It's always a bit bittersweet to head out on a Saturday for a great ride, only to wish you had someone to share it with. It's hard to have a bad cycling trip in good weather, but having a partner or two makes it that much more enjoyable.
"With the Velo Vixens, we all help one another to balance out life and play," says Ginger Sillery, a member of the Vixens for over six years. "I would feel totally comfortable calling on lifelong friends I've made through the club to help me out with the house or watch my kids so I could race or ride. We make each other better riders and make our lives a bit easier."
Here, we break down some of the clubs and teams around Chattanooga to help riders find kindred spirits in the cycling world.
Cyclists hit the South Hogs Back trail near Cloudland Canyon State Park in 2011, just after the trail had been freshly cut and opened for riding. SORBA Chattanooga helps maintain and take care of area mountain bike trails, in addition to being a resource for cyclists to organize community mountain biking trips.Chattanooga Bicycle Club
Now entering its 50th year, the Chattanooga Bicycle Club is one of the oldest and most established clubs in the region. With an emphasis on cycling safety and improving conditions for local riders, the CBC is a great club for anyone relatively new to the scene. The club organizes casual rides up through entry-level races, enabling newer cyclists to dip a toe in competitive waters.
Perfect for: Beginners, newcomers to Chattanooga or people looking for a relaxed riding environment.
Website: chattanoogabicycleclub.com
Contact: hmartin.penny@gmail.com
Scenic City Velo
More competition-centric than the CBC, Scenic City Velo was started in 2005 following a merger of three separate cycling teams: Chattanooga Cycle Club, Suck Creek Cycles and Team Peggy. Today, Scenic City Velo tries to bridge the gap between competition cycling and recreational cycling. A member of the Tennessee Bicycle Racing Association, SCV provides training opportunities year-round across several cycling disciplines.
Perfect for: Veterans looking to get an edge in their training, and newer riders curious about the world of competitive cycling.
Website: sceniccityvelo.com
Contact: president@sceniccityvelo.com
Scenic City Velo takes part in several competitive events each year, such as RiverRocks. (Tracey Trumbull)SORBA Chattanooga
The Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association, or SORBA, has placed heavy emphasis on maintaining and growing the outdoor cycling trails in the Chattanooga area since the club's inception in 2003. SORBA has added over 100 miles of mountain biking trail for cyclists to enjoy. Club members don't just ride the trails, they volunteer to ensure everyone can enjoy them, too.
Perfect for: Riders interested in mountain biking and making a difference.
Website: sorbachattanooga.org
Contact: lee.carmichael@gmail.com
Velo Vixens
The Velo Vixens started with a simple goal: to make cycling more accessible to women in Chattanooga, both recreationally and competitively. In the 11 years they've been active, the Vixens have grown into a multi-sport organization that caters to both women training for triathlons as well as to those hopping on their bike for the first time in a while. If you've ever wanted a female-centric space to work out, train or compete, the Vixens have you covered.
Perfect for: Women of any cycling experience level.
Website: velovixens.net
Contact: velovixenschatty@gmail.com
Team Bubba
Team Bubba isn't affiliated with any particular club or shop. Team Bubba is just a pretty relaxed group of men with a few simple goals: encourage each other to train harder, show up on weekends to ride when they can, and proudly sport the club's jersey. No frills, no hassle. Team Bubba has been going steady for 15 years as a great way for like-minded cyclists to find the time to get together and enjoy the great cycling Chattanooga has to offer.
Perfect for: A recreational cyclist looking to meet and ride with people like them.
Website: beabubba.com
Contact: rollfast007@gmail.com