Chattanooga is always coming up in lists that tout “best city in the country for outdoor activities.” We have the river and lush, green mountains, unbelievable varieties of vegetation, water falls, boulders for climbing, and our personal fave, wonderful paved paths for biking. We can leave from our house, ride through our neighborhood and across Veteran’s Bridge and access the Tennessee Riverwalk for miles of cycling pleasure.
My favorite time of the day is sunrise, when the day lies stretched before you like untraveled trail. I’ve been pining to experience a daybreak ride and watch the sun arise up over the Tennessee River. Last Saturday, we donned our helmets at 6:30 am and rode at dawn. We logged 45 miles over the morning hours and arrived home with full hearts and empty bellies. I highly recommend that you duplicate our morning; you won’t be disappointed, I promise. Perhaps a bit sore in the seat but well worth it. We rode on the Riverwalk to the Chickamauga Dam and then backtracked to South Chickamauga Creek Greenway and rode to Brainerd Road. We returned onto the Riverwalk and rode to St. Elmo before returning home.
I was so inspired by the morning beauty that I created a video diary along with an original poem, written for the occasion. I hope you savor this slice of Chattanooga biking heaven. Turn the sound on to hear my words.
The day is young but we are not, and so we ride at dawn
Across the bridge with canvas sky, a palette of pastels
We race the river awash with light, and startle gathered pidgeons
Another bridge, another frame of day at its beginning
An overboard bottle to retrieve, a wooden fence to strattle
(are fences for keeping things in or keeping things out?)
A river of mirrors so calm so serene; we cross a bridge and meet our neighbor
Tis morning still be sun climbs higher
As the osprey dives for breakfast, and the great egret reclaims her fishing hole
Morning glories know the passage of time, and so do we. We ride at dawn.