Here are upcoming Outdoor Chattanooga news and events:
Street Smarts Cycling Seminar May 9
Learn to drive your bicycle in traffic during the monthly Street Smarts Cycling Seminar on Wed., May 9, 6 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. Learn TN State and City of Chattanooga bicycle laws and a few tips for riding confidently on the road. No bicycle is necessary, but participants should bring a bicycle and helmet if they wish to join a post class practice ride.
To learn more,
email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at 643-6888.
Moccasin Bend Bicycle Tour May 10
Outdoor Chattanooga and Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will host a
bicycle tour of Moccasin Bend on Thurs., May 10, from 6-8 p.m. National Park interpretive rangers will share the history of the Bend, from the first Native American residents to future plans. The tour is free and open to adults and kids ages 16 and older when accompanied by an adult. The ride takes place on city streets and covers mostly flat terrain with a couple of moderate hills. Bring your own bicycle or borrow one from the Outdoor Chattanooga mobile bicycle fleet. Reservations required for borrowed bicycles. To reserve a bicycle,
email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at 643-6888.
Adaptive Cycling May 14
Outdoor Chattanooga and the
City Parks and Recreation Dept.’s Therapeutic Recreation Division will host an adaptive bicycle ride on Mon., May 14 on the TN Rivepark. People with cognitive and physical disabilities are welcome to ride. Special equipment can be provided. To participate,
email or call Elaine Adams at 697-1345.
Rapid Learning Expands to Two Sessions May 15
The
Rapid Learning Whitewater Program will expand to two sessions at our weekly roll practice, beginning Tues., May 15, at the City of Chattanooga’s Greenway Farm. Two roll practice sessions will begin with check in at 5:30 or 6:30 p.m. No reservations are necessary. First time participants may come for free. After that, a membership is $50 per year for individuals, $75 per family and includes use of equipment and all instruction. Boaters with their own equipment may participate for $5 per session. To learn more,
email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888. May 8 roll practice schedule will remain at one session, with check in starting at 5:30 p.m. and practice beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Family Canoe Trip May 17
Load up the kids and explore the peaceful waters of N. Chickamauga Creek during our
family canoe trip on Thurs., May 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. We’ll launch at Greenway Farm and enjoy the evening breezes and wildlife on the creek. The trip is appropriate for adults and kids ages 5 and older when accompanied by an adult. Cost is $8 per person and includes all equipment and guides. Limit: 16 pp. Reservations are required. To reserve or learn more,
email Outdoor Chattanooga at 643-6888.
Free Bicycle Maintenance Clinic – All About Brakes May 17
The Trek Bicycle Store of Chattanooga will host a free
bike maintenance clinic at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park on Thurs., May 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Mechanic Taylor Keaton will focus the clinic on brakes: types, maintenance and repair. No reservations or bicycles are necessary. To learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at 643-6888.
Nickajack Bat Cave Kayak Trip May 18
Join Outdoor Chattanooga for a special kayak trip to
Nickajack Cave, a summer nursery for thousands of endangered gray bats. We’ll paddle across the cave’s inlet to watch clouds of foraging bats emerge at dusk. After dark, we’ll return by the light of our kayak running lights back to the put in. Cost is $35 per person and includes all equipment and guides. The trip is appropriate for adults and kids ages 14 and older when accompanied by an adult. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. Limit: 12 participants. To reserve a spot or learn more,
email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at 643-6888.
Chickamauga Battlefield Bicycle Tours Begin May 19
Outdoor Chattanooga will once again partner with
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park for free, monthly bicycle tours of Chickamauga Battlefield, beginning on Sat., May 19, 9:30 a.m., from the Battlefield Visitors Center. Adults and kids ages 8 and older are invited to take a leisurely ride around the battlefield (approx. 5-6 miles) with a National Park interpretive ranger to learn about Civil War history. Bring your own bicycle or borrow one from the Outdoor Chattanooga mobile bicycle fleet. Riders must be at least 5’ tall to borrow a bicycle. To reserve a loaner bike, call the Battlefield Visitors Center at 706 866-9241. Helmets are required for all riders. Additional tours are scheduled for June 16, July 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 15, and Oct. 20.
Splash Into Spring Paddlesports Festival June 9
Outdoor Chattanooga will host
Splash into Spring, our annual paddlesports festival and demo day, on Sat., June 9, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at TVA Chickamauga Dam. The public is invited to learn about kayaking, canoeing, standup paddleboarding, dragon boating and even sailing. Participate in clinics, demo’s or just come to see what is available in the area. The event is free and open to the public. Exhibit spaces are still open for paddlesports clubs and outfitters. To learn more,
email or call Terri Chapin at 643-6888.
More Events
Raccoon Mtn. 10k and 5K May 12
The Chattanooga Track Club will host the Raccoon Mtn. 10K and 5K races around the TVA Raccoon Mtn. pumped storage facility on Sat., May 12, beginning at 7 a.m. The race courses go around the mountain top reservoir and offer some of the best views in Chattanooga.
Run, Run, Run May 12
Runners can participate in three other events on May 12: the
TB5K at Camp Jordan in East Ridge,
CASA’s Run for the Child in Roane Co., and the
Strawberry Chase in downtown Dayton, TN.
Another Gorgeous Evening with TRGT May 12
The TN River Gorge Trust will hold their annual fundraising dinner,
Another Gorgeous Evening, on Sat., May 12 at the TN Riverplace. Tickets are still available for the event, which includes a live and silent auction and special guest TN Sen. Lamar Alexander.
Beer Over Dirt May 12
The N. Chickamauga Creek Conservancy will host
Beer Over Dirt in Renaissance Park on Sat., May 12, from 3 to 7:30 p.m. The fundraiser will feature local microbrews, local food and local music to benefit NCCC’s conservation programs.
Dumplings, Donuts and Derailleurs May 12
The Cyclesports Concepts bicycle shop will host
Dumplings, Donuts and Derailleurs, a free bike maintenance and safety event on Sat., May 12, from 4:30 – 7 p.m. at the bike shop, 512 E. Main St. The public is invited to learn about maintenance basics, like fixing flat tires keeping an old or new bike in tune. To learn more, call the shop at 531-7623.
Scenic City Trail Marathon and Half Marathon May 19
The Raccoon Mtn. trail system will be busy with 500+ runners on Sat., May 19 for Rock/Creek’s
Scenic City Trail Marathon and Half Marathon. One of the largest trail marathon events in the southeast, the event attracts racers from as far away as Colorado and Washington State. Meanwhile, registration has closed for June’s Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race, but you can still register for the Rock/Creek Stump Jump 50K or 11K on Oct. 6. But hurry, the event fills fast.
Children’s Hospital Dragon Boat Festival May 19
Fifty community and corporate teams will compete in the
Children’s Hospital Dragon Boat Festival on Sat., May 19 at Chickamauga Dam. Teams of 20 people will paddle 40’ boats to raise funds for the Children’s Hospital Foundation.
The event is free and open to spectators.
Chattanooga Tour de Cure May 19
Ride your bicycle to help cure diabetes at the annual
Chattanooga Tour de Cure on Sat., May 19, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at Finley Stadium. Ride 10, 18, 24, 62 or 100 miles as part of a fundraising team. Online registration is still open. For more information,
email or call event manager Wendi Mullins at 865 524-7868 ext. 3343.
IHN 5K Run and 1K Walk to End Homelessness May 19
The
Interfaith Homeless Network will host their annual 5K run and fun run/walk to end homelessness on Sat., May 19, 9 a.m., beginning at the TN Riverpark’s shelter #3.
Register online or beginning at 8 a.m. on the day of the event. To learn more,
email race director Jane Webb.
Viola Valley Half Marathon May 19
The inaugural
Viola Valley Half Marathon & Breakfast and Bluegrass Festival will happen on Sat., May 19, 8 a.m., in Viola, TN. The running course starts on the square in Viola and winds through the rural countryside of Warren, Grundy and Coffee counties.
Scenic City Triathlon May 20
Multi sport athletes can swim, bike and run downtown Chattanooga during the annual
Scenic City Triathlon, Sun., May 20, beginning at 8 a.m. in Coolidge Park. Competitors will swim 800 meters, bicycle 11 miles on open roads and run 5K over downtown bridges.
Online registration is open.
Competitive Trail Ride at Hidden Hills May 20
Hidden Hills Farm & Saddle Club invites riders of all disciplines and riding experience to a Competitive Trail Ride on Sun., May 20. This ride is an untimed trail ride with six judged trail obstacles on the farm’s trails. Prizes will be given in 3 divisions: Junior (up to age 17), Pleasure, and Open (more challenging obstacles). Pre register on the
Hidden Hills Website. For more information, call 488-3993.
Adventures
Artfully Wild Urban Exploration May 12
The
Hunter Museum of American Art and
TN Wild will co host a special Sublime in Art outing on Sat., May 12. The outing will begin with 5 mile guided walk and discussion of our natural environment led by naturalists from TN Wild along with a discussion of the way artists have seen such environments,led by Hunter curators. Back at the museum, participants will have a guided discussion about works of art discussed on the hike. Cost is $9.95 for museum admission. Limit: 25 participants. To learn more,
email or call Jeff Hunter at 322-7866.
News
American Bicycle Group (Litespeed) Reorganizes
American Bicycle Group has announced a reorganization of the corporate structure which will give majority control of the corporation to current CEO and President Peter Hurley. Hurley arrived at ABG in 2007. Litespeed, founded in 1986, is known for producing high end titanium road bicycles and bicycle frames. Quintana Roo, founded in 1987, was the first to create triathlon-specific bicycle and wetsuit designs. American Bicycle Group is located in Chattanooga, TN.
Upper Ocoee Opens May 12
Put on your spray skirt and grab your kayak! The Upper Ocoee River opens for weekend recreational kayaking, canoeing and rafting on Sat., May 12, with a
water release from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The class IV section of the river, which includes the Ocoee Whitewater Center, is for experienced whitewater kayakers and canoeists only. Other adventurers can join one of
two dozen rafting outfitters who lead trips on the Ocoee.
Web Hit of the Week
Have you tried the
Mountain Goat Trail in Sewanee?
Last Week’s Web Hit
The
City of Chattanooga is now live. Check it out.
Upcoming Events . . .
June
1-3 TN Valley Canoe Club Paddle School
2 National Trails Day
Bicycle Demo Day at ESNP
4-8 Kids 4 Clean Water Summer Camp
7 Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Derailleurs
7-11 Racquets on the Riverwalk
9 Splash Into Spring
Riverbend Adventure Challenge
10-15 TWRA’s TN Outdoor Youth Summit
11-15 Kids 4 Clean Water Summer Camp
13-16 Chattanooga/Cleveland Charity Horse Show
15-17 Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race
25-29 Appalachian Adventure Summer Camp
July
8 Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon
19 Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Suspensions
23-27 TN River Gorge Adventure Summer Camp
August
4 Still Hollow Half Marathon/10K
11 Chattanooga Mud Run
16 Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Wheels
25 Raft for the Cure