Outdoor Chattanooga News And Events

  • Wednesday, May 1, 2013
  • Ruth Thompson

Here are upcoming news and events from Outdoor Chattanooga:

Rapid Learning Kayak Skills Practice Resumes May 1

Outdoor Chattanooga's Rapid Learning Program weekly kayak skills practice will move to our summer location on Wed., May 1, at Chester Frost County Park. Participants may come for one of two sessions: 6-7 and 7-8 p.m. The first time you visit is free, then membership is $75 per year for individuals, $125 per year for families. Membership includes all equipment and instruction at weekly skills practice all year round. To learn more, email or call Terri Chapin at (423) 643-6882

First Friday Bike2Work Moves Outdoors May 3

The First Friday Bike2Work bicycle commuter breakfast will move outdoors on Fri., May 3, from 7 to 8:30 a.m., at the south end of the Walnut St. Bridge (1st and Walnut St.) All bicyclists are welcome. Enjoy Velo Coffee and fresh fruit and baked goods from Whole Foods. All participants get a chance to win a free Bike Chattanooga membership or Thrive Studio spin class, and the first 25 people to ride to Bike2Work on a Bike Chattanooga bicycle will receive a free BC tee shirt. To learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.

Group Commuter Ride to Bike2Work May 3

The Bike Chattanooga Bicycle Transit System (BC) will host a free, guided commuter ride to the Bike2Work breakfast, on Fri., May 3, beginning at 6:30 a.m. from the Finley Stadium south parking lot station. BC subscribers and people with their own bikes are welcome to join.

Splash Into Spring Paddlesports Festival & Demo Day May 5

Outdoor Chattanooga invites the public to try canoeing, kayaking, standup paddleboarding and dragon boating at our annual Splash Into Spring Paddlesports Festival and Demo Day on Sun., May 5, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at TVA Chickamauga Dam. Regional paddlesports outfitters, clubs and water conservation organizations will be on hand to offer free demo's and information about what they do. Life jackets are required to demo boats, so bring your own or borrow one from Outdoor Chattanooga. Kids under age 5 should bring their own life jackets. To learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.  

3 Rides/3 Hoods May 5
Take one, two, or three neighborhood tours by bicycle on the annual 3 Rides, 3 Hoods community rides on Sun., May 5, beginning at 9 a.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. Riders of all ages are welcome to experience new perspectives on neighborhoods through stunning visuals, engaging conversations and presentation by community leaders. The rides are free and accessible to all members of the public. No registration is necessary. 

Street Smarts Safe Cycling Class May 8

If riding your bicycle in traffic intimidates you, then come to Outdoor Chattanooga on Wed., May 8, at 6 p.m. for our free Street Smarts Safe Cycling class. We'll teach you the rules of the road and some easy tips for riding confidently on Chattanooga's urban streets. Bring your own bicycle or Bike Chattanooga membership card to join an optional, post class practice ride. The class is open to adults and kids ages 12 and older when accompanied by an adult. 

Moccasin Bend Bicycle Tour May 9

Outdoor Chattanooga and Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will host the first of two, free bicycle tours of historic Moccasin Bend on Thurs., May 9, 6 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. a National Park Service interpretive ranger will share the long, human history of the Bend and plans for its future. Adults and kids ages 12 and older are welcome when accompanied by an adult. Helmets are required. To reserve a loaner bicycle from the Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga Mobile Bicycle Fleet, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.

What's in Your Water? - Free Family Workshop May 11

Outdoor Chattanooga and the TN Student Environmental Alliance's Kids4Clean Water program will host a free "What's in Your Water?" family workshop on Sat., May 11, from 1 - 3:30 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. Bring a sample of water from your home to test. Then, participants will go outside with Mary Beth Sutton, director of TenneSEA, to explore the bigger picture of our community's water. Reservations are required. Space is limited. To reserve spots or learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888

Community Events and Activities

Intro to Standup Paddleboard Racing May 1

L2 Boards will host a free Introduction to Standup Paddleboard Racing clinic on Thurs., May 2, 6 p.m. at Chickamauga Dam. Learn race starts, paddle strokes, buoy turns and drafting. To reserve a spot, call (423) 531-7873

David George Haskell at UTC May 3

Pulitzer Prize finalist David George Haskell, ecologist and author of "The Forest Unseen," will speak at the University of TN, Chattanooga's Benwood Auditorium on Fri., May 3, at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $5. The event is hosted by the Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center and the UTC Dept. of Biological and Environmental Sciences.  

Children's Hospital Dragon Boat Festival May 4

Paddles UP! Dozens of local corporate and community teams will compete in the annual Children's Hospital Dragon Boat Festival on Sat., May 4, at Chickamauga Dam. Go cheer on your favorite team!

3 State 3 Mountain Challenge May 4

Two thousand cyclists will test themselves against the Chattanooga area's mountains at the annual 3 State 3 Mountain Challenge, leaving from Finley Stadium on Sat., May 4, at 8 a.m. 

Bike Day at Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center May 11

Celebrate National Bike Month at Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center at Reflection Riding on Sat., May 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Bring your own bicycle or borrow one for free one-hour rides. Rental fees apply for additional hours. Supply of rental bikes is limited so pre-registration is suggested.  Two bike clinics will also be available at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm, covering ABC Quick Check with bike-riding essentials:  brakes, body positioning, fitting a bike, and more for anyone who wants to know more about cycling. Cost is regular admission to CA&NC.

Learn to Row Classes Begin May 13
The Lookout Mtn. Rowing Club will host their annual adult Learn to Row classes, beginning Mon., May 13 and continuing with 10-day, two-week sessions through Aug. 17. All equipment and instruction is provided and class fees go toward a Rowing Club membership. To learn more, email or call Diane Moore at (423) 718-8685.

Register for Hamilton Co. Get Out and Go Night May 18 

The Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department is looking for groups interested in reaching a wider audience of potential participants for their annual Get Out and Go Night on Sat., May 18, from 6-8 p.m. at the TN Riverpark. Sports and leisure clubs are encouraged to do live demonstrations and will receive booth spaces to share information with the public. Donations from area sports and leisure merchants are accepted, but no products will be sold at the event. To learn more, email or call Maureen Davis at (423) 842-6748.

News

Become a Green Trips Partner Employer - It's Free!

Green Trips, the area's first region-wide program to reward residents and commuters for reducing single-occupancy vehicle (SOV) trips, is now setting up customized commute options programs with employers in the region.  The program website will allow individuals to connect with carpool/bicycle partners and earn rewards for logging biking, walking, transit, and carpool trips, as well as telecommutes and compressed work weeks. To learn more, email or call Jenny Park at (423) 643-5938.

Web Hit(s) of the Week  

Join the National Bike Challenge to log your bicycling miles for prizes and national recognition.  

Last Week's Web Hit
Find hundreds of photos and tons of inspiration at The Loaded Touring Bike.  
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More Upcoming Events

May, 2013

             Chattanooga Tour de Cure
             Chattanooga Chase
             Beer Over Dirt
             National Trails Day
             Run Wild 5K and 1K Cub Crawl
             The Kewl Race

30          Stars, Stripes and Wishes Run

July, 2013
22-26     TN River Gorge "Huck Finn" Adventure Camp

August, 2013
7            Raft for the Cure
10           Still Hollow Trail Race
11           Cannonball Charge

September, 2013
8            Iron Jr. Triathlon
29          Komen Race for the Cure

October, 2013
4-12       River Rocks Chattanooga
5            Rock/Creek Stump Jump
20          7 Bridges Marathon

November, 2013
2-3         Head of the Hooch
  


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