Don’t want to give up your warm-weather activities just because there’s snow outside? Try spending part of the off-season at one of these temperate training meccas.
By Joshua Fulmer and Dacus Thompson
Rock Climbing
Waco, Texas
Harker Heights, near Waco, has about 10,000 square feet of indoor climbing at Boulders Sport Climbing Center. But you didn’t come all the way to Texas to pull plastic, so head 25 miles south to Rogers Park for a half-mile stretch of limestone with upward of 350 bouldering routes. When you’d like to rope up, hit Morgan’s Point, a sport climbing crag full of technical climbs starting at 5.10. The BSCC offers $12 day passes and trips to nearby crags (climbboulders.com).
Mountain Biking
Gooseberry Mesa, Utah
Just south of the mountain bike–free Zion National Park, pros like fat-tire legend David “Tinker” Juarez and team Cannondale can be found tearing over this epic 20-mile network of slickrock trails linked by sweeping singletrack. “It’s a mix of Moab and classic desert riding, with both technical and flowing dirt sections,” says biker Mark Sevenoff. Winter nights can be chilly, but they’re much preferable to the summer’s 100-degree temps (rentals from $38 per day; bicyclesunlimited.com).
Rowing
Austin, Texas
The worst part about rowing in winter on Lady Bird Lake is that you’re likely to be handed your ass by other boats. “Teams from Michigan, Iowa — basically all the northern and midwestern schools — come down for a week in the winter to row,” explains Austin Rowing Club’s Elisabeth Gardner. Single scullers don’t have it any easier; guys like Olympian Ken Jurkowski have trained here too. If you’re in town for a week, you can train with the ARC for free (austinrowing.org).
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February 10th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
I just dont understand people that chase the summer. I have been chasing the winter for years. There is much more outdoor activties to take part in in the winter months.
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May 2nd, 2009 at 12:38 am
nice and very informative information
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