“This year could be the year you actually do all those things you talk about doing. This could be the year you actually begin to use all that equipment sitting in your garage. It could be the year you shake the dust off those hiking boots, dig out the kayak paddle or pump up the tires on the bike that’s been parked for a few months.

It may still be cold for the next few months, but this is could be the perfect time to make a wish list for the year.

So enjoy these New Year’s resolution suggestions to get you started, courtesy of the folks at Outdoor Chattanooga.”

— Philip Grymes,

executive director

Complete a century bike ride — that’s either 100 miles or 100 km. “We’ve got two local ones, the 3-State 3-Mountain Challenge in May and the Sequatchie Valley Century in October.”

Roll a kayak. “In a kayak, when you turn upside down and you are under water, you can right yourself using a hip snap and your paddle. Some people call it an Eskimo roll.”

Paddle and spend the night on the Tennessee River Blueway. “Since it’s right here in town.”

Volunteer for a trail day or river cleanup. Complete a triathlon. Plant a garden. Substitute water for sodas. Take the stairs. Vow to walk or ride your bike at least once a week to lunch or to run an errand. “If you work downtown, it’s really easy. The post office and most eateries are within walking distance.”

Learn to lead climb. “In rock climbing, there’s all sorts of different forms. There’s the top rope, which is when the rope is running through an anchor above you, as you climb up the rope is already anchored. In lead climbing, you and the belayer are at the bottom, similar to top rope, the difference is there is no anchor above you, so as you climb, you’re putting your anchors in and clipping your rope to them or your clipping fixed anchors like bolts. If you start climbing, that is typical what people aspire to reach — a lead climbing ability.”

Bike the entire Riverwalk, from Coolidge Park to the Chicakmauga Dam.

“Right now it pretty much dead ends at the Dam and it dead ends at Renaissance Park. We are looking at and starting to talk to landowners that are looking at expanding the Riverwalk down to Moccasin Bend National Park, once that comes on line.”