Rider in the 2009 Three Mountain Madness start off in Pilot Mountain.
The annual Three Mountain Madness ride began 14 years ago as a way for friends and cycling enthusiasts Harry Wilson and Ricky Adkins to showcase a challenging local route that ventured to the tops of the three local peaks.
In 2000, the start of the ride was moved from Hanging Rock State Park to the Armfield Center with the ride also serving as an important fundraiser for the center. Since that time, Wilson said, more than $100,000 has been raised for the center. Recent years have seen more than $20,000 raised each year for the Armfield Center as well as an estimated $1,500 annually for varied charitable organizations that assist in the ride.
Through the years, variations have been added to the original route, making the event accessible to virtually any rider. A 41-mile loop omits mountain climbs, providing a scenic ride for cyclists of all abilities. A 75-mile loop reflects the ride’s original challenge, drawing seasoned riders to test their abilities against the three mountains. A third and most recent addition is a 95-mile loop, combining scenic miles with a climb up the three mountains to provide a challenge to top level riders from throughout the region and beyond.
Riders also may omit any or all mountain climbs from the two longer rides, or, if necessary, may choose to simply go back down any mountain at any time.
“The two longer routes are our most popular,” noted Wilson, the event’s primary organizer. “Probably 60 percent of our riders choose the 75-mile loop. And a lot decide to do a combination of the routes, deciding on an easier or more difficult challenge depending on how they’re feeling.”
According to Wilson, this year’s number of participants is expected to surpass last year and push close to event’s 600 rider imit.
“This is probably the largest ride of this type in the Mount Airy to Winston-Salem area,” Wilson said. “It has good word of mouth as a very challenging, scenic route with really good support. We have a volunteer list of over 100, including many who have been with us several years. These people know what they’re doing and they know what the riders want and need. Plus, this is a pretty area and a great community.”
According to Wilson, the ride has grown to draw riders from some 10 to 15 states, with 40 to 60 percent driving more than an hour to reach Pilot Mountain.
“We typically get some of the strongest riders,” he said, “including top riders on a state and national level. We usually have riders ranging (in age) from their teens to in their 70s. Riders like that it can be challenging, but they also like having that parachute of being able to change their route.”
The ride is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. at the Armfield Center, with registration beginning at 7 a.m. Cost for participation is $50, including an after-ride lunch.
This year’s morning ride will precede the afternoon downtown cruise-in, which is expected to bring hundreds of cars to town.
“We ask that people keep an eye out for riders,” Wilson said, “especially along Old Highway 52 Bypass from noon until about 4 pm.”
“This is by far the center’s largest fundraiser,” noted Wilson, who also serves on the Armfield board. “And the center has made a lot of progress financially. Our loan has been restructured and, through the ‘Erase The Debt’ campaign, the community has been able to help. But we’re still $1,000,000 or more in debt, so this is an important way to help a good cause.”
Additional information on the event can be found at www.3mountainmadness.com.
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