{"id":10356,"date":"2016-12-03T18:44:38","date_gmt":"2016-12-04T02:44:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=10356"},"modified":"2025-11-21T11:31:51","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T19:31:51","slug":"year-outside-2016-rei-classes-events","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/camp\/year-outside-2016-rei-classes-events","title":{"rendered":"A Year Outside: 2016 in REI Classes and Events"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor\u2019s note on April 9, 2019: Our commitment to create unique experiences for women, by women is steadfast. We will not be announcing 2019 Outessa dates. We hope the expanded local and REI Adventures trips will allow us to continue to come together as women, growing and learning from each other in the outdoors for years to come. Learn more about other experiences designed for women from REI<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

At an REI National Free Weekend event in West Hartford, Conn., a rider brought his bike out for its inaugural ride. The tires were soft and the brakes loose. An REI master tech popped it onto the stand for a quick tune-up. The rider and his friends pedaled away, pleased and grateful, for a renewed chance to explore the day outdoors.<\/p>\n

Amid small gestures and large events, REI members rode, hiked, climbed, paddled\u2014and even roasted Twinkies\u2014across the land in 2016.<\/p>\n

What did we offer REI members? Trail running at Malibu Creek State Park outside Los Angeles. Free yoga on the High Line pedestrian path in Manhattan. Camping on Northerly Island in Chicago. Kayaking in Washington, D.C. But that\u2019s just the tip.<\/p>\n

As we enjoyed the outdoors together at REI events, members shared interests, goals and the ideals of outdoor adventure. So here\u2019s to 2016 and some highlights of how we played outside together this year.<\/p>\n

Front Range<\/h4>\n

\"Front<\/p>\n

Mountain bikers across the Front Range of Colorado<\/a> satisfied their taste for dirt at seven knobby tread events this summer. Wrench nights, demos, Outdoor School classes, music and beer made for a lot of dust-fueled madness for REI members, including riders who were new to the singletrack.<\/p>\n

\u201cNational Parks Adventure\u201d IMAX Screenings<\/h4>\n

We rolled out the red carpet for members at pre-screening events at four venues across the country. At each event, a snacks and beverage reception was followed by a showing of the film. Described as \u201ca cinematic journey into America\u2019s awe-inspiring great outdoors,\u201d the film was an inspiration\u2014and a motivation\u2014to get out there more.<\/p>\n

Scott Jurek Speaking Tour<\/h4>\n

He set a speed record on the 2,189-mile Appalachian Trail (46 days, 8 hours and 7 minutes\u20143 hours faster than the previous record). So how did he keep running that far, for that long? We brought Scott<\/a> to REI to find out. At four REI Flagship stores, members got the lowdown on Scott\u2019s run and how he stayed motivated for his incredible month-and-a-half journey. Some members even got in a run with Scott\u2014an experience that now lets them say truthfully that they kept pace with a world-class ultrarunner.<\/p>\n

REI Outessa Summit Weekends<\/h4>\n