Chattanooga Bicycle Club Announces 2026 Inductees Into The Chattanooga Cycling Hall Of Fame
The Chattanooga Bicycle Club announces the 2026 class of the Chattanooga Cycling Hall of Fame, honoring three “exceptional individuals whose achievements, leadership, and passion have shaped the region’s cycling community.”
Officials said, “The Chattanooga Cycling Hall of Fame recognizes cyclists, advocates, innovators, coaches and mentors who have made a lasting, positive impact on the sport in our region, and this year’s inductees – David Lynskey, James “Bub 1” Bacon and Ali Whittier – embody the spirit, strength and innovation that define Chattanooga’s place in the cycling world.”
The induction ceremony will take place on Jan.31, 2026 at Finley Stadium’s Ultra Club.
About the inductees:
David Lynskey – Internationally recognized as a pioneer in titanium bicycle design and production, David Lynskey has reshaped modern cycling through innovation and craftsmanship. After building the first titanium bike in 1986, Mr. Lynskey and his family launched the Litespeed brand in 1989, transforming their fabrication business into a world-renowned cycling manufacturer. Litespeed frames soon appeared under elite riders such as Lance Armstrong, Greg LeMond, Bobby Julich, Christian Vande Velde, and even on the bikes of avid cyclist Robin Williams. Following the company’s sale in 1999, Mr. Lynskey returned to the industry with the creation of Lynskey Performance, once again cementing Chattanooga as a global hub for high-end titanium bicycles. His vision and engineering excellence have made him one of the cycling world’s most influential innovators.
James “Bub 1” Bacon is a foundational figure in Chattanooga cycling whose impact as a competitor, mentor and innovator spans decades. A founding member of the Bubbas Cycling Club, Mr. Bacon helped establish one of the region’s most enduring road cycling institutions. In the 1980s, he rose to a Category 2 ranking in his first year of racing, dominated Tennessee time trials by holding the state record for seven consecutive years and earned a Coach’s Selection to compete in the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials. During this same period, Mr. Bacon served as a trusted advisor to David Lynskey during the founding of Litespeed, contributing to the early development of a globally recognized Chattanooga-based bicycle brand. After retiring from competition, he founded the Chicken Cross Race Series, now a nationally recognized cyclocross event known for its welcoming spirit and competitive excellence. An accomplished artist and sculptor whose work appears on the Antique Carousel at Coolidge Park, Mr. Bacon’s lifelong contributions embody the values celebrated by the Chattanooga Cycling Hall of Fame.
Ali Whittier – A dominant and versatile endurance athlete, Ali Whittier is a “virtual podium machine,” excelling across mountain bike, gravel and road disciplines. Her racing résumé spans some of the toughest events in the country, including the Snake Creek Gap series, the Ouachita Challenge (gravel and mountain bike), Big Frog 66, the two-day Reliance Gravel stage race, the Hincapie Gran Fondo, the Rule of Three 218-mile challenge, the Park City Point 2 Point and a 300-mile Florida coast-to-coast individual time trial. Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Ms. Whittier is a passionate advocate for the physical and mental health benefits of cycling. She mentors new riders, supports local events and inspires others to discover the joy and empowerment the sport offers. Her dedication on and off the bike has strengthened Chattanooga’s cycling community in countless ways.
“The Chattanooga Bicycle Club celebrates these extraordinary individuals and their contributions to the region’s cycling heritage,” officials said.
The 2026 Hall of Fame is presented by Owen Cyclery of Chattanooga.