Top 5 Events this Fall: #1

I know Summer isn't over yet and many will groan at the mention of Fall, but its coming. And I'm excited about it. Fall is my favorite time of year for an overflowing cornucopia of reasons. There's the food of course: butternut squash bisque, apple crisp, chili, pumpkin cheesecake bread, apple cider and cinnamon sugar donut holes. Then there's Michigan's supreme landscape of changing leaves, the way Lake Michigan begins to grumble and fizz, and the crisp head-clearing cool breeze. Fall is my all-time favorite time of year to go running, mountain biking, take family hikes, explore, and sit around a campfire.

It's no surprise that my favorite events happen to occur during my favorite season of the year. I'm talking active events, not Pumpkin Rolls and Wine Tours. That's all fun, but someone else can blog about that. This blog is for biking, racing, exploring and having adventures with the family. So, without further ado, here is the first of five (in no particular order because they are all equally awesome):

For Everyone:

1) Grand Rapids Urban Adventure Race : Art Prize Edition

What it is: Teams of two (grab a friend!) use maps to navigate to "checkpoints" on foot and bike through Art Prize locations in Grand Rapids, MI. Each team has a "passport" to record completed checkpoints. Some checkpoints include "Amazing Race" type challenges. The goal is to "maximize the number of checkpoints on your passport within the time limit."

Why it's one of my favorites: 1) You get to race with a friend. 2) Experience Art Prize in a fun, challenging and unique way! 3) A great introduction to Adventure Racing 4) You don't have to be the fastest to do well in this race. Other attributes such as teamwork, navigation skills, and creative thinking are equally important.

Details: Grand Rapids Urban Adventure Race: Art Prize Edition
September 29th
Ah-Nab-Awen Park

p.s. I just heard a rumor of a Zombie Apocalypse coming to West Michigan in October . . . check back next week for #2 for further details.