Bike the South has launched its premiere season in and around Chattanooga with fall tours that reflect its motto of “Slow Travel. Southern Charm. Carefree Cycling.”
Tours are designed primarily for novice and leisure cyclists, feature low distances and speeds, and include ride-along guides and support vans. Electric-assist bikes are available on most tours.
“We like to say we take care of the 'what ifs,'" said founder and president Jim Johnson. “What if I break down? What if I can’t make it? What if I get lost.”
Each tour is designed to expose riders to the life, culture, history and scenery of each region, especially farms and rural communities. Tsali Notch Vineyards in Madisonville, Tenn., is the starting point for Backroads Bicycling from Tsali Notch, which features a wine-tasting and vineyard tour. The Sequatchie Valley Ramble features a lunch stop at the famed Cookie Jar Cafe.
Tours are also designed to benefit the communities they pass through. One example is the Mountain Cove Ramble on Oct. 17, which features a potluck dinner provided by the Cedar Grove Community Center near Chickamauga. Riders have a chance to meet and dine with local farmers, and Bike the South donates $25 of each registration fee to a community center fund that provides Christmas presents to needy children.
Scheduled tours (Oct. 1-Nov. 7)
Saturday, Oct. 9: Sequatchie Valley Ramble
Sunday, Oct. 10: Backroads Bicycling from Tsali Notch
Saturday, Oct. 16: Tellico Farmland Explorer
Sunday, Oct. 17: Mountain Cove Ramble with Potluck Dinner
Saturday, Oct. 23: Sequatchie Valley Ramble
Sunday, Oct. 24: Backroads Bicycling from Tsali Notch
Saturday, Oct. 30: Sequatchie Valley Ramble
Sunday, Oct. 31: Tsali Notch Halloween Wine, Bikes and Bluegrass
Saturday, Nov. 6: Sequatchie Valley Ramble
Sunday, Nov. 7: Backroads Bicycling from Tsali Notch and Tellico Farmland Explorer
Almost every tour in the Bike the South roster can also be booked daily on request on a private basis with routes customized based on abilities, preferences and interests. The company will also pick up clients at their homes and transfer them to and from the tour, provide rental bikes, and handle all logistics.
Due to the pandemic, bicycles have flown out of bicycle shops at record levels over the past 18 months. “We feel that many new cyclists are tired of their familiar routes and want to try something new,” Mr. Johnson said. “At the same time, they’re nervous about being on new terrain on their own. We provide the support they need to expand their comfort zones.” Bike the South also has programs for more experienced riders, but even those target cyclists who want to “slow down and smell the honeysuckle."
October and early November tours target areas likely to burst with fall foliage such as Sequatchie Valley, the Tennessee Overhill (the region straddling the Ocoee, Hiwassee and Tellico Rivers), and Mountain Cove in Northwest Georgia.
Multi-day tours are also available including the Ocoee River Pedal/Paddle Escape.
Bike the South has also introduced Bike and Brew tours starting every Thursday evening at Five Wits Brewery at Market South in Chattanooga: 2wheels.beer.
Tours and information can be found at www.bike-the-south.com or by contacting info@bike-the-south.com or 207-4033.