BEAVER CREEK - Forget about Stage 20's Time Trial of the Tour de France - there's a bigger, and longer ride in Colorado.

The 2008 Beaver Creek Colorado-Eagle River Ride, Saturday, July 26, covers 100 miles and will have over 1,000 riders participating.

While riders may not make their way to the cheers of thousands of spectators, they will have just as nice of a view, and get the same treatment pro riders receive.

"We believe it's one of the most beautiful rides you can do," said Arn Menconi, executive director of SOS Outreach. "It's a very doable ride. We have perfected the aid stations and we'll have mechanics on the course. We are proud of the feedback that we receive each year that this is one of the best supported century rides out there."

And the riders will be supplied with plenty of fuel on what could be dubbed the Tour de Food. "We have turned it into a movable feast," Menconi said. "There's a pancake breakfast to kick off the event at the start/finish and ice cream at the lunch aid station. All riders are hosted for a post party at the Dusty Boot Saloon in Beaver Creek afterwards."

For those not wanting to ride 100 miles, there's still a way to join the Century Cub with a 100-kilometer ride. There is also a 42-mile ride option.

Menconi said the multiple distances allow for a wider array of riders. "The average age of riders is 47. We have families riding with their teenage kids," Menconi said. "Currently, our oldest registered rider for the century ride is 76, and the youngest is 13."

The ride takes cyclists west from Beaver Creek Resort Elk Lot along U.S. Highway 6 through Edwards to Wolcott, then north on Colorado Highway 131 to Colorado River Road continuing to Dotsero at the confluence of the Colorado and Eagle Rivers. Riders then will head east on 6 and follow the Eagle River back to the finish at Beaver Creek Resort East Day Lot. The 100K ride follows the same route, finishing in Dotsero with shuttles busing riders back to Beaver Creek.

Standard registration for the race ends Friday, July 25 and is $95. Day of race registration is $115. Riders can pick up registration packets Friday at the Beaver Creek Elk Lot from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. or the day of the ride.

Proceeds from the ride go to SOS Outreach, a nonprofit organization that builds character skills for underserved youth (www.sosoutreach.org).