Grab your bicycle and come visit us at Riverfront Nights. See below. Catch the star « to see what’s new.
«Kayaking in Downtown Chattanooga Featured on NatGeo
National Geographic Traveler has featured Chattanooga as one of the best cities in the U.S. to kayak. Thanks, guys!
Street Smarts Tonight Aug. 10
Come to Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park, for our free Street Smarts safe cycling workshop. We’ll teach you some basic skills and tips for riding confidently in traffic. Suitable for adults and kids ages 12 and older when accompanied by an adult. Bring a bicycle and helmet if you want to join a short, post-class ride. For more information, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.
Outdoor Chattanooga Bicycle Valet at Riverfront Nights Continues
Outdoor Chattanooga will host a free bicycle parking valet service at the Riverfront Nights free concert series, continuing on Sat., Aug. 13 and 20, from 6 to 10:30 p.m. Concert goers can park their bicycles for free in the secure lot while they go listen to music on Ross’ Landing. Look for the valet at the corner of Power Alley and Riverfront Parkway on the Green. Aug. 13 is Disc Golf Night, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on the Green. Join the Chattanooga Flying Disc Club for some play time before the music. To learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.
Beginner Whitewater Kayak Trip Aug. 13
Outdoor Chattanooga's Rapid Learning Whitewater Club will host a beginner whitewater paddling trip on Sat., Aug. 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A full day of formal instruction will provide learning opportunities for beginners and advancing beginners. Participants will be encouraged to improve their paddling skills by catching more challenging eddies, ferrying stronger currents and practicing rescue techniques. Cost is $35 ($30 for Rapid Learning members) and includes transportation, instruction and gear (if needed). Absolute beginners should attend at least one Rapid Learning Roll Practice prior to the trip. To learn more, email or call Terri Chapin at (423) 842-6629.
Full Moon Paddle at Harrison Bay Aug. 13
Outdoor Chattanooga will host a special moonlight kayak trip on Harrison Bay, Sat., Aug. 13, from 7:00 to 10 p.m. We’ll launch before sunset and explore the islands and inlets of the bay before returning to shore by the light of the moon. Cost is $35 per person and includes all equipment and guides. Pre-registration is required. To register or learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.
«Free Bike Maintenance Workshop Aug. 18
The public is invited to a free bike maintenance workshop on Thurs., Aug. 18, 6:00 p.m., at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. Taylor Keaton, service manager for the Chattanooga Trek Store, will teach some basic tips for keeping your bicycle road and trail worthy. For more information about the workshop, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.
«Nickajack Bat Cave Paddle Aug. 18
Outdoor Chattanooga will host a kayak trip to the Nickajack Bat Cave on Thurs., Aug. 18, 7:00 p.m. Kayakers will paddle across the bat cave inlet to watch thousands of endangered gray bats emerge at dusk. Cost is $35 per person and includes all equipment and guides. The trip is appropriate for adults and kids ages 12 and older when accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is required. Minimum: 6 participants. Maximum
«Battlefield Bicycle Ride Aug. 20
Outdoor Chattanooga and Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will host a Chickamauga Battlefield historical bicycle tour on Sat., Aug. 20, 9:30 a.m., at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitors Center. Sponsored by the Friends of the Park and the Chattanooga Bicycle Club, the leisurely 6 to 8-mile ride will feature park history from National Park Service interpretive rangers. Participants may bring their own bicycles or borrow one from the Outdoor Chattanooga Mobile Bicycle Fleet. Helmets are required for all riders aged 16 and under and highly recommended for all riders. To reserve a loaner bicycle or learn more, call the Battlefield Visitors Center at (706) 866-9241.
Ongoing Outdoor Chattanooga Events . . .
Rapid Learning Roll Practice on Tuesdays
The Rapid Learning Whitewater Club invites people to their weekly kayak roll practice at Greenway Farm each Tues. evening, 5:30 p.m. Cost is $5 per session. Your first visit is always free.
Yoga for Beginners on Wednesdays
Join instructor Blaire Foster for this free, introductory yoga class each Wed. at 5:30 p.m., at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. To learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.
Downtown Kayak Adventures through August
Take a tour of downtown Chattanooga by kayak, as we continue our summer excursions every Fri. and Sat., 9 a.m. through the end of Aug. Trips begin at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. The two hour, beginner friendly tours feature stunning views of Maclellan Island, the museum bluffs and Ross’ Landing. Cost is $35 for adults and $25 for kids ages 8-13. All equipment and guides are provided. Pre-registration is required. To register, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.
More Events
«Public Meeting – Moccasin Bend and Stringers Ridge Planning Aug. 18
The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Regional Planning Agency invites the public to a meeting about future plans for Stringers Ridge and the Moccasin Bend Gateway on Thurs., Aug. 18, 5:30 p.m. at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Attendees will see a presentation on initial concepts for streetscape improvement, a new TN Riverpark segment along the North Shore and plans for other community connections. Public feedback will be solicited on how to protect the area's natural resources, and how to develop recreational resources and more connections to the community. Please RSVP to the Regional Planning Agency at (423) 643-5901.
«Chattanooga Mud Run Aug. 20
It is not too late to register your team for the Chattanooga Mud Run to benefit Habitat for Humanity on Sat., Aug. 20. Participants run a muddy, 5K course through mud holes and fields at Greenway Farm. Runners, walkers and mud hole swimmers ages 14 and older can participate. For more information, email or call Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga at (423) 756-0507.
TBA to Screen Climbing Film “Scene” on Aug. 27
The TN Bouldering Authority will host a screening of the climbing film, "Scene" at their facility, 3804 St. Elmo Ave., on Sat., Aug. 27 at 8 p.m. The film showcases the climbing scenes in communities like Moab, UT, Boulder, CO, Innsbruck, Austria and Catalunya, Spain. Cost is $5 per person.
Adventures
«TN Wild Hike Along Kirkland Creek in Cherokee Nat. Forest
TN Wild will host a six mile hike of Kirkland Creek Trail in the Upper Bald River Wilderness Study Area on Sat., Aug. 20. Three miles of the trail will run along an old rail grade by Kirkland Creek and participants can expect a lot of stream crossings and a creekside break for lunch. Interested participants must register online or call or email hike leader Jeff Hunter at (423) 322-7866. Details for the hike will be provided upon registration.
Kayaks and C.O.W.S. on the TN River!
Grab your kayak and join the Chattanooga Sea Kayakers on Mon. evenings, 6 p.m., at the Market St. Bridge boat launch in Coolidge Park (next to the Delta Queen). The group paddles around the downtown waterfront to get in shape and hone their kayaking skills. Email Jim Farmer to learn more. The Chattanooga Open Water Swimmers welcome skilled swimmers and volunteer kayak pilots for their weekly swim in the TN River every Wed., 5:15 p.m., also at the Market St. Bridge launch. Email Karah Friberg to learn more.
Hike, Hike, Hike!
If you can stand the heat, get out and hike. There are upcoming group outings from TN Wild, the Soddy-Daisy Chapter of the TN Trails Assoc., the Chattanooga Hiking Club and at state parks like S. Cumberland, Fall Creek Falls and Cloudland Canyon.
News
«Stolen Art Bike
One of the ArtBike camp bicycles, made by a 13-year-old violinist and student at Ooltewah Middle School, was stolen this week. It was last seen in the vicinity of Jefferson and Main Streets. Here’s a picture of the student with her bicycle. If you have information about the bike’s whereabouts, please call (423) 314-6659.
Wilder Brigade Monument (Wilder Tower) Closed through Sept. 2
The Wilder Brigade Monument (Wilder Tower) at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park’s Chickamauga Battlefield will be closed to the public from Mon., Aug. 8 through Fri., Sept. 2. The closure is necessary to replace the tower's stairway handrails and the safety railing at the top of the tower. For more information, contact Facilities Manager Don Stephenson at (423) 752-5213, ext. 125.
Inventory of Roadway Hazards for Bicycles
The City of Chattanooga is conducting an inventory of wrong-way storm grates and other roadway hazards (potholes, railroad tracks), especially those along designated bike ways. If you know of any specific hazards, please email details to Philip Pugliese, Chattanooga Bicycle Coordinator. Photos and/or GPS data helps even more. For help in mapping specific hazards, visit the Hamilton County GIS interactive mapping site.
Web Hit(s) of the Week
The cost of commuting by car is probably more than you think. So why aren’t you riding a bicycle?
http://canoetennesseeriver.com
Last Week’s Web Hit
The Trust for Public Land’s Spotlight is on a local Stringers Ridge trails advocate Jim Johnson, and Swim the Suck and C.O.W.S. founder Kara Nazor Friberg is featured a Blue Ridge Outdoors article about open water swimming. All stars!
Upcoming Events
August
27 Raft for the Cure
Ride for Leasure Against Cancer
27/28 River Gorge Omnium
28 Ride the Bend
September
3 Paddlers Night at Riverfront Nights
10 Brookshire Trail Hike w/TN Wild
Bike Night at Riverfront Nights
Open Arms Challenge
10/11 Reflection Riding Open House and Fall Plant Sale
16 Park(ing) Day
17 Battlefield Bicycle Ride
Dog Night at Riverfront Nights
18 Komen Tri for a Cure
24 Big Frog Mtn. Ascent w/TN Wild
Wilderness Adventure Challenge
25 Ride the Bend
30 ACA National Paddlesports Conference
River Rocks Chattanooga
October
1 Tennessee River Rescue
Raccoon Time Trial
UTC Intra-squad and Alumni Regatta
TN Valley Heart Walk
Rock/Creek Stump Jump
RiverRocks Canoe and Kayak River Dash
RiverRocks SUPSplash Races
Sequatchie Valley Century
2 RACE Rome Sprint Triathlon
3 RACE Rome Youth Triathlon
5-9 RiverRocks Wilderness Medicine Conference
7 Haunted Hay Rides Begin
8 Swim the Suck
Chattanooga Head Race
Triple Crown Bouldering Competition - Stone Fort
15 Battlefield Bicycle Ride
16 7 Bridges Marathon
23 Ride the Bend
29 Chickstock
November
5/6 Head of the Hooch