Hill City United Scooter Club is hosting Hill on Wheels 2 this year, its second annual weekend Chattanooga scooter gathering for Vespas and other scooter brands. Almost 150 scooterists are expected to attend the Aug. 17-19 event.
“Scooter rallies are a way for a bunch of friends to gather and ride,” says Stan Obal, mechanic at Scenic City Scooters on Hixson Pike. “All your friends are together, doing something we all love. It’s like a high school reunion, if you liked everyone you went to school with and they all rode fantastic bikes.”
The event kicks off Friday at The Local on Cherokee with last-minute registration and an evening social from 5-9 p.m. Following the social is the Friday night downtown ride. Visitors will get an up-close view of downtown and Ross’ Landing and enjoy the improvements made in the Southside.
Saturday morning features a breakfast catered by Caffeine at Scenic City Scooters followed by a long ride over Signal Mountain to a farm near Powell’s Cross Roads. There, rally-goers will test their mettle with a scooter gymkhana, slow ride, various scooter games and a scooter concours judging. An old-fashioned Southern barbecue is also provided at the farm.
A ride back into town over Suck Creek Mountain will take the scooterists to North Chattanooga where everyone can cool off with Clumpies Ice Cream and take in the sights and shopping the North Chat area has to offer.
At 9 p.m., scooterists are set to board the Fat Cat Ferry for a night on the Tennessee River full of awards, karaoke and a raffle. Hair of the Dog on Market is hosting the crowd Sunday morning for a brunch before heading off to Missionary Ridge for a final city view.
The national Vespa Club of America executives have selected Chattanooga and the local scooter club as the official hosts of the 2008 Amerivespa, the national Vespa scooter rally. More than 400 scooterists from all over the world will gather in the Scenic City for four days of fun next summer.
“We know how to host a rally, and it shows,” adds Mr. Obal. “Our name and city are now on the minds and summer vacation plans of scooterists worldwide for 2008. This weekend is a great way for anyone who is interested in riding to see firsthand how much fun scooting is and how great of a community scooterists are.”
For more information about Hill on Wheels 2 call 875-6445.