The annual Tour des Chutes community bike ride is coming up on July 13 of this year—but the registration begins tomorrow, Friday, February 1! Here’s what it’s all about:

The 9th annual Tour des Chutes will be held July 13th, 2013. Registration will open February 1st. We are able to increase registration to 1,500 riders, an increase of 100 riders over last year.We expect to fill, so register early to ensure your spot in the festivities!

The 9th annual Tour des Chutes will feature rides of 100, 75, 50, 25 or 7 miles in length. All will begin and end at High Lakes Elementary School in NW Crossing.

In 2012, the Tour des Chutes attracted over 1,400 riders of all levels. It is more than a July cycling event; it is a celebration of life and cancer survivorship, as well as a remembrance of those who have passed on from this disease.

Tour des Chutes is not a bike race, it is a ride for the entire community. Bend resident, business owner and cancer survivor Gary Bonacker founded TdC in 2005 to fund St Charles Cancer Center Survivorship Programs, an education and support program for survivors throughout Central Oregon. In Gary’s own words, “Tour des Chutes has a different meaning for the riders. The ride gives you time to reflect on where you are in life, the full meaning of being a part of this world and time to reflect on the people you love.  People love to stay after the ride for hours, talking with friends, meeting new friends and just enjoying the moment”.

They open registration early because it’ll fill early—so if you want to be a part of it don’t wait! You can register online here, or in person at Sunnyside Sports.