SORBA Chattanooga Annual Meeting & Board Elections - Thursday Feb. 22nd
SORBA Chattanooga Annual Meeting & Board Member Elections
Enterprise South Nature Park Visitors Center
It’s that time – come out with us and hear what SORBA Chattanooga accomplished last year and find out what is in store for 2018. This is an open meeting and we want to hear from all members of our mountain biking community, including those folks who are not active SORBA members.
Food & beverages will be provided.
We will also hold elections for our 2018 Board of Directors. Elections will consist of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Coordinator, and Advocacy.
Outside of board elections, SORBA Chattanooga is also seeking volunteer individuals to help organize & lead group rides, become a Trail Boss, help with website/IT support, event planning, and whatever else we and the community can conjure up.
If you would like to nominate yourself or someone for a board or volunteer position and/or would like to know more, drop us a line at bod@sorbachattanooga.org
More information and nominations will be communicated mid – February.
See you there.
Raccoon Mountain Live Wire I Trail closure
Of course all of our area trails are temporarily closed due to the recent rain but we also want to warn you of the closure of Livewire 1 on Raccoon Mountain.
We are working to replace the bridges on this section as well as correct some drainage issues. Please respect this trail closure & give us some time to repair once the weather breaks.
Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
The temps are tempting, but they’re also taunting our trails. This weekend please ride dirt and not mud. The trails and your bike will thank you for it.
Trail Closure Update - Jan. 15th
To ensure rider safety and protect the sustainability of our trail systems, the following SORBA maintained and supported mountain bike trails are closed:
-Enterprise South Nature Park
-5 Points/Moonshine/Connector Trails
Tenative trail reopening for Enterprise South will be Friday, January 19th.
We will reassess Lookout trails reopening as weekly weather conditions improve.
For those wishing to ride any of the non closed trails this weekend, we ask that you please only ride while the air/ground temperature is below freezing. Today’s temperature changes will evoke serious thawing that can make for muddy conditions. Riding in and around mud creates ruts, ruts hold water and soon grow, tread becomes ruined and trails have to be closed longer for repair. Make sense?
SORBA and it’s volunteers thank you for respecting closures, being cautious of changing trail conditions and your continued support. Please help “spread the word” to ensure safety and sustainability.
Build Local. Ride Local
SORBA Chattanooga
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.
SORBA Night Rides return Tuesday Nov. 28.
Check back here & our Facebook page closer to ride date for more details.
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.
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
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
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
We Are In It To Win It. Are You?
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.
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.
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.
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!
Brush Creek Work Party - Sat. July 15th
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
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!
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!
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.
Chattanooga showcased in Pinkbike's East Bound & Down series
Back in March, Pivot Pro Rider & Pinkbike story teller Brice Shirbach spent a week in Chattanooga exploring & documenting our trails, city, and community for an upcoming installment in PB's East Bound & Down series. Yesterday our story hit the web & you can check it out here.
