Outdoor Chattanooga News And Events

159128&spn=0.007095,0.009645" target="_blank">Map of the new program site.) Participants can come for either session, first come, first served. As always, members of the public who want to try the program may visit the first time for free. After that, membership is $50 per year for individuals, $75 for adults. Kayakers with their own boats, PFD’s, paddles and skirts may join the practice for $5. To learn more, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call 643-6888.

Street Smarts Safe Cycling Seminar June 13
Outdoor Chattanooga will host our Street Smarts Cycling Seminar on Wed., June 13, 6 p.m. at our location at 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. Under the instruction of certified League of American Bicyclists instructors, participants will learn the rules of the road, TN State and Chattanooga bicycle laws and some easy tips for riding confidently in traffic. Open to adults and children ages 12 and older when accompanied by an adult. Bring a bicycle and helmet if you want to join an optional after class practice ride. For more information, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at 643-6888.

Moccasin Bend Bicycle Tour June 14
Outdoor Chattanooga and the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will be hosting the last historic bike tour of Moccasin Bend of the season on Thur., June 14, at 6 p.m. Participants will learn about the area’s history while enjoying a leisurely 6 mile bike ride. This free bicycle tour is open to adults and children 16 and older who are accompanied by an adult. Participants are welcome to bring their own bicycles or reserve one from Outdoor Chattanooga. All riders must wear a helmet. For more information or to make your reservation today, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at 643-6888.    

Downtown Kayak Adventures June 16 & 17
Outdoor Chattanooga will host our weekly Downtown Kayak Adventures on Sat. and Sun., June 16 & 17, from 9 to11:30 a.m. Open to paddlers of all skill levels, the trips will take participants on a journey around the downtown waterfront to see features like the Passage, Maclellan Island and Ross’ Landing. Reservations are required. No experience is necessary. Cost is $35 per adult and $25 per child ages 8-13 and includes all equipment and instruction. Trips will continue through Aug. 26. For reservations or to learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at 643-6888.

Bike to Riverbend June 15-16
Ride your bicycle to Riverbend. Outdoor Chattanooga and the Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga will offer free, valet bicycle parking at the south end of the Walnut St. Bridge on the final weekend of the Riverbend Festival, June 15-16, from 6 to 11 p.m. Park your bike in our secure lot and we’ll have it waiting for you when the music is done. Bicycle valet patrons get their own porta-john and free, cold water. No reservations required. Self serve bicycle parking June 12-14. If you are parking on one of those days, please plan on locking up your bicycle.

Chickamauga Battlefield Bicycle Tour June 16
Outdoor Chattanooga and Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will host a free bicycle tour of Chickamauga Battlefield on Sat., June 16, 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 July 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 15, and Oct. 20.

Women’s Whitewater Kayaking Clinic June 19-20
Women of all ages and skill levels are invited to attend one or both days of Outdoor Chattanooga’s Women’s Whitewater Kayaking Clinic, happening Tues. and Wed., June 19 & 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Recreation Programs Coordinator Terri Chapin will lead an experienced female staff in teaching basics: boat handling, rescue skills and river reading. Paddlers will learn on flat water, then test out their new skills on easy whitewater. Instruction will be tailored to students’ abilities, from beginners to experts. Limit: 12 participants. Cost is $35 per day and includes all equipment, instruction and transportation. Pre registration is required. To register or learn more, email Terri Chapin or call 643-6888.

Family Canoe Trip June 21
Load up the kids and explore the peaceful waters of N. Chickamauga Creek during our family canoe trip on Thurs., June 21, 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.

TN River Gorge Overnight OutVenture Camp July 23-27
Kids ages 11-16 can participate in a very special week of high adventure in the spectacular Tennessee River Gorge, Mon. – Fri., July 23-27 for Outdoor Chattanooga’s TN River Gorge OutVenture Camp. After a day of orientation, campers will spend four days and three nights canoeing through the gorge, with stops for hiking and climbing under the guidance of Outdoor Chattanooga’s highly trained staff. Cost is $400 and includes all camping and adventure gear, transportation, instruction and meals. Pre registration is required. To learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at 643-6888.

More Events
Market St. Miracle Mile June 23
The Chattanooga Track Club will host the Market St. Miracle Mile on Sat., June 23, in downtown Chattanooga. The event features a series of one mile races, divided by age and gender, on a course also suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. The flat and fast u-shaped certified course will begin on Market St. at 2nd St. and end on Broad St. at 2nd St. in front of the TN Aquarium Plaza. Online registration is open through June 21.

Beginner Women’s Mtn Bike Clinic June 24
Cyclist Beth Miller will host a series of beginner mountain bike clinics, just for women, beginning on Sun., June 24, 2 p.m. at Harrison Bay State Park. At the June 24 clinic, Miller will teach proper bike setup, how to check tire pressure, shifting and braking, appropriate bike attire, hydration and nutrition basics. Participants must have a mountain bicycle and helmet, and appropriate footwear. Bring enough water and snacks to keep you going for a two hour ride. A folding chair and towel are also recommended. Email Beth Miller by June 22 to attend. Additional clinics on July 22 and Aug. 26.

News
N.C. Paddler to Launch Trail of Tears Water Route Journey June 18
Dale Stewart, author, adventurer and public speaker, will begin a 1226 mile journey by canoe on the Tennessee, Ohio, Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers this Mon., June 18, 12 noon, from the Market St. Bridge launch in Coolidge Park. The Western N.C. native will paddle the entire water route taken by dispossessed Cherokee when they were forcibly removed west to Oklahoma in June, 1838. Stewart’s journey is expected to last until approximately Aug. 20 (weather and river conditions permitting).

Adventures
Young Explorers at Hamilton Co. Parks June 12-July 24
Hamilton Co. Parks and Recreation will host a special Young Explorers program for kids ages 3 to 6 on Tuesdays, from 10 to 11 a.m., June 12-July 24, at Enterprise South Nature Park. Programs will include hikes, crafts and wildlife activities. Cost is $3 per session and pre registration is required by calling 842-6748. No program on July 3.
Schedule:
June 12         What’s Wild: Wild vs.Tame Animals
June 19         Wildlife Water Safari
June 26         Nature Drawings
July 10           Show me the Energy
July 17           Water, Water Everywhere!
July 24           Worms!

Kids Time at the TN Riverpark June 14-July 26
Hamilton Co. Parks and Recreation will host special Kids Time activities at the TN Riverpark every Sat., 10 a.m. at Shelter #4, beginning on June 14 and continuing through July 26. Different free, weekly programs will feature nature drawing, reading, water activities and agricultural programs. The programs are geared toward kids ages 5-10 when accompanied by an adult. No reservations are necessary.  Groups of 8 or more should call ahead. To learn more, call Hamilton Co. Parks and Recreation at 842-6748.     

Web Hit of the Week
“City Cycling,” edited by John Pucher and Ralph Buehler, explains why women are the true “indicator species” for a bicycle friendly world.

Last Week’s Web Hit
This BBC article profiles a project by moog synthesizer musician Bernie Krause, who has been documenting what happens to animals when their habitats become stressed.

Upcoming Events . . .
July
1            Stars, Stripes and Wishes 10K/5K
8            Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon
19          Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Suspensions
22          Beginner Women’s Mtn. Bike Clinic
23-27     TN River Gorge Adventure Summer Camp

August
4            Still Hollow Half Marathon/10K 
11          Chattanooga Mud Run
              Missionary Ridge Road Race
16          Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Wheels
25          Raft for the Cure
26          Beginner Women’s Mtn. Bike Clinic

September
14/15     Marie Humphreys Fall Open House & Native Plant Sale
20          Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Fix a Flat
20-23     Southeast Foot Trails Coalition Conference
22-23     Skyhoundz World Canine Disc Championships

October
5-14       RiverRocks Chattanooga
6            Swim the Suck
              Rock/Creek Stump Jump
              UTC Intra-Squad/Alumni Regatta
              Sequatchie Valley Century
              River Rocks Canoe and Kayak Race
              SUP Splash
              TN River Rescue
13          Chattanooga Head Race
              Triple Crown Bouldering Competition – The Stone Fort
18          Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Prepping for Winter
21          7 Bridges Marathon

November
3-4         Head of the Hooch
10          Upchuck 50K/11-Miler
              Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon/Half Marathon/Jr. Marathon

December
15          Lookout Mountain 50-miler/10k