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2007 Ride The Rockies Bicycle Tour Route Announced

DENVER, Feb. 7 /PRNewswire/ — The Denver Post Ride The Rockies, presented by Wells Fargo, has announced the route for its 22nd annual bicycle tour, June 17 - 23, 2007.
Two thousand cyclists will begin the 422-mile loop in Frisco, Colorado, and return seven days later for the tour end celebration. The complete 2007 tour schedule is:

• June 16 Frisco - Registration
• June 17 Frisco to Steamboat Spring — 98 miles — Rabbit Ears Pass - 9,426 feet
• June 18 Steamboat Springs to Craig — 44 miles
• June 19 Craig to Rifle — 89 miles — Nine Mile Gap - 7,485 feet
• June 20 Rifle to Glenwood Springs — 36 miles
• June 21 Glenwood Springs to Aspen — 43 miles
• June 22 Aspen to Leadville — 61 miles — Independence Pass - 12,095 feet
• June 23 Leadville to Frisco — 51 miles — Fremont Pass - 11,318 feet

“We’re extremely excited about the new route, “ said Tour Director, Paul Balaguer. “The ride includes great host towns and outstanding terrain we haven’t ridden in years, including our first ride over Independence Pass since 1986.”
“Now in its 22nd year, many Colorado residents can’t imagine a summer without Ride The Rockies,” said Nathan Christian, Wells Fargo’s regional president for Colorado. “Not only is Ride The Rockies Colorado’s premier cycling event, it’s also a major contributor to the Colorado communities that host the event — many of which also are home to Wells Fargo stores.
We’re proud to be part of this outstanding event that helps make our communities better places to live and work.”
Because Ride The Rockies is popular with riders nationwide, 2,000 cyclists are selected in a random lottery from all applications received. The registration fee is $315 and includes camping space and shower facilities, shuttle transportation in host towns, baggage transportation, “sag” vehicles, aid stations, bicycle repair support and medical support, plus a cycling jersey, water bottle and map book.
More than 100 volunteers assist cyclists during the entire week of the tour. Host communities provide inexpensive community meals and entertainment.
Cyclists can register for the event online at ridetherockies.com or submit a mail-in application form. Mail-in registration forms are available in The Denver Post on Sunday, February 11, Friday, February 16, and Sunday, February 18. Registration forms are also available online at ridetherockies.com and at Denver metro area health clubs, bicycle and sporting goods stores. Out-of-state cyclists without Internet access can obtain forms by calling (303) 820-1338. Registration forms will be accepted through Friday, February 23, 2007.
Ride The Rockies is a non-competitive event, and riders are encouraged to ride at their own pace. However, training for the tour is strongly recommended. Training information is available online at ridetherockies.com.
Riders on past Ride The Rockies tours have varied in age from eight to eighty-two years old and have represented all 50 states and 18 foreign countries.
Proceeds from Ride The Rockies benefit Post-News Charities, a fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation. All funds raised through Post-News Charities are matched at a significant percentage, and 100 percent of all dollars raised are returned to the community.
For more information, contact Ride The Rockies at (303) 820-1338 or visit the event web site at ridetherockies.com.