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Here's a photo sequence from Bear Creek. It shows how technical of a drop this waterfall really is.

Bear Creek very rarely runs, so when it does, kayakers come a running. Although I got there a little late yesterday, I was still able to catch a couple of paddlers running one of the water falls. To say the least, it was pretty intense. The challenging part of the waterfall pictured above, is avoiding the large flat rock located directly below the falls. To avoid it, kayakers must take a high right line that requires precision accuracy.

For more photos from Bear Creek, Click Here.

This information comes from Rails to Trails Conservancy.

On Tuesday, September 15, Senators John McCain (Ariz.) and Tom Coburn (Okla.) issued two amendments to the FY10 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill. If passed, these amendments would eliminate the majority of available federal funds for trails, walking and bicycling.

Amendment 2370 would prohibit the use of federal funds for pedestrian or bicycle facilities, efforts to reduce vehicle collisions with wildlife, or other specified Transportation Enhancement (TE) projects if the Highway Trust Fund cannot cover unfunded highway authorizations.

Amendment 2371 is even trickier; while it claims to allow states to opt out of spending on TE projects, the actual amendment text in fact notes that "None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to implement" TE projects.

Providing opportunities for Americans to walk, bike and take transit to get where they’re going improves our communities’ health and livability, reduces emissions, creates jobs and save money.

So a good friend of mine, Sam Evans, is getting married. I figured that Sam wouldn't have a typical bachelor party, but I didn't really plan on running up hill for 6 miles with a 30+ pound pack on. Nor did I plan on shaking profusely all night because a cold front decided to move in and drop the temperature 40 degrees.

At about 5 o'clock the next morning, after shaking uncontrollably for 7+ hours, I got out of my sleeping bag, put my head lamp on, and started running as fast as I could so my body would warm up. During this hour or so of running, I thought to myself "Self, I sure am glad that Sam Evans is only going to have one Bachelor Party, cause I may not survive another one!"

Needless to say, we all made it back to the car the next day... barely. Anyways, here are some photos from the trip. The photos were taken on Cheoah Bald in North Carolina. If you haven't been there before, it is worth the hike / death run. Very beautiful place.

For more photos, Click Here.

With Fall time right around the corner, there are many outdoor events coming up that are worth checking out. Here is a list of some of my favorite fall time activities.

September 19, Chickamauga Battlefield Bicycle Ride
Chattbike.com

September 19-20, Reflection Riding Open House and Native Plant Sale
Chattanooga Nature Center - 423-821-9582

September 19, Fire Water 50
If you don't know what it is, you don't want to know....

October 3, Stump Jump 50K Trail Race
RockCreek.com

October 3, Triple Crown Hound Ears Bouldering Comp
TripleCrownBouldering.org

October 7, TBA Gym Locals Bouldering Competiton
TBAgym.com

October 10, TBA Gym Juniors Bouldering Competition
TBAgym.com

October 9-10, Helen Fat Tire Festival
SORBA.org

October 31, Boulderween at Horse Pens 40
Seclimbers.org

October 31, 12 Hours of the Hill of Truth
Haw Ridge - Knoxville, TN

November 11, Triple Crown Horse Pens 40 Bouldering Comp

Lana Sutton, of East Brainerd, TN, has turned her yard into a native plant sanctuary. Lana's yard has become a habitat for plants such as Goldenrods, Maximilian Sunflowers, Daffodils, Cornflowers, Horse Mint, Red Trumpet Vines, and Marsh Roses, just to name a few. Although many people may believe that this type of yard is beautiful and amazing, our city has a different idea of what a yard should look like.

Lana has had a hard time keeping her yard natural due to the city's lawn ordinance. Lana has become an activist for natural yards and has been the main voice between the public and the city. In August, the city announced that they would rewrite the proposed lawn ordinance so it would include a "broader community input." The first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9 at 10 a.m. If your work schedule allows it, and this is something you believe in, this would be a meeting well worth attending.

Here is an email I received from Lana Sutton re-guarding the first meeting.

Following August's public rebuke of the city's proposed lawn ordinance, Chattanooga officials quickly announced their rewrite process would include broader community input.

Almost as quickly, they made their first meeting near impossible for working people to attend: 10 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 9, at City Hall.

Tonight, Thursday September 03, the Acoustic Nights Series at Toast Cafe will kick off with opening artist Tarbell Patten. Tarbell, yes that is his real name, will be playing many of his original songs, including Sycamore Creek.

The Acoustic Nights Series will take place every Thursday night from September 03 to October 22. The shows will take place in Toast Cafe's courtyard and will start at 7 pm. For more information, visit Coffee Crafters newly redesigned website at CoffeeCrafters.com

Tarbell Patten Original

This weekend, August 29 -30, the BMW River Gorge Cycling Race will take place in Chattanooga, TN. The omnium will feature a road race, criterium, and time trial taking place around the Chattanooga area. The spectator highlight for the weekend will be the criterium located in downtown Chattanooga. This race will offer spectators a first hand view into the fast and precise art of criterium racing. The start and finish area for the criterium will be located on Market Street by Warehouse Row and TVA. To view start times for the criterium, check out the flyer posted above.

To register for this event, or to find out more information, check out ScenicCityVelo.com.

Stringer’s Ridge Trail Maintenance Day – August 29th
Come and find some trash but also find some swag from the local running and biking shops in the nearby stringer’s ridge area. All Volunteers will meet at either BOONIES or SORBA Chattanooga tents at 9:00. We will take count of Volunteers and then assign to group leaders. All you need is work gloves. Please see below for tasks.

BOONIES Tent on Bell Avenue:
Focus will be on small and bulk trash clean-up.

Leader 1: trash pickup on south side of phase1 area
Leader 2: trash pickup on north side of phase 1 area and
Leader 3: trash pickup on entire phase 2 area

SORBA Chattanooga Tent on High Ridge Road:
Focus will be on cutting back vegetation, installing pipe bollards, and minor repair to eroded trails.

Leader 1: Installing pipe bollards on phase 1 entrance
Leader 2: cutting back vegetation on phase 1 area
Leader 3: cutting back vegetation on phase 2 area
Leader 5 and 6: repair eroded trails on phase 1
Leader 7 and 8: repair eroded trails on phase 2

Tomorrow night, starting at Suck Creek Cycle, New Belgium will host a bike ride to celebrate the release of their new fall seasonal beer, Hoptober Golden Ale. The ride will start at Suck Creek Cycle at 5:00 pm, and will head towards the Nightfall Concert Series. Along the way, the ride will stop off at the Hair of the Dog bar and try a round of Hoptober Golden Ale. After a couple of beers, the group will head on to the Nightfall Concert Series. Following the show, the ride will head to the Hoptober Golden Ale release party, taking place at the Tremont Tavern.

For more information on the ride, contact Suck Creek Cycle at 423-266-8883. To find out more about the Hoptober release party, contact Tremont Tavern at 423-266-1996.

Get that bicycle out and come enjoy some good friends, good pedaling, and good beer! We hope to see you there!