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 in Oregon. There are four great routes to choose from and with distances ranging from 26 to 100 miles, there's a route for everyone. But if you're not yet in shape for the route you'd really like to ride, don't worry. Once again the Portland Wheelmen Touring Club continues their tradition of partnering with the American Lung Association in Oregon to lead free training rides nearly every weekend from now until May 16th.

The ride has 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 12th, so sign up today and save.

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This is an ORbike member event. If you're an ORbike member, you'll save $10 on registration. Contact us for your discount code.

( Registration and information ) ( Training rides schedule )

The Oregon Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society is proud to be celebrating the 25th anniversary of Bike MS. This great ride is an opportunity to join hundreds of cyclists for a two day ride in beautiful Stayton as they pedal through, up and around a 30 to 150 mile course of scenic rolling farms, covered bridges and Silver Falls State Park. Bike MS is fully supported, with catered meals, rest stops and camping areas. At night you can unwind and relax in the rider villages with activities that include live music, team tents, motivational speakers, a beer garden and raffle drawings.

By participating in this event, you can join the Oregon Chapter in their movement improve the lives of people living with MS. Your ride will help raise funds to support vital services for people with MS, and to support national research to find a cure for MS. MS tries to stops people from moving. Participants in Bike MS ride to make sure it doesn't. Register as an individual or team today and support this cause.

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This is an ORbike member event. If you're an ORbike member, you'll save $15 on registration. Contact us for your discount code.

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What's your favorite thing to drink after a long day of mt. biking? If you said a local micro brew, you're not alone. And the organizers of Mt. Bike Oregon have just what the doctor ordered: a free beer garden every night with micro-brewed beer from Ninkasi, Oakshire, Brewer's Union and Block 12 - all craft breweries located in the Eugene-Oakridge area.

But beer alone does not make an epic mt. bike weekend, and the Mt. Bike Oregon fun definitely does not stop at the beer garden. Mt. Bike Oregon is set in Oakridge, Oregon - surrounded on all sides by National Forest and home to some of the world's best mt. biking. The event is capped at 300 riders making it an amazing weekend mt. bike getaway without being overcrowded.

Dig your wheels in and experience three days of riding bliss. Shuttles take you to the tops of trailheads and expert guides help lead you down mountain sides on wild forested trails and miles of seemingly endless singletrack. There are two weekend to choose from, or do both. Riders come from around the world and the event will sell out, so we suggest you sign up early.

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This is an ORbike member event. If you're an ORbike member, you'll save $20 on registration. Contact us for your discount code.

( Photo tour ) ( Registration and information )

St. Mary's Academy is hosting the fifth year of the Annual Cherry of a Ride recreation tour in the scenic Columbia River Gorge. This event runs in conjunction with The Dalles Cherry Festival to celebrate and showcase the magnificent beauty of the blossoming orchards. The eastern Columbia River Gorge is well known as one of the premier cherry growing regions in the world and the ride's course will take cyclists on a beautiful orchard tour. With route options of 30, 46, 60, 80 and 100 miles, there is sure to be a route that suits everyone. Fully stocked rest stops ensure that you will be well fueled with great food and drinks. After the ride, enjoy a delicious cherry desert prepared by the Cherry of a Ride staff and relax as you replenish all those calories you burned.

Registration is available at the discounted early rate until April 17th. The cost is $35 for the ride and a commemorative t-shirt or $25 for the ride only. Registration is open online until April 24 with a price increase of $10 and no t-shirt option. The ride is capped at 500 cyclists so register early to secure your spot on this festive seasonal ride.

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If you like riding with others, you're fortunate to be in Oregon where there is no shortage of riding clubs to help motivate you to get on the bike. Corvallis has the Mid-Valley Bicycle Club, a group that is fortunate to host rides through one of the most gorgeous regions of Oregon.

The Mid-Valley Bicycle Club is a recreational club for riders of all ages and experience levels. This enthusiastic bunch rides year round, rain or shine. Their Saturday rides range from a few miles to as long as a 100 mile ride. The routes are pre-announced and the club boasts friendly, helpful ride leaders.

Around this time of year, the club hosts around four to six rides every week of varying distance and difficulty so you can choose a ride that's right for you. Their online ride calendar lists all the details and they have even logged the routes of many of their favorite rides, a very cool way to check out some tried and true rides in the Corvallis area.

( Rides ) ( Routes )

Want FREE passes to the coolest events around? Hook up yourself, your family and friends with free passes while having fun and gaining great exposure for your skill, gift, act or special talent. Good Sport Promotion, the company behind some of your favorite rides like the Worst Day of the Year Ride, Tour de Lab and Reach the Beach are looking to spice up their events. Yes, their rides are some of the most fun around, but Good Sport believes that there is always more fun to be had. You may have noticed the eerie lone bagpiper on The Night Ride, the magician at the Worst Day of the Year Ride or the lovely sting trio at the Portland Century. Well, that is just the tip of the grand iceberg that GSP has planned for your 2009 riding season.

Good Sport Promotion is seeking bands or individual musicians and entertainers of all types (examples include: magicians, fire jugglers, hula hoopers, bike tricksters, stilt walkers, jugglers). In exchange for performing at events, you'll be treated to free ride passes for events later in the season. For more information on how to get in on this sweet deal, contact Lauren Burkle: Lauren [at] GoodSportPromotion.com.

( Good Sport Promotion website ) ( Calendar of events )