Labor Day has come and gone, the summer with it. Now, we get down to the serious business of fall fun in North Carolina!

Coast | Coastal Plain

There’s something romantic about an open-water swim in the ocean: riding the swells, being buoyed by the salt water, sharing space with all manner of aquatic life.

Yup, it’s romantic, all right. Until you’ve done it and realize what an incredible challenge it is, battling current, keeping your bearings, trying not to swallow those swells.

That’s the challenge faced by competitors in Saturday’s Pier-2-Pier Swim Race at Wrightsville Beach. The race covers the two miles of open water between Johnny Mercer’s pier and Crystal Piers. (For the mile counters, yes, that total distance is 1.71 miles; the additional 0.29 includes “the swim to and from the ‘dry’ finish and start.”

Vital Stats: Saturday, Sept. 10, 8 a.m., Wrightsville Beach, $40-$60. More info here.

Saturday forecast: Mostly sunny, race-time temp of 75.

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Looking ahead: American Craft Walk, Saturday, Oct. 15, Wilmington. More info here.

Piedmont

Saturday, apparently, is Grandparents Day, and North Carolina’s state parks are celebrating. Hikes and nature programs are planned at Morrow Mountain, Raven Rock, Cliffs of the Neuse and Pilot Mountain state parks, among other parks statewide.

Make it an intergenerational Saturday, by seeking out details below

Vital Stats: Check out the list of Grandparents Day events, here.

Saturday forecast: Sunny throughout much of the region with highs near 90.

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Looking ahead: Centennial Celebration at Mayo River State Park, Mayodan, Oct. 8. More info here.

Mountains

What could be more fun than a 5K road race at Biltmore Estate? Maybe a 5K road race at Biltmore Estate followed by a 13.25-mile off-road bike ride at Biltmore? Now, that would really be cool, the best! Unless, that is, you were to tack on a 5K off-road run. That would truly be swell.

And that would be Sunday’s Asheville Duathlon at Biltmore. The riding is non-technical, and on trail not typically open to the public. All good reasons to do the Du.

Vital Stats: Sunday, Sept. 11, 7:45 a.m, Biltmore Estate, Asheville. More info here.

Sunday forecast: Mostly sunny, race-time high of 66.

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Looking ahead: Take a Child Outside Campout, Sept. 24-25, Chimney Rock State Park. More info here.

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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

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Coast

Looking for new adventure in 2015? Check out the Cold Stroke Classic Saturday in Wrightsville Beach.

Now in its seventh year, the classic is a stand-up paddlboard competition that appeals both to the experienced SUPer with a 7-mile race and the beginner, with a course half as long. Cash awards in the elite category, $5,000 in prizes for the beginners. Don’t have a board? No problem; check out the used gear swap on Friday. Don’t have a wetsuit? That’s a problem.

Logistics: Saturday, Jan. 17, 10 a.m., registration fee ranges from $25 to $75, depending upon age and race category. More info here.

Saturday forecast: Sunny, high of 52.

Piedmont

Looking for a new place to explore in 2015? Our guess is that Medoc Mountain State Park may have a spot on your “new adventures for a new year” list.

Medoc Mountain sits off the beaten path about an hour and a half northeast of the Triangle. Ten miles of trail explore the park, which, despite sitting on the cusp of the Piedmont and coastal plain, has more of a rolling hills feel. A nice escape, especially since few people seem to know about the park, and an escape you can learn more about Saturday, when a park ranger hosts “Discover Medoc Mountain State Park” at 2 p.m. Learn about the park, take a short hike with the ranger, then explore on your own.

Logistics: Saturday, Jan. 17, 2 p.m., Medoc Mountain State Park, Hollister. The program is free, but preregistration is requested, by calling 252.586.6588.

Saturday forecast: Sunny with a high of 47.

Mountains

Looking to learn something? In 2016, the USA Cycling Cyclo-Cross National Championships come to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville. This weekend, you can preview the course the country’s top racers will ride at the North Carolina Cyclo-Cross Series Finale.

Tickets to the two-day event are $11, which will not only let you see the series’ top riders in action, it will, for the uninitiated, be a chance to check out the sport in person. More than 300 riders are expected to participate.

If you are among the uninitiated, cyclo-cross is a European import that marries road racing with mountain biking. Cross bikes more resemble road bikes, albeit with knobby tires. There’s a steeplechase element to the sport, with riders dismounting to navigate the gnarliest obstacles.

Logistics: Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 17-18, Biltmore Estate, Asheville. Tickets are $11. More info here.

Weekend forecast: Saturday is sunny with a high of 49, Sunday could be interesting for spectating with snow in the forecast.

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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

Like us on Facebook and get health, fitness and outdoors news throughout the day.

GetGoingNC.com

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