
Spencer Whittier
How did you get started mountain biking?
I got my first real mountain bike when I was about 12 or 13 years old, as a couple of my friends had mountain bikes, and I wanted to join the fun.
What is your favorite thing about mountain biking?
Being in nature – the woods and mountains with no cars to worry about – pushing my limits on the trails, and the challenge of riding obstacles or certain sections of the trail.
Tell us about the competitive mountain biking community here in Chattanooga.
The competitive mountain bike community is growing as more trails are built, and more cyclists seem to be moving to our area.
What’s your proudest biking-related accomplishment?
Winning the 2016 national cyclocross championship for the 30-34 age group in Asheville, North Carolina. From 2011-2016, I primarily raced cyclocross, which is an hour-long race on a shorter lap (1-2 miles) on an off-road course – grass, mud, sand, and sections where you may have to get off and carry your bike.
Tell us about your most memorable competition.
The 2022 Breck Epic Mountain Bike Stage Race in Breckenridge, Colorado. This was a six-day race where your cumulative time over 220 miles and 40,000 feet of elevation gain would determine your placing. Each day worked out to be three to four hours of racing. We had a group of about 10 that stayed together in Breckenridge, and it was great to share in each day’s race experiences afterwards, see beautiful mountain scenery, and push yourself in the high-altitude environment, where each day was anywhere between 9,500 and 12,500 feet above sea level. I had a great race and was able to win the 30-39 age group in a close race that was only separated by two minutes.
Do you have a favorite local trail to bike?
The trail systems on Lookout Mountain … Being able to ride from my house and access these trails is always a plus. The climb up Jackson Gap is about the toughest uphill trail around and has some great views. The Moonshine trails are fast and flowy, Lula Lake is a fantastic hand-built, tight, and technical trail, and the 5-Points section has trails that all ability levels can have fun on.
Ali Whittier
How did you get started mountain biking?
I grew up in Iowa, so I never imagined myself mountain biking one day. I met my husband, Spencer, a few years after I graduated college and moved to the Southeast. We were still dating in 2011 when he convinced me to try mountain biking. I was only a road cyclist then, so I was a little terrified at first, but I slowly got the hang of it and haven’t looked back since. Now we’re racing around the country together, and there are few mountain bike races I’m not willing to try.
Tell us about the competitive mountain biking community here in Chattanooga.
There is a dedicated group of folks who have been racing for years and will continue to race mountain bikes for a long time. We have a few local races that offer a great opportunity for recreational riders who are already “racing the trails” to test themselves against other riders in and outside of Chattanooga.
What’s your proudest biking-related accomplishment?
Racing bikes isn’t my day job, so I feel a sense of pride just finishing most bike events. But I think many people were surprised when I finished Trans North Georgia (TNGA) in 2020. It was 357 miles with 45,000 feet of elevation gain on difficult singletrack and steep gravel roads.
Do you have a favorite local trail to bike?
My favorite trail in Chattanooga is Bathtub Gin. It’s part of the Moonshine system on Lookout Mountain near Covenant College. It’s not long, but there are a ton of fun rock sections that are great skills practice.
For those interested in competitive mountain biking, what’s the best way to get started?
If you’re already riding, sign up for a race and jump in. It’s a great way to improve your skills, learn some things about yourself, and meet new people. If you’re super new to riding or don’t have a bike yet, swing by a local bike shop and ask them about bike racing or clubs to join.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Only one person can cross the finish line first, so don’t put your value in having to win every race you sign up for … There’s a lot of value in it, even if you’re not beating everyone else.