Sun, Wind, and Gears: Tour a Solar Panel Plant!

Register now for Green Empowerment’s upcoming Sun, Wind, and Gears bicycle tour of Portland’s Silicon Forest, set for Sunday, October 4th. This 35 mile ride kicks off at the SolarWorld manufacturing facility in Hillsboro (where the Last Regiment of Syncopated Drummers will send you off in style). From there, you’ll pedal to Portland Community College’s ultra-green Rock Creek campus to check out their closed-loop cafeteria system and stop by beautiful Jackson Bottom (pictured left), a wetland preserve within city limits. You’ll then spin back to SolarWorld for food, fun, and a very rare opportunity to tour the SolarWorld plant.

Never attempted 35 miles by bike before? This route’s nice and flat, so it’s a great way to try out that kind of mileage. Also, by announcing “This is my first 35 miles! Woohoo!” when you register, you’ll enter a contest for a fabulous prize.

Seasoned cyclists have the option of adding an additional 20 miles to their journey on the Early Bird ride from Nossa Familia’s Cafe at Ethos in North Portland (free coffee!). Also, check out the Team Challenge to find out more about special prizes for teams of riders.

Sun, Wind, and Gears benefits Green Empowerment, a non-profit working for social justice in the sustainability movement. Green Empowerment partners with rural communities in the developing world to develop renewable energy and water systems and foster environmental conservation. Check out their blog here.

Registration: $35 for adults, $10 for kids 10 or younger. $30 per rider for teams of 10 or more.

Start/end point: SolarWorld, 25300 NW Evergreen Rd, Hillsboro, OR 97124

Easy to bike to SolarWorld from the MAX Blue Line.

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