:
Three ladies from the ACVB participated as Team Visit Augusta in the ESi Ironman 70.3 in Augusta, Ga. We were so proud of them! Peggy (pictured above), the cyclist for the team, shares her experience from the triathlon along with some fun pictures from last year.
Make plans to go downtown on September 30th to watch this year’s Ironman 70.3 – it’s super inspiring!
Mountain biking is a great activity to explore the area around Augusta. With over 100 miles of single track, you can take your pick from all sorts of trail options. This weekend we decided to check out a new section of Bartram trail that connects two parks at Lake Thurmond. The new section extends the length of the original trail to 18 ½ miles one way from West Dam Park to Wildwood Park while passing by Spring Lakes and Petersburg Campground. Depending how far you want to ride on this in and out style of trail, you can start at any of the four trailheads. We met up with friends at the trailhead just outside the Petersburg Campground to ride the new section that extends towards Wildwood Park.
The new trail is considered intermediate level and was designed with exciting banked turns, dips, and jumps.
With all those fun features and the occasional beautiful view of the lake while meandering through the woods, this trail could easily become a favorite of mine!
If you’d like to ride Bartram Trail or explore some of the other trails in the area check out SORBA-CSRA, our local mountain biking club. Their website and forum are great resources for biking information and directions.
If you need to rent a mountain bike during your visit, contact Chain Reaction Bicycle Shop at (706) 855-2024.
See you on the trails!
When I was a little kid I hated being cooped inside the house. I always wanted to be outside playing, and the same applies today. Luckily I live in Augusta, Ga. where outdoor recreation is just around the river bend…literally!
In the south, we are fortunate enough to have warmer temperatures during most of the year, which means we get to spend a lot of time outside! Here are some of the outdoor recreational opportunities Augusta offers. Be prepared to be surprised, and many places are free!
The Augusta Canal and Towpath
Built in 1845 to harness the water of the Savannah River and produce hydroelectricity to power mills, the Augusta Canal is still in use today. Its smooth waters make it an excellent place for a canoe or kayak adventure. Don’t have a kayak or canoe? There are retailers close by! And its 8.5 miles long towpath is ideal for walking or riding bikes. Pets are welcome.
J. Strom Thurmond LakeIt’s the largest man-made lake east of the Mississippi River. There are several parks and swimming beaches, hiking trails and camping areas. You can also rent boats and jet skis for the day. It is also home to the International Disc Golf Hall of Fame.
Lake Olmstead/Julian Smith ParkIt’s a lake front park which makes it perfect for boating, fishing and picnics. The Augusta GreenJackets, Augusta’s minor league baseball team play at Lake Olmstead Stadium during the season (April through September). Try your hand at one of several disc golf courses. One is located in the park. Disc golf is similar to ball golf, but you use discs/Frisbees and try to throw them into a basket to make par. Pretty simple concept. Fun and free if you own discs!
Phinizy Swamp Nature ParkLocated on 1100 acres and just minutes from downtown Augusta, Phinizy Swamp Nature Park offers visitors the chance to see blue heron, red-shouldered hawk, otter, alligator and the elusive bobcat in their natural settings. Participate in guided tours or venture out on your own. This park is also free.
Savannah River and Augusta Riverwalk
Personal watercraft vehicles are available to rent. Also a great place for canoeing, kayaking and fishing. The Augusta Riverwalk runs parallel to the Savannah River. Its two-tiered paved trail runs for three blocks downtown. It features a children’s playground, picnic tables and various gardens.
I have had the unique opportunity to be one of over 700 volunteers to assist with the ESi Ironman 70.3 when it came to Augusta, Georgia! It is both exciting and inspiring to see all these individuals competing! It is a combination of the young and old, men and women, the fit and the not-so fit. These people prove that it’s all about dedication and the power to endure!
In case you are unfamiliar with what Ironman 70.3 Augusta is it is a triathlon which includes a 1.2-mile swim in the Savannah River beginning at the public boat launch and swimmers exit at the Boat House.
At this point athletes proceed to Transition where they get their cycles ready for the 56-mile single-loop through North Augusta and ending in Downtown Augusta.
The Augusta race is unique in that athletes are able to technically race in two states, both South Carolina and Georgia.
Finally, athletes run a 13.1 mile two-loop course through Downtown Augusta, ending in the Augusta Common.
It is amazing to me to see all these men and women crossing the finish line. How proud they should be of themselves! I can
not wait to sign-up to volunteer for the 2011 event!
(Photos courtesy of the Augusta Sports Council)
Click here for more information :
http://ironmanaugusta.com/
There’s just no shortage of recreational opportunities in Augusta, GA. Recently my husband and I took our son to the Augusta BMX track. Brandon will start the second grade next month. He has never been to anything like this before, but he’s athletic and loves to ride his bike. We chose a Sunday evening to go check it out, which for us, worked out really well. There were just a few kids there when we arrived, all older than Brandon, but they were all nice and let him get on the track without feeling too intimidated. Soon we were the only ones there and Brandon could really try it out.
He loved it! You could see the exhilaration on his face as he sped down the gate, over the hills, and rounded the curves. There were a few minor scrapes, but all in all he toughed it out and can’t wait to go again. Augusta’s BMX track is at Wood St. and Division St. near downtown and is operated by the Augusta Recreation Department.
If you have any questions about the BMX track you can reach them at (706) 421-9892 or (877) 269-1269 ext. 11. It is free and open to the public during daylight hours. It is also home to the Augusta BMX Club. I definitely see more of this in our family’s future and look forward to a lot of fun and a heavy supply of band aids!
