Although the rainy weather in recent weeks may have cut into your training time for some annual multi-length bike riding events in August and September, there's still time to get in shape to participate in each of them.

The Mon Valley Century Bicycle Run, a selection of road rides sponsored by the Monessen Amateur Radio Club, will be held Aug. 10.

The 30, 50, 70 and 100 mile rides begin and end in Riverfront Park in Elizabeth, about 18 miles from Pittsburgh. Each ride follows the Monongahela River for about 10 miles. The 30 and 50 mile rides follow "mostly level" roads up and down the Mon Valley. The 100 mile ride is a test of strength and stamina.

Club spokesman Chris Grilli said there will be rest stops with energy drinks, fruit and snacks and lunch at Sunnyside-Gallatin Park. The cost is $18.

For more information, call Grilli at 724-258-8419.

The Western Region of the American Cancer Society's Second Annual Bike-a-thon/Cycle Splash on Aug. 19, a series of rides for bicyclists of all ages and abilities, will be in Raccoon Creek State Park in Beaver County.

There will be a four-mile Family Fun Ride at 11 a.m., a 35 mile ride will start at 8:30 a.m. and a 62.5 mile ride will begin at 8 a.m. There will be well-stocked rest stops with tents and port-a-potties, sag wagons, first aid patrols and volunteer mechanics from local bike shops to keep riders rolling. Helmets are required.

Spokesman Dan Catena said the route was carefully chosen to ensure maximum rider safety. But, since the route is open to traffic, participants are urged to ride along the shoulder and to obey local traffic laws. He said the route will be clearly marked and detailed maps provided.

The rain-or-shine rides will end at the beach area where there will be food and beverages for all riders, cancer survivors and volunteers. Non-riders may purchase a meal for a nominal cost. Post-ride activities include swimming, games, prizes and a cancer survivors celebration ceremony.

The tax-deductible donation for the Family Fun Ride is $15 for adults and $10 for children 17 and younger. The donation for the 35 and 62.5 mile rides is $30 per rider if you register by Tuesday. It goes up to $40 from Wednesday to the day of the event. All participants who register by Tuesday will receive a Bike-a-thon T-shirt.

"Cancer has taken far too much from us," the society said on its Web site. "We are engaged in the fight of our time as we all take a stand against this disease and seek to make it a memory of our past. If you are looking for a way to fight it, you just found it!"

For more information and/or to register, go to www.main.acsevents.org/pa_pittsburghbike, e-mail Pittsburgh.bike@cancer.org or call 412-919-1100.

The 10th annual celebration of That Dam Ride to Confluence will be held Sept. 6-7. It will offer:

A 134-mile round-trip on the Great Allegheny Passage from Boston to the base of the dam in Confluence in southern Somerset County.

A 56-mile round-trip on the passage from Connellsville to Confluence.

A 12-mile Tour de Confluence, a leisurely guided ride led by myself and local resident Bill Metzger. The tour includes a ride through the town and its park, brief stops at cyclist-friendly businesses and historic sites and a four-mile round-trip ride to Harnedsville.

Those starting out from Boston or Connellsville will have their gear transported both ways. The $65 cost for those rides includes five rest stops, two lunches, a full spaghetti dinner at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Confluence, a light breakfast, camping, entertainment by Waldo Young, prize drawings and an event T-shirt. The Confluence tour is $35.

That Dam Ride is coordinated and sponsored by the all-volunteer Mon/Yough Trail Council to fund trail maintenance and foster trail-related activities. Registration deadline is Aug. 21.

For more information, including a registration form, go to www.thatdamride.org or call 412-754-1100, mailbox four.