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September 24, 2007
Recycle Your Old Rope
Rock/Creek, a Chattanooga-based specialty outdoor retailer, partners with Sterling Rope to keep used climbing ropes out of landfills through launch of new rope recycling initiative at this year's Triple Crown Bouldering Series. Contact: |
After collecting the retired ropes, Sterling will consolidate them into containers and send them to their recycling partner who re-pelletizes the nylon. From there the nylon is made into things like carpet fuzz, coat hangers, and all types of everyday household items. Posted by Mark McKnight at 1:37 PM
September 19, 2007
Treat Your Feet: Save up to 40% at our Footwear Sale
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Posted by Mark McKnight at 2:44 PM
September 17, 2007
Ultra Gear List
Rock/Creek Race Team member Matt Karzen recently completed the Leadville Trail 100, so we asked him to reflect on his experience there and share some gear recommendations with us. Please leave comments if you have experience with running ultras and have any other gear suggestions.
If you are thinking about doing a trail 100, especially one in remote mountain terrain at altitude, you need to think hard about gear. Having the right, or wrong, gear can make or break your event. Obviously, there is nothing like experience to tell you what works, and everyone has different needs, but in the end you need to be prepared. Based on 100 miles at Leadville, here is a list of items you might want to consider:
Light: You need a quality LED headlamp, minimum 4 bulbs, regulated, and an extra set of batteries. I used a Petzl headlamp with a single head strap and had no bounce, plenty of light and good comfort. You should also have a backup handheld light. I had the headlamp with me from the beginning, and the handheld and extra batteries I picked up at the last aid station before dark or had waiting for me in drop bags. I never used the handheld, but it was good to have.
Top Layers: The Patagonia Airus short sleeve shirt is the best running shirt I’ve ever worn. It was my base layer for all 100 miles and never soaked. Zero chafing problems. I also used an old Patagonia long-sleeve (cold weather zip neck) – this was in a drop bag at mile 40 and then on or around my waist as the elevation and dark came in earnest. If you are at altitude at night, it could get into the 30’s or 20’s like it did at Leadville. For that I recommend a nice cozy lightweight Patagonia fleece pullover as a third layer, and perhaps your rain jacket.
Gloves/Hats: Something in between knit and full winter gear. I used a mid-weight poly glove that worked in all conditions. Visor – keep the sun and hail out of your eyes, and besides, your hair is gonna look really bad. I had a winter hat with me from mile 60 on, and I might have put it on once for a few minutes. Its worth having in case you really get chilly.
Rain/Weather: A good rain jacket is crucial. It needs to be hooded – a hat is fine for cold, but if it rains/hails/snows hard, you are gonna have a wet melon and that is a problem. I used a full zip jacket with hood – it worked for both moisture protection and to take the edge off the cold night air. If there is one thing besides hand-held water bottles that I would tie around my waist and carry the whole way, it’s a good rain jacket. Don’t worry too much about breathable fabric vs. full seal gore-tex – you are gonna sweat anyway, and you can unzip to de-fog.
Bottom Layers: You could probably do the entire thing in shorts, but I am a cold guy, so I had a pair of high-quality, loose fitting running pants waiting for me when it got dark at 60 miles. Shorts were fine throughout, including at altitude and in the hail, but the night cold is prolonged, and these pants kept me cozy. No tights…. I recommend a good pair of lightweight shorts with pockets and no liner – use compression shorts underneath to prevent chafing and maintain ‘organization’.
Continue reading "Ultra Gear List"
Posted by Mark McKnight at 12:49 PM
September 10, 2007
Creatures of the Canyon: Real and Imagined
The Tennessee River Gorge Trust will continue its educational series on Saturday, September 22, with Creatures of the Canyon: Real and Imagined, a night of storytelling, hiking, and learning in the Gorge.
TRGT Education Coordinator Moriah Salter, along with Chattanooga’s Storyteller Jim Pfitzer, will join families at the historic Pot Point Cabin for another fun and unforgettable learning experience.
The evening will begin with Jim Pfitzer, a local artist famous for his stories of factual and fanciful fauna alike. Acclaimed storyteller and author, Donald Davis, says that “Jim Pfitzer’s nature stories are not stories of naïve ecology, but rather stories of the honest struggle to fit human needs…into the…natural world.” Sing Out! Magazine also praises Jim’s work, saying, “All the elements of childhood are here.”
The educational evening will continue after sunset with a headlamp hike through the woods, where the group will experience nocturnal creatures of “Tennessee’s Grand Canyon” first-hand.
“Support for these events so far has been remarkable,” says Ms. Salter. “Attendees at previous TRGT educational outings including the Firefly Festival have been very complimentary. One participant called that program ‘brilliant,’ and I think our events will only get better from here.”
Creatures of the Canyon is free, open to all ages, and will begin at 7 pm. Pre-register for this event by calling the TRGT office at (423) 266-0314 or by emailing moriahs@trgt.org. Visit www.trgt.org for directions.
Events like this one help the Tennessee River Gorge Trust fulfill its mission to enrich the community by conservation of the Tennessee River Gorge through land protection, education, and the promotion of good land stewardship. To learn more about the Tennessee River Gorge Trust, please visit www.trgt.org.
Related Links:
TN Blueway Canoe & Kayak Race September 22nd
Gorge Fest '07 at Baylor School on October 20th
Rock Creek Sponsors Successful TN River Gorge Trust Fundraiser
Rock/Creek Raises $3000 for CTC
Posted by Mark McKnight at 11:16 AM
September 6, 2007
Bikes in Tunnel! Now You Can Bike to Work.
The new "Bikes in Tunnel" warning lights were officially turned on this morning, just about an hour ago, by Chattanooga's traffic engineers. These signs have been in the works for a long time, and it's nice to see them operational. This is another important step in making Chattanooga a bicycle-friendly city. The lights are posted outside the Missionary Ridge and Stringer's Ridge Tunnels, two places that have been rather dangerous for cyclists because of the low visibility inside the tunnels and the often excessive speed of motorists through these narrow passages. Thanks to Philip Pugliese, the city's bicycle coordinator, along with all the folks at Outdoor Chattanooga and the City for making this happen.
Now there's no excuse not to bike to work this Friday. Here's the info:
Ride Your Bike & Join Us for Free Breakfast at our new location on the Walnut Street Square - South End of the Walnut Street Bridge. 7:00-8:30 am!
Choose your own route using our website map or ride with us meeting at:
* Tennessee Riverpark - Fishing Pier Entrance (7:00 AM)
* The Incline Railway - Rear Parking Lot (7:00 AM)
* Red Bank - A group may start forming at the Duck Pond (7:00 AM)
* Signal Mountain / Mountain Creek Road - Anyone interested in meeting at base of mountain?
Contact: Philip Pugliese, ppugliese@outdoorchattanooga.com
Read the full press release after the break...
Read more entries on biking in Chattanooga:
Ready for the Tour de Georgia? We Are.
Pick up a Rock/Creek Specialized Water Bottle >
... or a Rock/Creek Hincapie Jersey >
Continue reading "Bikes in Tunnel! Now You Can Bike to Work."
Posted by Mark McKnight at 10:24 AM
