Adventure Trips
Adventure trips are just that – adventure! And they blend the line between the physical environment and human ingenuity. Choose your biking challenge - go on the road with friends on your bike or get an introduction to mountain biking in Claytor Lake State Park. Or stay on campus and get your adrenaline going with a visit to the Radford rock climbing wall.
Adventure Difficulty Ratings
Please read the descriptions of difficulty levels carefully before signing up for Adventure Trips.
Gentle: Introductory level. Climbing, biking, or fitness interest.
Moderate: Basic level. Some proficiency in climbing, biking, or fitness is required.
Strenuous: Advanced level. Above-average fitness. High proficiency in climbing, biking, or fitness is required.
Requirements for Adventure Trips
Please read the requirements section for your Adventure trip. These are real, safety-based mandates. You will not be allowed to go on a trip if you arrive at the Nature Tent without the required gear, and in such cases, there are no refunds.
Water, snacks, sunscreen, a raincoat, and bug spray are always good ideas for any nature trip. Our many years of experience, including occasional mishaps, have taught us that for your safety and your enjoyment, you must read the requirements and abide by the rules. Please consider the difficulty ratings carefully when choosing a trip.
Requirements for Caving Trips (NOT OFFERED IN 2025)
Your cave environment will be WILD, with no handrails, sidewalks, steps, or any permanent lighting; but Mother Nature fully air-conditions your cave at a COOL 53º (guaranteed all summer long). SUUSI will provide helmets and headlamps with batteries. The cave will provide darkness, mud, rock, fossils, a few bats, and phenomenal formations thousands of years in the making.
Caving is not for the faint of heart. There are potentially dangerous conditions and very strenuous physical effort is sometimes required in the glorious underground.
Please note “Requirements” for caving as they will be enforced.
Required and Suggested Caving Equipment:
- At least one quart of water
- Sturdy, above-ankle boots
- Heavy gloves for protection and gripping in a wet, slippery environment - leather is suggested
- Long heavy pants
- Long-sleeved shirt, preferably one that wicks dampness to protect from hypothermia
- A jacket or sweatshirt to prevent hypothermia
- Two old hand towels: one for you, and one to clean your helmet and headlamp
- Plastic bag for dirty clothes
- A backpack to carry water and other supplies
- Complete change of clothes for the van ride back
- Athletic kneepads are strongly recommended
Requirements and Guidelines for Biking
Required and suggested equipment:
- Minimum one quart of water and a way to carry it (fanny pack, cycling jersey, or camelback).
- Helmet: bring your own or use a rented one
- Closed-toe shoes (sneakers or running shoes work well).
- Typical Nature trip stuff and a way to carry it (sunscreen, rain gear, and a snack).
- Safety glasses are not a bad idea, if you bring sunglasses they must be shatterproof.
Biking shorts and gloves are recommended.
- 805: Climbing Wall (Monday)Limit 25
Radford University has its own climbing wall located in Peters Gym - no travel necessary! Challenge yourself: opportunities will be provided for both the novice as well as the experienced. Training will be provided. Required: Closed-toe, tied shoes, and water. Two waivers are required. For children under 18, a parent or guardian signature is required. Children under 14 may register without a parent or guardian, however, a parent or guardian must accompany the child, and be present while the child is climbing.
- 806: Climbing Wall (Thursday, Family Friendly)Limit 25
Radford University has its own climbing wall located in Peters Gym - no travel necessary!. Challenge yourself: opportunities will be provided for both the novice as well as the experienced. Training will be provided. Required: Closed-toe, tied shoes, and water. Two waivers are required. For children under 18, a parent or guardian signature is required. Children under 14 may register without a parent or guardian, however, a parent or guardian must accompany the child, and be present while the child is climbing.
- 822: BYOB Road RideLimit 30
Calling all SUUSI roadies! Bring your bike and join us for an invigorating ~20 mile no-drop social road ride leaving directly from campus. Recent road cycling experience expected. Required equipment: closed toed shoes, bike, helmet, water, spare tube/patch kit.
- 832: BYOB Riverway Bike Ride (Family Friendly)Limit 13
This BYOB (Bring Your Own Bike) will start from campus and run along the Riverway Trail, which parallels the New River. It is a gentle, scenic ride, then climbs moderately through the forests of Bisset Park, Wildwood Park, and Radford City Park. There is a tunnel connecting Bisset Park with Wildwood Park so we won't have to negotiate busy Hwy. 11 in the middle of the trip. We'll cover 6.4 miles over gentle-to-moderate, scenic terrain. Recent bicycling experience is expected. Required: a bicycle in good working order, helmet, tied shoes, spare tube/flat kit, water bottle in backpack. Recommended: rain gear.
- 833: Beginner Mountain Bike Ride at Claytor LakeLimit 12
Enjoy a scenic mountain bike ride along smooth rolling trails in the beautiful woods of Claytor Lake State Park! We will explore four miles of trails around the perimeter of the park, stopping at two scenic overlooks along the way to take in beautiful views of the lake. Basic cycling skills are required, but mountain bike experience is not. High-quality mountain bikes, helmets, and flat kits will be provided.