Some rides exist for a challenge, but others have an entirely different focus. The I-bike-205 event is all about bicycle fun and culture. The four-word summary: food, entertainment, prizes, free.

This ride takes a lighthearted approach to introducing people to the I-205 MAX construction alternate route, while at the same time celebrating the diversity of people who ride bikes in the greater Portland area. The easy, seven-mile ride officially opens at 5:30 p.m., but you can begin as late as 6:00 and not miss the good stuff. The activities, including free dinner, will take place in the parking lot of Clackamas Town Center starting at 6:30. This event is completely free, but advance signup is required and it is only open to riders 18 and over.

The party promises to be energetic, with cycling entertainment from the skillful Alberta Clown House tall bikes riders and a juggling unicyclist. Bike clubs and advocacy groups will be on hand to share information about their services, programs and current projects. And there is no shortage of excellent prize giveaways: a brand-new Trek Lime, Pink Martini concert tickets, Clackamas Town Center gift cards, free bike tune-ups, monthly transit passes and more.

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The American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure offers options for every level of rider, with seven route options from a 10 mile family ride to a 100 mile Fire and Ice. Riders have the opportunity to pedal along the Historic Columbia River Scenic Highway, breathtaking mountain passes, Timberline Lodge and gorgeous vistas with views of Mt. Hood and the Cascade Range. All rest stops are fully stocked, there is a continental breakfast, professional mechanical support, trained first aid staff and SAG wagon support along the route. The ride ends at Port Marina Park in Hood River with a celebration party that includes food, drink, vendors, and entertainment.

There is a $100 minimum fundraising goal in addition to the registration fee to raise much needed funds in support of Diabetes sufferers. The 1,300 riders from last year's event raised $318,000 for the mission of the American Diabetes Association.

Get some friends together to form a team, or just come out by yourself and meet others interested in a good ride for a great cause. Volunteers are still needed, see their website for details

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Grab a costume, it's time for The Night Ride. This fun, quirky nighttime city tour features over $20,000 in giveaways and prizes. All riders will go home with free Tireflys wheel lights, glow necklaces and a belly full of doughnuts. The most creative of the bunch could win from a pool of great costume contest prizes, including eight pairs of Amtrak tickets, passes to the Hottest Day of the Year Ride and Filmed by Bike DVDs.

This completely flat (except that one big hill), 15-mile ride makes a hauntingly beautiful loop around North Portland, stopping at two awesome rest stops. At the first one, you can grab a bag of hot popped-on-site popcorn as you settle into the lawn to watch bicycle-themed short movies from Filmed by Bike. But don't get too comfortable, because next you're on to the Disco Party rest stop where you can shake, shake, shake your booty or hang out in the candy shack. From there, the route takes you straight back to the train station for a late night all-you-can-eat doughnut finish line feast.

This ride is a benefit for the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and it's an annual howl-at-the-moon tradition. You're not going to bed any time soon - you're going on The Night Ride.

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Each year during the last weekend in June, athletes, joined by their family
and friends, converge on Central Oregon to take part in the Pacific Crest
Sports Festival. 2007 marks the 11th year for this event that is expected to draw 4,000+ athletes. Pacific Crest is known as the jewel of multi-sport events in the Northwest has become a hot destination race for athletes across the world.

The Pacific Crest Sports Festival includes all sorts of challenge events that provide an opportunity to quality for larger races. Choose from the Endurance Duathlon, Marathon (a Boston Marathon qualifier) and Half Marathon, Olympic Distance Triathlon and Duathlon, 5K and 10K Run/Walks, a Kids' Splash Pedal-n-Dash Triathlon/1-mile and 1/2-mile Dash and the Half Iron Triathlon (a TRI NorthWest Long Course Championship).

The 2007 Pacific Crest Half Iron Triathlon and Endurance Duathlon will both be qualifiers for the USAT Triathlon Age Group National Championships (June 30th, Hagg Lake, Forest Grove). The top 10% of finishers in each age division will qualify for nationals. Additionally, the Endurance Duathlon has been designated as the only qualifier in the Pacific Northwest for the ITU Long Distance Duathlon World
Championships, which will be held in Virginia in October.

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As the city named Best Bicycling City in the nation many times over by Bicycling Magazine, it's only natural that our city host a signature century ride. Choose the route that suits your taste: a quarter century around Portland, a half century out to Troutdale and a majestic full century. The century features a breathtaking route around Eagle Fern Park and Roslyn Lake. You'll wind along quiet rolling country roads, through tree nurseries, open pastures and shady fern-lined streets. All three routes loop back to Portland State University for a gourmet finish line dinner of fresh wild king salmon.

The ride is completely local, from title to take-home: a downtown start and finish, city-designed routes, local foods, local partners and parting gifts of beer, smoked salmon and coffee. Heck, it might even rain a bit.

Complete support includes a continental breakfast, frequent well-stocked rest-stops, course maps, clearly marked courses, mechanical and medical support, SAG vehicles and motorcycle escorts.

Save $5 when you register at any of the following locations: Hot Lips Pizza, Bike Gallery, REI Portland and River City Bicycles.

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MT. BIKE OREGON | July and August
The early registration rate has been extended for this three-day mountain biker's dream getaway. Free beer, shuttles, three meals/day, hot showers, clinics and more are all included.
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THE BARLOW TRAIL CENTURY | JUNE 24th
This road ride is an out and back style with 40, 60, 80 and 100 mile options - all on blissfully low-traffic roads. Organized by River City Bicycles to benefit Bicycles and Ideas for Kids' Empowerment
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WILLAMETTE WINE AND WHEELS | June 30
A bicycle tour of Benton County with nine wineries featuring fine wines of the Willamette Valley.
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