Adventure Riders

Live Business Networking, Leadership & Entrepreneurship Event — Hyattsville, MD 🙌🏾 This Saturday, join Don Thompson, President of a multi-billion-dollar company, as he shares the mindset, leadership principles, lessons, and systems behind building one of the top organizations in his industry. This is more than just a presentation. It's an opportunity to be in a room with ambitious, growth-minded professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners, and individuals looking to expand their network and perspective. Whether you're building a business, exploring additional income streams, focused on personal growth, or simply enjoy being around motivated people, this is the kind of environment that can spark new ideas and connections. 🗓 Saturday, May 16th ⏰ 12:30PM – 5PM ET 📍 College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center 3501 University Blvd E Hyattsville, MD 🎟 Guests attend FREE Feel free to invite a guest, business partner, entrepreneur, or professional who enjoys networking and growth-focused environments. Register here 👉🏾 [https://lsvalive.square.site/](https://lsvalive.square.site/) Questions? Feel free to message me directly. Looking forward to connecting with everyone 🙌🏾

Join us for an exciting journey to the LAMA North East 2026 Fundraiser! This promises to be a memorable event you won't want to miss. Seize the chance to ride and bond with fellow enthusiasts. **\*\*\*UPDATE \*\*\*** May 16 / **9:45 AM** Meetup Location: **Maryland House Travel Plaza on I-95** **4805 John F Kennedy Memorial Hwy S, Aberdeen, MD 21001** Event Location: Moose Lodge # 1860 989 Convery Blvd Perth Amboy, NJ Bike Night on Friday evening (15 May) at 6 PM. Bike Night Location: Favorites at Woodbridge 8 Lafavette Rd. Fords, NJ Remember to start with a FULL tank of gas before we hit the road. It's essential for all riders to participate in the pre-ride briefing. This ride welcomes both LAMA members and non-members. Non-LAMA riders are required to join the Meetup group and officially register for the ride. Have any questions? contact [[lamadcpresident@hotmail.com](mailto:lamadcpresident@hotmail.com)]

Weekly Saturday group ride, starting at Handy Bikes Retail Showroom. Come ride with locals in the area! This group ride is for average folks who want to go for an average ride. It's not quite a coffee ride, but it's definitely not a race! Routes will vary around the area, with an average speed around 14 mph (minimum of \~10 MPH) for around 15-30 miles. We'll be on pavement so bikes with smooth tires are encouraged, **helmets are mandatory**. Open to any riders who are willing and able to ride with a group including Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes. No speed demons please! Good group ride etiquette is a requirement. Shop opens at 10:00 am Show up and sign in by 10:15 am Roll out 10:30 am Please RSVP in advance, so that the ride leaders can prepare for the group's size. [Handy Bikes on Strava](https://www.strava.com/clubs/737920/leaderboard) [Handy Bikes on RideWithGPS](https://ridewithgps.com/organizations/14675-handy-bikes)

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54635719 20.6 miles; mostly paved trail; some designated bike lanes and relatively calm neighborhood streets. Toilet facilities at beginning and middle of the ride. Lunch at Fletcher's Cove, 13 miles into the ride. On this ride we explore two local gems: Rock Creek Trail/Beach Drive and the Capital Crescent Trail. Rock Creek Park is a national treasure and affords magnificent nature views. We'll ride on the trail and on sections of Beach Drive that have been closed to motor vehicle traffic. Feel free to stop for photos at Peirce Mill and the adjacent waterfall. We continue south past the National Zoo on the Zoo Loop and down into Georgetown. At the Georgetown waterfront, we'll make an optional stop at mile 0 of the C&O Canal. You may also choose to stop and explore the Georgetown Waterfront Park and its terrific views of the Potomac. From Georgetown we go west on the Capital Crescent Trail. After our lunch stop at Fletcher's Cove, we head further north to Bethesda then east through well-sculpted Chevy Chase neighborhoods before finishing the ride. **Please charge your battery, pump your tires, and check your brakes. Consider packing a spare tire tube. The ride is on paved trail and asphalt roads, but there are a few hilly segments. As usual, analog bike riders are most welcome.** **We highly recommend that you download the Ride With GPS route map.** https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54635719 **About Peirce Mill** Peirce Mill was built on Rock Creek in 1829 at the behest of Isaac Peirce. Using the moving water as a power source, the mill ground corn, wheat, and rye. Succeeding generations further developed the mill, sawmill, orchard, and tree nursery. In 1890, an act of Congress incorporated the mill and 350 acres of the property into Rock Creek Park. **About Fletcher's Cove** Fletcher's Cove, called by many customers "Fletcher's Boathouse," has been in this location since the 1850s and is renowned as a fishing and recreational area. The nearby Abner Cloud House is the oldest building on the canal, dating back to 1802. After 145 years of business, the fourth generation of the Fletcher family retired in 2004, and a National Park Service concessionaire assumed responsibility for the operation of the boat rental and fishing tackle/bait operation. The area surrounding the boathouse was then officially named Fletcher's Cove, though most people still call it Fletcher's Boat House. **About the C&O Canal** The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal operated from 1831 until 1924 along the Potomac River from Washington, D.C., to Cumberland, Maryland. The canal's principal cargo was coal from the Allegheny Mountains. The canal’s roots begin with George Washington’s dream of a waterway trade route. 74 locks were built. The full canal towpath is 184 miles long. See our September calendar for 4-day adventure on the towpath. **About the Capital Crescent Trail** The Capital Crescent Trail follows an abandoned Georgetown Branch railroad right of way and extends 11 miles from Georgetown, in the District of Columbia, to Bethesda, MD. It will eventually link to Silver Spring. The trail, one of 500 rail-to-trail projects in the nation, traverses’ park land and neighborhoods and includes stretches along the Potomac River. We'll cross a railroad trestle at Arizona Avenue and ride through the Dalecarlia Tunnel near the DC/MD border. **Free Ride With GPS for E-Bike Lovers** The Ride With GPS E-bike Lovers club membership is now free as [www.ebikelovers.com](http://www.ebikelovers.com/) generates sufficient income from ads to cover the costs. Here is the link to activate your free membership: [https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Club/6746/Zwa5jhttF5mJrFbN](https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Club/6746/Zwa5jhttF5mJrFbN) **More information about using GPS files:** [https://ebikelovers.com/2021/03/15/download-our-trails-and-never-get-lost/](https://ebikelovers.com/2021/03/15/download-our-trails-and-never-get-lost/) **More information about e-bike ranges:** [https://ebikelovers.com/2020/12/31/e-bike-longer-and-happier-15-smart-strategies-to-reduce-your-e-bike-range-anxiety/](https://ebikelovers.com/2020/12/31/e-bike-longer-and-happier-15-smart-strategies-to-reduce-your-e-bike-range-anxiety/) Did you know that E-bike Lovers is an Amazon Affiliate? [https://ebikelovers.com/reviews](https://ebikelovers.com/reviews) For the E-Bike Lovers group to be successful, we need to grow our membership carefully. Please feel free to invite other E-Bike lovers spread the word, and let’s have fun! **When you register for this ride, you are agreeing to the terms of the disclaimer below.** **DISCLAIMER** LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, NEITHER GREGORY MAASSEN, NATHAN MERRIS, RICHARD CAMER, TRIP COORDINATORS, THEIR AFFILIATES, FAMILY AND FORMER AND CURRENT EMPLOYERS NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING, OR DELIVERING E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS IS LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF A USER’S ACCESS TO, OR USE OF THE E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS. See for full disclaimer: [https://ebikelovers.com/disclaimer](https://ebikelovers.com/disclaimer)

This is one of the most fun hikes in the area! It's shorter than our usual routes but still a challenging rock hopping scramble! If you're not comfortable using your hands to move up and down rocks, this is NOT for you. The reward is a 360 degree view of the Luray Valley and New Market Gap We'll move at the usual pace (around 2.5 mph) and stop for a break at the top to enjoy the view. Expect the hike to take about 3.5 hours. Don't forget your lunch! Afterwards we’ll head to Woodstock Brew House for a drink and something more to eat. They have outdoor seating and a full menu of food. Hike link: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/strickler-knob-trail Brewery link: http://www.woodstockbrewhouse.com Although the hike is only 5.8 miles long with 1,050 feet of elevation gain it's still moderately strenuous, meaning that it'll be challenging for an unconditioned person. The terrain involves a steady and occasionally steep incline over a couple of miles, and a good amount of rock scrambling. We will meet at the Scothorn Gap Trailhead (38.691653, -78.580034) on Crisman Hollow Road. **CARPOOLING:** We encourage those with cars to be willing to carpool - you're the ones who make LMH great! If you're a driver that is willing to drive, please post a comment on the event page with the following information: (1) Number of seats (2) Meeting location (3) Meeting time As a rider, please comment on the driver's post to take a seat or post in the comments that you need a ride so a driver can find you. Riders are encouraged to help their driver out with the cost of gas. By signing up for this event, you acknowledge and agree that Late Morning Hikers, its volunteer organizers, and drivers who volunteer to carpool are not responsible or liable for accidents, injuries, damage, or losses that may occur while traveling to or from the hike. Late Morning Hikers does not condone or encourage impaired driving. Drivers are expected to follow applicable laws and make responsible transportation choices. We look forward to hiking with you! **BACKGROUND INFO ABOUT LMH:** Please remember that this group is an informal group of friends and volunteers initiating trips under the common adventurer model ([http://www.ronwatters.com/CADefine.htm](http://www.ronwatters.com/CADefine.html)). We do expect our members to be familiar with the best practices of hiking. This is not a group for first time hikers and is NOT a group for those seeking hiking instruction. We are also not professionals, nor are we trained hike leaders, nor do we scout out hikes. We plan hikes for fun. You are responsible for your own welfare and safety at all LMH events. Be sure to choose to attend hikes only within your own physical abilities and and hiking knowledge; take maps, suitable clothing, provisions (at least two liters of water plus any food or medical supplies you might require) and equipment, and act responsibly and safely at all times. Act responsibly and safely: if you ever believe you may be lost, follow the advice of the US Forest Service ([https://www.fs.fed.us/visit/know-before-you-go/if-you-get-lost](https://www.fs.fed.us/visit/know-before-you-go/if-you-get-lost)) LMH organizers and members shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any aspect of LMH activities. By attending this event, you represent that you have read, understand, and agree to the contents of our waiver of liability in the following link ([https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pQ0dedcqlyjc_Aib3TEbTX4gQRQt4C7FeCmsAPyTxd4/edit?tab=t.0](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pQ0dedcqlyjc_Aib3TEbTX4gQRQt4C7FeCmsAPyTxd4/edit?tab=t.0))

Iceland Ring Road 8 Day Adventure with Blue Lagoon Overview Start and end in Reykjavik! With this Explorer tour, you have a 8 days package taking you through Reykjavik and 26 other destinations in Iceland that includes accommodation in a hotel as well as an expert guide, transport. Iceland, a Nordic island nation, is defined by its dramatic landscape with volcanoes, geysers, hot springs and lava fields. Massive glaciers are protected in Vatnajökull and Snæfellsjökull national parks. Itinerary Day01 Reykjavik Day02 Golden Circle & South Coast Day03 Katla Ice Cave & Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Day04 East Iceland Day05 Stuðlagil Canyon & Lake Mývatn Day06 North Iceland & Whale Watching Day07 West Iceland Day08 The Blue Lagoon *** For detailed itinerary follow the link below: [https://www.bucketlistgrouptravel.com/tour/iceland-ring-road-8-day-adventure-with-blue-lagoon/](https://www.bucketlistgrouptravel.com/tour/iceland-ring-road-8-day-adventure-with-blue-lagoon/) Price: $3590 (Double occupancy) $3990 (Single occupancy) Inclusions Price Includes * Hotel accommodation for 7 nights, including breakfast. * Professional English speaking guide for the day tours. * Minibus or small coach for day tours * Free WiFi on the bus * Airport transfers Price Excludes * Flights * Meals * Personal Expenses * Optional activities * Travel insurance / Visa * Tips *** Questions? Text/Call: 2023787696 - Himanshu Organizer

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55123697 22 miles. Lunch/snack stop TBD. Join us for a short and pleasant e-bike ride in and around the center of Washington, DC. The total tour distance is some 22 miles but you can cut it short if needed. The ride is on paved bike paths, some city streets, and flat terrain. Various monuments can be seen during this route (the Capitol, the municipal Fish Market, the White House, the Washington Monument, the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Nationals ballpark, the Titanic Memorial, and the Frederick Douglas bridge). Lunch: Brown bag TBD. The group stops a few times for slower riders to catch up. The distance will be some 22 miles or shorter any time you are fully satisfied with biking for the day. **Please remember to charge your bike, check your tires and brakes, and consider packing an extra tube.** **We recommend downloading the Ride with GPS route map to enhance your independence.** https://ridewithgps.com/routes/55123697 **Free Ride With GPS for E-Bike Lovers** The Ride With GPS E-bike Lovers club membership is now free as [www.ebikelovers.com](http://www.ebikelovers.com/) generates sufficient income from ads to cover the costs. Here is the link to activate your free membership: [https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Club/6746/Zwa5jhttF5mJrFbN](https://ridewithgps.com/auto_approve/Club/6746/Zwa5jhttF5mJrFbN) **More information about using GPS files:** [https://ebikelovers.com/2021/03/15/download-our-trails-and-never-get-lost/](https://ebikelovers.com/2021/03/15/download-our-trails-and-never-get-lost/) **More information about e-bike ranges:** [https://ebikelovers.com/2020/12/31/e-bike-longer-and-happier-15-smart-strategies-to-reduce-your-e-bike-range-anxiety/](https://ebikelovers.com/2020/12/31/e-bike-longer-and-happier-15-smart-strategies-to-reduce-your-e-bike-range-anxiety/) As usual, non-assisted bikers are most welcome. **Your registration for this ride signifies your agreement with the terms of the disclaimer below.** **DISCLAIMER** **LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE PURSUANT TO APPLICABLE LAW, NEITHER GREGORY MAASSEN, RICHARD CAMER, TRIP COORDINATORS, THEIR AFFILIATES, FAMILY AND FORMER AND CURRENT EMPLOYERS NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN CREATING, PRODUCING, OR DELIVERING E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS IS LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF A USER’S ACCESS TO, OR USE OF THE E-BIKE LOVERS GUIDES, OUR MEETUP EVENTS, AND THE GPS E-TRAILS.** **See for the full disclaimer: https://ebikelovers.com/disclaimer**

ATTENTION! The admins of DCESK8 - Washington DC Electric Skateboarding™️ have scheduled a Board Meeting. Attendees are expected to arrive in business professional attire and be prepared to deliberate on crucial matters including: -shredding the gnar -dodging traffic -good vibes and sick hangs What is the Board Meeting? It's a classic DCESK8 event in which we dress up in suit and tie, cruise the city taking lots of photos, and grab lunch together for a fun social retreat. For the first time ever, this will be a charitable ride in which we will be supporting The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride, a worldwide dapper motorcycle rideout raising funds and awareness for prostate cancer and mental health. DCESK8 Alumni Robert Fairbarn and Corey Landolt will be riding in the DC event, and we highly encourage you to donate to their fundraisers. We will meet at the pre-ride for the DC Distinguished Gentleman's Ride, see them off, and then do our own ride included copious photos and followed by lunch. Donate to Robert's fundraiser: https://gentlemansride.com/fundraiser/robertfairbairn?fbclid=IwdGRzaARoCpdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR5AkA09FjsHcfYN6pv3PBVzdE24Uxitla22xMzxSrV6j_0o9Was7QLoWnfI_A_aem_wqv9Ty5fjk6nSfocUIK-sw Donate to Corey's fundraiser: https://gentlemansride.com/fundraiser/coreylandolt446693?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAb21jcARp7ThleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA81NjcwNjczNDMzNTI0MjcAAaee3KoZOSqWpI5LIvKC1LXalfi4Fmuglg7jFLHAjc3wGsiRhDWbGPOnO9ePyA_aem_v3ckF9XdrbIi9lU3hV_GDA More information on The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride: https://gentlemansride.com/ Details: Date: Sunday May 17th Time: 8:30AM meet-up, 10:30 rideout Location: Hains Point Dress Code: Business Professional

# [SGBP Jump Jam](https://www.bikereg.com/sgbp-jump-jam) ## Sun May 17, 2026Boyds, MD https://www.bikereg.com/sgbp-jump-jam

# [Rails to River XC Mountain Bike Race](https://www.bikereg.com/rails-to-river-mountain-bike-race) ## Sun May 17, 2026Reston, VA Bike reg: https://www.bikereg.com/rails-to-river-mountain-bike-race

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/1/0/b/600_43516651.jpeg **Arrive: 8:45 am** **Pedal: 9:00 am** Join us for a beautiful fall bicycle ride through scenic Great Falls, Virginia! Weather will be a little warmer so let's take advantage of the nice weather. This 39 mile ride starts and ends in Vienna, Virginia. It includes portions of the Washington and Old Dominion Trail. It also goes through the historic towns of Vienna and Herndon and past the Barns at Wolf Trap. The ride includes a rest stop in scenic Riverbend Park. Post Ride: let's go back to Hawk & Griffin in Vienna. Good food and pleasant atmosphere ([hawkgriffin.com](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.hawkgriffin.com/menus/&ved=2ahUKEwi_j7Kc5o-NAxVlM1kFHZcXGrMQhAd6BAgbEAE&opi=89978449&usg=AOvVaw1R5FDlGi0PCLQLMBuPT0G1)). Ride Details... **Ride A** Length: 39.8 miles Total Climb: 2284 ft Max Grade: 10.6 % Recommended pace: 15 to 16 mph Surface: Paved multi-purpose trail and roads Terrain: Scenic, flat to hilly Rest Stops: Great Falls National Park, Sunoco at (Great Falls Plaza), Green Lizard Cycling (Herndon) Hazards: On the W & O D Trail – crossing intersections, runners, pedestrians, kids, moms with strollers, other cyclists, and occasional furry creatures. On roads – automobile traffic & crossing at intersections Recommended Bicycle: Road (including cyclocross) Map for Ride A: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/4288588 The portion of this route through Great Falls is hilly, with a few of the hills being rather steep. Unless you are a super fit athlete, or a super masochist, you should not attempt this route on anything other than a road bike or cyclocross! **Ride B** If you don’t like hills, this is the ride for you! Length: 33.1 miles Total Climb: 1113 ft. Max Grade: 5.2 % Recommended pace: 12 to 14 mph Surface: Paved multi-purpose trail and roads Terrain: Flat to slightly hilly Rest Stops: Green Lizard Cycling (Herndon), Carolina BBQ (Ashburn) Hazards: Crossing intersections, runners, pedestrians, kids, moms with baby strollers, other cyclists, and occasional furry creatures. Recommended Bicycle: Any Map for Ride B: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/19622901 Comments: You can make this a shorter (17.3 miles) ride with less climbing (688 ft) by turning around at Herndon. **Note:** All persons participating in the activity accept and/or assume any and all risks of injuries (physical or otherwise) arising from and/or associated with this activity. What to Bring · Helmet - Mandatory! · Liquids - And plenty of them! · Photo ID · Money - Cash or credit card for food or emergency) · Bicycle Emergency Repair Kit - (cash, mini tool, inner tube, CO2 cartridge or hand pump, etc.) · Bike lock Other Things to Keep in Mind · If you RSVP "yes" and you are unable to attend due to unexpected circumstances, please call or text the event host. · If you are running late, please call or text the event hosts w/ your ETA!

Join us for lunch/tea at Asterisk Supper Club to discuss our May book "Under the Oak Tree" by Suji Kim Lady Maximilian is the daughter of the powerful Duke Croyso, but she is rarely allowed outside her family’s sprawling castle for fear that her stutter will tarnish their noble name. When she is forced to marry Sir Riftan, a lowborn knight caught in one of her father’s schemes, Maxi doesn’t dare hope for happiness, let alone love. Her stumbling communication and his gruff manner sour their relationship before it can begin, and Riftan leaves without a word the morning after their vows are exchanged. Now, three years after their disastrous wedding night, Riftan has returned as a war hero. To Maxi’s surprise, despite rumors that he was offered marriage to Princess Agnes, a beautiful and renowned sorceress, Riftan still wants Maxi for his wife. And when he comes to claim her, his longing becomes a desire that bewilders Maxi, even as she is overcome by the scorching heat that Riftan’s presence ignites within her. As she learns to navigate the intricacies of her new life, Maxi will find herself and her courage, and discover that she is anything but powerless.

**History** The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville. Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people. As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support. The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts. In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area. **Map of the Park** Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks. The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.

Who’s up for a fun night out? Get your boots on, grab your cowboy hat, and let’s have some fun! Thinking about checking out PBR Cowboy Bar & Smokehouse for a lively evening to unwind, connect, and enjoy the night together. • Lively atmosphere with country vibes • Delicious food + drinks • Music, dancing, and lots of laughs • Great conversation and new connections