3-State 3-Mountain 2002
View From a Southerner at Heart
Venue: Chatanooga TN, Saturday, 4 May 2002
Course: Century Challenge ride, 3 State 3 Mountain
Riders: Dave Mailander, Mark Wanco, 300-400 others from all over the country.
Description: This year’s 3S/3M Century T-shirt read:
“It’s That Time again… Let’s Meet for Lunch at the Base of
Burkhalter Gap Road!” It certainly was time again for the annual edition of a rugged
and classic 100 miles of cycling through America’s beautiful south.
This year rather than suffer alone I recruited Mark Wanco to accompany me to what has
become an annual pilgrimage of pain and renewal of the spirit. Mark and I began the
12-hour drive from Mechanicsburg down 81 South on Thursday and arrived in the area mid
evening. The weather report for the south and eastern seaboard was wet with thunderstorms
rumbling about the area through Saturday morning. We were convinced that we would
ride and pull out only if the Chattanooga Bike Club officially canceled the event.
On Friday we went for a tune up ride of 18 miles through the Chickamauga Battlefield.
The rain started after about 45 minutes with some evidence of lightning piercing through
the clouds. At that point we retired the bikes for the day.
On 8 A. M. Saturday morning, it was lightly raining with a warm temperature of 63
degrees. We drove to Cricket Pavilion and joined the other 300 or so riders for a
moist and damp day in the saddle. A light rain and fog at the higher elevations was a bit
of a nuisance, however was comfortable as long as you kept pedaling. The impact of
the wet soaking conditions forced the CBC to change the route around Burkhalter Gap Road
where a road had flooded out. Climbing the 3 big mountains (Suck, Sand, and Lookout) was
unique in that you were enveloped in mist and light rain with at times degraded
visibility. The descents were classic. Support again this year was outstanding
with a highly improved starting and finish line area. The T-shirts, Jerseys and
other offerings were of the best quality. The finish lines Beer and Pizza offering
was excellent. Kudos to the Chattanooga Bike Club for another great 3 State 3
Mountain Century.
Dave Mailander
Mechanicsburg, PA
A Southerner only by marriage; while understanding that is not legitimate; but not a
Yankee!
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