3-State 3-Mountain Challenge (5 May 2007)
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3-State 3-Mountain Challenge (5 May 2007)
Anyone riding the 3-State 3-Mountain Challenge?
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 last year and had a good time (other than the tack-induced flat tire). I'm thinking about doing it again.
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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.
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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$$hole.
Of course, if the party* responsible for doing that last decides to do it again, he/she could lay the land mines somewhere else this year. So you never know.
*Otherwise known as a$$hole.
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#8
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Originally Posted by Pedal Wench
A group of us from Atlanta are planning on riding it. Looks like a great ride!
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Originally Posted by Velo Vol
Anyone else riding? The website says over 2,300 people are registered.
Wish me luck!
Walter
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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.
PM me.
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#11
when does this hill end?
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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.
Good luck to all. Let's pray for pleasant weather.
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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. 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.
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. There's been two bad accidents there the past two years.
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Originally Posted by Velo Vol
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.
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Originally Posted by Velo Vol
Anyone know what the grade is toward the top of Burkhalter Gap climb on Lookout Mountain?
#16
when does this hill end?
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Originally Posted by Velo Vol
Anyone know what the grade is toward the top of Burkhalter Gap climb on Lookout Mountain?
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.
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Originally Posted by Bob Wilson
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.
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.
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.
Last edited by BikeWNC; 04-26-07 at 12:11 PM.
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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.
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.
#21
when does this hill end?
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Originally Posted by Velo Vol
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.
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.
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#23
when does this hill end?
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Originally Posted by Velo Vol
Bob, at 92 miles you might as well just ride the whole thing.
Showoff.
Showoff.
I just want to finish my first century with an acceptable amount of pain and suffering. Is that too much to ask?
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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.
Use whatever you need to get over that. I was able to mash through it going 39x25, but your results may vary
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.