Just heard from the executive director of the Ride the Rockies ride and he confirmed my friend and I have been selected for the event. Due to its popularity, the RtR holds a lotto to see who gets in. The actual lotto will be held next month but they reserve some spots for unusual applicants. I guess my weight loss and cycling story qualified me as unusual. The motto for RtR is "If the RIDE doesn't take your BREATH AWAY ... the SCENERY will." Cool stuff. Here's this year's route:

 

Map Books complete with elevation profiles will be available online in June and provided to each rider at registration. Mileage subject to change once permits are finalized.
	Saturday, June 14 Durango - Registration
	Sunday, June 15 Durango to Cortez 49 Miles
	Monday, June 16 Cortez to Telluride 77 Miles Lizard Head Pass - 10,222 ft.
	Tuesday, June 17 Telluride to Montrose 65 Miles Dalls Divide - 8,970 ft.
	Wednesday, June 18 Montrose to Crested Butte 92 Miles Cerro Summit - 7,950 ft. Blue Mesa Summit - 9,288 ft.
	Thursday, June 19 Crested Butte - Rest Day
	Friday, June 20 Crested Butte to Buena Vista 75 Miles Cottonwood Pass - 12,126 ft.
	Saturday, June 21 Buena Vista to Breckenridge 77 Miles Trout Creek Pass - 9,346 ft. Hoosier Pass - 11,542 ft.

Boner

Boner, it sounds like your ride of a lifetime is just continuing.  This really is "COOL STUFF"!  Hope you have fun and enjoy the scenery!!!!!    

Thanks Lee. I'm very excited about the ride especially since the RtR was my "ultimate goal" on the top of my goal list I put together immediately after WLS. My post-WLS goal list (the Tour de Fat) was sort of my personal "bucket list" and I've pretty much knocked them all off except for this one.  What's amazing is I never dreamed I would be able to do all the things I've done post-WLS. It looks like I totally underestimated what WLS and my change in lifestyle would allow me to do physically. An example is the Triple Bypass ride which I'm going to do in July. I had heard about it and knew it was the single most challenging road cycling event in Colorado. I just couldn't envision myselft ever being able to complete it so I left it off the list. I still haven't done it yet but the goal is certainly attainable.  This year's RtR is certainly going to be challenging as well so I better not underestimate it or Time update the Tour de Fat list, huh? Boner

what a Blast...... did you abuse the system....( Oprah, I was a 4,000# man, and now i'm whizzing through the mountains) I don;t think it was your story that got you a spot....Lance canceled and they needed a super star...so they call you!!!!! Russ

You were right on the first point Russ, but certainly no superstart here, super nerd maybe.   Dear Sir or Madam, "If I don't get to ride in this year's Ride the Rockies, I fear I may regain the nearly 3000 pounds I lost over the last couple of years. While on my death bed after WLS, all I could think about was being able to participate in this spectacular event........."    Seriously, all I sent them was a link to my profile which appears to have sealed the deal. Chalk up another benefit of WLS. AWESOME!! Boner

"Dr Phil Recomended it in my fragile state of mind..." Go kick some AZZ Russ

Holy Saddlesore, Batman!  That's a lotta miles! Good luck boner. Obviously, it's an understatement to say you're a cycling enthusiast.  Any tips for those of us who'd like to start back into it for exercise? Like probably every other young boy,  I lived on my bike when I was a kid.  As I got older and especially as I got heavier, biking lost it's appeal.  Especially the part about being butt-raped by those ridiculously tiny seats, apparently designed by Marquis de Sade.  However, now I think something more aerobic than walking - but easier on the joints than jogging - might be a good thing.  Plus, you get more of a change in scenery! 

Hey Box, Funny you referred to Marquis de Sade (aka being a Sadist) since the Ride the Rockies web site refers to him as well when describing those who come unprepared for the ride. Otherwords, unless you're into big time pain and suffering, you and your bike best be at the top of your game.   You're so right about the big benefits of cycling being low impact, highly aerobic and getting more of a change in scenery! Over the last couple of years, I have seen so much of Colorado. Everything from the majestic mountains, breathtaking waterfalls, raging rivers, big horn sheep, elk, and even a baby bear,  That said, I started out slow by fixing up my old bike and riding around the block. Eventually I was able to "escape" my neighborhood and that's when the fun began. I eventually worked up to 5 mile rides, then 10, 20....... Once I was able to ride 30 miles or so, I bought a nice carbon road bike off of EBAY. It's been with me for all my big rides. I also bought a nice Fuji mountain bike which I use for grocery shopping and some limited off road riding. Just make sure the bike is a good fit before buying it. The web has many articles on how to properly size a bike.  Best Boner

Cool stuff! Congrats to ya both!   Me . . . I'd have to ride my Yamaha Venture and take the wife along to see the scenery.

Thanks Bama. I'm a huge CU Buffalo football fan and really enjoyed the Independence Bowl when the Tide beat my Baby Buffs. The Tide were so much more talented than the Buffs but CU hung in there pretty damn well. I look for big seasons from both teams next year as they both have great coaches. Tomorrow is national signing day and CU is looking at a top 20 signing class for the first time in a long, long time.  Best of luck to the Tide! Boner