Mid-Willamette Valley Events Calendar

From a mountain bike clinic, to summer swimming lessons, and a half-marathon, there is something for every age group.

From a mountain bike clinic, to summer swimming lessons, and a half-marathon, there is something for every age group. Image Courtesy: The City of Albany

(ALBANY, Ore. ) - Mountain Bike Clinic:

Albany Parks & Recreation Department is offering a mountain bike clinic. Instructor is Dan Coyle, outdoor enthusiast.

This skills clinic is appropriate for riders who are simply interested in mountain biking or have some experience and would like to move to an intermediate or advanced level. The class will cover simple bike mechanics and fit, proper uphill and downhill riding techniques, and judging and navigating terrain.

Riders will develop skills for effective use of brakes, distribution of body weight at speed, riding technical terrain, shifting gears to optimize efficiency, and group riding etiquette.

Open Mountain Biking Clinic: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday, July 19.

Cost is $40 for Albany residents or $52 for those who live outside the Albany city limits for the women’s clinic or the open clinic.

Introduction to Backpacking:

Albany Parks & Recreation Department is offering an introduction to backpacking at Drift Creek Wilderness for ages 14 and up.

Instructor is outdoor enthusiast Brett Gallagher, who has over 10 years of outdoor teaching experience.

The class includes two, 2-hour long Monday evening informational sessions at the Albany Senior Center plus an overnight weekend trip to the Drift Creek Wilderness in the Oregon Coast range.

The course will cover:

Gear basics (backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, footwear, etc.) Clothing and shelter

Backcountry cooking; (all meals included)

Leave-no-trace certification

Map and compass training (some limited GPS instruction)

Backcountry first-aid and wilderness medicine

Reducing your pack weight (ultralight or comfortable)

Permits and trip planning

Class size is limited, and space is allocated on a first-come basis. Course fees include: class materials, trip costs (transportation, parking and permits), and food.

Students will need to bring their own backpacks, clothing, shelter and sleeping gear. Rental packages are available if necessary.

Informational meetings are July 21 and 28, 2014, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 489 Water Avenue NW.

The weekend wilderness backpacking trip is August 1-2.

Cost is $275 per person (participants under age 18 needs to be accompanied by a paying adult).

Summer Evening Swimming Lessons:

The Albany Community Pool will open registration for summer evening youth swim lessons for ages 3 and older at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 10.

Registration is at the pool, 2150 36th Avenue SE. Cost is $36 for eight classes. All classes are taught by certified Red Cross Water Safety instructors.

The 30-minute lessons are 6:00 - 8:05 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. Sessions will be held July 29 – August 2.

Paddleboarding Class:

Albany Parks & Recreation Department is offering a class in stand-up paddleboarding at Hyak Park on the Willamette River.

This basic introduction to stand-up paddleboarding is developed with the beginner in mind and will expose all participants to sufficient skills and knowledge to enjoy the sport in a calm, flat-water setting.

The one-day course will cover launching and landing, board and paddle control, stance and balance, basic strokes, and safety and rescue.

Participants must be age 16 and older, and strong swimmers. Outdoor enthusiast Brett Gallagher is the instructor with more than 10 years of outdoor teaching experience.

The course is offered on July 14, or August 25. Class time is 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Cost is $75 per session, equipment included.

For more information on any of these Albany events and classes, call 541-967-4521.

LEBANON:

Pumpkin Half Marathon:

The Runaway Pumpkin Half Marathon will be held Saturday, October 18, at Cheadle Lake Park. Runners who compete in the race will also help support the ABC House Child Abuse Assessment Center.

The race will start at 9:00 a.m. and runners need to be able to complete the race’s 13.1 miles within 4.5 hours.

Cost ranges between $45 and $70.

For more information, go to www.runawaypumpkinhalf.org