Neel Gap Rest Stop

Heading over Blood Mtn.

Blairsville, GA – The Annual 6 Gap Century/3 Gap Fifty/Valley Bike Ride that starts and ends in Dahlonega, GA and passes through a lot of Union County, GA, where all of the high mountain passes (gaps) are, has just passed through its 29th year. The weather was exceptional this year compared to the last couple of years; it was a bit foggy at 7 a.m. when the 6 Gap riders left Dahlonega, but the sun burned through it quickly and by 9 a.m. the course sported t-shirt temperatures.

Joy from Jacksonville, FL

In past years the event has started on a Saturday with the Criterium Bicycle Race and Six Gap Expo. But, because of Hurricane Irma, which caused a couple hundred Florida bicyclers (at least) not to make it here; and, spun up a lot of damage in North Georgia as well, which caused delays in scheduled road work, the Saturday festivities had to be cancelled. Still, a total of 1,793 registered riders (usually 2,000-2,300) hit the course early Sunday morning. People from all over the country came for this test of skills and endurance.

Bobby from Nebraska

Lisa & Gilberto from Orlando, FL

The 6 Gap Ride spans 104 miles and ranges in elevation from about 1,400’ to 3,460’. The 3 Gap Ride spans 58 miles and ranges in elevation up to 3,364’. The Valley Ride spans 34.9 miles and ranges in elevation up to 2,926’.

Thanks to these guys for being there.

Average ‘middle of the road’ bike: $4,000

This Bike Ride is not for the faint-hearted. It’s a serious event, as is evidenced by the mishaps this year: two broken collar bones, one rider knocked unconscious and one clipped by a car, plus the usual scrapes and bruises. All the riders are OK now, though. This is why there are ham radio operators all along the routes (cell phone dead spots everywhere), ambulance crews standing by, two medical tents staffed by medical professionals, rest stops offering food and hydration, mobile technical support crews and, best of all for some, shuttles for those who want a vehicle ride back to Dahlonega.

The winners of the ‘King of the Mountain’ (KOM) Challenge were:

6 Gap Century:
• Male, 34 and under: Jim Snitzer, 24, Atlanta, GA, course time 5:03:13.9
• Female, 34 and under: Kourtney Compton, 26, Longmont, CO, course time 7:53;25.0
• Male, 35-54: Amos Harvey, 37, Cumming, GA, course time 5:09:34.2
• Female, 35-54: Aimee Vasse, 39, Duneden, FL, course time 5:24:29.3
• Male, 55-98: Michael Adams, 60, Tampa, FL, course time 6:33:30.0
• Female, 55-98: Debbie Phelps, 55, Rockledge, FL, course time 6:31:39.6

3 Gap Fifty:
• Male, 34 and under: Thomas Freckmann, 27, Woodstock, GA, course time: 3:17:21.7
• Female, 34 and under: Jessica Knight, 31, Atlanta, GA, course time 3:54:57.6
• Male, 35-54: Tracy Saine, 45, Dahlonega, GA, course time 3:20:40.5
• Female, 35-54: Konnie Linenberg, 38, Atlanta, GA, course time 3:22:10.7
• Male, 55-98: Glenn Schneider, 60, Lake Worth, FL, course tome 3:08:51.2
• Female, 55-98: Sarah Carothers, 58, Sylvia, NC, course time 4:57:37.5

The video was taken at Neels Gap, 25 miles into ‘The Ride’:

The 6 Gap/3 Gap/Valley Ride, Criterium Bike Race and Bike Expo are presented by the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber & Visitors Bureau – 706-864-3711 or 800-231-5543.

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