Friday, September 25, 2009
Oh, what a weekend
If you can't find an outdoor adventure this weekend, you're not trying very hard.
Smith Mountain Lake will host the Big Lick Triathlon and the Smith Mountain Striper Club open fishing tournament on Saturday.
Hunters 15 and under can participate in Virginia's first youth-only deer hunting day on Saturday, while the Bike MS Best of the Blue Ridge offers fully supported rides from Buchanan on Saturday and Sunday.
Smith Mountain Lake will host the Big Lick Triathlon and the Smith Mountain Striper Club open fishing tournament on Saturday.
The Franklin County chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation consistently wins national awards for its JAKES youth event at Waid Recreation Area.
Mark Taylor is outdoors editor at The Roanoke Times.
mark.taylor
@roanoke.com
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Mark Taylor
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The Wild Life blog
For outdoors enthusiasts in Southwest Virginia, this weekend brings an embarrassment of riches.
From bike races to fishing tournaments, trail stewardship events to special hunting opportunities, the next few days feature something for just about everyone who likes to get out there.
Here's a look at some of the highlights.
Youth deer hunting day
Virginia's youth hunters already benefit from a special youth regulation that gives them a better chance of filling a tag, but this year they get their own day.
Set for Saturday, the youth deer hunting day is for hunters 15 and under who are under the close supervision of a properly licensed adult mentor.
Youth hunters are allowed to kill a doe or a buck, and may hunt with their choice of weapons, provided it meets legal requirements. Blaze orange requirements are in effect.
Visit www.huntfishva.com for more.
Bike MS Artie Levin Best of the Blue Ridge Ride
This is the second year that the annual Artie Levin century ride is affiliated with National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Blue Ridge Chapter.
Fully supported ride options of 25, 50, 75 and 100 miles will be offered both Saturday and Sunday from ride headquarters in Buchanan.
The registration fee for the weekend is $40, and each rider is also responsible for a minimum $250 donation to the MS Society, which uses the money to assist with research and for assisting the 3,000 residents in the chapter's region who live with MS.
Riders may register at the Buchanan Fairgrounds from 4-7 p.m. today, or in the mornings before the rides. For participants riding both days, camping is being offered at the fairgrounds.
More information is available at www.bikemsva.org.
Smith Mountain Striper Club open tournament
The Smith Mountain Striper Club is breaking from its tradition of allowing only club members to enter its tournaments with this weekend's open tournament.
Up to four anglers are allowed per boat. The entry fee is $120 for the team, with an optional $20 entry for the big fish pot.
Registrations will be accepted at Captain's Quarters Marina at Halesford Bridge until 6 p.m. today. Fishing starts Saturday at 4 a.m. with the weigh-in at the marina at 3 p.m.
Call Frank Skillman at 721-1220 for more information.
The Big Lick Triathlon
Spots still remain for athletes wishing to tackle 1,500 meters of swimming, 25 miles of cycling and 6 miles of running -- either solo or with teammates -- at the 10th annual Big Lick Triathlon at Smith Mountain Lake State Park.
Registrations will be taken today at Fleet Feet Sports in Roanoke from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and at the park from 4-7 p.m. Race day registration will be available at the park from 7-8:15 a.m.
The fee is $85 for solo racers; $120 for teams.
The race, which benefits the Y Partners program for YMCA of Roanoke Valley, starts at 9 a.m.
Visit ymcaroanoke.org for more information.
Middle Mountain Momma
Rained out in the spring, the Middle Mountain Momma mountain bike race was moved to Sunday on the great trails at Douthat State Park.
All levels of racers are welcome. The brutal XXC race starts at 9:30 a.m. The others start at noon.
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m., and the entry fee is $25; $30 for the pro/expert class.
Visit www.mountainbikevirginia.com for more information.
Franklin County JAKES
The Franklin County chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will host its annual youth event Saturday at Waid Recreation Area just outside Rocky Mount.
Open to kids 17 and under, the event will feature a wide range of hands-on activities, including supervised target shooting, wildlife art projects and a climbing wall.
The event, which runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., is free. Kids 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Bill Kidwell at 489-4210 can answer questions.
Public Lands Day event at Carvins Cove
Join trail enthusiasts Saturday morning for volunteer work on the Hi Dee Ho trail, followed by a free catered lunch by Comfort Cuisine.
Meet at 8 a.m. at the Bennett Springs parking lot, with lunch at noon. The first 50 adults and 50 kids will get a T-shirt and all participants will have a chance to win a bike donated by East Coasters.
Contact Michael Clark at 853-1287 or michael.clark@roanokeva.gov for more information.
