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PETE'S PICKS
 Start your day off with a leisure hike at Carvins Cove, but not the rugged single track trails you often hear the mountain bikers talking about. My recommendation is to park at the marina access point ($2 per person parking), walk away from the dock/ramp area, through the picnic area, and here you can access Happy Valley trail (which is an old service road). Click for a map of Carvins Cove. It's a flat trail that, for the most part, parallels the water's edge. It's also a great trail for the kids (or beginners) to ride their bikes. Hike for a while and when you feel like the trail is no longer next to the water's edge (30-45 minutes) veer off the trail to your left (toward the water) for some exploratory bushwacking. Eventually you will come to the water's edge and be rewarded with a view like this. After your hike, swing by Green Hill Park and enjoy the International Quidditch Association's Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament (10 a.m.-5 p.m.). Participate as an individual or family and get sorted into one of the four houses of Hogwarts. If none of this makes sense, you need to read or watch Harry Potter. And on your way home stop by the annual Roanoke Valley Ski Swap. This is your chance to pick up a new set of skis or snowboard, unload your old ones, get a tune up, and more. All in preparation for the snowy winter ahead.
Pete Eshelman
Director of Outdoor Branding
Roanoke Regional Partnership
  
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READY FOR WINTER? CHECK OUT THE SKI SWAP
 The first few flakes of the season have already fallen on the mountaintops and now is the time to get ready for the winter sports season.
Back County Ski & Sport is hosting the 2012 Roanoke Valley Ski Swap on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at its location on Apperson Drive in Salem under the tent. You can buy or sell gear and admission is free.
Back Country will also have a variety of new skis and snowboards on sale. They are also willing to sell your items for you for a 25 percent consignment fee if you don't want to do it yourself. Staff will also be on hand to answer equipment-related questions.
Plus, you can enter to win free tickets to Wintergreen Resort (or buy your season passes on site). Roanoke Ski Club members will also be on hand if you are looking to join a group or book a ski trip.
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LOCAL CYCLISTS WANT TO HELP KEEP YOU SAFE
 Local cyclists Warren and Paula Schimizzi don't want you to leave your emergency ID behind when you hit the road or trail.
That's why they developed QRide - bike helmet stickers featuring QR codes with personal or emergency information that you can stick right on your bike or helmet. With the snap of a smartphone, anyone can see important information, such as contact information or medical alerts, that you might want them to know in case of an emergency.
The new product, and website at www.myqride.com, was recently launched at GO FEST.
"As a Roanoke-based company, we wanted our first event to be here," said Warren Schimizzi. "The positive response has been overwhelming! It was awesome to explain the concept to folks first hand and to have their eyes light up when they 'got it!'"
Find out more about QRide and how to get your sticker >>>
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WATCH A FILM, HELP THE A.T.
 Catch the National Geographic film " America's Wild Spaces: Appalachian Trail" to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the completion of the A.T. The Grandin Theatre is showing the film as part of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's membership drive in celebration of the trail's 75th anniversary. The showing is from noon to 2 p.m. on Nov. 10. You can even save $5 on admission with promo code ATCVARO2012 when you buy tickets online.
Every dollar raised during the membership drive will help preserve and manage the A.T. - ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come. Check out the movie trailer >>>
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JOIN A BIKE RIDE TO CRUSH CANCER
 Join a group of some of cycling's best riders to help a Roanoker in his battle against cancer. Riders from around the world including Cannondale Factory Racing's Jeremiah Bishop, one of the top professional mountain bike racers in the United States; professional cyclist Gordon Wadsworth; UCI World Road Race Champion Bernie Sanders and many others will bike on Nov. 11 as part of The Kilmer Challenge Ride. Riders and sponsors are working together to raise money for the David Kilmer Cancer Fund. Kilmer, a former chiropractor in Roanoke, has three rare types of blood cancer. Kilmer is also known from working and teaching ski patrol at Wintergreen, has worked on organ and muscle transplant teams, and treats and educates patients with acupuncture and nutrition. He continued to work until recently and still rides his bike when he can. Kilmer is undergoing treatment at the May Clinic for the next six weeks. You can help support Kilmer's recovery by participating in the ride - from any location you choose, sponsoring a rider, bidding on auction items, or donating directly to the Kilmer Cancer Fund.
- Ride: There is no specific ride location. Riders can participate from anywhere in the world but should register online. Riders are asked to work with sponsors who pledge to donate per mile ridden. (For example, someone could pledge $1 per mile and if the ride lasts 10 miles, the donation would equal $10.)
- Sponsor: If you don't know a rider, sponsor one of the pros. In addition to Bishop, Wadsworth, and Sanders, ultra-cyclists Wes Wilmer and Reid McClure have pledged to ride. You can sign up to sponsor them (or a local rider) today.
- Auction: You can join the cause even if you don't want to bike by bidding on a variety of auction items, including bike jerseys, images from area bike races, and floor seats to the Virginia Tech vs. Duke men's basketball game.
- Donation: Make a cash, frequent flyer miles, or hotel points donation. Donations can be sent at the attention of the David Kilmer Fund to Parkway Wesleyan Church, 3645 Orange Ave. N.E., Roanoke, VA. 24012.
Register for the ride today, share it on Facebook, and learn more about Kilmer online.
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UPCOMING EVENTS TO KEEP YOUR EYE ON
Visit The RoanokeOutside.com Calendar of Events for details on these upcoming events!
- Discover the Appalachian Trail - 11/10
- Odyssey Land Navigation Clinic - 11/10
- 2nd Annual Crooked Road 24 Hour Ultra - 11/17
- Star City Half Marathon - 11/17
- Star City 10K Run and Walk - 11/17
- Drumstick Dash - 11/22
- Thanksgiving Hike to McAfee Knob - 11/23
- Intro to Caving - 12/1
- Jingle Bell Run/Walk - 12/8
- Odyssey Advanced Navigation Clinic - 12/8
- Odyssey Land Navigation Clinic - 1/21
- Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon - 4/20
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Roanoke Regional Partnership · 111 Franklin Plaza, Suite 333 · Roanoke, VA 24011540.343.1550 X 104 · www.roanoke.org
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