Inductees
Bill Parsons
Life on Two Wheels
Bill Parsons’ journey into the world of competitive cycling began in the early 1990s when casual rides with coworkers turned into a passion. After purchasing his first “real” bike, Bill found himself participating in increasingly ambitious rides, including a memorable attempt at cycling from Chattanooga to Atlanta. Though his first long-distance effort ended 75 miles in, this early setback ignited a determination that led to his immersion in competitive road racing.
Racing and more: 1990-1996+
Bill spent six years as a licensed USCF (now USAC) amateur bicycle racer competing with the North Chattanooga Cycle Club (NCCC), eventually reaching Category 3. While he never claimed a victory, his mid-pack finishes in dozens of races earned him prized cycling socks, water bottles, and a wealth of experience. Beyond the thrill of competition, however, Bill embraced leadership roles within the NCCC, serving as secretary, vice president, and president, where he spearheaded initiatives like building the club’s first website—a significant accomplishment in the internet’s infancy.
“Midway through my fledgling road racing career, I began to be more involved with the administrative/operational part of the club.”
As his road racing career wound down in 1996, Bill transitioned to other contributions to amateur bicycle racing in the Chattanooga area. He became an amateur cycling photographer, capturing moments from races and sharing them online before the advent of social media. His efforts offered racers across Tennessee the rare chance to see themselves in action.
Bill was not completely done with racing however. Because, “racing on grass in the winter cold seemed like a good idea,” in 2009, Bill returned briefly to competitive racing during the cyclocross boom, completing around 50 races over three years.
Race Director & Leadership: 1996-2020
Bill also became a race director, overseeing events like the Raccoon Mountain Road Race (1996-2006) and the River Gorge Omnium race weekend (2012-2013), which became premier bicycle racing events in Tennessee. His tenure as a race director spanned over a decade, during which he managed the growth and eventual evolution of these events.
From 2007 to 2020, Bill also specialized in race registration and results management, a vital yet often overlooked role. As an early adopter of advanced software systems, he became the go-to expert, handling logistics for over 200 race days across the state.
“I estimate that I’ve worked registration and /results for around 200 race days throughout the years from Jackson TN to Tri-Cities TN and everything in between.” [Bill Parsons]
“Bill has been a positive, supporting person in so many aspects of Chattanooga cycling. Over the years, I’ve seen him with a number pinned on his back, handing swag bags to participants, clipboard and pen in hand, sitting at a keyboard, or just behind the bars sharing in the activity we all love“. [Brad DeVaney]
Spencer Whittier
Cycling Glory – Gravel, MTB, Cyclocross & Road
Spencer Whittier is a lifelong athlete and competitive cyclist with a distinguished career spanning multiple cycling disciplines, including road cycling, cyclocross, gravel, and mountain biking. His dedication to endurance sports and remarkable achievements make him a standout figure in the world of cycling.
Spencer’s athletic journey began in high school, where he excelled as a competitive track and cross-country runner. In 2003, he was named the John Phillips Chattanooga Area Cross Country Runner of the Year, a testament to his early passion and talent. This passion continued through his university years, where he competed as a member of Tennessee Tech’s Cross Country team from 2004 to2007.
After transitioning from running to cycling, Spencer quickly established himself as a formidable competitor. He is a licensed Category 2 Cylcocross and Category 1 Mountain Bike racer with an impressive array of accomplishments across multiple cycling disciplines:
Cyclocross
From 2011 to 2016, Spencer focused primarily on cyclocross, a discipline that grew rapidly in popularity during the mid-2000s. His dedication and skill culminated in winning the 2016 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championship in the 30–34 age group. He also earned victories at the Tennessee State Cyclocross Championships in the Category 1/2 in both 2015 and 2018 and won the 2018 Tennessee State Cyclocross Series in the same category.
Gravel and Mountain Biking
In recent years, Spencer has shifted his focus to endurance and ultra-endurance gravel and mountain bike racing, competing in 15 to 20 events annually. His notable wins include:
- 2022 Breck Epic MTB stage race in Breckenridge, CO: 1st place in 30-39 age group, 6th overall
- 2022 Ouachita Challenge (gravel and MTB): Overall winner.
- 2022 Big Frog 65 mi MTB race: Overall winner.
- 2023 Gravel National Championships: 3rd place overall in the 35–39 age group.
- 2024 Reliance Gravel Race: Overall winner.
- 2024 Park City Point 2 Point 75 mi MTB race: 12th overall ( First, 30–39 age category).
Road Cycling
Despite his primary focus on gravel and mountain biking, Spencer has also demonstrated exceptional strength on the road. A highlight of his road cycling achievements is winning the King of the Mountain title at the 2021 Hincapie Gran Fondo in Chattanooga.
“Spencer checks all the boxes for being the consummate cycling competitor as he is humble, dedicated, kind and a total badass on a bike.” [Brad Cobb]