Break out your favorite Halloween costume for the last organized ride of Oregon's cycling season. At the sixth annual Harvest Century riders choose from 42, 75, or 102-mile routes that start and end at Champoeg State Park in St.Paul. Pumpkins mark the way as you journey through lush farm country, over rolling hills and under canopies of autumn colored trees. The Harvest Century is also known for its friendly volunteers who serve up a delicious hot lunch, pressed apple cider and other energy-rich food during this fully supported ride. Don't forget to have your dancing shoes ready for the finish line party that features live music from Back Porch Revival and cold beer from Rogue Ales.

All proceeds from the Harvest Century benefit Community Vision, the largest nonprofit organization providing individualized housing, supported living, employment and homeownership services to people with disabilities and their families in Oregon. There is an awesome raffle prize package of head-to-toe rain gear from Portland's own Showers Pass. Anyone who donates $25 or more for Community Vision is eligible for the raffle.

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No longer does the fall season mean it's time to hang up the bike, grab a good book and curl up inside. When fall comes, the cyclocross fans come out in droves. Rain, shine, mud - they don't care. In fact, the more mud, the more thrilling the race. People love cyclocross because it's a sport that is exciting to watch. But even more than that, the racers and organizers have fun with the races. They don costumes, stage drinking spots on course (optional short cuts if you take a drink, for instance) and encourage crowd participation with cowbells and shouting.

Maybe cyclocross has been such a hit here in Oregon because we're mostly outdoorsy people who are used to being out in the rain and fickle weather. Or maybe it's just that there's something extra goofy about Oregonians who ride and make the races entertaining.

So we thought we'd take this season to get to know some of those racers. Who is racing this season? And why? We'll be talking with cyclocross veterans and brand new racers, including our own Tom Knipe, an ORbike team member who dubs himself the "commuter dad". Stay tuned to the ORbike blog for an in-depth view of the cyclocross season.

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Mt. Bike Brazil is an opportunity to experience a guided mountain bike tour through coffee fields, forests and beautiful lush valleys of Brazil. Augusto Carneiro, owner of Nossa Familia Coffee, grew up in his family's coffee fields and cycling is his passion. Augusto runs Nossa Familia out of Portland but he wants you to travel with him back to Brazil for this amazing adventure.

You'll be staying in a hotel located a half mile from Augusto's grandparents' farm house, just outside the city of Po�os de Caldas. Besides great mountain biking, the trip includes plenty of cultural explorations, culinary delights and of course a great coffee experience and time for relaxation Brazilian style: by a pool, with cold drinks in hand. The riding is mostly on dirt or gravel roads with some climbing and not a lot of technical. You definitely don't have to be an advanced mt. biker to enjoy this trip.

The package price includes ten nights of hotel accommodation, nine days of biking, eleven days in Brazil, all breakfasts, lunches and evening meals, all snacks and hydration drinks during the rides, transportation in Brazil including airport pick up an drop off and a tourist visa.

Nossa Familia is one ORbike's great partners so if you're an ORbike member you got a pack of this delicious coffee in your member bag. You've probably also tasted Augusto's coffee at some of the supported rides this past season. Joining Augusto and the Nossa team is a great way to see Brazil!

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The bicycle industry has been experiencing a banner year and Portland is at the heart of it. A new study just released by Alta Planning and Design concluded a 38% growth in Portland's bike economy since 2006! Set within the heart of Portland's legendary cyclocross scene, Oregon Manifest will feature an unconquerable mix of custom framebuilders, bike-centric vendors, bike culture squads and blowout parties, crowned with a Sunday cross race to bring home the glory.

Oregon Manifest is the collective vision of Portland's cycling and creative communities who've come together to dream up and develop the most original, spirited and spectacle-laden boutique bike show in the nation. At the Friday night Opening Night Blowout, there will be an special retro screening of the best Filmed by Bike movies from the last six years of this Portland film festival. The free screening takes place at the amphitheater of Wieden + Kennedy, 224 NW 13th Avenue at 8:00 and 8:45pm. It's going to be monumental, it's going to be fun and it's going to be more bike love than you can wrap your bar tape around. This one? It's going down in the history books. The Blowout kicks off at 7:01pm and goes until midnight. In the fine words of the Oregon Manifest organizers, "Ladies and Gentlemen, this is where we get down!"

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Portland Velo recently hosted the first cyclocross race of the season, and they're already declaring that it's time to party! After a successful summer of racing, the club wants to celebrate their growing membership and camaraderie. They're hosting an "off the bike" bash at the Lucky Lab brew pub at NW 19th and Quimby in Portland. The first few pitchers of beer are on the club, so get their early for the good stuff!

This event is a great opportunity to learn more about the growing club and how you can be involved. Portland Velo is an inclusive team of racers, riders and people who love riding bikes. They participate in a variety of events and races throughout the season, host weekly rides and support each other every step of the way. If you've been thinking about joining a team, hang out with them at the Lucky Lab to see if this friendly club is right for you.

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Enjoy a beautiful autumn ride while helping a great cause. Tour de Builds is a thirty mile urban ride that benefits Habitat for Humanity Affiliates of Portland, Gresham, Hillsboro and Vancouver. The journey begins at the Portland Habitate build site with a cup of hot coffee and a yummy continental breakfast. Once you're fueled up, it's off to explore another active Habitat for Humanity build site. The route to the next build site will have you cycling along urban and suburban roads and quiet bike paths that wind through Portland and Gresham. Once you arrive, enjoy nutritious refreshments while watching first hand as volunteers construct a home for a family in need.

When you're ready to continue, hop on your bike and head back to the Portland start for a delicious hot lunch provided by Stanford's Restaurant and Bar. Part of the finish line festivities will include a wall raising ceremony for the new Portland home that is being constructed on site. You can register online for a discounted rate until midnight this Thursday or you can register on site on the day of the event. Proceeds support the Habitat for Humanity Affiliates of the greater Portland area.

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