JANUARY 2008 TOP 12 OUTDOOR EVENTS THIS MONTH — BY BOAT, BOOT, AND BIKE
THE DIRTY DOZEN
1. CARTECAY RIVER CHILI RUN: JANUARY 1, ELLIJAY, GA.
On New Year’s Day, folks paddle the Cartecay for all the right reasons. Celebration. Challenge. Tradition. There’s also plenty of beer and live music for the taking; and if that’s not enough reason to hop into a wetsuit, I’m not sure what is. Except, perhaps, more chili than you can shake a spoon at (or a paddle for that matter). But you have to earn it: two miles of class II-III river, fraught with rapids.
www.mountaintownoutdoorexpeditions.com
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2. NATIONAL TRAILS DAY CROSS COUNTRY SKIING/SNOWSHOEING: JANUARY 5, MCHENRY, MD.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to stomp around God’s white Earth in an effort to promote the winter wonderland in our very own backyard. Be sure to check out the Nordic Center at Wisp Resort for complimentary clinics and demonstrations in cross country skiing and snowshoeing, along with tours and hot cider. Ditch those complicated machines at the gym and see what cross country skiing is really like.
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3. SALEM LAKESHORE FROSTY 50K TRAIL RACE: JANUARY 5, WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.
The Twin City Track Club, a pack of more than 600 casual joggers, fitness and race walkers, and competitive racers cordially invite you to ache around the lake on rolling dirt trails and paved bike paths along the wooded shoreline of Salem Lake at the 2008 Frosty 50K Trail Race. The 50K course is a double out and back and promises to be flat, frosty, and scenic.
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4. SNAKE CREEK GAP 6 MTN TIME TRIAL SERIES #1: JANUARY 5, DALTON, GA.
Not for the faint of heart or leg muscles. The fourth Annual Snake Creek Gap trifecta time trial series will once again feature three dates, the first one this month on the Pinhoti Trail System—fraught with steep ascents, extremely rocky terrain, and vicious wild turkeys with lasers strapped to their heads (most of that is absolutely true). There’s a 34-mile route for the crazies and a 17-mile route for the saner folks. This trail’s got bite!
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5. FLOAT THE BOAT BOULDER COMPETITION: JANUARY 12, BOAT ROCK, GA.
Float your way to Boat Rock to get your hands on the best darn bouldering competition in January. All proceeds from this event help pay the Boat Rock mortgage and thereby “Float the Boat” for years to come. Too much holiday baggage to compete? Then grab a sponsor ticket: for $20 you’ll get a t-shirt, SCC membership, cookout lunch, and raffle ticket.
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6. LITTLE RIVER TRAIL RUN: JANUARY 12, HILLSBOROUGH, N.C.
The holidays are finished. Get over it. You’ve had nearly two weeks to recover from too much leftovers, too many awkward conversations, and way too much eggnog. Besides, a chronic hangover is hardly an excuse to miss out on this excellent opportunity to make good on that New Year’s Resolution (more trail races). So get up, lace up, and make your way to Little River Regional Park and Natural Area for nine miles of gently rolling single-track trails with beautiful views of the river—the perfect cure for post-holiday stress syndrome.
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7. THOMSON DAY FESTIVAL: JANUARY 18-19, MACON, GA.
Unusually warm weather brought people from across the Southeast for a little racing, a few heinous games, and lots of socializing at the 2007 Thomson weekend. OMBA hopes that 2008 will see the biggest Ronnie Thomson Appreciation Day ever. “Reserve Jan. 18-20 for a fun weekend of camping, riding, and having fun with friends at the Thomson factory, just 20 minutes south of downtown Macon.”
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8. ROLLAPOOLOOZA: JANUARY 19, RALEIGH, N.C.
One of the largest events held annually by the Adventure Program, Rollapoolooza is a must make outing for local paddlers, and for those wanting to meet and get instruction from some of the best in paddle sports. Historically, members of professional paddling teams such as Wavesport, Dagger, Astral Buoyancy, Pyranha, Liquid Logic, and Jackson Kayak (to name a few) have attended this event. Sign up for professional instruction in rolling or one of several play boating moves, or come to socialize and practice individually.
www.raleighnc.gov/rollapoolooza
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9. NORTH CAROLINA CYCLO-CROSS WINTER CUP FINALS: JANUARY 20, WINSTON SALEM, N.C.;
Cyclocross is an addiction. It’s time to get your fix. With five venues spread across the Tarheel State, this year’s WCCX will have you under the influence of mud, snow, and anything else Mother Nature can chuck at you. Don’t forget to double your pleasure and double your points at Race #3.
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10. GLASS & POWDER VIRGINIA SLOPESTYLE: JANUARY 22, WINTERGREEN, VA.
The Glass and Powder Boardshop and Wintergreen Resort proudly present the fourth annual Glass & Powder Virginia Slopestyle sessions, and they’re coming to a mountain near you! With three dates to choose from, there’s no excuse not to throw for some swag down this season at Wintergreen.
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11. WEST VIRGINIA OPEN: JANUARY 26, SNOWSHOE, W.VA.
This winter, you could earn your cash and prizes the old fashioned way. You know, with a strong back and some elbow grease. Or, you could strap a plank or two to your feet and earn it with a little trickery at the terrain park. Just don’t expect to take home the dough without putting on a show. There’s $2,000 for two and a slew of other great prizes on that mountain just waiting to find an empty pocket.
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12. WHITE GRASS 5K SNOWSHOE RUN AND HIKE: JANUARY 27, DAVIS, W.VA.
The White Grass Touring Center welcomes you to Davis for a non-competitive 5K snowshoe romp on the White Grass XC ski trails. This is a terrific opportunity to shed some of those unwanted holiday leftovers. As for those tennis racket looking things that strap to your boots—bring ‘em if you got ‘em, rent ‘em if you don’t. Oh yeah, this just in: “Soul warming soup from the White Grass kitchen, hot beverages, fruit and cookies will await you at the finish line.”
