Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, May 29, 1995 TAG: 9506020008
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: A-8 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A time for hikers to celebrate
You really don't need an excuse to go hiking in early June. Just go. Any day will do, but Saturday will be extra special. It is National Trails Day, a time when all types of trail users - hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians - enjoy, celebrate and support trails.
Coordinated by the American Hiking Society, the goal this year is to attract 1 million volunteers for the care and maintenance of trails nationwide. There will be several major events across the country, including ``Trails Day on the Potomac'' in the Harpers Ferry (W. Va.) National Historic Park.
As for our region, every weekend is a trail day as far as the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club is concerned. Visitors are welcome to participate in the club's heavy hike schedule, which is listed weekly on this page.
A Sunday afternoon trek is scheduled to McAfee Knob, one of the most popular hiking spots in the region. The seven-mile round-trip hike begins at 1 p.m. and is rated moderate. Hikers should check with the leaders about the meeting spot: Linda Akers, 384-6429, and Jeannie Huffman, 703-268-5051.
If you are interested in working on the trail, the club's next work hike is June 9-11 with a camp out at White Rocks in Giles County. Contact Charles Parry, Blacksburg, 703-951-1402, or Hal Cantrill, 387-2347.
3 - An almost-flat ride for bikers
The Blue Ridge Bicycle Club trip schedule often is enough to strike fear into the heart of a novice biker with announcements that read: ``Advanced 60-mile ride at 12- to 14-mph pace, two mountains, bring water.''
Isn't anything ever scheduled for the beginner?
Yes. On Saturday the club has scheduled a 10-mile trip from the Allstate office on Apperson Drive to Green Hill Park and back. It is described as ``almost flat.'' The pace isn't overzealous, either, just 10 mph.
The trip begins at 9 a.m. from the Allstate building, the leader is Jeanne Duddy, 989-4818.
5 - Take a friend fishing for free
If you ever have wanted to introduce someone to fishing without having to buy that person a fishing license, here's your chance. On Friday and Saturday, no licenses will be required in Virginia freshwater lakes and rivers, except those that are designated stocked trout waters.
The free fishing days are part of National Fishing Week, June 5-11. The week will promote sport fishing and aquatic resource stewardship across the state and country.
The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will waive the $4 fee to register a trophy fish for 50 fishermen during National Fishing Week. A special kids' day fishing program is scheduled Saturday at the Howell House, Claytor Lake State Park, from 9 a.m. to noon. Sponsored by the Virginia Bass Federation Region IV, it is open to youngsters ages 7 to 14. On June 10, from 7:30 a.m until noon youngsters 8 to 14 will be offered a free fishing clinic at Liberty Lake Park and Smith Mountain Lake State Park. It will be limited to residents of the City of Bedford and Bedford County. Information is available from 703-586-7682.
10 - Shooters take aim big time
Harvey Bulaski, the match director of the Roanoke Rifle and Revolver Club, can remember when his organization would schedule about 10 matches a season. Now there are nearly that many a month. The club has eight scheduled in June, which pretty well punches holes in the old saying, "There's no place around here to shoot.''
The June events include a couple of two-day benchrest matches. On June 10 and 11, there will be a registered benchrest match (call 986-0192 for information). An IR 50/50 benchrest is scheduled June 24 and 25 (774-6851). In addition, June matches will include high-power, big-bore silhouette, rifle silhouette, IHMSA, smallbore silhouette and IPSC. The shoots are open to the public, and dates, times and phone numbers will be listed in Outdoors You Go.
by CNB