Roxanne King of Dexter, Mich., writes “it’s all down hill from here” as she and other cycling enthusiasts write messages of encouragement in chalk Sunday on the surface of Ochs Highway near the top of Lookout Mountain for participants in the U. S. Cycling Professional Road Championship in Chattanooga on Monday.EVENT SCHEDULE9 a.m.: Road Race Female Pro12:30 p.m.: Handcycling Criterium National Championship1:15 p.m.: Road Race Male ProStart/finish line for the Volkswagen USA Cycling Professional Road Championships will be on Market Street between M.L. King Boulevard and 12th Street.The multiple-lap course will travel through downtown and the UTC campus, cross the Tennessee River and back, head down Broad Street toward Lookout Mountain, ascend the mountain via Ochs Highway, use the Ochs extension to reach Scenic Highway, descend the mountain on Scenic Highway and return to the start/finish line via Broad Street.Spectators may wander into the Chattanooga Market-sponsored vendor area of food and crafts, check out two Volkswagen-sponsored 18-wheelers with interactive exhibits, or browse a business expo.The site for the national championships also will offer the VW 18-wheelers, the business expo and a Sierra Nevada-hosted beer garden.
Cycling fans are a different breed of enthusiast than other sporting nuts.
While other sports often are characterized by bitter rivalries, professional cycling lovers are just one big happy family. Many travel the world together, following their heroes.
“We’ve been to France to see the Tour de France; we’ve been to California to see the Tour of California; we’ve been to Colorado to see the USA Pro Cycling Challenge,” said Anita Franklin, of Maryville, Tenn.
And now Franklin and her cycling buddies, many of whom she met through Twitter, are in Chattanooga for the USA Cycling Professional Road National Championships.