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FULL CENTURY - 100 MILES
The full century route begins at Finley Stadium in downtown Chattanooga. Riders will ride along the waterfront before making their way over the Tennessee River via the Olgiati Bridge. (We have an event day permit to cross the bridge. Please do not ride on this bridge any other time.) Exit onto Manufacturers Rd and then turn left onto Cherokee Blvd. Go straight up and through the tunnel to the intersection of Dayton Blvd. and Signal Mountain Road. Turn left at the light. Just before starting up Signal Mountain (we actually miss one mountain) take Suck Creek Road to the left. It follows the river for about 5 miles then starts up Suck Creek Mountain. This climb is relatively gentle but very long, so take it easy. The ride down is fun, but usually cold as it is still early in the day. Private sags will not be allowed along this portion of the route. Either leave well before the riders and get across the mountain before they start or we will provide alternate route information. A left turn will take riders to the first rest stop at KetnerÕs Mill, approximately 6 miles from the bottom of the descent. From Ketner's Mill, enjoy the countryside on your way to the second rest stop on TVA Road. From here, you cross the Tennessee River via the "Blue Bridge". A right turn takes you to the route split. (NOTE: There will be a 3.5 hour cut off for riders. You must reach the split in 3.5 hours in order to continue on the century route. This will be strictly enforced.) The metric route turns left, while the 100-milers go straight and head over LaddÕs Mountain (a little stinger thrown in for good measure!) and on to Sand Mountain. Follow the markings to the road up Sand Mountain. The route does not go up the highway but takes a much less traveled county road up the mountain, lovingly referred to as the Ògoat pathÓ. There may be some rough pavement but the route is much more pleasant and the view around the top of the mountain is spectacular. Eventually this route joins up with the highway to Bryant, Alabama where you will find a more than welcome rest stop. Stock up well - the best is yet to come. Private sags - please take the highway up the mountain. The event route is narrow and windy with very little motor traffic. You can meet your riders where the event route joins the highway at the top. After leaving Bryant, you have a fairly lengthy ride across Sand Mountain and along the east brow (approx 17 miles) until you go down the mountain. (Do not go down the mountain at White Oak Gap - turn left at that intersection instead.) At the bottom of Sand Mountain, follow the markings through New England to Burkhalter Gap Road. Now the fun begins. Up, up, and really UP! (Don't be afraid to walk it you need to). The final rest stop of the route is at the top. You've got it made now! A few more rolling hills on top of Lookout Mountain in Georgia with a really fun roller-coaster crossover road in the middle and you are headed down the mountain and back to Chattanooga, Finley Stadium, and pizza. Note: As for the gradients of the climbs É. 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, with steeper switchbacks. Lookout is by far the steepest - 2.3 miles at a 8-10% grade with a 16-18% grade at the top.
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