3-State 3-Mountain 2010

Saturday I participated in the Chattanooga Bicycle Club big event, 3-State 3-Mountain. I've made the journey south the previous 2 years to ride in this event and have been soaked both times. I told myself if this years was yet another year of rain I would not ride - just not a lot of fun. At the beginning of last week I was fairly certain I would be staying home - heavy all day rains were being predicted. However, Wednesday the forecast took a turn for the better and I decided to make the trip. DH and I found a cabin that was available, packed our bags and off we went.

The day was almost perfect - heavy clouds but no rain. The winds did pick up a bit through the day but then seemed to die down toward the end. There seemed to be great turn out for the event and all seemed in good spirits. My goal this year complete the very challenging century.

The first climb is a long one (approximately 5 mile at about 4 - 6% grade). The traffic seemed to move well this year and up we went. The descent on the backside of Suck Creek Mountain was so much fun. I've never been able to let my bike run on the descents the past two years due to wet roads but Saturday I let her run and I had a blast flying down that mountain.

The second climb is really two mountains combined in one. The first, Ladds Mountain is short but challenging and my legs began to talk just a bit. The second part of this combo - Sand Mountain - was very challenging with some very tight switch backs. It was a bit shorter (2.5 miles) but steeper (7%) and by the time I made it to the top my legs were carrying on quite a conversation with me. The view at the top though made the climbing well worth it - simply amazing. The first year I did this you could not see down into the valley due to the cloud cover. This year we were reward with a great view down onto the roads were had traveled earlier in the day.

The third and final climb is a killer. Though short (2.5 miles) it is the steepest at about 10% grade on the bottom portion ending in a short section at about 20% (some have posted it is as steep as 24%). All I know is it took everything I had to make it to the top. Once again I talked my way up the mountain - telling myself "you are not going to walk, keep pedaling" and crank I did. At the steepest portion I looked up and saw my DH on the side of road, cheering me on. He had crewed for me all day and seeing him at this point made all the difference in the world. This was the boost I needed to conquer that steep section and climb I did. I made it to the top exhausted but feeling pretty darn good.

The final 15 miles into Chattanooga are rolling hills and really test your legs after the earlier climbs. The descent down Lookout Mountain was awesome and again I let my bike run and I enjoyed the beautiful scenery.

The Chattanooga Bike Club along with the city of Chattanooga do an outstanding job - roads are well marked and cyclists are given their own lanes with traffic control personnel at all intersections.

If you have not participated in this event and want a real challenge I would encourage you to participate next year. It is a stellar event and one well worth traveling for.