You know how I know that Richmond is one of the best outdoor towns in the U.S.? It’s not being on the cover of magazines — though that is pretty sweet. It’s the strong and still growing sense of community among the outdoors-minded in RVA. Every year there seem to be more and more opportunities, not just to go do the things we like — hike, run, bike, paddle, fish, bird, etc. — but also to spend time with others who like to do the same things. Meetup groups, clubs, volunteer days, impromptu meetings at bars and coffee shops that turn into full fledged conflagrations of post-ride, post-run, post-paddle revelers sharing stories and generally letting off steam. There’s always something going on.

Those communities are a huge reason why the rest of the country is now finding out what many of us have known for years about Richmond’s outdoors scene.

Take this week. Tonight at 7:30 p.m. our friends at Home on the James kick off an outdoor films double header with Bike-In-Theater night at Crossroads Coffee and Ice Cream. The first Bike-In-Theater night in March was so well attended, organizer Hunter Davis and Crossroads owner Will Herring decided to do it again.

Then tomorrow night (May 22) the James River Outdoor Coalition, Legend Brewing, Appomattox River Company, Home on the James and VCU’s Outdoor Adventure Program are sponsoring the film premiere of DAMNATION at 8:30 p.m. The movie will be shown on the Floodwall at Diversity Park (at the south end of the Mayo Bridge in Manchester where Hull Street goes through the Floodwall). 

Check one or both out and feel the strength in like-minded numbers.