If you've got the legs and the lungs for it, enter the Tour de Tahoe on Sept. 7, 2008. It's a ride you won't soon forget.

The 72-mile Tour de Tahoe (that's right, 72-mile) course circumnavigates the highways clockwise around Lake Tahoe in both Nevada and California. It includes a challenging 800-foot climb to a rest stop overlooking Emerald Bay and a 1,000-foot climb to Spooner Junction. There are also many short rolling ascents and descents totaling over 2,600 vertical feet of elevation gain. The altitude ranges between 6,300 feet and 7,100 feet above sea level and the ride is recommended for conditioned recreational bicyclists, not for beginners.

Participants must be at least 14 years of age and must be experienced in riding roadways, which will be open to vehicular traffic during this race. Start and finish at the Lake Tahoe Horizon Casino Resort on Highway 50, Stateline. Don't miss the after ride pool party at the Horizon. Call 800 565-2704 or log on to www.bikethewest.com for more information.