Chattanooga Is Home

There is an article in today’s Times Free Press that quotes Rhonda Seeber of the Parks and Recreation Department as saying,
“Chattanooga is growing into a bicycle mecca, and the city wants to promote cycling as a healthy lifestyle.”

Chattanooga a bicycle mecca? Sure, I will buy that.

Every year since 2003, the League of American Bicyclists has named Chattanooga a Bicycle Friendly Community and last May, Bicycling Magazine named Chattanooga as one of the “21 Best Cities for Cycling” in the U.S.

Our family enjoys riding our bikes around our neighborhood, but we are not as gung ho about cycling as some residents are. Many people in Chattanooga ride their bikes to work. Beginning again in May, Bike2Work groups will be meeting monthly at Walnut Street Square to have coffee and meet one another.

This Saturday, April 7th, Bike Chattanooga, Outdoor Chattanooga, and the Chattanooga Bicycle Club are sponsoring the Riverwalk Bicycle Day. The event will focus on safety- from helmets to the ABC Quick Check list:

A is for AIR -Check tire pressure. Tires should be firm when squeezed. Inflate to recommended pressure on tire sidewall. Inspect for cuts and wear.
B is for BRAKES -Check the brakes by squeezing each brake lever. When the brake is fully applied there should be room to place your thumb between the lever and the handlebar.
C is for CRANKS, CHAIN & CASSETTE - Firmly grasp the crank arms to ensure they are tight and inspect the chain for smooth operation.
QUICK is for QUICK RELEASES- Be sure to use the quick release levers to tightly secure your wheels into front and rear drop-outs.
CHECK is for Check It Over– Ride your bike slowly to check the operation of the entire bike, especially brakes, shifting and suspension.

And while supplies last, lights and bells will be given away.

The event is being held at Amnicola Marsh Pavilion on the Tennessee Riverwalk, from 10 am to 2 pm.

Besides being a Bicycle Friendly Community, our city is now part of the prestigious Tour de Georgia route, which is coming up on April 16th. The third stage from Rome to Chattanooga, will begin around noon on April 18th. The fourth stage, a time trial, will be April 19th from Chickamauga/Walker Co. to Lookout Mountain, starting at 11 am.

May 5th, Chattanooga will be the host for the start of the 3 State, 3 Mountain Challenge. Up to 2500 riders, starting at Finley Stadium, will head over Suck Creek Mountain in Tennessee, then conquer Sand Mountain in Alabama, finishing up riding over Lookout Mountain, Georgia.

Litespeed and Lynskey are built here in Chattanooga, helping to secure our spot as a bicycle mecca. We have several bicycle shops in the area, all with experts ready to get you started on your cycling adventure.

With all these events, merchants, and cycling groups, I agree with Rhonda Seeber’s assertion that we are becoming a bicycle mecca. Maybe I will take a ride this afternoon.
[tags]Chattanooga Cycling, Chattanooga Bike Club, Bicycle Chattanooga, Bike2Work, Bicycle Friendly Community, 3 State 3 Mountain Challenge, Tour de Georgia, Riverwalk Bicycle Day[/tags]