It’s not every day that 2,000 bicycle riders, many from other parts of the country, converge here to participate in a 22-year-old event. That happens just one day a year, the spring day on which the 3 State 3 Mountain Challenge bicycle ride is held on the 100-mile route over Walden’s Ridge, Sand Mountain and Lookout Mountain. It would be a needless shame to alter or jeopardize that event by closing the last and most challenging mountain climb up steep Burkhalter Gap, which many participants hold as the legend which lures them here.
Right now, further use of that road for the race is clouded, and that is clouding the future of the increasingly popular event. The Dade County Commission decided in May after this year’s ride that use of the road for the recreation ride has become too dangerous and should be barred. Since its a local road, and not a state highway, that’s the county’s prerogative.
Still, that doesn’t make it a good decision, or one which shouldn’t be reconsidered. Fortunately, controversy and dismay over the decision and the impact on the event has prompted the ride’s sponsors and the Dade County Commission to talk, and to sponsor a public forum to hear peoples’ sentiment on the issue.
The forum, to be scheduled in August, is a welcome step toward finding common ground on use of the road. There are obvious options to explore to keep the Burkhalter Gap route an integral part of the popular ride, which is typically held on a Saturday.
One option would be too close the road to traffic for the critical hours for that portion of the ride. It comes 80 miles into the 100-mile ride, and it need not be closed before the fastest riders could be expected to reach it, nor would have to be closed the entire day. Closure could be limited to a specified time.
Alternatively, vehicle traffic could be limited to one lane, and traffic flow up and down the gap could be alternated every 30 minutes. Sponsors of the event could find volunteers to manage such arrangements by providing flaggers and communication devices at the top and bottom, and the county could advise residents in advance of the race.
With good will on all sides, the ride easily could continue on its traditional route. The varied benefits of the event are evident: it gives our region more exposure, boosts the economy, builds tourism and promotes a healthy lifestyle and respect for bicycling. It would also make a lot of people happy at little cost or effort. And it would further build a broad sense of community. That would be the best outcome.