ORbike is dedicated to promoting cycling in Oregon, and making it easy for you to find the rides you want and helpful information. That's why we want you to come ride with us on Twitter, where we send out daily ride news, minute by minute updates, special offers and hot tips.

As we move into the colder season, we'll also be offering you gear tips and suggestions from ORbike readers who have tested gear on hundreds of miles of rides.

You don't even have to use Twitter to get the latest news through the front page of our website. Easy as pie. It's just another way that ORbike is your local resource for staying in the know.

( Ride with us on Twitter ) ( Read the News on ORbike )

Get ready for a howling good time on Tour de Lab, a tour of all three Lucky Lab brew pubs. This event is just about the most fun way to support DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital as you ride your bike in doggy gear - the organizers call it getting "dogged up". You'll earn dog noses, ears and a collar along the way.

Last year there were nearly 1,200 riders on the inaugural goofy ride, and a handful of very cute dogs in baskets and trailers. This year the ride hopes to reach 1,500 people to raise additional support for DoveLewis, and to send out a steady stream of fun-loving riders onto the streets of Portland.

You'll be treated to a breakfast of human kibble (granola), "people treats" at each of the rest stops, and a huge finish line hot dog bar with all the summertime favorites: hot dogs, pasta salad, relish, chips and more. Best of all, all riders will go home with a cool commemorative pint glass, one that you can refill over and again with refreshing Lucky Lab beer while you relax at the finish line.

The porta-potties are dressed up like fire hydrants, riders come in costumes, dog-inspired quotes abound and there seems to be no end to the quirky fido fun of Tour de Lab. Don't miss it!

( Register ) ( More info )

Hopworks Urban Brewery is hosting the world's only bike-in Oktoberfest! It's time to celebrate an incredible season of riding bikes in Portland. BiKETOBEERFEST is a day of doing what Oregonians do best: riding bikes and drinking fine, fine beer. The event is free and the fun lasts all day long, noon until 10 pm.

There will be five live bands at BiKETOBEERFEST, including March Fourth Marching band, the wild performance band that knows how to get a crowd moving. In between acts, the action shifts over to the competitions arena for the Huffy Toss, Goldsprints Roller Races (hosted by Team Beer) and the BiKE SHOP CHALLENGE RODEO (for bike shop employees to contend!). You could win a pony keg of Hopworks beer or other great prizes.

But really, the day is all about relaxing in the sun (we hope) as you join thousands of other people reveling in how good it is to be a biker in Portland. You'll be entertained by the Sprockettes and some cool BMX trick riders in between bands and competition mayhem.

Bikes only, no cars allowed! If you need help finding your bike route to Hopworks, the BiKETOBEERFEST website links to ByCycle.org to help you get there scenically or directly - however you prefer - but definitely safely. BiKETOBEERFEST recommends lights, helmets and a lock. Posse up and ride to Hopworks for this wild, Portland take on Oktoberfest.

( More info ) ( BiKE SHOP CHALLENGE RODEO )

Get ready to enjoy delicious fruits of the harvest on a ride that tours Hood River Valley's quaint back roads. Over time, this unique valley has been shaped by the Columbia Floods and Mt. Hood's glaciers - making it perfect for biking. The Hood River Harvest Ride offers you the opportunity to experience the beauty of the valley by choosing from easy, moderate or very challenging routes Ð all with some awesome descents. You will be well taken care of along the ride with rest stops at family-owned farm stands and wineries. Want to indulge in the abundant pear and apple harvest while visiting these farm stands? No problem; the free ride shuttle will carry your produce purchases back to the finish. What service!

The Hood River Harvest Ride is a very family-friendly event and they offer non-biking options for family and friends, like a train ride through the valley and off-site childcare. You can even opt to camp overnight if you still want to go for a ride on Sunday. By taking part in this majestic ride, you are also supporting the non-profit Hood River Valley Residents Committee and their 30+ year mission of protecting farm and forestland and promoting livable communities in the Hood River Valley.

( Register ) ( More info )

Sarah Eustis is an avid daily rider who loves being an ORbike member. She likes riding bikes with friends, the Filmed by Bike festival, volunteering for events and the Worst Day of the Year Ride. Sarah has had some impressive biking experiences - she once took 11 kids from the Bronx on a biking tour - and loves being an ORbike member.

You can read more about Sarah and her adventures as an ORbike member on the ORbike blog.

If you're not an ORbike member yet, what are you waiting for? We're ready to help you save over $110 on Oregon's premier bike events all year long. We'll also give you a goodie bag of treats (such as fenders, coffee, fruit bars and more). And don't forget, ORbike members are the only ones to get the royal treatment at many events, which includes VIP viewing at the Portland Twilight Crit and free beers at the finish line of some events. For only $40 you can save over $110 a year on the events you're already riding, so sign up today!

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Here's your chance to catch the cyclocross spirit. Every year Cyclocross grow in popularity, but how do you get started in this sport of tricky dismounts, tire-sucking mud and throngs of cheering, bell-ringing bystanders? Maybe you want to start by checking out a cyclocross clinic, and there are several to choose from throughout Oregon.

The new, rambunctious School of Cross boasts plans to school you in cross, whether you're new or extremely experienced. After you've worked out your skills at school it's time to practice what you've learned. They use lights instead of cones to mark the course. If you can race on the night course you can race any cross course. And here's our tip: bring your own lights to light up the course if you want the upper hand.

The various clinics clinics focus on equipment selection, choosing the correct race category, how to enter races, training, and preparation. You'll learn the finer points of kicking off the race, cornering, off-camber turns, run-ups, mounts and dismounts, barriers, and more!

( List of clinics ) ( Races )