IF YOU HAVE A DAY

While dodging cabs is its own brand of thrill, sometimes you need a jolt from something less urban. Use the time it'd take you to get to the outer boroughs to hop a bus with the Adventure Society, which delivers New Yorkers to greener pastures for adrenaline- packed day trips, all of which include equipment, guides and round-trip transportation-and, perhaps best of all, get you back in your own bed (or out drinking in your neighborhood) by the end of the day. On September 13, go tandem hang gliding and wine tasting in the Hudson Valley-though not at the same time, that would just be crazy-chased with an optional game of bocce. Other farther-flung excursions include a three-hour hike along the Delaware Water Gap and a six-mile kayak trip down the Delaware River and ATV-ing and beer tasting near the Delaware Water Gap

All-inclusive

Why it's worth it: Sign up for one of Adventure Society's monthly surfing excursions, running now through October. Chose from several rental-and- lesson packages ranging from $83 to $183, all including a van ride from the city to a Jersey surf beach TBD (destinations vary based on weather and wave conditions; most trips are 90 minutes to two hours away), wet suit and board and daily beach pass.

Stuff you should know: The bus leaves anytime between four and eight in the morning. Ouch.

Getting there: Visit adventuresociety.com to sign up; society member get discounts on all events. The next surf trips are July 25 and August 29, with more to be announced.

So can newbies keep up with the Indiana Joneses? "Absolutely," says Walker, adding that each activity is denoted by a recommended experience level. Adventurers are generally in their late twenties to mid forties, though it's not unusual to find older couples or a group of college friends in attendance. Upcoming activities include archery, zip-lining, snow tubing, caving, and ATV-ing, but start by signing up for Sunday 15's "Learn to Ice Climb" day trip or the mountain horseback ride and optional wine tasting on Saturday 21. Call for more info. And bring your whip!" - Mike Dang

[recreation & fitness]
Adventure Society hosts Archery and Sushi afternoon

When: Sat 2/21 @ 9:00am
Cost: $67

This week, you can learn how to focus, aim, and let go of the world around you with a half-day of archery training with NYC's Adventure Society. After a workshop on archery (bound to be a workout), replenish those calories with a satisfying sushi lunch. Who knows -- you may just find your own personal Cupid. (Note: cost does not include transportation or lunch, just archery rental and post-lesson practice time on the course.) Register in advance -- T. Herrmann

For everyone who swears that this year they’ll really go camping—or take that long bike ride in the Hudson Valley, or get upstate to check out the leaves or taste some vino—but then never makes it, the Adventure Society might be the thing to finally get you off your ass and into the wild. Trips for would-be active folks are organized every weekend year-round, so a snowy horseback ride in western New Jersey is as accessible as a kayak trip in the Delaware Water Gap or a hike in the Shawangunks. And since you’re not driving, you can reverse the effects of whatever exercise you might have gotten and drink up; every outing is paired with a wine or beer tasting.

What: The Adventure Society’s Fall Foliage Horseback Ride with Apple & Pumpkin Picking

Why: Fresh air, a sugar high, and a canter through the forest sound good right about now. Manhattan only lets us burn off so much steam when the stresses of a world in turmoil become overwhelming. Sure we release endorphins climbing mobbed subway stairs four times a day, running in leafy Central Park, biking the bridges, and walking long ways just getting to and from the office. (No one can refute that being a New Yorker keeps us young; we have the well-toned calves and blistered feet to show for it.) But living in this fast-paced urban utopia means there is always one thing missing: the wild outdoors.

Alaska native Serena Walker started Adventure Society in 2001 to fill that void. Led by trained, professional guides, Sunday’s 15-person all-inclusive expedition entails a morning horseback ride across an unbelievably picturesque valley and into a historic iron mining gorge, followed by lunch at a local restaurant and apple and pumpkin picking at a nearby family-owned orchard. Adventure Society has taken care of the nitty-gritty logistics, which includes sending you a suggested packing list in advance so that on the day of the event, all you have to do is show up. When your bag is brimming with McIntosh and Granny Smiths, Walker recommends sipping hot apple cider and indulging in homemade donuts. If you want to bring back a taste of the day to a friend, the farm’s country bakery is stocked with fresh pies, jellies, and apple fritters.

Other upcoming trips include sailing up the Hudson to Haunted Sleepy Hollow, tandem hang gliding, ATV 4-Wheeling and Beer Tasting, and a seven-mile hike up the Shawangunk Ridge with a wine tasting to follow.

Break out of Manhattan for a day and find peace where you really can hear a pin drop. Biting into a Red Delicious bursting with perfect sweet flavors, you look around at the unburdened verdant vista and wonder when you can do this again.

LEARN TO ICE CLIMB DAY TRIP

The new Rambo is a harsh reminder of how far removed Stallone is from his Cliffhanger days. But we can all appreciate how he scaled icy ledges really well and still managed to kill the bad guys. No experience or equipment necessary. Bring lunch and tips for the driver.