Sports & Recreation

Free your mind, America. Cast off the shackles of American Sportsball and embrace the weird shit the rest of the world came up with while you were perfecting rounders and ruining rugby so there could be more commercial breaks. At any given time in Trinity Hall you can see sports like hurling (which is very different from curling, in that there's no ice or brooms, just furious Irishmen), Aussie rules football, rugby, cricket and that strangest of non-American enigmas, soccer. Soccer all the time. Soccer for breakfast, soccer for dinner, obscure games from countries you had no idea existed. All here, alongside a remarkably good food menu.

Going to a yoga class should, above all things, be stress-free, which is why Karmany Yoga, with its welcoming vibe and no-strings-attached policies, is our pick for Dallas' best yoga studio. Karmany is a donation-based studio and there are no packages, plans or contracts to navigate. Simply show up, sign in and pay what you can for the class you take. While their easy-come-easy-go policies might get you into your yoga pants and through the door, it's their experienced, encouraging instructors who will have you coming back to the mat for more. At Karmany, you'll find classes in a variety of styles — from Iyengar to Power Flow — all led by knowledgeable instructors, eager to assist you in your yogic journey with a peaceful, positive practice.

March 1 of this year marked the only day of 2014 that one could safely do yoga on the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, a place that is more or less just a giant freeway decorated by an expensive arch. The event was put on by the Trinity Commons Foundation as part of a series of events celebrating all of the city's expensive new Trinity River-related projects, with co-sponsorship from the city of Dallas. One of the criticisms of the bridge is that it's difficult to enjoy since it's cars only — there aren't any sidewalks. The free yoga event was a rare exception. The event offered both a regular yoga and family yoga class, asking for a $5 donation from each adult. Afterward, there were lots of awesome, scenic photographs posted online featuring athletic people doing their poses with the arch and skyline in the background. The event doesn't happen very often — March's event was only the second Yoga on the Bridge, but it's a strong message to the city's planners designing future projects along the river: We have feet, and we like to use them.

After more than three decades at Channel 8, Dale Hansen is the sportscaster who gets away with wearing Hawaiian shirts and shorts when covering Cowboys training camp, bashing his own station and issuing smart-ass wisecracks. But he also has a more thoughtful side, too. His famous Michael Sam commentary, which went wildly viral and got him a Valentine's Day guest spot on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, proved to football fans and gay-rights advocates nationwide what his Dallas viewers already knew from his children's charity work, his Scholar-Athlete of the Week awards and his 2011 "Thank God for Kids" segment in which he recounted being sexually abused and urged viewers not to keep such ugly crimes in the darkness so that victims wouldn't be ashamed to come forward. Whether it's picking apart Jerry Jones' boneheaded moves as GM or addressing sticky societal issues that creep into sports, Hansen shapes the conversation in Dallas.

Years ago, Don Carter's and Jupiter Lanes were the epitome of cool old-school bowling alleys. They looked vintage even then, reeked of cigarette smoke and cheap concession food, and the glove-wearing teams of bowlers proved these lanes were the real deal even if they were pretty affordable. Alas, they are gone, but if we can't have them anymore, at least we can have a place that looks that old and cheap. Bowlounge isn't cheap, and with ancient scoring machines that seem to miscount pins a few times every round, it's not for serious bowlers. But the lanes, pin-setters and scoring, salvaged from an East Texas alley facing demolition, give off such a comforting nostalgic vibe that a little bit of scorekeeping chaos is easily overlooked. And we'll take Twisted Root burgers over stale, neon-cheese-topped nachos any day.

Find the big hill off Mountain Creek Parkway and Eagle Ford Drive. Climb through the pearly white gates. Ignore the sprawling evangelical complex/prayer center up top. Park in the clearing beneath the electrical transformer. From there, follow the signs to 22 miles of some of the best off-road biking trails in Dallas. How the Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association managed to pack that much trail on that hilltop is a mystery. But with plenty of technical twists and a good number of exhilarating descents, you'll be glad they did.

From a policy standpoint, the Dallas City Council's decision to repeal an ordinance requiring adult cyclists to wear helmets was the most important step toward bike friendliness, since it sliced through the problem of how users of a future bike share system would protect their heads. Symbolically, it was the council's decision to lift a ban on "stunt riding," which made things like wheelies and riding without one's hands on the handlebars a ticketable offense. Because nothing says mindless over-regulation like a wheelie ban. We are hoping, but not betting, that this marks a new era in rational city government.

Once upon a time, a young Lee Trevino launched his professional golf career at Tenison Park by hustling any player foolish enough to challenge him. A half century later, any budding PGA legends are probably refining their game elsewhere, though Tenison Park, particularly the Highlands course, is a solid choice for Dallas' budget-minded amateurs. Renovated a decade ago, the city-owned course offers tree-lined fairways and hilly terrain that offer a fun, scenic challenge.

There was a time in the not too distant past when one could walk up to the Moody Coliseum box office at game time, buy a ticket and pick a seat from the thousands of empty ones that ring the arena. No longer. Larry Brown has lifted the Mustangs into respectability, knocking off four top 25 teams — including two victories over eventual national champion UConn — en route to an NIT finals appearance, and turning the team into a hot ticket. They were screwed out of what should have been their first NCAA tournament appearance in decades, but if the pattern holds, they'll be invited to the big dance next year.

Few political movements have been more successful yet under-the-radar than Critical Mass, an unofficial bike ride held in cities nationwide on the last Friday of every month. The point is to remind motorists that bicycles are vehicles entitled to use city streets, so please stop running them over. Dallas' Critical Mass is also just a fun way to meet people, attracting a friendly crowd that's happy to spend a few hours exploring together without knowing the destination point. The turnout tends to be stronger in the warmer months, with July's event getting a crowd that appeared to be at least 400-strong. All cyclists (or occasionally, someone dressed in in-line skates or just jogging clothes) are invited to join the fun at Main Street Garden for a 7:30 p.m. meet-up and 8 p.m. departure. The ride is slow enough to welcome riders of all skill levels and ends at a different bar each time.

Every player claims he'll do whatever it takes to help his team win a championship. But would they put their money where their mouths are? Dirk Nowitzki did, accepting a three-year, $25 million deal — a whopping cut from making nearly that much in a single season last year — in order to give the Mavericks the financial flexibility to bring in Chandler Parsons. In doing so, he didn't even entertain max-level offers from the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets, leaving $72 million on the table. Let that sink in for a moment and then have a good laugh imagining how quickly LeBron James would have walked out the door if Cleveland offered him $72 million less than any other team. For bringing the Larry O'Brien championship trophy to Dallas in 2011, Nowitzki would have gone down in sports history as one of the greatest and most beloved players to ever set foot in the town. But his insistence on staying in Dallas until he retires and taking a humbling pay cut to do so makes him a saint.

Kiest Park had a fine tree-lined, shaded running and biking path, a favorite spot for South Oak Cliff residents to exercise and people watch. In fact, it was becoming so popular that it would be uncomfortably crowded on good-weather days. The asphalt was cracked, buckled and even missing in a couple patches. In short, it was in need of a serious makeover. And that's what it's getting, as the city tears up the old blacktop and lays down fresh concrete, widening the paths and adding some new ones while they're at it. The temporary fencing blocking off areas still in progress is ugly and inconvenient, but it looks like it will be worth the wait.

A good local bike shop is like a good local coffee shop. Other than the coffee, people go for the atmosphere and the staff, who should know the best time of year for Peruvian beans but don't rub it in if you can't taste the difference between brewed and pressed coffee. The same principle holds for bike shops. The employees should be able to direct customers to the best frame but not make them feel dumb for not knowing the difference between Presta and Schrader valves. They should spend as much time tinkering on their own bikes as they do on customers' but explain it in a non-technical way. Transit Bicycle Co. has such a staff. As it says on their website, "Air and advice are always free." And, like the best coffee shops, Transit offers an intimate environment.

Serious runners have a choice: Run On or Luke's. Both provide expert evaluation of one's running style and foot structure. Both offer a comparable selection of gear. Both are locally based and have outposts at Mockingbird and Central Expressway. Both are wonderful. Which one runners patronize is entirely a matter of personal taste and whether they choose to turn right or left from the Central Expressway service road.

White Rock Paddle Company offers several ways to get out on White Rock Lake without the expense and enormous bother of owning a canoe, kayak or paddle board (when looking at them to buy in the store, always ask yourself, "And I store this where?"). You can rent a single kayak for about 15 bucks an hour, canoes for about five bucks more an hour, paddle boards for 20 bucks an hour. After the first full hour, you can rent by the half hour. The people at White Rock Paddle Company also offer lessons for 40 bucks an hour, but an inexperienced paddler on a calm day can usually figure it out. If you're going to take to the lake when there's strong wind blowing or waves and you've never done it before, then, yeah, get a lesson. And don't go out on a super-hot day without a hat. You know what: Just don't go out when it's super hot.

Formerly the Dallas Nature Center, the Cedar Ridge Preserve occupies 600 acres of relatively untrammeled hills in southwestern Dallas County blanketed by native wildflowers and, of course, cedar trees. It boasts an extensive network of hiking trails, which connect ambitious walkers to the Dogwood Canyon Aububon Center and Cedar Hill State Park, plus a two-story observation giving an expansive view of southwestern Dallas County. There's no better place in the city to commune with nature.

It's not in a particularly great neighborhood — in fact it's actually pretty isolated — but for pure game-watching nirvana, there isn't a better sports bar in Dallas than the Omni Convention Center's The Owner's Box. A 16-foot screen for the biggest games of the day and private tables with isolated sound if you're a poor soul who just wants somewhere to watch your wretched alma mater lose by 50 in peace. It's worth dodging all the inevitable conventioneers for sure.

Bear with us here. Your Cowboys are at best average, the Rangers are apocalyptically bad and FC Dallas are no great shakes either. That leaves the Mavs and the Stars, and the Mavs are relying on a somewhat-past-his-prime Dirk. The Stars, however, have the two most promising young players in the NHL, a recently acquired superstar and the hunger and desire to go further than their first-round playoff exit last year. It's going to be a big year at the AAC for both teams that play there, but the Stars really could go all the way.

Yes. It's a real thing. Basically, it's golf, on a real golf course, but you replace the club with your foot and the ball with a soccer ball. Obviously the holes are much bigger, otherwise the whole thing would be a Sisyphean endeavor. The first course in Texas just opened up at Lake Park Golf Club in Lewisville, and it's really, really entertaining. Over nine full-size holes, you can boot the thing to your heart's content, even under floodlights to ensure you don't burn to death from daytime footgolf. Also, you can hire a golf cart. So, you know, it's basically golf without being crap.

It's the perfect summertime date trail, with a fantastic view of the lake in the evening. Isle du Bois has a fancy French name, which makes it feel just a little more exotic than other local trails. It is part of the Lake Ray Roberts State Park and runs along the side of the lake. People can and do jump in the lake when it gets too hot, but there are plenty of designated swimming areas and overnight camping grounds as well. There are tons of horseback riders along the trail, and park staff offers a nifty bird checklist. Canoeing, boating and fishing are also popular activities. This place has it all.

He may not be gray yet, but he's the old wolf of the Morning News' sports section. Labeled as the "lead sports columnist" since 1998, Cowlishaw's conversational writing style invites readers in. They know that in several hundred words they will get a reasoned and interesting take on the day's sports news. And it won't just be about one city, and it won't just be about one sport. Recently, he's tackled Derek Jeter's retirement and Ray Rice's punishment. A local boy, Cowlishaw is a national voice. He's a regular talking head on ESPN's Around the Horn, and he co-hosts KESN-FM 103.3 ESPN Radio's The Afternoon Show. But he excels the most on the page.

Sure, many might object to this choice. That one station, the one that just turned 20, inspires such rabid passion among its followers that it's hard to fathom that sports fans might tune their radios to anything other than that other station — you know, the one that's won this category here forever. This year, we thought we'd offer some praise to the other guys. Being an ESPN fan is almost like being a Texans fan in a Cowboys city, but for listeners who want mostly unadulterated sports talk without the frills, 103.3 is their destination. We're sure there are people like that out there, and for them ESPN is just the ticket.

Just for a few blissful seconds, let your mind wander back to the 2010-2011 Mavericks season. Remember the blue "The Time Is Now" shirts. Remember getting back at the Miami Heat (particularly Dwyane Wade) for 2006. Most important, remember Tyson Chandler, the other 7-footer of Dallas' dreams. For one amazing year, he provided the best complement to Dirk — a defensive-minded, wears-his-passion-on-his-shooting-sleeve center. He helped bring the city a championship. Then, he left for the bright lights and big money of New York. Without him, the Mavs couldn't get out of the playoffs' first round. But now, the big man is back. Hopefully for longer than his first stay. Is another championship in the making, especially with the addition of former Houston Rocket and young-up-and-comer Chandler Parsons? Let your mind wander for just a few blissful seconds.

The Katy Trail, a 3.5-mile paved path that stretches from Uptown to Highland Park, has a lot to offer — dense trees and foliage that keep summer temperatures to a modest 105 degrees, a wide track for walking your dog or walking slowly abreast with three friends. (Gotta remind those runners and cyclists to slow down and smell the roses.) A slow pace is also good for one of the best Katy Trail bonuses — window shopping for a town home or apartment, or maybe just picking up a few decorating tips by peering into the windows of the homes that line the trail. Besides, why would anyone want to fly by the crowd that assembles on the route around 6 p.m. after a long day at work? Intimidatingly good-looking urban professionals pump their toned legs, do sit-ups and push-ups on the trail side and bop their heads to the music in their earphones, totally at one with a bit of nature in the heart of the city, and completely deaf to the calls of "on your left" by cyclists, runners or anyone with a heart rate above 85 bpm.

We may be hippie pinko lefties here at the Dallas Observer, but we're Texas hippie pinko lefties, which means many of us are comfortable with guns. (Except the British guy, of course.) That means that when we look for a gun range, we want someplace that makes us feel welcome, which basically means no Tea Party slogans on the walls, no pictures of Sarah Palin, posters of triumphant eagles are not necessary and target outlines that in any way resemble President Obama are right out. The ever-popular DFW Gun Range, back after being damaged in an accidental fire a couple of years ago, is nearly perfect. The staff is friendly and helpful without a hint of condescension to new shooters. The lanes are well-ventilated and clean and the retail shop offers a full range of rental guns and gear, plus training and concealed carry classes at reasonable rates. Best part yet, it's not in the far-flung suburbs but on Mockingbird near Love Field. If it had a salad bar and served green tea, it'd be perfect. Anyone know how to fit a rifle rack on a bicycle?

OK, so at its namesake time of day, it might be more appropriate to say Sunset Bay is the "best place to be one with wildlife and 20-plus other people," but at any other time one can pretty much kick back with ducks, geese and any number of other waterfowl. Accessible off the trail by riding, walking or driving up, Sunset Bay offers what might be the best view of the sunset (duh), a shaded place to relax mid-workout and inspired conversation with strangers — who may be educated bird watchers, web-footed, pro photographers, feathered or wildlife rescuers (sadly, while it's a natural habitat, Sunset Bay is also a place where people dump ducks and geese they don't feel like caring for anymore). According to signs, humans aren't supposed to feed the birds, but that's never stopped anyone before, so if generosity strikes, take greens and peas and spare friendly waterfowl that scary white bread.

The words "boot camp" don't really inspire visions of fun or happiness. Ass-whipping or voluntary sweat torture? Absolutely. Camp Gladiator, however, combines all four of those things for one of the most satisfying group workouts possible. Led by one or two trainers, Camp Gladiator offers a four-week camp each month with no two workouts exactly alike (sometimes there are even props). Sure, there may be burpees at most of them, but because each week is themed (metabolic conditioning or high-intensity, for example), workouts are built to achieve different results, effectively striking down exercise boredom with a firmly gripped hand weight. Trainers provide modifications for any exercise, and all camps are at-your-own-pace, for an unusual lack of intimidation. Camps are available all over the area at different times of the day (including stupid early), but perhaps the most impressive thing about CG is how un-boot camp this boot camp is. The yelling is never drill sergeant-like, but rather is only positive ... though occasionally you may have to listen for it over the sound of thunder. Yes, Camp Gladiator is rain or shine.

One third of the noon-to-3 show BaD Radio, Sturm is The Ticket's resident Sports Encyclopedia Brown. Fellow Ticket host Norm Hitzges, himself known for his vast reservoir of sporty information and his work ethic, is in awe of Sturm's commitment to watching as many games as he can. It allows him to float effortlessly from wonky sports talk to goofy guy talk. He's an unabashed Packers fan in a city whose team has had more than a few run-ins with the team from up north. He was an early admirer of the beautiful game, bolstering the Ticket's World Cup coverage. The station's "sports bully," more than likely, he'll win any argument that involves a ball.

Bike MS, previously known as the MS150, is a major annual fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and a two-day cycling event in various cities. For DFW's iteration, the Sam's Club Round-Up Ride in May, route options vary from 48 to 163 miles. Because of these varying levels of experience, and because many participants in Bike MS actually have MS, the ride is not only one of the area's most inspiring cycling events, but it's easily the most well-supported. Well-supported in terms of sponsors, sure, but in this case, well-supported in terms of rider relief. Approximately every 10 or 15 miles waits a themed rest stop stocked with cheering folks, snacks, random forms of electrolytes, hydration stations, medical tents, free bike repair and clean shitters. There are even volunteers to stand with riders' bikes while they take advantage of such offerings. Knowing that support is ahead can be what keeps a rider going for another eight miles even when the chip seal road is making his or her hands go numb. And if riders need to stop, well, SAG van drivers are charming and kind. Plus, they too have water and snacks.

When Greater Dallas Bicyclists and the city of Lancaster host the Lancaster Country Ride Rally, they get a major assist from Mother Nature. Just minutes from downtown Dallas, the April ride offers three route lengths (23, 42 and 62 miles), with the longer two guiding participants onto the hills of the Bluebonnet Trail so famous for being the backdrop of many a portrait. The flowers are in full bloom and while some riders are racing for PRs, many will stop and snap a photo in the seas of blue blossoms. It's prime GoPro footage. Some will also pose with (or for, it's hard to say) the livestock along the route — horses, camels, longhorns and alpacas, to name a few. For under $50, it's an affordable quasi-tour of iconic Texas landscapes just outside the urban traffic. A self-powered tour, but a gorgeous one nonetheless.

If you haven't watched a local broadcast of a Stars game in the last 19 years, you might not be aware of Strangis, which is a shame, because he's amazing. Every game he seems to come up with a memorable and at least partially bonkers phrase. A favorite from last season was "HE'S LIKE SOME KIND OF SPIDER-MONKEY!" in reaction to a particularly impressive Kari Lehtonen save. Strangis is also an actor and a motivational speaker. He is, in short, a much better person than all of us.

Though they never played a minute or called a single play, Jason Seely and Cash Sirois, with help from Cash's brother Mike, are responsible for some of the most memorable moments of the Dallas Mavericks' 2011 championship run. The two put together a video featuring encouragement from Dallas sports legends including Roger Staubach, Tony Dorsett, Troy Aikman and Nolan Ryan that gave goosebumps to everyone in the American Airlines Center — save perhaps a few Miami Heat players. They're just as good at getting a laugh too, which would explain how so many of their in-game videos end up going viral on YouTube, like the "What Do the Mavs Say?" parody, the Geico commercial parody "Guess What Day It Is?" and "José Can You Say?" in which point guard José Calderon teaches fellow Mavs some Spanish phrases likely to get them thrown out of a game or slapped. That they can get superstars to go along with the goofiness is a testament to their talents. And now that they're working with the Dallas Cowboys, there will be at least one entertaining thing for fans to watch at JerryWorld this season.