Looking for a nice, long bike ride to stretch out your legs this summer? Sign up for the 465-mile First Great Ride in the Last Best Place ride.

Organized by the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, this summer's ride features five mountain passes, nearly 20,000 feet in elevation gain, and a finish at Moran Junction in Grand Teton National Park.

There is no question that this ride leads you through some of the most picturesque landscape in western Wyoming, but it is not a ride for weekend warriors. And the organizers warn you of that.

You must be able to do the miles and the climbing, and you must be able to comfortably ride at least six days out of seven, including the first four days in a row.

This is NOT a ride you can just casually show up for; you'd better have worked on building miles and seat time, as well as climbing. We have 90-mile days, and we have a couple fairly big climbing days. Start training in the spring as soon as the weather allows, and concentrate on extended climbs as well as riding long on successive days.

But if you can get in shape, this can be a terrific ride.

The non-profit ride begins August 17 in Teton Village, Wyoming, and concludes a week later. The fully supported tour includes overnight stops in Victor, Idaho, and Hoback Junction, Pinedale, Lander (two nights) and Dubois, Wyoming. Nearly 500 riders from 42 states are already registered, GYC communications director Jeff Welsch said.

All told, more than 800 riders and 100 volunteers are expected for what is already the fourth-largest multi-day bicycle tour in North America. Last year, more than 660 riders and 80 volunteers from 44 states and five countries participated in the inaugural Cycle Greater Yellowstone, which began in West Yellowstone, Montana, and ended in Red Lodge, Montana.

'œOur riders were so enchanted by the lands, waters, wildlife and people of this incomparable region,' Mr. Welsch said, 'œand we have no doubt they'™ll be equally enamored with not only the spectacular landscapes on this year'™s route but also the uniquely western personalities of each community along the way.'

Cycle Greater Yellowstone participants ($1,195 per person, 18 and older) receive three catered meals daily, fully stocked rest stops, prime camping spots, hot showers, baggage service, on-course safety support and live entertainment, among other amenities.

For those who want to join the party but not pedal, CGY offers a Travel Partner program for non-riding spouses, partners, family or friends. In addition, CGY is accepting applications for about 100 volunteers, all of whom will receive the same amenities as the cyclists.

The Greater Yellowstone Coalition created Cycle Greater Yellowstone with two primary goals: To provide a world-class adventure designed to inspire and inform riders about the wonders of Greater Yellowstone, and to build enduring relationships between GYC, the cyclists, and communities of Greater Yellowstone.

For more information or to register, visit this website.

The Greater Yellowstone Coalition has served as America'™s Voice for a Greater Yellowstone since 1983. GYC is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to protecting the lands, waters, wildlife and quality of life in Greater Yellowstone '” part of one of 12 remaining intact ecosystems on the planet.