By Jessica Wiant — Daily Staff Writer

STRASBURG — All walks of life are finding themselves on the same path as members of one of Strasburg's newest clubs.

They're calling it the Strasburg Striders, and everyone is welcome. The club has gone on about four hikes at a couple of area trails, and so far hikers have ranged in age from 10 to 71.

The club's goal is to meet each Saturday and hike together at different trails around the Northern Shenandoah Valley, according to the club's leader, Strasburg resident John Tefft.

"As far as I'm concerned, we live in a mecca for hiking," Tefft said.

Tefft, 50, has made a lifelong hobby of hiking.

He grew up in New England, and also lived in Colorado before moving to the valley, he said, and he's always hiked.

"I've just always had an absolute love for hiking," he said. "It's kind of like going to church. It is like going out into God's country."

"If you're going to do exercise, you've got to do something that you like," he said. "The cardiovascular, the exercise portion of it is great."

Also, hiking presents a challenge and, often, the nice reward of a good view at the top, according to Tefft.

Tefft works in Manassas and often stops at a trail and hikes on his way home, but he wanted to get his wife and two children, Gage, 10, and Keely, 12, more involved, he explained.

It seems to be working so far.

"It's really healthy for you, [and] it's really nice to be out in the wilderness," Keely said.

Keely said her family had gone hiking together many times before, but not with a group. It changes the pace, she said, but it's nice to have a group of friends who like the same things — and she also likes learning about the environment and seeing things she's never seen before, like salamanders, different flowers and mushrooms.

Gage has taken a liking to hiking, too.

"I love hiking," he said. "I love being outside."

Gage said hiking is a great way to see nature, be with friends and stay in shape, but he also enjoys "all around having family time."

Another local resident, Margaret Struder, became a friend of the family through the Strasburg Youth in Arts program and suggested making weekly hikes a group effort, and has helped organize the group, according to Tefft.

The group meets at the Strasburg Theater on King Street each Saturday morning and carpools to a trail. Today they'll be meeting at 9 a.m.

For now, Tefft is choosing four- or five-mile trips for the group, but he decides where to go based on the abilities of the other hikers who are coming along.

"We would never leave any one behind on the trail," Struder said.

Struder, also 50, was interested in hiking to get in shape. She's planning to bike cross-country next year, 80 miles a day, and said she needs to lose 100 pounds.

She has set the goal of hiking to the top of Signal Knob before the end of September.

"It's been a lot of fun," she said.

So far the club is pretty unofficial — there are no dues, no officers, and so far, there has been no typical member.

All ages and abilities go and have a good time, Struder said, enjoying each other and nature.

Carla Wallen, 71, has joined in on at least one hike, to the Strasburg Reservoir, and plans to do so again.

"I thoroughly enjoyed it," she said. "It was a great trail. It wasn't difficult."

For Wallen, who hadn't hiked since she was a teenager, the benefit of joining a group was to be with a hiker who knows about the area's trails, and Tefft is such a nice person, she added.

"I've just been looking for an opportunity to hike with a group," she said.

Wallen said she has also enjoyed seeing people of all ages joining together for an activity, including Tefft and his children.

"You could see the bond between the three of them," she said.

Tefft and his children aren't the only ones who have made Strasburg Striders a family affair.

Susie Drummond, 62, and her 13-year-old granddaughter Mary Beth, have also gone hiking together with the club.

"I thought it was really nice," Drummond said. They didn't rush, they took their time, and there were people of all ages, she said.

"Living here all my life, I had never done that," she said.

Neither of the Drummonds were avid hikers.

"I'm kind of glad that they have started. We can just go and enjoy ourselves."

People who want to hike with the Strasburg Striders are advised to bring sturdy, comfortable shoes and drinking water. For more information about upcoming hikes, contact John Tefft at 465-3842 or Teffts@shentel.net.

*Contact Jessica Wiant at jwiant@nvdaily.com