Thom Benson joined the streaming sea of 700 cyclists in last year’s Sequatchie Valley Century-pumping and pacing with the peloton.
The 46-year-old cycling powerhouse exploded up seemingly endless inclines and dove down hills inhaling the clean, country air and admiring mountainscapes and rolling farmland as he pedaled past.
RiverRocks — The ultimate outdoor festival is rocking the Scenic City“It was my first time cycling in a huge group, and it was awesome,” says Benson, communications manager for the Tennessee Aquarium and IMAX 3D Theater. “If you had asked me three or four years ago if I would pedal a bike 100 miles, I would have laughed and said ‘No way!’ But that’s the great thing about cycling-anyone can get there. At first, 10 miles seems like a long way. Pretty soon, you’re wrapping up a 40-mile ride and wishing you had time for more.”
The 100-mile ride organized by the Chattanooga Bicycle Club is one of dozens of adventure sporting events offered during RiverRocks, a 10-day festival that celebrates the incomparable natural resources of the Tennessee Valley, the benefits of active lifestyles, and Chattanooga’s commitment to environmental stewardship and land conservation.
Benson, who cycles 20 miles most days after work, takes full advantage of the city’s proximity to nearby natural environments. “As I ride throughout the year, I enjoy seeing wildflowers, animals and fall foliage,” he says. “I’m always amazed when I pedal up on hawks, owls, deer or turkey. I’ve also enjoyed kayaking, hiking and mountain biking here, and yet, I know I have only explored a tiny fraction of what’s available in Chattanooga’s backyard.”