Can you really dress up a Burley rain jacket? Do Lycra and suits mix? The annual Alice B. Toeclips awards dinner is a chance to find out as a room full of cyclists is brought together for a night of honoring each other's good work. The Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) put out the call and 37 of your fellow riders across the state were nominated for their stellar bike advocacy efforts.

The awards are named in honor of Alice Toklas. Before becoming the famous companion of writer Gertrude Stein, Alice B. Toklas escaped some of the constraints of early-20th century girlhood by means of the bicycle, which allowed her to, as she said, "go further, faster."

Doors open at 5:00 PM for complimentary wine, hors-d'oeuvres, hobnobbing with the bicycle elite and a lush silent auction. The BTA website has a list of the auction items, but here are a few of the highlights: a hand made wooden bicycle imported from Africa by Bikes to Rwanda; Cycle Oregon #1 wrist band and porter service; a bike tour in Loire Valley, France; dinner and wine for eight at Higgins Restaurant and Bar; a Trek Portland, courtesy of the Bike Gallery; a garden makeover package with nursery stock from Sobella Farms.

But the Alice B. Toeclips are about so much more than the auction, hors-d'oruvres and complimentary wine. This is the one huge night of the year when cyclists can pat each other on the back for the good work we do year-round. It is a night to celebrate the successes of cycling and look forward to another great year of riding our bikes in Oregon.

( Auction list ) ( Tickets + info )

When spring arrives, all roads lead to the beach as 2,000 cyclists gear up for Reach the Beach, the annual fundraising ride for the American Lung Association of Oregon. There are five great road courses and a mountain route to choose from. With distances ranging from 26 to 110 miles, there's a route for everyone. But if you are not yet in shape for the route you really want to be riding, don't worry. Once again the Portland Wheelmen Touring Club continues their tradition of partnering with the American Lung Association of Oregon to lead free training rides nearly every weekend from now until May 17th.

The ride has a new, unique feature for your non-riding friends and coworkers: an opportunity to just dream of reaching the beach in Pacific City. The ALAO recognizes that while many people care about clean Oregon air and healthy Oregon lungs, not everyone rides a bike. That's why this year they have added an option for people to participate, raise funds, earn prizes, get a free t-shirt and be a part of Dream of the Beach.

The early registration rate for Reach the Beach ends at midnight on April 13th, so sign up today and save.
LINKS: Training rides schedule | Register/More info

( Register/more info ) ( Training rides schedule )

Dust off your mountain bike and get ready to hit the trails. Portland Racing is kick-starting the 2008 OBRA MTB race season in style with the second year of Horning's Hustle. This cross country mountain bike race will be held at Horning's Hideout, located in the forested foothills just outside North Plains (only a 350 minute drive from downtown Portland).

This is race is more like a MTB circuit race than a traditional XC MTB race. Riders will do multiple 20-30' laps on a 4.5 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 crossing (featuring a bridge of sorts) and a clover leaf course layout and you know you're in for a lot of fun.

The compact course makes for a spectator-friendly race, so bring your friends and family. There is even a little pond for kids to do some fishing while you suffer your way up the hill... To top it off, the organizers will provide music, hot drinks, food and a bonfire to keep everyone warm.

( More info ) ( Course map )

This early season distance ride is a 100 mile trek from Bend to Prineville and back. There is one long climb and many smaller climbs along the route. Two food stops will keep you fueled along the way. The entry fee includes course marking, maps, energy food and drink. Because this is March in Oregon, the organizers encourage you to come prepared for any type of weather. This event is organized by Hutch's Bicycles in Bend and starts from their shop on 3rd Street.

( More info ) ( Location details )

The Annual Black Rock Mountain Bike Association Fundraiser is coming right up at the Northern Lights Theater and Pub. This year the organizers are expecting over 250 people to fill the two theaters they have reserved. The extensive raffle list is chock full of a gearhead's dream come true and they have over $21,000 in prizes that will be given away through the course of the night.

BRMBA is a volunteer-powered non-profit dedicated to building and maintaining Black Rock Mountain Bike Area trails under Oregon Department of Forestry management plan. The group supports other local mountain biking trail opportunities and educates about and advocates for the progression of the sport of mountain biking.

The organizers of the fundraiser are excited to have some pro riders joining them and a handful of industry vendors. Entry tickets can be purchased at Santiam Bicycles in Salem and Dallas, and at A&N Home Town Grocery in Falls City.

( More info ) ( Trails info )