GREAT OUTDOORS Cycling
right onto 623.
The Peninsula offers many opportunities for cycling enthusiasts. Whether you enjoy group rides, solo jaunts or competitions, Hampton Roads has many opportunities. Courses and trailways in the Tidewater region tend to be flat but are often scenic, offering meadow views and woodlands. Many trails and courses are open to riders of all experience levels, and there are organizations to help find a ride that’s right for you.
Hog Island WMA. Hunting with a gun on the Hog Island Tract is allowed for waterfowl only on a strictly controlled basis. Department-constructed blinds accommodate three hunters each. These are available to hunters selected by a drawing in mid-October. Applications can be made through the agency quota hunt system. Hunting on the Carlisle Tract is open to the general public under general regulations or as posted. Here, there is the opportunity to bag deer, dove, quail, squirrel, rabbit and turkey. 7938 Hog Island Road, Surry. The area is accessed from state Route 10, between the towns of Surry and Smithfield, north via Routes 650 or 617.
REGIONAL EVENTS BikeVirginia. The organization hosts its annual Bike Virginia Tour in June. 8005-C Creighton Parkway No. 205, Mechanicsville, VA 23111. Visit bikevirginia.org for more information. GROUP RIDES Peninsula Bicycling Association. Group rides several times a week throughout the Peninsula. P.O. Box 12115, Newport News, 23612-2115. Contact the group at StealthTDI@spamarrest.com and include PBA in the subject line. pbabicycling.org Williamsburg Area Bicyclists. Group rides several times per week year-round, mostly in Williamsburg. Coordinates Bike Month during May. P.O. Box 2222, Williamsburg, 23187-2222. wabonline.org Eastern Virginia Mountain Biking Association. Group often rides at New Quarter Park in Williamsburg, Freedom Park and York River State Park, among other places. Jim Irby, events@evma.org. evma.org
Hunting Here are some public hunting areas in Hampton Roads: Chickahominy WMA. Hunting opportunities on the Chickahominy Wildlife Management Area include those for deer, turkey, squirrel, rabbit, dove and waterfowl. Agricultural crops beneficial to wildlife are planted annually. Whitetail deer are abundant. Turkeys use the area extensively, and squirrels are plentiful in most years. Open areas and woodland “edges” sustain fair quail and rabbit populations. Ducks are common. Waterfowl are hunted primarily by floating blinds, with hunters being allowed access on a first-come basis. Stationary blinds are not allowed. 12510 Eagles Nest Road, Charles City. The area can be approached from U.S. Route 60 at Providence Forge by taking state Highway 155 south, then left onto Route 614, left on 615 and bear
54
DAILY PRESS
Dismal Swamp Tract of Cavalier WMA. Hunting on the Dismal Swamp tract is with archery tackle only. Firearms are not permitted but are allowed on the 3,800 acre main tract of Cavalier WMA about six miles southeast. Long bows, recurve bows, compound bows and crossbows are all permitted. Archery tackle may be used to take any legal species in season. Hunters are not required to have a lottery hunt authorization to hunt the Dismal Swamp tract. A quota hunt reservation is still required during the general deer firearms season on the main Cavalier tract. 51427 George Washington Hwy S, Chesapeake. Take Route 17 south to Ballahack Road. Go left on Ballahack for 1.5 miles, and the entrance to Cavalier WMA is on the right. Ragged Island WMA. There is the opportunity to hunt deer in the pine islands and other high ground. Other upland game animals on the area are raccoon, rabbit, fox and squirrel. Waterfowl are hunted by jumpshooting the ponds and creeks, and from licensed blinds on the wider creeks or the James River. Black ducks, mallards, scaup, gadwall, ruddy ducks, buffleheads and goldeneyes often use the area. Clapper rails can be found in the marshes. The area is bisected by U.S. Routes 17 and 258, and state Route 32, southwest of Newport News and Hampton at the southern end of the James River Bridge.
Gyms Hampton Roads has a variety of health and fitness clubs, each with different resources. Most offer group classes, and if there is a pool, often the club will have swim lessons. Crunch. . Located on 12255 Hornsby Lane, across from Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News, this club has a variety of free weight and cardiovascular machines and tanning equipment. Members get one free personal
Thursday, May 22, 2014
FROM CYCLING TO SAILING, HAMPTON ROADS HAS A LOT TO OFFER OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS
training session, with addtional sessions available for an extra fee. The gym offers two levels of membership, with group exercise classes available with peak membership. For membership costs and more information, call 249-1315. Curves For Women. With locations in Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown, Williamsburg and Carrollton, these facilities specialize in 30-minute workouts, three times a week, consisting of strength training and aerobics. For phone numbers, visit curvesinternational.com/locations. One Life Fitness. Located at 815 Middle Ground Blvd. and 11805 Fountain Way in Newport News, some of the amenities include racquetball and basketball courts and a theater that has cardio equipment instead of seats. You can watch movies on a projection screen while you work out. Group exercise classes and personal training are also available. For more information, call 599-1888 (Middle Ground), 599-5433 (City Center) or visit onelifefitness.com. Pilates Training Center. A by-appointment studio at 502 Strawberry Plains Road , Williamsburg, also offers group classes. Information: 229-5002 or www.pilates-center.net. Riverside Wellness and Fitness Centers. With a Newport News location and one in Gloucester, Riverside offers a variety of facilities and classes, depending on the location. Some locations offer such amenities as tennis, racquetball, volleyball and basketball courts and swimming lessons. Group exercise classes, personal training and fitness testing also are available. •Newport News location: 12650 Jefferson Ave., 875-7525. •Gloucester location: 7516 Hospital Drive, 804-693-8888. For a list of membership costs, hours and available services, visit riversideonline.com/rwfc. Total Fitness. A 24-hour location at 6120 Jefferson Ave. in Newport News provides personal training, sports strength camp and sports lifting. For membership and other information, call 827-0629 or totalfitnessclub.com. YMCA. With locations in Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown, Williamsburg and Smithfield, these facilities offer more than just aerobic and strength training equipment. Swimming lessons and group exercises also are available at some locations. For phone numbers in your area, visit ymca.net.
Rugby Newport News Rugby Football Club.
Practices Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Crittenden Middle School, with games on Saturdays. Brenden Malvoich 870-0587. . Information: newportnewsrugby.com
Running While you can run anywhere your feet take you, if you like the thrill of competing or training with others, the Colonial Road Runners and the Peninsula Track Club offer plenty of local opportunities. Colonial Road Runners. Based in Williamsburg but serves runners from throughout southeastern Virginia. Organizes races, social events, daily group runs and weekly tempo run sessions Tuesdays at Warhill Trail and speed-work interval sessions Wednesdays at Wallsingham Academy. Open to men and women of all ages. Races (each with run/ walk between 5 kilometers and 8 miles, often along with 1-mile fun run) held annually in CRR Grand Prix 23-event series from February to December. P.O. Box 657, Williamsburg, 23187. Rick Platt, 229-7375 or 345-1431. See for schedule colonialroadrunners.org and rickplatt1@juno.com Peninsula Track Club. Has about 35 races a year, ranging from 5-kilometer events to half-marathons, including many summer events, along with social events. P.O. Box 11116, Newport News, 23601. Joe Harney 826-6952. peninsulatrackclub.com Hampton Roads Hash Harriers. Weekly group runs combined with social events. Tidewater, Hobo, Virginia Beach Full Moon, Fort Eustis and Hampton groups.
Golf Hit the links. Golf is a favorite pastime in Hampton Roads. The PGA and LPGA have made stops at the area’s courses, some of which were designed by legendary golfers. Fees can vary widely by season, day (even time of day), age, whether you’re walking or riding and other factors. Call ahead for tee times and prices. Bide-A-Wee Golf Course. Public. Rates vary by season. 1Bide-A-Wee Lane, Portsmouth. 393-8600. portsvagolf.com. Colonial Heritage Club, Williamsburg. Private. Rates vary by season, tee time. 6452030. colonialheritageclub.com Cypress Creek Golfers’ Club. Given a 41/2-star rating by Golf Digest. Designed by local golf legend Curtis Strange. Semiprivate. Rates vary by season, tee time. 600 Cypress See OUTDOORS/Page 55