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ESNP trails closed Sat. 12/23 - noon 12/25

The ESNP bike trails will be closed starting Saturday, Dec. 23rd  due to rain, freezing temperatures, and freeze thaw.  Trails are scheduled to tentatively re-open on Monday, Dec. 25th at noon. 

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Les Warnock Les Warnock

Blood Road Screening Fundraiser - This Thursday (9/21)

 

Join SORBA Chattanooga and 100 of your trail loving friends this Thursday 7 PM at The Palace Picture House to screen the incredible documentary Blood Road,

Blood Road follows the journey of ultra-endurance mountain bike athlete Rebecca Rusch and her Vietnamese riding partner, Huyen Nguyen, as they pedal 1,200 miles along the infamous Ho Chi Minh Trail through the dense jungles of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Their goal: to reach the crash site and final resting place of Rebecca’s father, a U.S. Air Force pilot shot down over Laos some 40 years earlier. During this poignant voyage of self-discovery, the women push their bodies to the limit while learning more about the historic ‘Blood Road’ they’re pedaling and how the Vietnam War shaped their lives in different ways.

Tickets are only $20 & can be purchased in the SORBA web store or at the event. Each attendee will enjoy complimentary beverages from OddStory Brewing Co., SORBA Chattanooga swag, raffle entry, and more!

Doors open at 7 PM. Movie begins at 8 PM..

Popcorn, candy, alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages will also be available for purchase.

The Palace Picture House is located at 818 Georgia Avenue Chattanooga, TN.

Click HERE to see a list of event sponsors & HERE to watch the trailer.
 

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Les Warnock Les Warnock

All trails are (almost) open.

The Enterprise South mountain bike trails will remain closed until noon Saturday Sept. 16th for bridge repair work. Volunteer opportunities to help expedite Friday/Saturday work are needed. Contact us at bod@sorbachattanooga.org if you can help. #buildlocalridelocal

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Les Warnock Les Warnock

Temporary area trail closures due to weather

With anticipated winds of 30+ mph throughout Tuesday & 4-5 inches of precip into Wednesday, all area mountain bike trails are closed until further notice. These closures are necessary to ensure rider safety and sustainability of our trails. We'll update trail status changes via SORBA Chattanooga website and Facebook page. Thank you in advance for your patience and respecting these closures. 

SORBA Chattanooga  

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Les Warnock Les Warnock

It's not too late - fall in love with mountain biking

"So you think you’re too old, too out of shape, too fearful to try mountain biking? Think again. Mountain biking is perfect for all levels of experience, fitness and bravery. Plus, it is so fun!" 

Read the rest of this REI Co-op journal at link below.

https://www.rei.com/blog/cycle/its-not-too-late-fall-in-love-with-mountain-biking

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Les Warnock Les Warnock

We Are In It To Win It. Are You?

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When you join local IMBA chapter SORBA Chattanooga, your local mountain bike organization's gets support to expand, improve and protect mountain biking. Join in September AND you could score great prizes for showing your support. WIN-WIN!

When you join in September, you’re entered to win great prizes (one per week) AND the grand prize of a Banshee Spitfire full-suspension bike, custom built and provided by Jenson USA.

Week 1: THULE T2 Hitch Rack

Week 2: GIRO Montaro MIPS Helmet

Week 3: LEZYNE Port-A-Shop Pro Tool Kit

Week 4: STAGES Power Meter

GRAND PRIZE: When you join in September (and October), you’re entered to win a Banshee Spitfire custom-built and provided by Jenson USA. This 140mm, 27.5 all-mountain bike features SRAM’s GX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain, a Rockshox Pike fork, Rockshox Reverb Dropper Post, Raceface Aeffect wheelset and cockpit, and Shimano XT M8000 hyrdaulic brakes. The Spitfire is a trail-ready rig ready to conquer any adventure headed your way.

 

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Les Warnock Les Warnock

We Need Your Help To Haunt Enterprise South Nature Park!

Volunteers Needed for the 3rd Annual Haunted Trail October 13th & 14th at Enterprise South Nature Park.   This year's theme will be "Crazed Hillbillies".  Events will be on-site for families & children of all ages. More information can be found in attached flyer.  Please email SORBA or contact Allison Harr @ Allisonh@hamiltontn.gov for info and sign up.

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Les Warnock Les Warnock

SORBA Chattanooga & Velo Vixens raise dirt & dollars for Lula Lake

On Saturday, July 8th members of SORBA Chattanooga & Velo Vixens facilitated a trail work party, cookout, and camp out at Lula Lake.  Over 25 members & volunteers spent the morning constructing one mile of new connector trail. Lunch was provided by SORBA Chattanooga, then after everyone had private use of the beautiful Lula Lake grounds. That evening the Vixens manned the grill and provided a cookout social for all members, their families & friends. By nightfall, overnight campers had their tents pitched and campfires primed & ready for a glorious evening with friends out under the stars. 

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The following morning, Suck Creek Cycle hosted a beginner women's mountain bike & breakfast ride at the adjacent Five Points trail system. 

By the end of the weekend, all volunteers, attendees, & campers unanimously decided to forfeit their reservation & user fees.  The total of these fees resulted in a $500 donation to Lula Lake Land Trust! A huge "Thank You" to all who made this weekend at Lula Lake such a fun success!

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Les Warnock Les Warnock

Brush Creek Work Party - Sat. July 15th

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Big thanks to the Cherokee National Forest Service and all the volunteers who joined us for today's Brush Creek Trail work party. Over 60 volunteer hours clearing corridors with hungry loppers & weedeaters. Special thanks to Scotts Bikes & Firehouse Subs - Cleveland for providing the deelish lunch. Stay tuned for upcoming work parties. #buildlocalridelocal 

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Les Warnock Les Warnock

New trail maintenance agreement made with Forest Service for Chilhowee

Many years ago, SORBA lost their rights to maintain these trails, but a new agreement has been penned and SORBA has once again been granted the ability to work on this trail system!

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   There was a time in Chattanooga’s mountain bike history when trails were scarce and it was necessary to take a road trip for a serious, singletrack experience. Without a doubt, Chilhowee Mountain was the place to go. Many riders, including myself, spent their formative years pedaling this mountain’s trails in the Ocoee area. Chilhowee has everything. There are tough climbs, water crossings, flowy sections, technical sections, waterfalls, camping, and the choice of parking at the top or bottom of the mountain. The scenery at Chilhowee is also amazing. Mountain laurel and rhododendron line the trails and whenever you drop in elevation you feel as if you have been transported to a rain forest.

     Over the years, the stewardship of these trails has been challenging. Many years ago, SORBA lost their rights to maintain these trails, but a new agreement has been penned and SORBA has once again been granted the ability to work on this trail system! Chilhowee Mountain has a great collection of trails and some serious mileage. This gives us a terrific opportunity to get our work boots, as well as our cycling shoes, out on these trails. In recent rides on the mountain, there is a noticeable need for some trail work. We are very excited to be working with the Forest Service to breathe some new life into the trails. This agreement has also opened opportunities for trail work in the nearby Tanasi system, which is another great cycling destination in the Ocoee area with lots of mileage.

     None of these agreements get done without people dedicating a lot of time and commitment. We would like to send out a special thank you to Kim Murrell, a SORBA member and local rider of the Ocoee area trails. Kim has been essential in re-establishing a relationship with the Forest Service and laying the groundwork for this maintenance plan. We would also like to thank SORBA Regional Director Terry Palmeri and Scott’s Bike Shop owner Doug Coulter for playing important roles in keeping this dialogue productive. We certainly want to thank all the Forest Service employees that helped make this happen and were willing to work with us. Lastly, we would like to thank all the SORBA members, past and present, who have worked on these trails and helped create such an incredible mountain bike destination.

     Look forward to news about future trail work days. A new Facebook community page titled R.O.O.T.S. (Riders of the Ocoee Trail Systems) should be up and running soon to help area riders communicate about riding adventures, work days, and events. We will keep you posted and hope to see you out on the trail!

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Les Warnock Les Warnock

Weekend Trail Closures

Due to this week's steady rain fall & wet weekend forecast, all local managed & maintained SORBA trails will be closed today (Friday 6/23) thru this weekend.  Bummer yes, but riding on a mud trail wrecks the trail. It leaves ruts, contributes to erosion, and creates an unridable, hard to fix trail surface. If you are leaving a visible rut, the trail is too muddy to ride. Plus, your bike will thank you.

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Les Warnock Les Warnock

Rock/Creek donates trail race proceeds to SORBA Chattanooga

On Saturday, May 6th Rock/Creek's Rabid Raccoon 25K took place atop Raccoon Mountain. Over 95 trail racers lined up at Laurel Pointe and raced against the clock covering Megawatt, Grindstone Ridge, Lower Chunky, Live Wire 1 & 2, High Voltage, and Split Rock trails. 

All race proceeds generated from Rabid Raccoon were donated to SORBA Chattanooga!

Thank you Rock/Creek for everything you do for SORBA and all our outdoor communities.

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Les Warnock Les Warnock

Tech Tips: Shift Cable & Housing Service

Experiencing shifting problems on the trail and longing for the time when our fresh cables and housing performed in a silky, smooth fashion is a familiar feeling we all share. There are some simple maintenance techniques that can revive your existing cables and housing.

       Experiencing shifting problems on the trail and longing for the time when our fresh cables and housing performed in a silky, smooth fashion is a familiar feeling we all share. There are some simple maintenance techniques that can revive your existing cables and housing. I will usually do this process twice a year on my bike: once in the spring and once with the onset of winter. This gives you a chance to really inspect the condition of your cables and housing and replace any pieces as needed. You will soon be on the trail praising your bike’s efficiency.

       Modern shift housing (compressionless) is made up of three components: the outer membrane, a layer of parallel steel strands running lengthwise, and an inner plastic liner that the shifter cable runs though. This type of housing is for indexed shifters only and should never be used for brakes because it cannot withstand the compression brake housing endures. The inner liner of the housing provides a smooth surface, so the cable can move without resistance. Lube is not a necessity for smooth shifting, but it can help prevent rust on the cable itself and the exposed strands at the cut ends of housing. Use only a very light lube if any on cables. I use Prolink for this purpose and it keeps things clean without any buildup.

Trimming these frayed housing ends will breathe new life into your shifting performance.

Trimming these frayed housing ends will breathe new life into your shifting performance.

       For working on cables and housing there are two tools that are a must have: a good set of cable cutters and an awl (often referred to as a pokey tool). It is well worth the money to invest in a good set of cutters from a bike tool company. Don’t rely on something from your local hardware store. Park, Pedro’s and Feedback Sports all make reasonably priced cutters that will last a lifetime if used properly. A bike specific cable cutter will deliver clean cuts that will make your work go smoothly. For an awl, I have always used a retired spoke that is sharpened on one end. It’s handy to use the bent, anchor end of the spoke to shape a loop and form a handle for your new tool. Your local bike shop could hook you up with a spoke for this purpose if you don’t have one available. Once you have cut a piece of housing, use your awl to make sure the inner liner is open so your cable can pass through freely.

Bike specific cable cutters and a homemade awl from a spoke are a must have.

Bike specific cable cutters and a homemade awl from a spoke are a must have.

We have all heard the term cable stretch, when the topic of adjusting shifting after a “break in” period. This term can be a little misleading, since the amount your actual cable can stretch is so slight. What happens over time that affects your shifting has more to do with your housing wearing from all the movement that occurs when riding or settling into the ferrules that act as caps at the ends of the housing. After a bike has spent many hours on the trail the steel strands from the housing can become exposed and extend out from the casing. When you remove the ferrule from the end of the housing, you might be surprised by the length of strands that are exposed. I have seen cases where these strands get pretty long and it certainly affects your shifting. By trimming the housing flush again, the ferrules can fit flush on your housing and increase your shifting performance.

       One tricky obstacle to overcome when reusing cable and housing is running the cable back through the housing. This can be especially difficult if the cable has been cut too short at the derailleur. Always try to leave enough length on a cable that allows you to remove the crimped cable end and trim it a bit if necessary. If the end of your cable is frayed, you will experience much frustration getting the cable to go back through the small openings in the housing and ferrules. More than likely you will get a strand of the shift cable that gets out of place and ends up rendering it unusable. So, give that cable the shortest trim you can to get a flush end that can pass through the openings without damage. Reusing a cable is a technique that requires patience as well. Take your time and keep a steady hand. Getting the cable through your ferrules is the biggest challenge. I tend to use a threading motion and twist the ferrule onto the shift cable. You will notice that shift cables are twisted in a single direction. By twisting the ferrule onto the cable, you help ensure that it won’t unravel and make the cable unusable. Be sure to cap your cable by crimping a cable end that will prevent the cable from fraying.

The awl can open housing and always use an end cap. Details and finishes make the difference.

The awl can open housing and always use an end cap. Details and finishes make the difference.

       Once your cables and housing are trimmed and reinstalled it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor and feel that flawless performance again. With some practice, this process can be a speedy means of reviving your bikes and giving your cables and housing a longer, happier life. Just remember to remain patient, keep a steady hand, and have a spare shift cable available just in case things go wrong. There is a learning curve for bike service that comes with experience, just as there is with riding trails. No one was perfect right out of the gate. Time and practice always pay off though, even when mistakes happen. Now, let’s get out and ride!

Let's Ride!

Let's Ride!

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Les Warnock Les Warnock

Winter Riding Tips

Mountain biking offers you the ability to gain some serious mileage into backcountry areas where you should be ready to handle problems on the trail. During winter rides, there is a higher cost to pay for mechanical and clothing issues.

Mountain biking offers you the ability to gain some serious mileage into backcountry areas where you should be ready to handle problems on the trail. During winter rides, there is a higher cost to pay for mechanical and clothing issues. It might not be ideal, but ending up walking your bike on a spring or summer day is still not an entirely bad way to spend a day in the woods. If you’re dealing with a cold and wet environment, you especially want to make sure you are prepared.

It's a smart idea to carry a stash of repair items in your pack. At least one tube (this goes for tubeless riders as well), a tube repair kit, an assortment of common bike bolts, a couple quick links for your chain, zip ties, a multi tool of your approval, and a means of inflating a tire should have you ready for most challenges you or your group might face. Two more items I like to carry are a short length of chain and a shift cable. I have rarely needed these items on the trail, but my friends and I were ecstatic when I had them (especially the toilet paper ;). These items pack down nicely and are hardly a hindrance to riding. I keep most of my repair items in a ziplock bag in my pack to make them easy to find. I carry this assortment of repair items all year long. The total weight of these items in the photo shown is 1.75 pounds. This is hardly noticeable in a pack and can turn you into a hero when you or someone else is in need.

A small collection of repair items can have enormous value on the trail.

A small collection of repair items can have enormous value on the trail.

The first step to having a great winter season on your bike is to get your bike running smooth. If you handle your own maintenance, spend extra attention to your shifting. This doesn’t mean you should install all new cables and housing, but you should make sure housing ends are nice and trim and get a little lube within the housing so the cable can move unrestricted. I have had the best luck with Prolink lube for both cables and my chain. Getting your shifting nice and silky will pay off when you are wearing bulkier gloves. Extended time in cold temperatures can not only restrict your body’s movement, but your cables’ movement as well. So, make sure that you or your trusty bike mechanic has your bike well-tuned.

When it comes to dressing for the day, the use of layers will help you keep warm the best. My favorite combination for upper body includes a basic lightweight base layer and a medium weight Ibex wool jersey. Those two items alone can do a lot for you in temperatures ranging down to about 30 degrees. Under 30 degrees or in areas with a higher humidity level a nice mid-weight jacket will be enough to keep you comfortable in the neighborhood of 20 degrees. Look for pieces that keep the bulk down and are tailored for cycling. Most cycling jackets will have a high degree of wind blocking ability and do well at water resistance. The layers for the lower body can be kept to minimum. A good pair of riding pants will have nice block wind and water and keep in warmth better than tights.

For hands and feet, the trick is wearing enough to keep you warm without getting bulky. Peoples’ bodies react different ways in the cold, so go with that heavier glove if needed. Keeping it to a mid-weight winter glove will give you better breathability and keep hands from sweating over the course of the ride. Another option is pogies. Pogies are insulated mitts that attach to your handlebar. You can wear a normal bike glove and slip your hands into them. Any time you can create some space and not have a tight fit, you can hold in warmth better. You also have the same dexterity with your fingers for braking and shifting as you would in summer rides because you can wear a lighter weight glove inside the pogies. This is one option to consider if you spend a lot of chilly days on the saddle.

If you have the money to spend on a nice pair of winter cycling shoes, then congratulations. All you need to do is pick your favorite socks and off you go. For those who need to adapt their shoes to work year-round, there are booties that can cover your shoes, giving you weather protection and insulation. I have had great experiences with products from Endura and my feet have been happy through the cold season while wearing booties. Another option is switching over to flat pedals for the winter and riding in an insulated boot. This is one way to keep costs down and insure warmth while out on cold days.

We are all different when it comes to how we handle cold weather, especially when it comes to hands and feet. Find the option that keeps you most comfortable and try not to worry too much about being the most efficient rider through the winter. The most important thing is that you are out there on your bike. Winter riding is not the time to go for personal records. It is a time to maintain your fitness on the bike and a great way to build you resilience to the elements. You will definitely notice the lack of crowds around trailheads. In fact, you might be the only one there. Relish in this fact and feel proud of yourself. It will probably even help you stay warmer.

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Lee Carmichael Lee Carmichael

Enterprise South Trail Expansion

Through a partnership with Hamilton County Parks and Recreation and the Benwood Foundation, SORBA Chattanooga has secured the resources and approval to begin the addition of 6 miles of new trail outside the park fence.

If you've heard rumblings of a trail expansion at Enterprise South but wasn't sure if it was just a rumor designed to torment and confuse you, I'm here to reassure you, IT'S TRUE! Through a partnership with Hamilton County Parks and Recreation and the Benwood Foundation, SORBA Chattanooga has secured the resources and approval to begin the addition of 6 miles of new trail outside the park fence.

The new trail is being constructed with he intention of being a "next step" as riders master the three existing trails inside the fence. We'll be posting more details and updates as we go. Also be on the lookout for opportunities to volunteer on this project. Our goal is to start in early January 2016. 

 

 

 

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