May is National Bike Month and this week is Bike to Work Week. The Portland Transportation Options Program (PTOP) is honoring and encouraging two-wheeled commuters with a Bike to Work Day Celebration at Pioneer Courthouse Square. The celebration event begins at 7:30 AM and goes until 9:00 AM and includes a light continental breakfast.

PTOP wants to encourage new bicyclists to join in the fun and experience the ease of getting to downtown on Portland's bikeway network. Bicyclists - new and experienced - are invited to join in easy group rides from several Portland Parks around the city. And as a special enticement for those of you who are new to commuting, you can enter to win free Bridge Pedal registrations and a new bike. The Transportation Options' website lists all the bike ride meeting points and times.

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Recognized by NW triathletes as the "must do" event to open the triathlon season, the 2006 Blue Lake Triathlon is split into a two- day event (Sprint distance on Saturday & Olympic on Sunday). This fun filled weekend includes a sports expo and the Olympic distance event will serve as the TRI NorthWest Club/ Team Championship. Triathlon Clubs from across the NW will converge on Blue Lake Park to compete for the boasting rights as the top club in the region.

The bike portion of the event is flat and fast with the majority on a section of Marine Dr that is closed to all but local traffic for a rare chance to breeze along a beautiful route. The Sprint course falls entirely on this portion of Marine Dr and participants will encounter very few vehicles. The Olympic course has a seven-mile section that goes south towards I-84 to the Troutdale Airport and back on quiet, lightly traveled county roads.

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It's not too late to register for this premier season opener. With four start locations of various lengths and five different courses - including a mountain bike course - there's a little something for everyone on Reach the Beach. You could go as few as 26 miles or as many as 103, with options in between. Oh, and how about this: Breakfast at the start, a bunch of fully-stocked rest stops along the way, two lunch stops and a delicious international cuisine feast at the finish line. There is also got medical, mechanical and SAG vehicles on course, plus professional mechanics at the start locations and lunch stops.

Day of registration is only $60, all of that above support is totally included and you can even have a change of clothes carried to the finish line for you - free of charge. Each rider is also required to bring a minimum of $50 in fundraising donations to the start line. It's as easy as asking your family, friends and coworkers for a little support for the American Lung Association of Oregon, or you may self-fund the donations. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to join 2,000 riders for an awesome biker beach party, right on the sand in Pacific City.

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Alpenrose Velodrome is one most exciting tracks in US. At 268.43 meters around with a 16.6 meter radius and a 43 degree bank, Alpenrose is also one of the steepest velodromes in the country. (Stand straight upright and you can touch the wall!) The steep banks make races on the velodrome interesting to watch and just plain fun to ride.

Mike Murray and a team of OBRA volunteers just spent time out there getting ready for racing season. With Chris King himself flipping flapjacks to keep the crew well fueled, the volunteers patched cracks, hung signs and painted buildings.

Because Alpenrose track is not your typical 25 to 33 degree banked track (it is between 42 and 43 degrees on both banks according to one grade meter), at least one or two training sessions are recommended before venturing out for a mass start race. There is no shortage of people who want to help you learn to race the track. There are three ongoing events on the calendar:

Track Development Classes - Wednesdays in May

Thursday Night Racing - All summer

Fast Twitch Fridays - All summer

( Alpenrose Six Day Race ) ( More Info )

You are in good company – this newsletter reaches over 30,000 Oregon cycling enthusiasts, with new subscribers every day. We love cycling! We talk, work, dream, and ride our bikes in the most bicycle friendly state in the country. ORbike's mission is simple: to promote bicycling in Oregon.

ORbike boasts the most comprehensive calendar anywhere, with free, easy-to-use listings for organizers. Our discounted online registration system is used by events and groups like Cycle Oregon, Bridge Pedal, OBRA, and the Community Cycling Center.

Our outreach programs harness the energy of dozens of events and hundreds of target locations in the Portland Metro area. We manage and assist with numerous events, and would love to help you plan, promote or expand your next event. We have over 20 years of experience and we're here to help.

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