Schedule of Events
& Route Descriptions
Valley
riding with scenic vistas
Crossing
the Walnut Street Bridge
Coming
back from the "Cove"
Friday
[
Saturday ]
Sunday
Rally Check
in Times:
As on Friday,
the rally registration desk will be located just inside and to
the left of The Chattanoogan's motor court lobby entrance. If
entering from the Broad Street entrance, you'll want to walk
through the lobby towards the motor court and go to the right.
Registration Schedule:
- 7:00 AM -
8:00 AM
Please note
that before the start of Saturday's rides, mechanics form Suck
Creek Cycle
will be on hand after 7:30 in front of the hotel to help make
any last minute adjustments that teams might need.
Saturday
AM - Lookout Valley Ride
The rider's
meeting will be held at 8:15 AM in The Chattanoogan's motor court.
Route Profiles Explained
The standard route takes you "over the toe" of Lookout Mountain -- a moderate climb
-- and then offers riders a few long and moderate climbs along
the Tennessee River. Some additional climbing awaits as
you leave the river and begin a nice valley ride to the rest
stop at Lookout Mountain Flight Park's landing zone. Lookout
Mountain Flight Park is Lookout Mountain's Mecca for hang gliding
enthusiasts where you can enjoy some snacks and beverages while
watching hang gliders take off from both the landing zone and
the launch ramp up on Lookout Mountain, bringing their gliders
back to Earth at the landing zone. For those who may be interested,
you can even go (wait for it) TANDEM hang gliding! A certified
instructor from the Lookout Mountain Flight Park will be available
to take you up one at a time for a birds-eye view of the valley
and a taste of how really feels to fly like that bird. The discounted
rate for STR 2007 participants is $109 (a $30 savings). Those
truly interested in taking a flight should call 706-398-3541
to make arrangements in advance rather than taking your chances
for an opening when you arrive at the rest stop. Restrooms are
available at Lookout Mountain Flight Park. For more information
about hang gliding visit their website at: http://www.hanglide.com.
After the rest
stop it is back through the valley, over the toe and on to lunch
at the Walker Pavilion in Coolidge Park along Chattanooga's north
shore waterfront and adjacent to the enclosed Denzel carousel.
Route Profiles Explained
For those looking for a somewhat shorter
route with less climbing you can bypass the ride along the Tennessee
River and head directly into the valley and then on to the Lookout
Mountain Flight Park. You still have a little climb over the
toe of Lookout Mountain but, if taken at a reasonable pace almost
any team should be able to enjoy the views and brisk descents.
After the rest stop it's back the way you came through the valley,
over the toe and on to lunch at the Walker Pavilion in Coolidge
Park.
Route Profiles Explained
If for whatever
reason you'd like to bypass the climb over the toe of Lookout
Mountain and just enjoy the valley ride, we are also offering
route maps for a valley ride remote start. After the rest stop
at Lookout Mountain Flight Park you'll ride back with the standard
and short option riders through the valley, dropping off at the
remote start and can then drive to lunch at the Walker Pavilion
in Coolidge Park.
The remote start is
5 miles from The Chattanoogan and you should allow for a 10 minute
drive. Directions
to the ride from the The
Chattanoogan
are as follows:
1. Head south
on Broad St toward W 13th St and travel 2.0 mi
2. Continue onto Cummings Hwy and travel approximately 1.1 mi
3. Take slight right to stay on Cummings Hwy and travel another
1.8 mi to intersection at Wauhatchie Pike.
Route Profiles Explained
So as not to
leave the teams looking for some pain and suffering wanting,
if you continue South from the Landing Spot in just a few short
miles you will dead end into the infamous Burkhalter Gap Road:
1,200 ft. of elevation gain in ~2.5 miles at 5% - 10% grade,
adding insult to injury by kicking up to 15% just before the
summit. The ride back along the undulating ridge of Lookout Mountain
provides for several short bonus climbs before a steep descent
back into Chattanooga and on to lunch at the Walker Pavilion
in Coolidge Park. See NOTE, above, regarding
cautionary considerations for all KOM ride options.
Lunch at
Coolidge Park
As
mentioned, lunch will be served at the air conditioned Walker
Pavilion in Coolidge Park along Chattanooga's north shore waterfront:
supervised bike parking will be available.
Coolidge Park
is a central part of Chattanooga's Riverpark complex, a gathering
place featuring a water park, picnic areas, an outdoor ampitheater,
and an antique Denzel carousel. The 3-row vintage Denzel carousel
was previously located in Atlanta's Grant Park through 1968,
where it sat damaged by weather and neglect. The city of Atlanta
dismantled it, sold the original hand-carved animals, and placed
the machinery in storage for 30 years. As to how it ended up
in Coolidge Park, Chattanooga just happens to be home to Horsin'
Around, the only carousel carving school in the United States.
The founder of the school, Mr. Bud Ellis, discovered the 100-year-old
carousel and was able to convince the city of Chattanooga to
buy it for Coolidge Park. Mr. Ellis and a group of volunteers
from Horsin' Around fully restored the carousel and fitted it
with 52 new, hand-carved animals. Therefore, we would remind
everyone to bring a few dollars along so that they can ride the
carousel: admission is $1.00 per person and well worth it.
We would also remind
everyone to bring along their and their Clumpie's Ice Cream "Buy
1 get 1 free" coupon for a post-lunch or afternoon treat.
The coupons will also be valid on Sunday if you'd like to save
room for Saturday's banquet dinner.
Saturday
PM - Exploring Downtown Chattanooga or Signal Mountain Loop
After lunch
teams will have the choice of riding the nearly flat 2 mile jaunt
back to the hotels, taking a short site-seeing tour of downtown
Chattanooga, riding up to 20 flat miles on the Chattanooga's
Riverwalk along the Tennessee River (which is also Sunday's short
option), or for those who didn't do the KOM option up and over
Lookout Mountain in the morning as well as the real masochists
who did, there is yet another King of the Mountain option for
Saturday afternoon.
With
regard to those who plan to explore the Chattanooga Riverwalk, Philip Pugliese,
Bicycle Coordinator, Outdoor Chattanooga, urges all riders to
be extra cautious on the Riverwalk. More specifically, the first
section leading away from the Walnut Street Bridge has some tight
sections and while the main thoroughfares on the walk are 10'
wide, the last section closer to the Dam is only 8' wide in places.
All cyclists using the Riverwalk are urged to minimize user conflicts
by abiding by Riverwalk rules, noting that Rangers will stop
cyclists carrying excessive speed.
Finally, please
note that a Canoe/Kayak race will be taking place along the Riverwalk
on Saturday. Therefore, while the Riverwalk ride will afford
riders a great vantage point for watching the action on the River,
boats will be launching & recovering at the Riverpark/Fishing
Pier so be attentive as there will be some congestion in that
area during the afternoon.
Route Profiles Explained
If you are still feeling
fresh after climbing Burkhalter Gap or skipped the morning's
KOM option and find yourself looking for an afternoon challenge,
we offer you the Signal Mountain Switchbacks of Doom.
Only 2600 ft. of climbing, but most of that elevation change
comes in the 3 mile climb to the top of Signal Mountain, with
some of the most insanely tight, steep switchbacks you'll find
in the Continental US. However, for those who have the
legs the views from Signal Mountain are spectacular and well
worth the effort. As with all KOM options, while we encourage
you to enjoy the exhilleration of the descent we remind you that
extreme caution is required. See
NOTE, above, regarding cautionary considerations for all KOM
ride options.
Dinner:
Saturday night's
STR banquet will be held in the ballroom of the Chattanoogan
Hotel, with a social hour and no-host (cash) bar beginning at
6:00 PM followed by dinner at 7:00 PM.
Friday
[
Saturday ]
Sunday
Be
sure to check out "FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS" page
for additional information.
For more info contact:
David and Christen Hunter
Email: STR2007@bicycletech.com
.
Copyright ©
1998 - 2007. All rights reserved.
Page Updated:
Rally Check in Times:
Saturday AM - Lookout Valley Ride
Lunch at Coolidge Park
Saturday PM - Exploring Downtown Chattanooga or Signal Mountain Loop
Dinner:
Email: STR2007@bicycletech.com . |
