Clubs and Outdoor Social Groups
Whether you are looking for people to cycle with or go for a hike, this list of outdoor club and social groups should have you covered.
Roanoke Outdoor & Social Group
With over 350 members this club seeks to bring together 
people from the Roanoke and New River Valley who are interested in outdoor activities. Their goal is to attract a wide variety of people with varying interests and experience levels and provide a mix of activities (hiking, backpacking, biking, climbing, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, caving, etc.) that can be enjoyed by all. They also offer social activities to allow members to interact when outdoor activities may be limited. The Roanoke Outdoor & Social Group uses the Meetup.com web service to connect its members. Visit the Roanoke Outdoors & Social Group website and request to join! 
Roanoke Cycling Organization
The Roanoke Cycling Organization (RCO) is a cycling group based out of Roanoke, Virginia representing those who have a passion for the sport. The RCO focuses on racing, riding, training, education and event promotion. Their philosophy attracts those with a passion for the sport, who understand the impact of cyclists behavior on and off the road, who seek continuing education from bike handling to maintenance techniques, and wish to get involved in all forms of bicycle racing and promotion. The RCO is also the home for a pro/amateur cycling team focusing on both on and off-road disciplines. Spotlight events include the ID3 and the RMBC races - both of which are also Commonwealth Games qualifiers. Visit RoanokeCycling.org for a list of scheduled rides, racing schedules, events, join their listserv, and information on joining the official RoanokeOutside.com race team.
Kids In The Valley Adventuring (KIVA) 
KIVA is a free monthly family nature club for families in the Roanoke Valley. KIVA focuses on three goals: Play, Nature Education and Volunteerism. KIVA events showcase a different park each month, provide special speakers, and point families to local volunteer efforts. The meetings are always FREE. No childcare is ever provided, instead we encourage grown ups to “come prepared to make a memory with your child(ren)”. KIVA also offers a free monthly newsletter which provides families with information about upcoming fun, family events around the area, as well as details about nature themed books, music, games.
Blue Ridge Bicycle Club
The purposes of The Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, Inc. are to promote and encourage the use of the bicycle for transportation and recreation in southwest Virginia; to support the rights of cyclists; to provide information in the interest of bicycling safety; and to promote competitive cycling. From trail access to helmet laws, the BRBC is strongly active in all advocacy issues. The club has been responsible for helping open up trail access at Carvin’s Cove, build trails for Explore Park, begin the construction of Greenways, sponsor local amateur racing with the Team BRBC, gain improvements on Roanoke Valley roadways, organize bicycle rodeos to teach kids bike safety and passed a helmet law for kids under the age of 14 in Roanoke City. But the work is never done. The Roanoke Valley needs more road improvements, trail access and bicycle awareness, so become a member and support the cause!
New River Bicycle Association
The New River Valley Bicycling Association’s mission is to create a better community through and for bicycling in the New River Valley. The New River Valley Bicycling Association (NRVBA) is dedicated to providing bicycle activities to promote health, recreation, and transportation and working through education and advocacy to promote a more bicycle friendly environment. From weekly rides to discount at local bike shops, memberhsip in the New River Bicycle Association has its priviledges.
Roanoke Sunday Hiking Group
The Roanoke Sunday Hiking Group was formed by people who don't have free time on Saturdays. They seek to create a group of friends who want to explore the world outdoors. Whether it is walking in the woods, cooking out, or visiting something new and exciting, we seek to do something other than just lay around on Sundays. This group exists only on Facebook.com and you must request to join.
Creek Freaks
The Creek Freaks Paddlers, a paddling club co-sponsored by the Franklin County Parks & Recreation Department, is a family oriented club that exposes people to local rivers. From arranging trips and gear swaps to expanding the availability of river/lake access facilities, the Creek Freaks are all about water. Continued growth of the blueway network and paddling sports activities will depend on volunteers and partners who will provide critical support to work on particular projects or events. The Creek Freaks are just a group of paddlers trying to float the rivers.
VAST - Valley Area Shared Trails Network
VAST is a group of citizens who represent the trail users of the Roanoke Valley for non–motorized trail uses. Their vision is to have all the area trail users meet and work together on area projects that would benefit the community. Today, VAST is comprised of representatives from the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club, Blue Ridge Bicycle Club, Roanoke Valley Horsemen‘s Association, Roanoke Valley Greenways/Pathfinders, National Mountain Bike Patrol and IMBA.
RATC - Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club
RATC is a recreational hiking association of volunteers who preserve and improve the Appalachian Trail as the nation‘s premier, continuous, long–distance footpath. Founded in 1932, the Club is celebrating more than 75 years of service and adventure on the AT. For more information on the local section of trail, hike schedules, trail and shelter information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities visit their website.
Trouts Unlimited
The Roanoke Chapter of Trouts Unlimited is a diverse group of over 265 people with the common interest of pursuing the Trout Unlimited mission to “conserve, protect and restore North America‘s trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds.” Their web site is presented as a bulletin board for the assimilation of information and collection of suggestions to further not only the stated mission, but to provide suggestions of meaningful and sporting enjoyment of the multitude of outdoor experiences in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Star City Striders
The Star City Striders Running Club is an organization of individuals with a wide range of interests, ages, occupations, fitness, and ability levels. The Star City Striders strives to promote running and jogging for fun, fitness, and various levels of competition and organizes several fun runs, 5K, and a half marathon.
Blacksburg Striders
The Blacksburg Striders provide community involvement and a source of camaraderie for local runners in the New River Valley to enjoy group events, races, social activities and community service in the context of the running sport.
Roanoke Ski Club
The Roanoke Ski Club offers several ski trips to local ski areas, and other destinations throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan. In addition to great ski trips, they offerer other activities throughout the year such as whitewater rafting, hiking, canoeing, happy hours, and parties. You are welcome to join us for any of our events. Members of the club receive monthly newsletters, regular emails about club activities, and discounts with local ski retailers. For more information about joining visit the "Membership" page.
Botetourt County Horseman's Association
The Botetourt County Horseman's Association was created to address and serve the interest demonstrated in Botetourt County toward better horsemanship as well as the educational needs of the youth in the county. BCHA's primary focus is to promote interest in breeding and showing of horses, to promote better horsemanship, to offer educational opportunities and social activities, and to stimulate interest in the equine and local equine activities and events.
Friends of Roanoke River
Friends of the Roanoke River (FORR) is an effort to engage the growing net-roots movement in southwest Virginia, western North Carolina and the entire section of the Southeast impacted by the Roanoke River Basin, from the headwaters to Albemarle Sound. FORR will serve as a clearing house for up-to-date information on regional efforts to improve the quality of the Roanoke River Watershed. Initial daily efforts will focus on issues facing the Upper Roanoke River from the headwaters to Smith Mountain Lake. The ultimate objective of FORR is to bring a Riverkeeper Program to the Upper Roanoke River through the Waterkeeper Alliance, a national waterway protection organization. Several waterways in the region, like Virginia’s historic James River, have successful Riverkeeper programs.
Float Fishermen of VA
The Roanoke Valley Chapter of the Float Fishermen of Virginia (FFV) is a varied group of boaters that includes rafters, kayakers & canoeist. We do whitewater paddling, flat water fishing, and everything in between. Most importantly, we all pull together when it comes to protecting our waterways. When not on the water, we gather on the last Wednesday of each month (except August & December) at the Roanoker Restaurant. Starting at 7:30 p.m. meetings are likely to include stories of past trips, planning for future ones, reports on projects, updates on access and conservation issues, safety issues, and more. Many folks come early for dinner and networking with other boaters. Come and join us, shake a hand or two, meet someone with the same boating interests, and just have some fun for a change!
http://www.rvasclub.org/
http://www.bikeblacksburg.org/
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