3 State 3 Mountain 2009

[makbike]

Once again I journeyed south to the lovely city of Chattanooga to participate in the 3 State 3 Mountain bike event this past weekend. Once again the weather was less than favorable for a bike ride, in fact it was worse this year than last. However, it was not raining at the start so I decided to ride and ten minutes into the ride the skies opened up and I was quickly soaked. Thank goodness the temps were a bit warmer this year but it did not take long for the chill to set in. I started the first climb (Suck Creek) feeling pretty good. This is a long climb (five miles) but a nice gentle grade so it really is not too bad. However, a mile into the climb my front tire blew and I found myself on the side of the road changing it as the lightning flashed around me. I felt like a human lightning rod! I watched rider after ride go back in the direction from which we came but decided to continue the ride. The ride down the backside of mountain was scary to say the least. There were small streams of water running across the road and I could feel my tires slipping out from under me. The poor visibility, the poor road conditions and the fear factor the ride down was a memorable one. I saw many riders walking down the mountain. The first SAG was a mess so I passed it and continued the ride in hopes of getting warm but the rain continued. I found my buddy at the second SAG - he had a sandwich and dry clothes for me - this was the greatest of gifts. I was so cold at this point I could not stop the shivering and quickly decided the century was not an option. I headed off decked out in dry clothes and looking forward to the end of the ride. I figured I could stick out the last 15 miles and I did. By the time I made it to the finish I was finished - chilled to the bone and looking forward to an afternoon in a hot tub (thank goodness for it). I plan on returning next year in hopes that the sun will shine and all those who participate will be dry and safe. I tip my hat to those who completed the century they are my heros.

[Tater]

Glad to hear you stuck it out, Marcie! Good job on completing a difficult ride.

[Pedal Wench]

Same thing for me! My 3 State 3 Mountain turned into 2 State 1 Mountain. But, I'm alive to ride another day!

It started drizzling at the start and then got heavier and heavier. The first climb is pretty early in the ride - starts probably about 5 miles from the beginning. Rain, temperature drop, thunder, lightening all around. NOT a good way to start the day! (I thought it wasn't going to rain until late afternoon, so just a jersey and armwarmers.) But, while climbing, I wasn't too uncomfortable. As soon as I got to the top, though, the skies just opened. Rain so hard it hurt. The first descent was what did me in. There were rivers of rain across the roads, debris washed out everywhere, and my brakes just weren't cutting it. Everyone was crawling down the hill - people walking DOWN the mountain. Between braking and going so slow, I started getting colder and colder - and my hands were just cramping, shivering, and it was just freakin' a mess. Towards the end of the descent (and I knew it was the end because a sizeable number of people were coming back UP the mountain, giving up and taking the shortest route back, and I kept asking if I was almost down!) I just let it go and that was probably a big mistake. As soon as I started going fast, I got so chilled that I couldn't keep the bike going straight. There was a convenience store just before the rest stop that I pulled in (because I was shivering too badly to keep moving!) and when I walked in, two angels took over and helped me - they tried to give me some coffee, but I was shivering so violently that it was spilling everywhere - they had to hold the cup for me. The man was busy cutting up a garbage bag for me to wear.

After a few minutes, they threw us all out of the store, and I rolled down to the rest stop where my friends were waiting - one had passed me on the descent - I stopped three times on the way down just to try to give my hands a break from braking! They were done. One was shivering just as bad - I gave her my garbage bag. We just huddled, hugging each other for warmth. We were bailing. Lots of people were, so my friends were working on ways to get us back. But, as we're standing around (it's been about 30 - 40 minutes) my legs started to seize up. I just wanted to ride again, but I definitely didn't want any more descents. Someone said the metric was just rolling. I figured that we could ride the remaining 40 miles probably as fast as it would have been to wait for someone to pick us up. So, 3 of us, along with a guy who was waiting with us, decided to go for it. His group had bailed, with an offer to pick us up along the way if we needed help. The rest of the ride was actually somewhat pleasant. Once we got moving, we warmed up sufficiently, and although all three of us got flats, had a nice ride in. Of course, I'm bummed that I didn't get a 100, but there was no way I was going to do another descent in those conditions. My forearms and hands are still aching today.

[AnnieBikes]

Well, I am in awe of you who rode this, any part of it! I live in East TN and it poured here all weekend, too, and I did not venture out at all except to spin at the Y. More power to ya' gals! I could not have done it.

[Selkie]

Sounds harrowing and none-too-fun. You're both inspiring. Next year, the weather has to be better.

Does anyone remember if this is the ride that Nanci did a few years ago where the jersey had a decidedly phallic theme?

[Pedal Wench]

Sounds harrowing and none-too-fun. You're both inspiring. Next year, the weather has to be better.

Does anyone remember if this is the ride that Nanci did a few years ago where the jersey had a decidedly phallic theme?

I know that I met Nanci on 6-Gap - another ride with epic rain, about 3 years ago. Don't remember the phallic jersey.

Edit: and I'm not sure about inspiring. I was feeling pretty stupid as I was creeping down hoping my hands held out and my brakes weren't worn to the nub before I got to the bottom...

[OakLeaf]

Ack! Marcie, you rock! We were talking about that ride on Saturday, I think a couple of people from their group had gone. Don't know how far they got, but wow. You've got more nerve than me for sure!