This summer, you can take an extraordinary journey through organic farms and eco-intentional communities of Oregon. Tune up your bike, pack your bags and join fellow riders from all over the world for an incredible excursion across this beautiful state, utilizing the most sustainable method of transportation available: your bike.

On the Sustainable Energy in Motion Bicycle Tour, you will visit organic farms and intentional communities, along the way meeting incredible people committed to redefining our world. The tour presents an opportunity to observe local economics projects and grassroots democracy struggles in the communities you visit, while and applying the philosophies of permaculture, green building, small-scale economics, sustainable energy and intentional living.

Hands-on service projects along the way will give you a chance to meet leaders of the sustainable environment movement and learn how your organic food is grown. They also give you a chance to not just ride through the land, but to give back. You will learn about natural history and environmental ethics as you camp in some of Oregon's most incredibly gorgeous places. You will live with the land and camp under the stars.

( Enter to win a free tour! ) ( More info )

The Oregon Cup is the area's high praise for top racers. OBRA just released their schedule for 2007 - with six great qualifying events including the Health Net Twilight Criterium. The Banana Belt kicks off the series on March 18th.

There are three divisions: Senior 1/2 Men, Senior 1/2/3 Men and Senior 1/2/3 Women. Oregon Cup leaders get free entry to Oregon Cup events. The organizers carefully choose a select few events to qualify for the series and they are focused primarily on road races. They balance out the difficulty of races through the season and also the geographical location. For additional rules and regulations, see the Oregon Cup website.

( Banana Belt info ) ( Oregon Cup info )

The Southern Oregon Time Trial series kicks off this Saturday and continues on the 10th and the 17th. The first rider starts off at 9:00 am and there are one minute start intervals between riders. The final race features a raffle and the top racers will be eligible for enticing prizes. The fastest three male and female riders for the series will each win $100, $50 and $25. The series even includes a rare tandem division!

An OBRA license is required to race. You can purchase a yearly license for $20 or a day license for $5.

( More info ) ( OBRA info )

Dust off your mountain bike and get ready to hit the trails. Portland Racing is kick-starting the 2007 OBRA MTB race season in style with the inaugural Horning's Hustle. This all-new cross country mountain bike race will be held at Horning's Hideout, located in the forested foothills just outside North Plains.

More of a MTB circuit race than a traditional XC MTB race, riders will do multiple 20-30' laps on a four mile course featuring a lot of up and downs over fire roads, primitive cat tracks, some single track descents and grassy pastures. Add to the mix a couple of "huckable" logs, a creek crossings and a clover leaf course lay-out, and you know you're in for a lot of fun. The compact course makes this a great race to watch, so bring along friends and family. There is even a pond for fishing. To top it off, organizers are planning music, hot drinks, food and a bonfire.

( More info ) ( Course map )