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Weekend Update - OUTSIDE!
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- For non-outdoor events visit
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pete's picKs
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Get Hiking - Each week a new hike will be added to
the list as we compile the Top 10 Hikes in the  Roanoke Region. Click on
the name and you will be able to download directions, a map, and some
tips: - McAfee Knob section of Appalachian Trail
- Dragon's Tooth section of Appalachian Trail
- Chestnut Ridge off the Blue Ridge Parkway
- Star Trail on Mill Mountain
- Roaring Run Recreation Area (and natural water slide)
Action Packed Day! When putting together Hike #5 above
it got me thinking about how how much of a hidden secret that part of
the Roanoke Region is. Alleghany, Botetourt, and Craig Counties offer
the most pristine outdoor recreation opportunities. My recommendation
for this weekend is to put together any combination of these
suggestions:
- Rent a canoe or kayak and explore the James River w/ Riders Up Outfitters
- Go tubing on the James w/ Twin River Outfitters (they also rent canoes)
- Go for a hike at Roaring Run
(be sure to try out the 40' natural water slide). You can spend as
little as 2 hours here or the entire day (take a picnic lunch)
- Grab some friends (or kids) and spend the day at Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing. Try out their 50' climbing wall, ride the 900' zip line, go caving, or take a leisure canoe trip on Craigs Creek
- Sample some wine at one of three local wineries
- Stop by Outdoor Trails for their labor day sale!
- Add a scenic drive to the day by driving Rt. 311 and then CRT. 615 through Craig County, or hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway
- Like donuts? Then you have to try the gourmet donuts from Blue Collar Joes
- Support local farmers - stop by Ikenberry Orchards for some farm fresh produce and value added goods
Got an idea? Send it to pete@roanoke.orgGet OUTSIDE!Pete (friend me on Facebook)
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Win a canoe Trip and a Lafuma Backpack at the Get Outside Expo (Sept. 30)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________  Between now and the September 30 Get Outside Expo & Radical Reels Film Festival I will showcase some of the outdoor organizations you can meet at the expo as well as the prizes they have donated. To be eligible for the prizes you need to have completed the survey located on RoanokeOutside.com.
Tickets are on sale now: tickets are limited and 100% of ticket price goes to benefit Mill Mountain Theatre!  Riders Up Outfitters has kindly donated 2 canoe rentals/shuttle as well as a Lafuma Backpack!
Riders Up Outfitters, owned by Tom & Dawn Kirlin, is located in Clifton Forge and provides the following services: - Canoe & Kayak rental on the James, Jackson, and Cowpasture Rivers
 - Guided Fly Fishing Trips on public and private water
- Outdoor Store that carries Heritage Kayaks, canoe/kayak
accessories, Life is Good products, Columbia clothing, Planet Dog,
Buddy Biscuits, equestrian goods, fishing equipment, and more!
Labor Day Weekend is a
great time to experience the James River! Call Riders Up (540.862.7999)
and ask them for some trip suggestions! |
Citizens Encouraged to Take Bicycle-User Survey
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 Roanoke is working toward becoming a more bicycle-friendly city. To
support that effort, citizens are encouraged to participate in an online bicycle-user survey to assist in updating the 2005 Bikeway Plan
for the Roanoke Valley Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
(RVAMPO). The online survey, which is being conducted in cooperation
with the participating local governments, VDOT, and other stakeholders,
is designed to glean information on bicycle use, perceptions, and
preferences in the region.
This survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete - so grab a cup of coffee and start clicking. Click here to access the survey! The survey will be available until Sept. 15.
Additional information about RVAMPO and the Bikeway Plan is available at www.rvarc.org. |
Veer The Movie (sept. 11)
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 Veer explores America's fast-growing bicycling culture by profiling
five people whose lives are inextricably tied to bicycling and the
bike-centric social groups they belong to. The film follows these
characters over the course of a year, offering a behind-the-scenes look
at their personal struggles and triumphs. Veer examines what it means
to be part of a community, and how social movements are formed. Admission price is $8.50 and tickets are available at the door, or
in advance by calling 540-342-5760. The event takes place at 7PM at the
Taubman Museum.Watch the movie trailer and learn more about the event |
Blue Ridge Parkway Specialty License Plate
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 FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway is partnering with the Blue Ridge Parkway Association to sponsor a Blue Ridge Parkway specialty license
plate in Virginia. Virginia has the largest number of specialty plates
of any state and potential revenue is minor but both organizations hope
this specialty license plate will bring attention to the Blue Ridge
Parkway in Virginia. The specialty plate features a photo of Mabry Mill
(milepost 176.2).
In addition, if this tag becomes a reality FRIENDS wishes to donate
the income in 2009 and 2010 to the Blue Ridge Parkway's 75th
anniversary celebration.
Click here to learn more and to apply for the Virginia Blue Ridge Parkway Specialty License Plate follow these steps: |
Things you'll find on the Roanoke Outside Blog
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Bike Video - Vibram five Fingers - Blue Ridge Marathon - Win a Weekend Adventure Package for 8 - National Public Lands Day - Tough times should not stop innovation in transportation - Win a Lafuma Backpack - Outdoor Businesses Paddling Toward Prosperity - GEAR REVIEWS
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Upcoming events to keep your eye on
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Visit The RoanokeOutside.com Calendar of Events for details on these upcoming events!
- Weekly happy hour float with Riders Up Outfitters on the James River
- Weekly bike rides throughout Roanoke & NRV Valleys
- Veer The Movie (Taubman Museum) 9/11
- New River Trail Bike Ride 9/12
- Conservation Celebration (Western VA Land Trust) 9/13
- North Mountain Trail Hike 9/13
- Grassy Hill Natural Area Preserve Hike 9/13
- Hoop Hole Hike (Roanoke County Parks & Rec) 9/17
- Marine Corp 5K Mud Run 9/19
- Trail Running Rampage at Douthat State Park 9/19
- Girls Sports Clinic (ages 7-13) 9/19
- Gauley Fest - worlds largest whitewater gathering 9/19
- Hike Balcony Falls Trail 9/19
- World Carfree Day 9/22
- The Artie Levin Memorial Ride to benefit MS Society 9/26-27
- Big Lick Triathlon at Smith Mountain Lake 9/26
- Middle Mountain Mama Mtn. Bike Race at Douthat State Park 9/26
- National Public Lands Day at Carvins Cove 9/26
- Virginia 10-Miler September 26
- Banff Radical Reels Film Festival & GET OUTSIDE Expo 9/30
- Poor Mountain Hill Climb 10/4
- Kid Bike Race (Bike Blast) 10/4
- Into The Darkness 4 Mile Trail Run (at night) 10/24
- Blacksburg Brew Do 10/24
- Rowdy Dog Mtn. Bike Race 10/25
- Drumstick Dash 11/26
- Blue Ridge Marathon (full & half) April 24, 2010
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Want to meet other outdoor folks? Need a Group to hike, BIKE, or Paddle with?
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Here are a few outdoor social groups that allow you to meet other people and get outside!
- Meetup Roanoke Outdoor & Social Group this group seeks to bring together people from around Roanoke and the New River
Valley who are interested
in outdoor activities. They attract a wide variety of
people with varying interests and experience levels and provide a mix
of activities (hiking, backpacking, biking, climbing, kayaking,
canoeing, rafting, caving, etc.) that can be enjoyed by all. Events range from hikes to whitewater rafting to social mixers.
- Roanoke Cycling Organization, Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, and New River Bike Association are three great cycling groups to check out.
- The Creek Freaks is a local paddling club that does events throughout the year
- KIVA (Kids In the Valley Adventuring) is a group that helps families and kids connect with nature
- Roanoke Sunday Hiking Group (on Facebook only - request to join the group).This is a group formed by "people who don't have free time on Saturdays. We seek to create a group of
friends who want to explore the world around us. Whether it is walking
in the woods, cooking out, or visiting something new and exciting, we
seek to do something other than just lay around on Sundays."
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Roanoke Regional Partnership · 111 Franklin Plaza, Suite 333 · Roanoke, VA 24011
540.343.1550 X 104 · www.roanoke.org
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