Something old, something new.
In its 28th year, the 3-State, 3-Mountain Challenge will be welcoming some exciting changes and returning to a traditional segment of its course for 2015 in a bid to remain exciting for cyclists locally and from around the country.
3-State, 3-Mountain is a 100-mile ride run by the Chattanooga Bicycle Club that attracts thousands of riders to climb Suck Creek, Sand and Lookout mountains in Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. The challenge, to be held May 2, is considered one of the more challenging and unique century rides in the region.
The major change for 2015 will be addition of Rock/Creek Outfitters as a presenting sponsor. The local outdoor clothing and equipment retail outlet has lots of experience putting on events, such as its successful trail-running series that includes the Stump Jump.
“A lot of us have ridden it. We’ve known [about it]for a long time,” Rock/Creek marketing director Mark McKnight said. “I’ve been personally involved working with the club on marketing. I’ve loved the race personally. It’s a fun event and I’ve known (ride director) Dawn (Salyer) and she’s worked with us on our events.”
McKnight said his group will work with its suppliers to enhance the pre-ride expo experience and get more national brands involved in coming years.
The 2015 ride brings back the climb up Suck Creek Mountain. Traditionally the first of the three mountain climbs for the 100-mile riders, bridge construction had forced organizers to use Raccoon Mountain in addition to the climbs up Sand and Lookout mountains in the event for the past three years.
Suck Creek Mountain will return for all 100-mile and “metric century” 62-mile riders. The Suck Creek Climb Challenge will have electronic timing for all riders on the five-mile climb, with prizes for the fastest ride from the bottom of the climb at mile 12 to the top of the mountain.
In addition to its retail stores, Rock/Creek has developed an extensive online presence, and McKnight said he hopes to use that reach to make a large event even bigger.
“We’re going to be able to reach a larger audience through our e-commerce audience. We have the reach to get the race in front of people and that’s what’s really exciting,” he said.
“It’s always been a race that draws from all over the country, but I’d like to see that grow even larger than that.”
Cycling has not been a primary focus for Rock/Creek Outfitters — the store is more commonly known for its work outfitting hikers, climbers, campers and with the paddle-sports community. However, McKnight said surveys show that Rock/Creek customers are also cycling, so this move is a natural extension for the company.
“It’s an opportunity to get our name in front of a group of athletes that we aren’t in front of all the time, and at the same time show that we support something that our current audience already likes,” he said. “We know our audience is riding bikes.”
Proceeds from the 2015 3-State, 3-Mountain Challenge will benefit Bike-Walk Tennessee, a cycling advocacy group that works to promote cyling issues and safe riding on state roads.
Contact Jim Tanner at jtanner@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6478.