Club History
Fifty years of cycling community on the Highland Rim in Middle TN.
In 1974, a newly converted cyclist at Arnold Engineering Development Center set out to start a bike club. Fifty years later, we’re still riding.
How It Began
The paper spelled Bob Crook’s name “Cook.”
In the early ’70s, bicycling was undergoing a resurgence of popularity. Bike sales and interest were up. In Tullahoma there was a small core of adult riders, but no organized riding, even though several unsuccessful attempts had been made to start a bike club. Then, in early 1974, USAF Colonel William O. Rennhack, the Director of Procurement at Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC), was introduced to bike riding by one of his new employees, Bob Crook. Within a couple of months, Colonel Rennhack declared his intention to try to start a bike club at AEDC.
Despite the skepticism, Bill Rennhack persisted. He was assisted by Don Frazine and Dale Smith as he organized a large meeting of all interested persons in the A&E Building at AEDC. The group agreed that a club was needed, and decided that they wanted a community club — not just an AEDC club. They sought legal advice, the essence of which was to incorporate as a non-profit Tennessee corporation. A constitution was quickly developed, modeled on other clubs’ constitutions. The first set of officers — President Bill Rennhack, Vice President Bob Crook, Secretary Don Frazine, Treasurer Max Kromer, Road Captain Dale Smith and Racing Captain Art Mansfield — drew entirely from the AEDC populace, including Air Force military, Air Force civilian employees, and contractors.
They decided that they wanted a community club — not just an AEDC club.
The decision to base the club on the general area rather than AEDC turned out to be a wise one. It didn’t take long before the membership included a broad spectrum of individuals from the community — a tradition that continues today. The decision also influenced the choice of club name: the goal was to appeal to the general area, not just one community.
Club operations began immediately with weekly rides scheduled. By September 1974 the club had run its very first century ride, the initial Elk River Valley 100. Over the decades, these weekly rides and the ERV100 have continued.
Milestones
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Early 1974
A new rider
Col. Bill Rennhack is introduced to cycling by one of his new employees, and soon sets out to start a club.
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1974
A club is born
An organizing meeting at AEDC, a constitution, and a charter from the State of Tennessee: the Highland Rimmers Bicycle Club is official, and weekly rides begin.
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Sept. 1974
The first century
The club runs its very first hundred-mile ride, the Elk River Valley 100.
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2011
A new name
The Highland Rimmers become the Highland Rim Bicycle Club.
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2014
Tullahoma Re-Cycle
The club starts Tullahoma Re-Cycle, teaching middle school students safe riding and how to fix their own bikes. Read more →
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2024
Fifty years
Half a century of Saturday rides, and of the ERV 100.
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2025
Safe Cycling Program
Twenty-three “3 FEET — IT’S THE LAW” signs go up around Tullahoma, and the Mayor’s office recognizes the club. Read more ↓
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Today
Still rolling
Around 100 member families, riders of every style on the road each Saturday, and a club that still gives back to its community.
Recognized by the City
Read the proclamation →
In 2025 the club’s Safe Cycling Program raised the money for twenty-three “3 FEET — IT’S THE LAW” road signs, provided through the Jeff Roth Cycling Foundation, for the City of Tullahoma to put up along designated roadways. Donors could dedicate their sign to someone important in their lives.
On October 13, 2025, Mayor Lynn Sebourn, on behalf of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, issued a proclamation recognizing the program and commending the club for promoting bicycle safety, education and community engagement through safety clinics, group rides, helmet fittings and public awareness campaigns.
The Club Today
Today, the HRBC boasts a membership base of around 100 families from the area. In addition to the original Saturday club rides, several groups of varying riding styles hit the roads each Saturday, and many post rides throughout the week during the riding season. The club continues its involvement in the community through the Adopt-a-Highway program, and works with the Tullahoma Mayor’s office to promote cycling as a way to good health through the Get Fit Tullahoma campaign. May is proclaimed Bike Month, with activities including the Ride of Silence, Ride to School, Ride to Work, and Ride with the Mayor. Club business meetings are held quarterly.
Our Purpose
The Highland Rim Bicycle Club, Inc. is a non-profit corporation chartered by the State of Tennessee, founded in 1974 as the Highland Rimmers Bicycle Club. Its charter calls on us
- to promote the general interests of bicycling in all its phases;
- to encourage and facilitate touring, meets, races, cycle outings and all forms of recreational cycling;
- to defend and protect the rights of bicyclists;
- to promote public awareness of the bicycle as a vehicle for pleasure, health, and economical transportation;
- and to cooperate with public authorities in the observance of all traffic regulations.