Upcoming Ski Club Events and Activities

Details on Upcoming Activities

RIVER RAFTING - June, July, and August

Scheduled for the weekends of June 14^th and 15^th, July 12^th and 13^th, and August 9^th and 10^t   Contact Lauri Goater to reserve a spot on these trips and/or get more information.

Directions for rafting trips

Information on rafting trips

June 14^th / 15^th- White Water Rafting Trips are full. Contact Lauri for other trips in July and August.

July 5th-Second Annual July 4th Party at Kate and Tom’s with live music, ribs, etc. Details to follow.

July 12/13th- RAFT weekend- contact Lauri for spots on raft

July 15th-Happy Hour El Rodeo on Electric Road/Brambleton

July 19th-Smith Mountain Lake Party. For more information, contact Mark Hanson: mhanson@infionline.net or 540-473-1248 after 6:00 PM. His description follows.

S  Meet at the SML State Park boat ramp/picnic area to put in boats or rent from Parrot Cove Boat rentals 721-5363 (usually best prices). Meet at 10:00 AM and we can water ski from there. There's a good ski cove a couple miles north by R-25 and a nearby island to hang out for a boat-island picnic lunch. Pack a lunch or eat at Bridgewater marine. Let Mark know how many in your family will be attending. Must be 8 or older to ski/kneeboard.

July 25^th- Valhalla Band Night

Aug 9^th/10^th- RAFT weekend- contact Lauri for spots on raft

Aug 14^th- Happy Hour at Fork in the Alley

Aug 22^nd- Valhalla Band Night

August 23^rd- Lake Party at John Schrader’s-Claytor Lake-mid afternoon through Sunday breakfast

Sept 17^th- Happy Hour at 202

Sept 26^th- Valhalla Band Night

Sept 27^th / 28^th- Bike ride on the Virginia Creeper Trail, the Barter Theater etc- trip leader, Lisa Mann. See details and contact information for this great trip in the separate description on the next page

Oct 5^th- Hike on the AT trail near Fincastle with a fall harvest dinner at Amy Halsted’s home.

 Other parties and outings are in the making but dates are not yet set—will keep you posted.

 If anyone else is interested in hosting an event, please email Lauri with the details and she will include it in the next newsletter. Lisa Mann’s bike trip in September is basically full and there are lots of good ideas out there. So contact Lauri to help with organizing and leading stuff: 540-797-0035, syng4hm@netzero.net.

Bike Damascus, VA  – Virginia Creeper Trail  Ride September 26 - 28, 2008

The Roanoke Ski Club has a weekend bike trip to Damascus, VA  tentatively scheduled September 26-28, 2008 ( I checked, it is NOT a VT home game weekend). Spend 2 nights in up to 4 cabins by the river, complete with a covered picnic shelter for group meals and socializing.  The river runs behind the cabins, the Va Creeper trail is right in front. We can take up to 23 people if we fill all available bed spaces, the cabins sleep 5-6 in either double beds or single futons.  THERE IS ONLY 1 BATHROOM PER CABIN, otherwise these are NOT rustic, but have all the amenities, coffee pots, microwaves, linens and towels, etc you will need.  The cabins can be booked by a family or group, so get your buddies together and tell me you want a whole cabin! Singles can come and are welcomed, we will book at least one singles cabin.  I have not figured out trip cost yet as there are many options to consider. There will be a Wine and Cheese Welcome on Friday evening.  We will have group breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday mornings, before we ride. Snacks are provided, BYOW (Bring Your Own Water) for the rides!   Bring $$ for lunch on the trail and Dinner out Saturday night at the Old Mill in Damascus.  Barter Theatre tickets are another option for an evening or matinee performance.  A shuttle service to Whitetop Mnt. Saturday morning will also be a small additional charge if you choose to shuttle to the Saturday morning ride.  Who should shuttle?  Anyone not wanting to ride 17 miles extra up hill to get to the starting point of Saturday’s ride.
Cost will be calculated based on accomodations, snacks and breakfasts, and shuttle service and will be in the ball park of $125 for the whole weekend. 
Bikes can be rented in Damascus at several local bike shops, if you need one.  A cross bike, or light frame mountain bike is most suitable for this type of trail riding.  Road bike tires are not suitable, nor are the heavier mountain bikes unless you are pretty fit.  Tires need to have some tread, nub, or width to them due to the trail surface of dirt, cinders and some rocks and roots.  Be prepared to bring at least 1-2 water bottles and be able to carry your own water and snacks.  We will provide snacks for the trail.  There will be no SAG support, so ride with a buddy.
Tentative Schedule is: Self-drive or carpool to Damascus, VA.  Arrive Friday 9/26 in the early evening to check in, then join us for a casual Wine & Cheese reception. We will have a group breakfast on Sat.AM 9/27, then the ambitious will ride UP to Whitetop (17miles) and the more sane will SHUTTLE there and ride back to Damascus, with an optional hike on the nearby Appalachian Trail ( if you simply have not gotten enough exercise) Sat. afternoon. Dinner Saturday night is at the Old Mill Restaurant, which has a very nice bar, scenic waterfront location and waterwheel, and great food. Sunday am 9/28 we will breakfast together, then ride from Damascus to Abingdon for lunch at anyone of several restaurants in town. Cars can be shuttled before departure on Sunday to Abingdon, so you can eat lunch and leave from there to return home.  Rides are 17 or 34 miles on both Saturday and Sunday.  Whitetop to Damascus is 17 miles approx., and is down hill.  Damascus to Abingdon is also down hill, and also 17 miles. 

All riders should be fit and ready for moderate to strenuous exercise.  A waiver will need to be completed by each person. 

Your trip leader is Lisa Mann, cell: 540-293-5156.  Call now to reserve your cabin.
 

Other parties and outings are in the making but dates are not yet set -- will keep you posted.