Outdoors events

For the week of Feb. 11-17

This week

Guided hike, Helen. 2-4 p.m. Friday, Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area, 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen. $5 parking; $2 hike. 706-878-3087.

Bike ride, Gainesville. Chicken City Cyclists. Moderate, more than 40 miles to Creekside Deli in Cleveland. 10 a.m. Saturday, leaves from Dewberry Church, intersection of Clarks Bridge Road and Glade Farm Road, Cleveland. 770-534-7075 or unnoldl@charter.net.

Bluebirds with Emory Brooks, Cumming. 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Forsyth County Public Library, 585 Dahlonega Road, Cumming. Free. 770-887- 2418.

After School Enrichment, Helen. "Groundhogs and Other Lovable Rodents." Preregister. 3:45-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area, 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen. $1. 706-878-3087.

Upcoming

Arbor Day Tree Planting, Dawsonville. 2 p.m. Feb. 19, Rock Creek Park, 445 Martin Road, Dawsonville.

Winter Botany, Helen. Plant identification without using leaves. 1-4 p.m. Feb. 20, Smithgall Woods Conservation Park, 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen. Preregistration required. $5; $5 parking. 800-573-9659 ext. 305.

Stars Over Elachee at Chicopee Lake, Gainesville. For adults and kids age 8 and older. View the night sky and learn to use a telescope. Bring a flashlight and pencil. 5:45-7:45 p.m. Feb. 20, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. $10 adults, $5 children age 11 and younger, free for Elachee members. 770-535-1976.

Smithgall Volunteer Orientation and Training, Helen. Seeking volunteers to help plan and carry out park projects. 9-11 a.m. Feb. 27, Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area, 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen. Preregister. 706-878-3087.

Ongoing

Triathlon Club, Gainesville. New club forming to train for triathlons. No experience needed. 7 p.m. second Tuesdays, Fit 2 Tri Store, 1292 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville. 770-712-9129 or fit2tri@gmail.com.

ISI Cycling ride, Gainesville. 25-45 mile loop. Three group rides with varying speeds and distances. No ride if in rain or temperature less than 36 degrees. 8 a.m. Saturdays, Corinth Baptist Church, 3590 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville. Free. 678-231-0417.

ISI Cycling ride, Gainesville. 35 mile ride. No ride in rain or temperature less than 36 degrees. 1 p.m. Sundays, Kroger Shopping Center, 3630 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville. 678-231-0417.