Bending & Beers for Bikers - This Sunday!
Stretching For Cyclists With Kat Smith
313 Manufacturers Rd.#203 Chattanooga, TN 37405
Sunday, February 16th 1 PM - 2:30 PM
$20 (includes class, mat rental, and beer!)
Stretching for Cyclists is designed for cyclists and is a great full body practice for anyone. Class will target tightness in the hips, quads, and hamstrings; open the shoulders, and the chest and improve performance and recovery time on and off the bike,
Appropriate for all levels.
Preregistration is preferred.
SORBA Chattanooga Annual Meeting & Pint Night Fundraiser
Please join us Thursday, February 13th for SORBA Chattanooga’s Annual Meeting and Pint Night Fundraiser at the Naked River Brewing Co.
During this meeting plan to mix, mingle, dine, and imbibe with your fellow biking sisters and brethren, hear from current board members, as well as vote in your 2020 SORBA Chattanooga board.
Know someone who’s SORBA curious or always thirsty? Bring them along! This meeting is open to the public and a portion of evening’s beverage sales will be donated to SORBA Chattanooga! More voting info will be shared to all current SORBA Chattanooga members via email no later than Sunday, February 9th. See you then!
That’s Gonna Leave A Mark - Freeze/Thaw Cycles Explained
Most riders understand that you shouldn't ride the trails when they're muddy. Most riders understand acceptable riding conditions as well. Sunny... dry... go ride! Bueno. But what about this time of year? When is it ok to ride without damaging the trail? How do you know if it's OK to ride before you get to the trail. Understanding freeze/thaw cycle can help you make that decision of when to ride trail, or when it's time to stay home and play Scrabble, watch QVC, etc.
HOW FREEZE/THAW WORKS
As the temperature drops, moisture in the soil freezes. As most of you know from that forgetful moment when you leave that “I need this hot beer to get cold quick” bottle in the freezer, it expands as it freezes. If you don’t know, here’s an example.
Beercicle or Beer Art?
When this scenario happens on a trail, the composition of the soil is blown apart by the expansion of the frozen water molecules. As the temperatures rise, the 'blown up' soil compresses and, with water, makes... MUD. Nasty, slimy, slippery mud.
FACTORS IMPACTING FREEZE/THAW
Moisture
The real issue is moisture in the soil. Rain from a week or so ago can impact the moisture level in the soil & start the F/T process. If the soil is dry, freezing temps won't have much of an impact on the soil at all.
Temperature
Air temps & soil temps are two very different things. Say it's 40 degrees for a few days and then the overnight temperature dips to 28 or 29F for a couple of hours. Even though air temp is below freezing, the ground temperature probably won't go below freezing since dirt's a pretty good insulator. The opposite can be true as well. If the ground has been frozen solid for a few days, having air temperatures above freezing for a few hours won't be enough to thaw the ground. Snow can also be a factor in that it has a relationship to the soil temperature. Snow can either buffer the warmer soil from colder air temperatures OR buffer the colder soil temperatures from warmer air temperatures.
Time
A very common situation here in Tennessee is where the trails are frozen in the AM & by mid-morning the increasing air temp and direct sunshine are given enough time to start the thawing process. Two hours can literally change the trail from a perfect, frozen, hard-pack to a sloppy, slushy mess. PSA: If you're going to ride during this time of year, early is usually better.
Pic of Livewire 1 - 1/26/19 - 📷 E. Rippon
No matter how much you think you understand the combination of moisture, temperature & time, there's no substitute for making good choices when you get to the trail. If you see that you're leaving deep ruts & mud is sticking to your bike, it's not OK to ride. Yes, it’s frustrating when you've checked the weather forecast, packed up all your stuff, made it to the trail and then realize that it's not in great shape. No weather forecast makes up for good choices on the trail. Be prepared to bail and help preserve the trails for everyone.
#buildlocalridelocal
SORBA Chattanooga Holiday Regathering
Join us and your mountain bike friends Thursday, December 19th at Handup Handle and Bar for a holly, jolly good time. This evening we’ll be celebrating 2019 and the year’s accomplishments, share the latest updates regarding Walden’s Ridge park project, as well as ways for you to become more involved with SORBA Chattanooga in 2020. See you there!
**Postponed** Walden’s Ridge Park Clean Up - Saturday 9/14
Walden’s Ridge Park Cleanup scheduled for this Saturday, September 14, has been postponed. We were looking forward to a great event and will send a rescheduled date at a cooler date this year.
This week’s heat wave, an increase in seed ticks, and an abundance of poison ivy has made the cleanup potentially unsafe for such a large number of volunteers. Your safety is our first priority! Trail building and other improvements at the park are just beginning, so be on the lookout for future opportunities to help out. Thank you all for signing up to volunteer and for your understanding.
Join us for a community cleanup event at the forthcoming Walden's Ridge Park! This new 200-acre park area is located between Mountain Creek Road in Red Bank and the W-Road on Signal Mountain and will provide climbers, mountain bikers, and hikers with a unique recreation space just a few minutes from Chattanooga. Sadly, the property is littered with decades of waste thrown from vehicles passing and littering.
Meet us @ 9:00 in the parking lot at the old Quarry Golf Course (1001 Reads Lake Road). From there we will enjoy complimentary coffee courtesy of MayFly Coffee (bring your own mug please) & then split off into groups for a morning of trash cleanup!
Details:
- Registration required. Space is limited and we want to ensure we have enough supplies and snacks for the morning!
- Age: 18 and up
- Please bring water and gloves if you have them. We recommend you wear long pants and closed toed shoes.
Registration can be done via Eventbrite link below. 1st 50 participants to register and attend will receive a Hydro Flask pint glass or water bottle.
Click here to register.
TVA temporary closure of High Voltage (Raccoon Mtn.) beginning May. 31
Sorry forks. High voltage is closing and we are asking folks to stay off while TVA work is being completed. Anticipated closing should last about a week. Please respect this closure and stay tuned for any updates or changes. Thanks!
REI & TVA partners with SORBA for upcoming National Trails Day events
Saturday June 1st is National Trails Day, the only nationally coordinated event designed to unite all user groups around the most common denominator, great trails.
For this year’s National Trail Day, Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) & the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) have partnered with SORBA Chattanooga to provide fun volunteer events with the opportunity to give back to both Enterprise South Nature Park & Raccoon Mountain trail system.
Enterprise South Nature Park
Click HERE for more Enterprise South National Trail Day information & registration.
Raccoon Mountain
Click HERE for more Raccoon Mountain National Trail Day information & registration.
Great trails don’t just happen; they require collaborative efforts among trail clubs, organizations, agencies, and most importantly volunteers. Come join REI, TVA, & SORBA Chattanooga at one of these great events on Saturday June 1st and let your inner trail stewardship shine.
#buildlocalridocal
National Parks Seeks Public Comments On Mountain Bike Use On Lookout Mountain
The National Park Service is seeking public comment to evaluate whether to allow MOUNTAIN BIKE use on the Jackson Gap Trail and the upper section of the John Smartt Trail in the Lookout Mountain Battlefield, within Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.
In September 2014, the park completed a General Management Plan Amendment for the Lookout Mountain Battlefield. A SORBA Chattanooga supported long-term goal articulated during this plan was to allow bicycle use on the 2-mile segment of the Jackson Gap and John Smartt hiking trails. This proposed conversion, if implemented, would allow riders the ability to connect existing multi-use trails (Guild Hardy / Upper Truck) to Moonshine, Lula Lake, and on to Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia.
SORBA Chattanooga encourages EVERYBODY to complete this online assessment and add the following supportive comments:
I am in favor of allowing bicycles on this lightly used trail.
Comments can be submitted electronically from May 6 to June 4 via NPS link below. The link is easy and takes less than 3 minutes.
https://parkplanning.nps.gov/commentForm.cfm?documentID=95154
Thanks!
SORBA Chattanooga
SORBA Night Ride Benefiting Lula Lake Land Trust - 3rd time’s a charm!
Join us this Thursday, April 11th at Lula Lake Land Trust for our next member’s only night ride. Riders will organize and depart from the Lula Lake Land Trust 6:00-6:30 with led group rides covering Moonshine and/or LLLT trail systems. Post ride, we’ll all congregate and warm up around a campfire by the falls for marshmallows and winter warmers.
For this event we will be collecting a $10 rider fee. All proceeds will be used to help fund repairs on Nickajack section of the CCT trail & a new loop trail that will lead up to High Point.
All participants must be an active SORBA Chattanooga member, helmet, and signed waiver. Bring lights if plan in getting lost.
See you there!
#buildlocalridelocal
New bill proposes limiting mountain biking to even numbered calendar days
#buildlocalridelocalpranklocal
Help REI Co-op invest in our Mountain Creek Park Project
Through a new program, REI co-op members can help REI decide how to invest $1 million in local stewardship projects.
This year, the co-op will surpass $100 million invested in the outdoors. To celebrate, REI is launching the Loving Our Local Outdoors initiative to offer co-op members across the country a chance to help local nonprofit organizations near all of our 154 stores. Over a four-week period, REI members visiting all REI stores can help REI decide how to invest $1 million.
Here’s how the program works:
Members who make an in-store purchase at Chattanooga REI between March 7 and April 8, 2019, will get a token at the register. They will be invited to choose among three local stewardship projects, our beloved Mountain Creek Park project being one of them.
Rest assured, there are no losers here. All participating nonprofit partners will receive funding based on the number of tokens allocated to a project in our area.
But, if you want to support downhill mountain biking, bouldering, and hiking just minutes from city center, visit REI Chattanooga between now and April 8th and choose SORBA Chattanooga Mountain Creek Road project!
Not a member, here’s how to join.
Stringer’s Ridge Trail Closure Update
Update on Stringer's Ridge Park: The parking area and trails accessed from the Cherokee Blvd. trailhead are closed due to a mudslide and there is no known timeline on reopening. All users should access trails from Spears Ave. trailhead until further notice. Updates will be shared as they become available. CHAPublicWorks requests users report trail issues like down trees to 311.
IMBA Trail Solutions presents concept and design plan for Mountain Creek Park project
Stoke level was high last Thursday night at Chattanooga Brewing Company as IMBA Trail Solutions shared their interim trail concept and design plan for the Mountain Creek Park project.
We’re psyched at the proposed plan and even more so to continue working with IMBA, UTC’s IGT Lab, North Chick Creek Conservancy, Southeast Climbers Coalition, The Land Trust for Tennesee & Hamilton County Parks Dept. to provide a new place to bike/hike/climb minutes from downtown. Stay tuned for updates and more ways to support and be involved.
12/28/18 - Chattanooga area mountain bike trails closed until further notice
It rained. A lot. Then it rained some more. A lot more. Because of the excessive rainfall, all area mountain bike trails will remain closed until further notice. Thanks!
SORBA Night Ride @ Enterprise South - 12/18
Time to dust off your lights and tights! SORBA Chattanooga and Scott’s Bicycle Centre will host the first member winter night ride 6pm December 18th at Enterprise South Nature Park.
Helmets, lights, waiver, $5, and an active SORBA membership are required to participate. Join/Renew at link below.
See you there!
Chrismahanukwanzakah / Mulberry Gap Dec. 8th postponed due to weather.
With regret, SORBA Chattanooga has decided to postpone this Saturday’s Mulberry Gap ride/party to a future date TBD. We cannot in good faith endorse riding the Pinhoti’s with 30 degree temps & 2in of rain, nor does it sound like much fun either.
For those that wish to cancel their reservations, contact Mulberry Gap (www.mulberrygap.com) and you’ll be issued a lodging credit good for 12 months. For those that prepaid for meals, please contact SORBA at membership@sorbachattanooga.org for refund.
For those who prepaid for shuttles, we will be working soon to issue a physical refund.
Look for a reschedule date sometime early Spring 2019. We thank you all for your understanding and hope you all have a great holiday season.
Build local. Ride local.
SORBA Chattanooga
Ready To Win A Yeti? Join/Renew Today.
Show some love to the trails you ride! IMBA/SORBA Chattanooga Membership pays for the upkeep of trails, expansion of new trails and strengthens our ability to get more places to ride. When you join or renew your membership in October, you’re entered to win a Yeti SB5 or SB5 Beti, your choice! Join/Renew membership via banner link above and don’t forget to select SORBA Chattanooga as your chapter.
New Merch Added To The SORBA Store
Trail jerseys, arm & leg warmers, vests...we have all the premium digs by Jakaroo. Need to act quick though. Next order placement goes out Friday, Oct. 5th.
#buildlocalridelocal
Why Not To Ride Your Bike On Wet Trails
Now that the rain has stopped, it’s tempting to get out there and go ride. After this weeks massive precip, our trail systems are still extremely wet. Riding in such conditions can have an adverse effect causing ruts and erosion, widening of the trails, and cause damage to your bike. There are trails that handle precip better than others such as a trail with more rock or gravel (Snake Creek Gap, White Oak), but after this week it’s best to avoid trails for 24-36 hrs to give them a chance to drain and recover.
Erosion and Ruts:
If the trail is wet and muddy, continual bike riding creates ruts making the trail worse when it dries. The more a trail is ridden on, the more susceptible it becomes to erosion, yet erosion is accelerated when the trail is muddy and bike tires are going deeper into the dirt. Ruts on trails require trail maintenance, which is done by volunteer work. There is a huge misconception that the trail will just repair itself. That is False. The trail will become worse over time. The more work volunteers have to do to correct ruts and erosion from trail abuse and weather, the less time they have to focus on other trail improvements.
Widening of the Trails:
Riders usually tend to go around the muddy areas and off-trail when the paths are wet. In doing this, it will start to create another trail, leaving behind a singletrack path and making erosion worse. If the trail is truly mud filled or gets worse as you ride further into, it’s best to turn back around and try again another day.
Damage to Your Bike:
Mud can have a severe impact on your bike. Riding wet, muddy trails will cause mud to lump up on your rear tire, which can catch your rear derailleur forcing it to bend or break. That’s not the only part that can be impacted-think about the bearings, cables, all the essential bike parts that could also be damaged.
We know the cabin fever is killing you; we’re dying to get out there and ride too. One sunny day can trick us into believing we are good to go, but after this past week that will generally not be the case. Remember the impact that wet riding has on the trails & your bike. After all, who truly enjoys being wet and muddy?
Peace & Trail Love,
SORBA Chattanooga