However, he seemed Hell bent to get back on and later I heard he finished the course under his own power and with less lycra and body tissue to boot.

Ran into Mark Wanco and we pedaled off together towards the next climb, Sand Mountain (the goat path). 

Negotiated Sand with acceptable levels of pain and rolled into SAG 3 (60 miles) feeling pretty good.  Crammed down some Little Debbies, Re-mounted and spun off towards Lookout Mountain and the gates of climbing Hell.

Arrived at the base of Lookout Mountain.  Nothing ever changes here.  Shifted down to granny and tried to connect to my Zen mode of pain management.  Did not look up, acknowledged no one.  Reached the summit without dismounting.

Checked into the SAG at the top of Lookout and spun off to encounter a few rollers before the awesome descent down to the valley floor and my ration of beer and pizza at the finish line.  The course, venue, food and support this year was again outstanding.

3S3M is an awesome early summer Century that provides the best support I have witnessed in 15 years of pedaling.  The course is unique and it’s 7800 feet of climbing provides a boost to my mileage and fitness goals every year. 

[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Bring on the Mountains ] [ Up This Hill and Down ] [ 3-State Review ]