Rock/Creek announced it will be the presenting sponsor for the 2015 edition of the Chattanooga Bike Club's iconic 3 State 3 Mountain Challenge. The bike ride will take place on May 2, 2015. Registration opened today.
Rock/Creek is an independent specialty outdoor retailer that has been based in Chattanooga, TN since 1987. The retailer has five area stores and an award-winning website at rockcreek.com.
“Rock/Creek has been instrumental in promoting and developing Chattanooga's diverse outdoor recreation opportunities,” said As Tom Ingledew, Chattanooga Bike Club president. “So Rock/Creek's partnership with the 3 State 3 Mountain Challenge is sure to be a resounding success!”
Mark McKnight, Marketing Director for the retailer, adds that “while we do not sell bikes, many of us are avid cyclists and we have all the outdoor clothing, nutrition and travel gear you need for endurance training, so it's a great fit for Rock/Creek.”
In its 28th year, the 3 State 3 Mountain Challenge is a premier event that features some of the most scenic and challenging road-cycling routes in the southeast. With climbs up Suck Creek, Sand, and Lookout Mountains, it encompasses a spectacular tour of both the Cumberland Plateau and the Tennessee River basin. After 3 years of planning around various construction zones, the route — which includes the climb up Suck Creek Road — returns to the “old” and originally-designated course. There will be 3 optional distances for participants: a full 100-mile century challenge (3 mountain ascents, 3 states), the 62-mile metric century (1 mountain ascent, 2 states), and a 25-mile route (flat to rolling roads with no mountain ascents, in 2 states).
Every rider on each route distance will be electronically timed. All Century and Metric riders will be timed on the ascent up Suck Creek — with the quickest climb up the mountain being rewarded. This climb is the only competitive feature of the event; the 3 State 3 Mountain ride is not a race and, as such, there will be no overall winner. The registration fee will get riders a ticket to the outdoor retailers' expo on Friday, an event t-shirt, a finisher's medal, well-stocked rest stops, on-road rider support, post-ride meal and beverages, and hot showers.
Proceeds from this year's event will benefit Bike Walk Tennessee, a statewide non-profit that advocates for better walking and biking opportunities throughout Tennessee. The organization describes itself as “inspired by the potential of bicycling and walking to invigorate and transform the cities, communities, and rural areas across the state…through the advancement of public policies that improve economic development, health equity, and quality of life.”
“The 3 State 3 Mountain Challenge is proud to team up with the local communities through which the riders pass, contributing back to those volunteers and organizations that help make this event such an incredible experience,” said Race Director Dawn Salyer.
Beneficiaries of funds raised during the 3 State 3 Mountain Challenge include: Marion County EMS, Marion County High School Band, Bryant Volunteer Fire Department, and the New Home Volunteer Fire Department.
Contributing sponsors for the event include Carter Distributing, Coca-Cola, Hincapie Sportswear, Village Volkswagen, and the Chattanooga Sports Committee.
