TELLURIDE, Sept. 14, 10:18 a.m. - The fourth annual Mountains to the Desert ride, the autumn cycling season’s last hurrah, takes to the open road on Saturday, September 22.

The supported ride, a fundraiser for the local nonprofit Just for Kids Foundation that seeks to enrich the lives of regional children through support of local and regional kids programs, has in the past been branded as a punishing end to the local cycling season. This year’s event boasts a kinder, gentler image, however, thanks to the addition of lower-mileage options.

But it’s only slightly kinder and gentler.

This year riders have four different ride options: Norwood to LaSal  (69 miles), Norwood to Moab (101 miles), Telluride to LaSal (101 miles) or the classic Mountains to the Desert Telluride to Moab ride (133 miles)

Event organizers Erik and Josephine Fallenius say that the decision to offer more mileage options evolved out of the desire to increase ridership for the growingly popular ride. “Only so many people are really into riding 133 miles,” Erik says, admitting that even the shorter distance options are still spectacular – and challenging. “The 100-milers are really the meat of the ride, and even the shortest ride distance is a great 70 miler.”

While the increased ride options have opened the door for more recreational cyclists to hop into the bike saddle, the Falleniuses report that as of last week, the vast majority of registered riders have nevertheless set their sights on the grueling 133-mile ride from downtown Telluride to Moab. Although the long-distance ride can be an arduous lung-bursting, leg-burning escapade, locals seem to love it – as do the growing number of out-of-town cyclists who have already signed up for this year’s event.

The list of registered participants last week boasted riders hailing from as far away as Texax, Pennsylvania, Florida, Arizona, and California, as well as a good number of regional riders from Durango, Silverton, Norwood, Nucla, Aspen, Carbondale, Crested Butte and of course Telluride.

Although the Mountains to the Desert Ride has been growing at a steady rate since its inception in 2003 (organizers feel confident that more than 100 riders will meet at this year’s starting line), founder Erik Fallenius emphasizes that growing the race itself is not, in fact, the ultimate goal. Growing the number of donations through the ride and to the Just for Kids Foundation is a major ambition, however.

As he explains, the Mountains to the Desert Ride is unique as a bike ride fundraiser in that 100 percent of the registration fee ($75) goes towards covering ride expenses; the $50,000 fundraising goal is achieved through the personal fundraising efforts of riders and volunteers. The Carstens family will match up to $50,000 raised for Just for Kids through the Mountains to the Desert Ride.

Each cyclist is encouraged to raise money for JFK, and for each $100 raised, that rider will receive a raffle ticket. Again this year event sponsor Moots Bicycles has donated a hefty raffle prize for the event, a hand-built titanium mountain or road bike, which will be awarded to one lucky raffle winner at the completion of the ride. In addition, a New Belgium Fat Tire bike will go to one of the top three individual fundraisers.

“Achieving the $50,000 fundraising goal is by far the first and foremost goal of this event,” Erik says. “If we can raise that with just 100 riders, I’m perfectly happy with that. This doesn’t ever need to be a 2,500-person Iron Horse kind of event.”

Although the Falleniuses agree that raising money for JFK, an organization founded in 2000 by the late local entrepreneur and philanthropist Bill Carstens for the benefit of children living in the San Miguel watershed, is the Mountains to the Desert’s most important duty, the event has also sparked renewed enthusiasm locally in the sport of road cycling. Local bike gurus on the Paragon Racing Team have begun to support the event heartily, and more and more locals are becoming diehard Mountains to the Desert participants.

As always, there will be four aid stations located strategically along the route; one at the bottom of Norwood Hill, one at U.S. Bank in Norwood, one at the Bedrock Store in Bedrock, and the final station at the La Sal Post Office in La Sal, Utah.

Riders will receive water, Gatorade and energy-packed goodies at the four volunteer-staffed aid stations between Telluride and Moab. Riders and other JFK supporters will then refuel at the Moab Arts and Recreation Center, where Moab restaurant Eddie McStiff’s will cater a post-ride feast and party.

This supported ride offers an excellent opportunity for road cyclists to make the scenic journey from Telluride to Moab; in addition to the four aid stations, there will be a sag wagon to pick up weary riders and medics to assist with any medical problems that arise, as well as motorcycle escorts tracking riders’ progress.

These and other ride perks have been made possible by event sponsors Nevasca Realty, Eddie McStiff’s restaurant, Paragon Ski and Sport, Powerbar, Moots, Bank of Telluride, and Masters Security.

The $75 entry fee includes event T-shirt and a water bottle, as well as entry into the post-ride party in Moab and the chance to win lots of prizes. For more information about the ride or to register, visit www.mountainstothedesertride.com.