Biking the Burkhalter

A big bike ride divides a small town.  The 3 Mountain 3 State Ride brings thousands of participants to the Tennessee Valley.  But some say the bikers not only block a main road, but also cause a danger for drivers.

The 3 Mountain 3 State ride runs through Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia every May.  The toughest and most controversial section in is Dade County, on a two and a half mile stretch of Burkhalter Road.

Friday, we saw the risks and rewards of the ride firsthand.

With your feet clipped in, and your peddles pumping, the climb begins up Burkhalter Road.  It's a grueling gain of 1000 feet in just a few miles, with one hill after another.  But Burkhalter is known as the best part of the 3 Mountain 3 State Ride.

Bicycle Coordinator Philip Pugliese says, "It's an epic vision for participants bringing them back year after year."

More than 2000 bikers come from 42 states and several countries, just to get a piece of the pain that comes with the course.  But drivers say it's tough for them as well.

West Brow resident Charlotte Stevens, "It's terrible, you can't get around, a lot of them won't give lead way, a lot are arrogant, like this road is mine, I'm riding it."

Others say that's why they want this portion re-routed, around Burkhalter.  They say for about 5 hours on the day of the ride, there's too many bikers and too many drivers.  Stevens says, "I think they should leave the road open and the bikers should take another route."

That's why the Dade County Executive sent a letter to the cyclers, to find another option.  Ted Rumley says, "You'll get people aggravated, whether it right or wrong they'll try to pass and it could cause death or a bad accident."

But bikers say you can't beat the view, and the feeling of accomplishment when you get to the top.  But even when the wheels stop spinning, looking back the mountain, the danger is clear.

One option that's being discussed is keeping one lane open for bikers and the other for drivers.

Bikers, residents, and Dade County officials have a meeting scheduled for August 19th, at 6pm at the Community Center to discuss the issue.