Spring is almost here and we’re getting serious about paddling. Look for the lightning bolt ~to see new outdoor events and activities.

~Rock/Creek Gear Swap Joins Outdoor Expo Apr. 10
Rock/Creek will join Outdoor Chattanooga for our 4th annual Outdoor Expo on Sat., April 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Coolidge Park. The Rock/Creek Gear Swap will make this event the best opportunity for the public to get super deals on new and used outdoor gear, and learn about Chattanooga’s outdoor recreation opportunities. Booth spaces are still available for $25. Interested outdoor clubs, retailers, conservation organizations and gear swappers should all come. All proceeds will go toward Outdoor Chattanooga programs. Email or call Ruth Thompson at (423) 643-6889 for details.

~Rapid Learning Roll Practice Cancelled Tonight, Mar. 9
Due to University of TN, Chattanooga spring break, Rapid Learning Roll Practice is cancelled tonight, Mar. 9. We’ll see everyone on Mar. 16. Email or call Marcus Hulsey at (423) 643-6882 with questions.

Yoga for Active Bodies Mar. 10
Join instructor Minya James for a yoga class that emphasizes stretching and relaxing those overused muscles. Yoga for Active Bodies continues this Wed., Mar. 10 and runs through Apr. 21 at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. All levels of athlete are welcome. Cost is $8 per class. James is a graduate of the Asheville Yoga Center’s 230-hour instructor training program.

Winter Workshop – Intro to Wooden Boat Building Mar. 11
At our next free Winter Workshop, kayak builder Rob Paden will share the basics of boat building from wood, including the types and styles of boats and kits that can get people started. The workshop happens on Thurs., Mar. 11, 6 – 7:30 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. For more information, email Minya@OutdoorChattanooga.com or call (423) 643-6888. Parking is available at the lot next to the building at $1 for two hours, $2 for four hours.

Rock/Creek Kayak Adventure – Nickajack Lake – Mar. 13
Rock/Creek and Outdoor Chattanooga will partner for a series of kayak adventures for 2010, beginning with a day trip on Nickajack Lake on Sat., Mar. 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The early spring paddle will take participants around the mountains and inlets of the lower TN River Gorge near Bennett Lake, Little Chestnut Mtn., and the old Hales Bar Dam. Rock/Creek will host brief winter paddling seminar and gear demonstration. Cost is $65 per person and includes all gear, guides, lunch, snacks, beverages, and transportation. The trip is appropriate for adults and children ages 14 and older when accompanied by an adult. Reservations are required and space is limited to 12 participants. Somoe kayaking experience is required. Call (423) 643-6889 or email Outdoor Chattanooga to reserve your spot.

~Bicycle Ride for Older Adults Mar. 17
Rediscover the joy of riding a bicycle at this free workshop for older adults, on Wed., Mar. 17, 10 a.m. to 12 noon, at the Fry Center in the Tennessee Riverpark. Outdoor Chattanooga will lead this leisurely, instructional ride, which is aimed specifically at adult beginners. Loaner bicycles and helmets will be available for those who do not have their own. Reservations are required. Email or call Kassi Webster at (423) 643-7880 to make a reservation or learn more.

~Winter Workshop: Knots You Need to Know Mar. 18
Outdoor Chattanooga Executive Director Philip Grymes will teach this free Winter Workshop on Thurs., Mar. 18, 6 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. Grymes will focus on some basic knots that come in handy for climbing, tent-pitching, dog-tying, sailing and paddling. For more information, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.

~Touring Kayak Clinic Mar. 20
Outdoor Chattanooga and the TN Aquarium will host a touring kayak clinic for beginners on Sat., Mar. 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Greenway Farm, in Hixson, TN. Clinic participants will learn proper paddling techniques, how to adjust, enter and exit a boat, safety guidelines and what to do if the kayak turns over. Cost is $25 ($20 for Aquarium members) and pre-registration is required. The clinic is appropriate for adults and kids ages 14 and older when accompanied by an adult. Class size is limited to 12. For more information, call (423) 265-0695.

~Family Canoe Trip Mar. 21
Bring the whole family to the quiet waters of N. Chickamauga Creek on this TN Aquarium canoe trip on Sun., Mar. 21, from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. at Greenway Farm, in Hixson, TN. Participants will get up close and personal with creek critters and beautiful setting of the creek. The trip is appropriate for adults and kids ages 5 and older when accompanied by an adult. Cost is $16 for kids ages 5-12, $20 for adults, and all equipment is included. For more information, call (423) 265-0695.

Events
~Bicycle Industry & Cycling Advocacy Party Mar. 16
The Trek Store Chattanooga, 313 Manufacturers Rd., will host a day of special activities, followed by an evening fundraiser on Tues., Mar. 16. The day will feature factory demo's and shop rides throughout the afternoon, then at 7 p.m., a party will raise money for the trail building efforts of SORBA-Chattanooga. Food, beer, giveaways, raffles, and a special guest will all be included. For more information, email or call (423) 648-1200.

~Willie Weir Time Change Tour through Georgia Mar. 20-28
Bike!Walk! Northwest Georgia will host a week of group rides and special events surrounding bicycle advocate and writer Willie Weir. Weir, an award-winning travel writer, columnist for “Adventure Cyclist” magazine and frequent contributor to public radio station KUOW in Seattle, has traveled the globe by bicycle. His week in Georgia will be filled with long and short rides, including an 18-mile ride in and around Chickamauga Battlefield on Mar. 23. For more information, email or call Bill Moll at 706-859-7726.

Adventures
TN Aquarium Spelunking Expedition Mar. 13
The Tennessee Aquarium will host a wild cave adventure at Raccon Mtn. Caverns on Sat., Mar. 13, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Participants will explore low passageways, scramble over rocks, and slide down slippery slopes with an Aquarium educator and experienced cave guides. All equipment is provided. Cost is $30 ($25 for Aquarium members). The trip is appropriate for adults and kids ages eight and older when accompanied by an adult. For more information, call (800) 262-0695.

TN Wild Hike Mar. 13
Tennessee Wild will continue their 2010 series of free hikes in the Cherokee National Forest on Sat., Mar. 13 with a moderate seven mile hike to Waucheesi Mtn. in the Upper Bald River Wilderness Study Area. All TN Wild hikes are free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required and space is limited on each hike. For more information or to register, email or call Jeff Hunter at (423) 322-7866.

Hike with the TN Trails Association, Soddy-Daisy Chapter
The Soddy-Daisy Chapter of the TN Trails Association regularly hosts hikes along the Cumberland Trail and other areas around northern Hamilton County. Contact hike leaders for times and directions.
Sat., Mar. 20
Pot Point Nature Trail - This 3.3 mile trail near Pot Point Cabin and Prentice Cooper State Forest is a great place to get started hiking. Email or call hike leader Caroline Woerner at (423) 364-1131for details.

South Cumberland State Park Activities
The rangers at the South Cumberland State Park host activities every weekend at park facilities near Monteagle, TN. Visit the Friends of SCSRA for a detailed calendar. All times are CDT.
Sun., Mar. 14
10:00 A.M. - Trail Building How-To
Meet Ranger Jason at the Grundy Forest parking lot for an introduction to trail building techniques. We will repair a small section of trail along the Little Fiery Gizzard so don’t forget your boots and gloves. Tools provided.
~Sat., Mar. 20
10:00 a.m. - Spring Hike
Celebrate the first day of spring with a 5-mile hike moderate hike to the TVA Small Wilds area north of Foster Falls. Meet at the falls parking lot with water and snacks.
2:00 p.m. - Stone Door Hike
Join Ranger Jamie at Stone Door Ranger Station for this 2-mile round trip hike to the Great Stone Door and enjoy the first day of spring at Savage Gulf State Natural Area.

News
~Register Your Event for National Trails Day June 5
Believe it or not, it’s time to look forward to June. Register your event for the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day on June 5.

Local Cyclists Receive LCI Certification
Outdoor Chattanooga Recreation Specialist Minya James and Chattanooga Urban Area Bicycle Task Force chairperson Rebecca Shearer received their League Cycling Instructor certification from the League of American Bicyclists last week. Both James and Shearer are now certified to teach the BikeEd curriculum to adults and children. For information about local courses, contact Minya James at (423) 643-6884 or Philip Pugliese at (423) 643-6881.

Pro-Walk/Pro-Bike Sponsor Registration Now Available Online
The National Center for Bicycling and Walking has opened registration for attendees, sponsors and advertisers at the Pro-Walk/Pro-Bike international conference, Sept. 13-17 in Chattanooga. NCBW has also extended their deadline for presentations at the conference until this Fri., Mar. 5, as a result of requests from storm-beleaguered participants in the northeast.

The National Park Service – Becoming More Bicycle Friendly
The March, 2010 issue of the National Park Service Conservation and Recreation newsletter focuses on the agency’s work to become more bicycle-friendly both on and off the trail. Read about new car-free facilities in Moab, Utah and NPS interest in bike sharing.

Volunteer Opportunities
~Enterprise South Nature Park Trail Work Day Mar. 20
SORBA-Chattanooga will host a work day at the Enterprise South Nature Park on Sat., Mar. 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Volunteers should meet at the entrance to the park on S. Hickory Valley Rd., .75 miles off of Bonny Oaks Dr. Bring work gloves, water, and your mountain bike. Volunteers will be the only people allowed to ride the trails until the park officially opens. SORBA-Chattanooga is also giving away Trail Care Crew jerseys for people who participate in at least three work days in 2010. To learn more call Alan Johns at (423) 304-4886 or Barry Smith at (423) 400-4109.

Pot Point Cabin Work Day Mar. 27
The TN River Gorge Trust will host a work day at Pot Point Cabin on Sat., Mar. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers and staff will paint various spaces inside the cabin. Interested participants should bring a bag lunch and hiking boots, in case they want to hike after the work is done. TRGT will provide snacks and drinks. Call or email Sarah Quattrochi at (423) 266-0314 to volunteer.

Website of the Week
Will Tennessee be the next state to pass container deposit legislation (or Bottle Bill)? We’re getting closer to cleaner trails, roadsides, and streams.
Last Week’s Website:
The National Recreation and Park Association has gone digital with their monthly magazine.

Upcoming . . .
March
25 Winter Workshop – Planning Overnight Adventures
27 Rock/Creek River Gorge Trail Race
65 Roses 5K & Great Strides Walk
27/28 TN River Gorge Overnight Kayak Trip
28 ~Hidden Hills Spring Hunter Pace

April
3 ~Around the World in 90 Minutes
9-11 Reflection Riding Spring Native Plant Sale
10 Outdoor Expo and Gear Swap
Bike to Build
10/11 Wildflower Pilgrimage at Fall Creek Falls
~Dusk ‘til Dawn Adventure Race
15 TN Aquarium Downtown Sunset Paddle
16/17 Star Party at Fall Creek Falls
17 Chickamauga Chase Road Race
~”Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” High Heel March
TN Aquarium Touring Kayak Clinic
22 TN Aquarium Women on the Water
24 Scenic City Youth Duathlon
BSA Centennial Scout Show
25 Cohutta 100 Mountain Bike Race
Scenic City Triathlon
30 BioBlitz at CNC
Relay for Life

May
1 3State/3Mountain Challenge
1,2 Tri for the Kids Triathlons
2 Jane’s Roll
3 SERC Mountain Bike Race
8 Greenway Challenge Adventure Race
15 TN Aquarium Family Canoe Trip
20-23 Southeastern Foot Trails Coalition Conference
22 Scenic City Trail Marathon and ½ Marathon
TN Aquarium Nickajack Lock Paddle
31 BlueCross Chattanooga Chase 8K & 1-Mile Walk

June
4-6 TN Valley Canoe Club Paddle School
Rock Climbing Workshop at Fall Creek Falls
11/12 Astronomy Weekend at Fall Creek Falls
12 TSRA Canoe and Kayak School
11-19 Bike to Riverbend
18-20 Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race
19 Blue Cross Riverbend Walk/Run

July
9/10 Astronomy Weekend at Fall Creek Falls
11 Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon
23-25 U.S. Nat. Dragon Boat Championships /Chattanooga Dragon Boat Fest.
31 TN Valley Canoe Club’s Rescue Rodeo

August
1 Smoky Bear Birthday Party at Ocoee Whitewater Center
6/7 Astronomy Weekend at Fall Creek Falls
7 Greenway 5-Mile Trail Race
14 Missionary Ridge Road Race
16 Fall Creek Falls Triathlon

September
13 Black Bear Rampage
13-16 Pro-Walk/Pro-Bike
19 Mtn. Top Marathon, ½ Marathon & 5K

October
2 TN River Blueway Canoe and Kayak Race
Rock/Creek Stump Jump
Sequatchie Valley Century
Tennessee River Rescue
9 Chattanooga Head Race
16 Signal Mtn. Road Race/Pie Run
16/17 Festival of Jack ‘o Lanterns
23/24 Fall Colors Weekend at Fall Creek Falls
30 Wild Foods Day at Fall Creek Falls

November
6/7 Head of the Hooch
Rock Climbing Workshop at Fall Creek Falls
13 Upchuck 50K
Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
14-17 20th American Trails National Symposium

December
4 Triple Crown Bouldering Comp. – Stone Fort
18 Lookout Mountain 100K/10K