Guided, Battlefield Bicycle Tours

Chattanooga, TN – Outdoor Chattanooga and Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park will join forces once again to lead a series of free, monthly historical bike tours through Chickamauga Battlefield, beginning this Sat., April 11, at 9:30 a.m.

The public is invited to bring their bicycles and join in the leisurely-paced historical rides, which generally last two hours and cover approximately seven to ten miles of Chickamauga Battlefield. National Park Service interpretive rangers tell stories about the history of the battlefield while Outdoor Chattanooga staff and volunteers provide ride leadership and support.

“The battlefield bike rides were an enormous success for us last year,” says Outdoor Chattanooga Executive Director Philip Grymes. “They offer the public a unique way to view a historically-significant place, as well as a structured way to explore one of our most beautiful public places by bicycle.”

Loaner bicycles from the Outdoor Chattanooga Mobile Bicycle Fleet will be available for riders five feet tall and over at no charge, thanks to sponsorship from the Friends of the Park and the Chattanooga Bicycle Club. The 8–speed cruiser bicycles are a part of a program designed to get people in the Chattanooga/Hamilton County area on bicycles for transportation.

“Sponsoring the fleet for these tours allows the Chattanooga Bicycle Club to fulfill its mission by promoting and advocating bicycling as an option for transportation, fitness, and recreation,” says bike club president Troy Ivey. “The tours will draw new and experienced riders to the Battlefield and introduce them to some of the best roads for cycling in the area.”

The monthly tours begin at 9:30 am at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitors Center. Ride length is approximately seven to 10 miles on flat to moderately-hilly terrain. The rides are appropriate for adults and children ages eight and older when accompanied by an adult. All participants are required to wear helmets.

Bicycles from the Outdoor Chattanooga Fleet will be available at no charge for riders five feet tall and over. Use of the bicycles is free, but reservations are required by calling the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitors Center at (706) 866-9241.

Battlefield Bicycle Ride 2009 Schedule:
Apr. 11, May 16, June 20, July 18, Aug. 22, Sept. 19, Oct. 17