Friday, April 14, 2006 | | Litespeed factory tours during the Ford Tour de Georgia | During the 2006 Tour de Georgia you can also come and see how Litespeed bikes are crafted. We are actually located only 20 miles from downtown Chattanooga in a town called Ooltewah and we will offer several official tours during the Tour de Georgia.
Times for these tours are:
Wednesday April 19, 10am
Wednesday, April 19, 1pm
Thursday, April 20, 10am
Friday, April 21, 10am
Friday, April 21, 1pm
Contact us at tdg2006@litespeed.com email and guarantee yourself a spot for those limited number of tours. After that, we only require from you that you wear a solid pair of shoes (no sandals or flip flops) and bring a curious attitude. Plus we'll make you wear eye protection and sign a confidentiality agreement. Be also aware that for safety reasons factory tour participants should be older than 14.
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posted by Herbert @ 11:10 AM |
| | Great rides in the greater Chattanooga, TN area | If you are bringing your bike to this amazing riding area, the Chattanooga Bike Club www.chattbike.com has all kinds of great rides and routes on their site, and they are a great resource.
But here are my three favorite rides in and around Chattanooga:
The 3 States 3 Mountains Metric Century - 62 Miles
Description: road description
Map: map pdf
The Burkhalter's Gap loop
Description: description
Map: map
The Suck Creek Loop (very hilly)
Description:
description |
posted by Herbert @ 11:09 AM |
| | Litespeed SAG event during stage 3 of the 2006 Ford TdG | Watch the stage 3 TT from the best vantage place of the day. On Thursday, April 20th Litespeed will set up a SAG stop on top of the Nick A Jack climb between 9am and 2pm. The exact location is at the intersection of Highway 157 and Nick A Jack Road, not too far from Hinkles, GA, and allows you to see the cyclists during their time trial right at the end of that very tough climb. We'll have beverages from Coca Cola and snacks from companies like SunBelt Snacks and the new Blinks from BluePlanet, plus we'll play some music and offer a place for cycling enthusiasts to hang out and watch the race. Be sure though to get up to that area early though as the Georgia Highway patrol will start a rolling road closure as early as 10:15am on that day.
See you there. |
posted by Herbert @ 11:09 AM |
| | Bike shops in Chattanooga | When you come into town you may look for a spare tube, a quick fill or a tune-up. The shops below should all be able to assist you with those needs, but River City Bicycles on 112 Tremont Street could help you to even get on a brand new Litespeed. River City is located right in the heart of North Chattanooga within walking distance or a quick ride from the heart of downtown.
River City Bicycles
112 Tremont Street
Chattanooga, TN 37405
1-800-499-0503
Other bike shops in Chattanooga:
Owens Cyclery
1920 Northpoint Blvd.
Chattanooga, TN 37343
423-875-6811
Suckcreek Cycles
501 Cherokee Blvd.
Chattanooga, TN 37405
423-266-8883
East Ridge Bicycles
5910 Ringgold Road
Chattanooga, TN 37412
423-894-9122 |
posted by Herbert @ 11:09 AM |
| Monday, April 03, 2006 | | Coffee shops in downtown Chattanooga | Here are some great coffee shops in town:
Stone Cup is my favorite coffee shop in town. They offer on-site roasted coffee, breakfasts, sandwiches and great desserts, served with a close up view of Coolidge Park and the Walnut Street Bridge.(Free WiFi):
The Stone Cup
330 Frazier Ave
Chattanooga TN
(423)265-5010
__________________________________________
Greyfriars is a small very cool coffee shop downtown. Rare coffees, breakfast, muffins, bagels, croissants and other deserts, a stone throw from the aquariums and other downtown attractions. (Free WiFi):
Greyfriar's
406-B Broad Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402
(423)267-0376
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Rembrandt's is a very beautiful coffee shop with great outdoor seating in the art district. Fantastic deserts, sandwiches, salads, coffee and a great selection of tea:
Rembrandt's Coffee House
204 High St
Chattanooga, TN
(423)265-5033
___________________________________________
And for those who can't get away from Starbucks:
Starbucks
827 Broad St
Chattanooga, TN
(423)643-1242 |
posted by Herbert @ 3:31 PM |
| Friday, March 31, 2006 | | Running or hiking in Chattanooga | There are plenty of choices to run/hike/walk in and around Chattanooga but here are 2 very nice choices.
Downtown Chattanooga Riverwalk
The Chattanooga Riverwalk runs along the Tennessee River from downtown all the way to the Chickamauga Dam near Highway 153. It is great for runners and walkers of every fitness level, and while bikes can be there too, runners and walkers do have the right of way. It is an almost ideal place for people with jog strollers. Total length about 9 miles.
Directions:
Easily reachable on foot from downtown hotels. Can be started right behind the Aquarium or right at the sculture garden in the Bluffview Art District. If you drive there, park near the 200 block of High Street.
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Lookout Mountain Guild-Hardy Trail
The Lookout Mountain Guild-Hardy Trail is a walking and biking trail located on the side of scenic Lookout Mountain and provides access to a multitude of trails on Lookout Mountain, the National Park Service land and Reflection Riding. The GH Trail winds through forested mountain slopes littered with historical ruins, Ruby Falls, and the Cravens House.
Directions: From Downtown Chattanooga, take I-24 to Lookout Mountain/Broad Street exit. Take Broad Street to Tennessee Avenue and make a right turn onto Ochs Highway after The Incline. The Ochs Highway trailhead parking lot will be on the left.
More choices for running and hiking are listed on the www.outdoorchattanooga.com
website. |
posted by Herbert @ 9:52 AM |
| Friday, March 24, 2006 | | The 2006 Stages of the Ford Tour de Georgia | Stage 1, April 18: Augusta, GA. to Macon, GA.
Stage 2, April 19: Fayetteville, GA. to Rome, GA.
Stage 3, April 20: Chickamauga/Walker Co., GA. to Chattanooga, TN. (individual Time Trial)
After the start in Chickamauga, GA and a few flat miles, this stage features a super tough climb up Lookout Mountain via Nickajack Road with about 1200 feet of elevation gain in 3.5 miles. Then the course continues on some hard rolling terrain along LulaLake road before descending down the tricky and steep 4 mile Ochs Highway. The last few miles are relatively flat before the course eventually finishes at the beautiful Chattanooga Waterfront.
Stage 4, April 21: Dalton, GA. to Dahlonega, GA. (mountain stage)
Stage 5, April 22: Blairsville/Union Co., GA. to Brasstown Bald Mountain/Towns Co., GA. (mountain stage)
Stage 6, April 23: Cumming/Forsyth Co., GA. to Alpharetta, GA. |
posted by Herbert @ 12:12 PM |
| Thursday, March 23, 2006 | | Restaurant choices in Chattanooga | Brew / sports bar restaurants
Big River Grille is a very nice large sized brew bar/restaurant and offers affordable diverse dining and several excellent beers brewed on site. Located barely 2 blocks from the finish line of the stage 3 TT finish.
Big River Grille
222 Broad Str.
Chattanooga TN, 37402
423-267-2739
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Taco Mac offers one of the largest selections of beers in Chattanooga (51 on on tap and 190 in bottles) plus the best wings in town. Well known for a well-rounded lunch, dinner and late night menu.
Taco Mac
423 Market Str.
Chattanooga TN, 37402
423-267-8226
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Great Pizza restaurants
Lupi's Pizza offers amazing football-sized calzones, bubbling pizzas and meaty lasagnas served in cozy booths surrounded by neon and pop music. Also try their bread dipped in greasy love (parmesan and olive oil)and their great house salad. Located within 4 blocks from the stage 3 TT finish in the heart of downtown.
Lupi's Pizza
406 Broad Str.
Chattanooga TN, 37402
423-266-5874
___________________________________
Pisa Pizza in North Chattanooga offers great pizza pies and are well known for their baked chicken ziti, slathered in melted cheese.
Pisa Pizza
551 River Str.
Chattanooga TN, 37405
423-756-7492
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Restaurants with European flair
Terra Nostra is the only Tapas style restaurant in Chattanooga. It offers a fantastic selection of Tapas items, and a incredible wine selection in a very creative environment.
Tin Roof Bistro
105 Frazier Ave
Chattanooga TN, 37405
423-634-0238
____________________________________
The Meeting Place offers a stylish big city atmosphere combined with a very creative menu.
St. Johns Meeting Place
1278 Market Str.
Chattanooga TN, 37402
423-266-4571
_____________________________________
The Tin Roof Bistro is a recent addition to the North Shore of Chattanooga. Breakfast, brunch and dinner are served each day with a nice selection of wines. Very artsy atmosphere, great location and most importantly, delicious food in just right portions.
Tin Roof Bistro
224 Frazier Ave
Chattanooga TN, 37405
423-267-0330
_________________________________________
Burritos and other Mexican delights
The Tortilla Factory has a wide selection of tex-mex and other dishes and are well known for their margaritas. They also have a great roof-top bar and are just across the street from the Aquarium.
Tortilla Factory
203 W 2nd Str.
Chattanooga, TN 37402
423-756-6399
__________________________________________
Mojo Burrito lets you build your own burrito from the ground up. Choose the flavor of the wrap to the style of the rice and salsa. Excellent Chicken, steak and vegetarian choices available. Just a tumbling pass away from the stage 3 TT finish.
Mojo Burrito
138-B Market Str.
Chattanooga, TN 37402
423-266-2255 |
posted by Herbert @ 1:44 PM |
| Tuesday, March 21, 2006 | | The Teams of the 2006 Ford Tour De Georgia | The teams were just announced:
- Team CSC (Denmark)
- Phonak Hearing Systems (Switzerland)
- Davitamon-Lotto (Belgium)
- Prodir Saunier Duval (Spain)
- Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team (USA)
- Quick Step-Innergetic (Belgium)
- Health Net presented by Maxxis
- Navigators Insurance Professional Cycling team
- Jelly Belly Cycling Team
- ToyotaUnited Pro Cycling Team
- Colavita Olive Oil Sutter Homes Wines Cycling Team
- Team TIAACref
- Kodakgallery.com - Sierra Nevada Pro Cycling Team
- Targetraining Cycling Team
- The Jittery Joes Zero Gravity Professional Cycling Team |
posted by Herbert @ 2:14 PM |
| Wednesday, March 15, 2006 | | Things to do and see while in Chattanooga | The beautiful Chattanooga Aquarium is right near the finish of the stage 3 time trial and is right in the heart of downtown. You can also see the latest IMAX movies at the IMAX 3D Theatre:
Chattanooga Aquarium and IMAX Theatre
If you travel with kids, the Creative Discovery Museum might be your ticket. This "hands on" creative museum is fun for kids and adults:
Chattanooga Creative Discovery museum
The Hunter Museuem is located in the art district and offers magnificent pieces of art and a stunning view of the Tennessee river and North Chattanooga:
The Hunter Museum
Frazier Avenue between North Market street and Georgia Avenue offers a very unique shopping experience with all kinds of neat little shops and restaurants. Plus Coolidge park is right betwen Frazier Ave and the river and is great for families with its fountain and the large indoor carousel:
Google map of the area
If you are a history buff, the Chattanooga area has several spectacular Civil War sites:
Chicamauga / Chattanooga Civil War history
There is a fantastic Art Festival in town during the weekend (April 22-23), which brings in artists from all over North America:
The 4 Bridges Arts Festival |
posted by Herbert @ 4:38 PM |
| Friday, March 10, 2006 | | Accommodations in downtown Chattanooga | This is the official hotel list for the Tour de Georgia
www.chattanoogafun.com
Here are a few more choices for hotels which are in easy walking distance from the finish line and right next to all the bars, restaurants and the aquariums downtown.
Courtyard Marriott
200 Chestnut Str.
423-755-0871
Clarion Hotel
407 Chestnut Str.
423-756-5150
Hilton Garden Inn
311 Chestnut Str.
423-308-9000
Residence Inn Downtown
215 Chestnut Str.
423-266-0600
The bed and breakfast below is close too and has an amazing view over the river.
Bluff View Inn
800-725-8338
www.bluffviewartdistrict.com
Plus here are a few more nice bed and breakfast choices downtown:
www.mayorsmansioninn.com
www.stonefortinn.com |
posted by Herbert @ 9:13 AM |
| | Stage 3 Individual Time Trial to Chattanooga - Wheels of Fortune Membership Club | The Wheels of Fortune Membership Club provides the ultimate experience for the 2006 Ford Tour de Georgia Individual - Time Trial to Chattanooga. Members and their guests will be treated as real VIPs while they are at the Outdoor Chattanooga VIP Hospitality Tent. A few of the benefits of the Wheels of Fortune Club are: Members and Guests will view the best angles of the entire individual time trial via a live broadcast from cameras in the air and on the ground from the start to the presentation of awards. Hunger will be satisfied by a bountiful catered gourmet buffet by Goetz Catering and thirst will be quenched from an open bar. Only 50 such memberships are available. The cost for the Wheel of Fortune Membership Club is only $500. Aside from the many personal benefits for the Wheel of Fortune Members and Guests, including the "front row" presence during the event and being within feet of world-class cyclists, a $50 contribution will be made on each Members behalf to Chattanooga Outdoors official beneficiary, the Memorial Foundation which benefits the MaryEllen Locher Breast Center at Memorial Hospital.
You can download the Wheels Of Fortunes Chattanooga form here |
posted by Herbert @ 9:12 AM |
| Thursday, March 09, 2006 | | Be part of the race - Volunteer | One of the best ways to be close to the race is to volunteer. This allows you to truly be on the inside of the race, only racing as part of one of the invited teams would get you closer.
The stage 3 from Chickamauga to Chattanooga, TN still requires plenty of volunteers to help out as course marshalls, in hospitality, communication or security.
Below you can download a volunteer form for stage 3:
Chattanooga volunteer form |
posted by Herbert @ 4:35 PM |
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