It's about time Portland had its own century ride, seeing as how it is widely regarded as the best bicycling city in the nation. For years local riders have loaded their bikes onto their cars in the wee hours of the morning to drive out to a century ride in some other town, but the Portland Century puts an end to all that "leaving Portland" business.

The Portland Century is an urban start and finish with extensive support along the way. Full rest stops with mechanical support, medical riders, ride along mechanics, SAG vehicles and a delicious finish line dinner featuring seasonal local foods. The three route options - 40, 60 or 100 - allow you to choose your own adventure. Each passes by very Portland sites, but only the Century has all 11 major highlights. A quiet, refreshing Bull Run Lake rest stop will provide much-needed respite before completing the final 2/3 of the ride and the second half of major climbing. Online registration is closes August 25th at midnight, but you can also register at the event.

Volunteers are needed and some positions allow you to ride for free. See website for details.

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The Bike Commute Challenge is a friendly competition - workplace against workplace - hosted by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance. Their goal is to see who can get more people biking to work in September. Any business, non-profit or public agency is eligible to participate and individual cyclists can also participate on their own.

Over the years, 815 different companies have participated in the challenge. The BTA sees it as just one more way to encourage people to try cycling. By the way, as part of these efforts. they're also conducting a survey to find out more about the riding habits of cyclists in Oregon. You can take the survey here.

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Alpine Half Century features a unique, gratifying half-century challenge. The terrain and elevation variety make this ride a change of pace from most organized Willamette Valley rides. The 54 mile loop skirts the west edge of the valley with 4000 foot elevation gain and loss showcasing a fantastic variety of scenery from pastures, to vineyards, to primeval forests.

Riders start from South Benton Community Center in Alpine, then glide through Bellfountain with views of nearby Mary's Peak, top the hills above Finley Wildlife Refuge for vistas across the central Willamette Valley, and later enter majestic primeval forests, riding beside the Alsea River. The enchanting forest ride along the South Fork Alsea River Byway is considered some of the best cycling in the Northwest, with a chance to rest by Alsea Falls. The event is a fundraiser for South Benton Community Center in Alpine.

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Finish your riding season by going all out! The Eugene Celebration Cycling Classic is organized as part of the three-day Eugene Celebration Festival. Throughout the event you can participate in a variety of cycling races, or just watch the action. Saturday features a road race, Sunday a time trial, Sunday a criterium and kids' race and Monday a circuit race.

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The Rogue River Greenway - currently being developed - is best described as an emerald necklace of parks, public access areas and water trails along the Rogue River linked by bicycle and pedestrian trails. The Recreational Corridor will extend 30 miles from the Grants Pass through the cities of Rogue River and Gold Hill, terminating in Central Point where it will connect to the existing 20 miles of the Bear Creek Greenway at Upton Road. Upon completion, this project will span eight cities and two counties to create over 50 miles of regional connectivity through Southern Oregon.

Ride the Rogue is a bike ride to raise support for this ambitious project. There are three different rides (100, 65 and 30-mile options) and a family hike. All of the routes have been selected to maximize views of the Rogue River and Applegate valley. Expert tech support will be provided by the local bikes shops and a gourmet salmon feast will top off the event at the finish line. Registration begins at 7 am. All rides begin and end at Palmerton Park, in Rogue River.

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