Yesterday, I mentioned that a nice walk in the woods is a traditional way to welcome the new year. To help make it a new tradition in your life, I included a list of organized New Year’s Day hikes throughout the state. While a hike is a good way to kick off an active new year, it’s not the only way to kick off an active new year.
For instance, down in Cedar Point, they’ll be welcoming 2011 with a brisk dip in the Atlantic (water temperature at last year’s plunge: 51.5 degrees, which is a lot colder than it may sound) as part of the 2011 Penguin Plunge. Chip in $5 (proceeds benefit Martha’s Mission and Hope Kitchen) and you can claim penguin bragging rights — once you are able to regain your breath. The fun begins at 1 p.m.
Prefer to greet the new year dry, warm and with your clothes on? On Atlantic Beach you can bundle up and enjoy the New Year’s Day Kite Fly. Bring your own kite or just bring a camera. The Kite Fly begins at The Circle Some other thoughts … .
Run
In the spirit of being more active in the year ahead, a number of New Year’s 5Ks are scheduled throughout the state. Among them:
Triangle
Resolution Run, Bond Park, Cary, 9 a.m. $20, North Carolina Roadrunners Club. More info.
Run In The New Year, Triangle Aquatic Center (at Cary Towne Center), midnight, $25, Miracle League of the Triangle. More info.
Coast
Resolution Run, Camp Lejeune, 10 a.m., $25, U.S. Marine Corps. More info.
Resolution Run, Wrightsville Beach Park, 11 a.m., $25, Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry. More info.
Mountains
Run in 2011, Recreation Center, Cullowhee, 11 a.m., $25, Jackson County Recreation and Parks Department. More info.
Trent Woods Resolution Run 2011, Trent Woods Development in New Bern, 11 a.m., $30, Trent Woods. More info.
Bike
Most bike clubs and a number of bike shops sponsor New Year’s Day rides. Some tend to be more competitive affairs; chances are if you’re a more dedicated rider you already know your options. For the more casual rider, here are two possibilities.
Triangle
Durham Greenways Ride, 27-mile ride on American Tobacco Trail and various other Durham greenways, starts at ATT trailhead at Southpoint Crossings, 10:45 a.m., free, Carolina Tarwheels/Dave Connelly. More info.
Triad
14th Annual Polar Bear Ride; Cycles de Oro, Greensboro; 25-, 41- and 61-mile rides; Cycles de Oro Bike Shop. More info.
Photo: Showing resolve at the North Carolina Road Runners Club Resolution Run.