Outdoor Digest.

Byline: The Register-Guard

WELCOME TO FAT TIRE CITY: Eugene is one of "America's Five Best Mountain Biking Towns." So says "Bike" magazine in its June 2002 issue. The publication said its selections were based on great trails in and around town, as well as the "livability" of each community. Other criteria included the quality of riding, the riding season, the cycling culture, the job market, housing affordability and the average commute time. Eugene's bike-friendly city streets, the McKenzie River Trail and miles of track near Oakridge were noted among the places to ride in the area. The article describes Eugene as "a happening college town in a beautiful location, surrounded by hundreds of miles of prime single-track." Other cities in the top five were: Asheville, N.C.; Austin, Texas; Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Ithaca, N.Y.

MEETING TONIGHT ON PROPOSED BRIDGE: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will unveil its plans for a pedestrian bridge over the Willamette River below Dexter Dam at a public meeting tonight in Lowell. The proposed Bristow Crossing bridge, a 296-foot-long concrete span, would link segments of the Pacific Crest Trail to improve safety for hikers, bicyclists and equestrian users. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at the U.S. Forest Service offices, 60 South Pioneer St. The proposed project is a partnership effort among a group of public agencies, private industry and trail volunteers.

SAVE THE LAST SCHUSS... : Memorial Day weekend may be the front gate to summer for most folks, but for dedicated skiers and snowboarders it's still the back porch of winter. Mount Bachelor Ski & Summer Resort plans to wave goodbye to the winter season in style, with a three-day Memorial Weekend party featuring live music, an outdoor barbecue, prize giveaways and, of course,

plenty of "spring" skiing and snowboarding. A "pond skimming" contest - which measures the distance a skier can "skim" across a small pool of water - will take place Saturday at noon. There will also be prizes for the most creative costume worn by a pond-skimmer. Lifts will operate from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. all three days.

SKI GROUP HONORS TWO: The Pacific Northwest Ski Association honored two Eugene residents during its recent convention in Port Angeles, Wash. Randy Rogers, director of skiing for Willamette Pass Ski Corp., received the Ken Comfort Award, the highest regional honor for "the person who over the years has given freely of his time to help the sport of skiing." Rogers, a coach and ski official since 1975, served as chief of course for the snowboard events at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Jerry Allen, a morning show host on radio station KUGN-AM, was given the Press Award, for "exceptional service to the sport of skiing by someone from the news media."

CLIMBERS TO MAKE THEIR 'DAY': May 31 is Clint Eastwood's birthday, which is reason enough for the folks at Crux Rock Gym to call the climbing competition they're holding on that date the "Go Ahead ... Make my Day" Climbers Showdown. Climbers will compete for prizes in six categories - beginner, intermediate and advanced for men and for women. Preregistration begins at 6 p.m., with the competition from 6:30 to 8:30. A red-point bouldering format will be used, with climbers keeping track of their own scores. After the two-hour climbing period, the top two climbers from each category will advance to the finals route, where the top finisher will win a grand prize. Entry fee is $15. For details, call 484-9535.

OF BUGS AND BUTTERFLIES: Bugs and butterflies will be the subject of workshops to be presented next week by Mount Pisgah Arboretum. On June 8, entomologist Sharon Blick will conduct a four-hour "Discovering Bugs Workshop." The registration fee is $20 but youngsters under age 12 can attend for $10. On June 9, horticulturist Linda McMahan will conduct a three-hour workshop on "Gardening for Native Butterflies." The fee is $25. Preregistration is required for both workshops; call 747-1504.