Outdoor Chattanooga News And Events

Monday, May 2, 2016
Ruth Thompson

Here are upcoming news and events from Outdoor Chattanooga:

Introduction to Mountain Biking: Core Skills Builder Course

Mountain Biking is so much more than just riding a bike through the woods! Outdoor Chattanooga offers an Introduction to Mountain Biking: Core Skills Builder and Singletrack Trail Classes.

The Core Skills Builder will introduce and reinforce thecore skills that are required to get the most out of mountain biking. After participating inat least one skills class, attend the Singletrack Trail Class to test your skills on the trail. This class is designed for true beginners and those interested inpracticing specific skills in a controlled setting. Appropriate for ages 10-110. Cost is $10 per person per class and pre-registration is required. Call Outdoor Chattanooga at(423) 643-6888to register and make payment. Loaner equipment is available if needed, but is limited. *Participants must already know how to confidently ride a bike for these classes.

May 2016 Schedule of Core Skill Builder Classes

Tuesday May 3

Friday May 6

Friday May 20

Monday May 23

Learn to Ride a Bicycle May 9

Learn to Ride a Bicycleis offered the 2nd Monday of every month at Outdoor Chattanooga in Coolidge Park. Call 423-643-6888to register in advance for the next free classes being offered onMonday, May 9 at 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.The class is appropriate for ages 4 & up, true beginners to those who haven't ridden in years. We'll get you feeling confident to ride on your own.

Street Cycling 101 May 16

Street Cycling 101is offered the 3rdMondayof every month at Outdoor Chattanooga. Call 423-643-6888to register in advance for the next free class being offered onMonday, May 16 at 6:00 p.m.and earn a $25 gift card to Suck Creek Cycleupon completion of the class. You'll not only learn how to confidently drive your bike on the road, but you'll score some new gear! That's a win win.

Chickamauga Battlefield Bicycle Tour May 21

Join Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park and Outdoor Chattanooga for a free, leisurely paced, historical bike tour through Chickamauga Battlefield onSat., May 21 at 9:30 a.m.The ride is on moderately-hilly terrain, lasts about 2 hours, with frequent stops as the Rangers talk about the history of the battlefield.The rides are appropriate for adults and children ages eight and older when accompanied by an adult. All participants are required to wear helmets.Bring your own bicycle or borrow abicycle from the Outdoor Chattanooga's mobile bicycle fleet at no charge, thanks to sponsorship from Friends of the Park,Friends of Outdoor Chattanoogaand the Chattanooga Bicycle Club. Reservations for the bicycles are required and only available to riders 5' or taller. Contact the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitor Center at(706) 866-9241for more information or to reserve a bicycle.AdditionalSaturdaybattlefield bicycle tours scheduled for 2016 occur onJune 18, July 16, August 20, September 17, and October 15.

Community Events

3 State 3 Mountain Challenge May 7

Litespeed Bicycles and the Chattanooga Bicycle Club present the 29th annual 3 State 3 Mountain Challenge onSat., May 7, 2016. One of the Southeast's most scenic and challenging events! Ride the full 100 miles or opt for one of the shorter courses of 62 or 25 miles. Click here for more info about how to register for the ride. Not a rider, but know a rider or want to be a part of the event? Volunteers are needed to make this event a success. Email Dawn for volunteer opportunities.

City Sweat: Bike Education and Critical Mass Ride May 12

On Thursday, May 12 at 6:00 p.m.join River City Company and Lululemon Athletica Chattanooga for City Sweat: Bike Education and a Critical Mass Ride at the Waterhouse Pavilion, 850 Market St.Learn tips on urban and trail riding safety. This class is free and open to the public. Bring your helmet, a bike or use a Bike Chattanooga bike.

Bike Chattanooga Superstition Shakedown May 13

Come dressed as your favorite superstition or your worst nightmare and join others in the Superstition Shakedown bike ride from Southside to Nightfall onFriday, May 13beginning at5:30 p.m.It will bea fun, short bike ride; appropriate for all ages. To help celebrate National Protected Bike Lane Week the bike route will travel both sides of Broad Street's Protected Bike Lanes before ending at Nightfall for music and mingling.Bring your own bike or grab one from Bike Chattanooga. A few Bike Chattanooga Bikes will be available at no charge from the station at Main and Rossville, reserve yours by emailing Joannah.

Bike Polo Tournament May 14-15

The inaugural Chatt in the Hat Bike Polo Tournament will be held atLincoln Parkin Chattanooga on May 14 and 15. Interested in participating? Get registered here. Spectators welcome!

Bike to Work Day May 20

Save the date for this year'sBike to Work DayonFriday, May 20th! The theme this year: Two Wheels & Three Squares. Take your two wheels to get 3 square meals.

1. Bike to Breakfast at theWaterhouse Pavillion at Miller Plaza is7:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Bike to a free breakfast, as well as activities with local vendors, cycling organizations, and more!

2. Bike to Burgers with Berke ride fromMiller Park to Big River12:00 - 1:00 pm

Join a group bike ride from Miller Park over to Big River on Broad St. where Mayor Berke will be joining us for lunch.

3. Bikers Meet Bikers atNightfall at Miller Plaza from6:00 - 7:00 pm

Meet with Chattanooga's motorcyclists and bicyclists to enjoy dinner from the local food trucks and help promote road safety and driver awareness of all the different vehicles on our streets. For more info, click here.

Community (Bicycle) News

A controversial legislative bill restricting Tennessee cities and counties' use of gas taxes (RTP funds) for parks, greenways, bike lanes, and similar infrastructure is dead for the year. Read more...

Get Incentives for Cycling in Chattanooga

Have you recently visited Western North Carolina to bicycle? Local advocates are in the process of completing a regional bicycle plan. One of the major objectives is to quantify bicycle tourism impacts on the local and regional economy, so that bicycling may be seen as more of an economic development opportunity. Please take a few minutes to complete theironline survey here.