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Colorado-Eagle River Ride is set for next weekend

Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton will be on the Colorado-Eagle River Ride course, riding the 42 mile route. After completing his basketball career, Walton became an avid cyclist.
Special to the Daily |

AVON — Summers in Colorado are full of cycling events, but there aren’t too many that can bring together a 12-year-old, a 77-year-old, a basketball Hall-of-Famer and a paraplegic. On Saturday, SOS Outreach will host the 12th annual SOS Outreach Colorado-Eagle River Ride.

The ride is known as one of the best supported and most beautiful rides in the state. With 42-, 68- and 100-mile course options, there is a way for everyone to get involved. This year, the oldest rider on the course will be 77-year-old Fred Deming, visiting Colorado for the ride from Morristown, N.J. He is planning to complete the 68-mile course. In contrast, the youngest rider on the course will be 12-year-old Nik Futernick, of Vail. He and his father will ride the 42-mile course on a tandem bike along with his grandparents, also on a tandem bike. These riders exemplify what the River Ride is all about: Having fun with your family and friends while enjoying the beauty of Vail Valley and supporting underserved youth in our community.

Bill Walton, NBA Hall of Famer, will also be on the course, riding the 42-mile route. After completing his basketball career, Walton became an avid cyclist. Visiting Colorado from San Diego, Walton is participating in the River Ride and hosting an education seminar in conjunction with ride sponsor Vail Summit Orthopedics. He will also be attending the post-ride party at the Dusty Boot in Beaver Creek to celebrate another successful fundraiser for SOS.



Riding the full 100-mile course are two paraplegic hand cyclists: Kenny Satterfield and Rich Cunningham, both Colorado locals. SOS is excited to have these riders participate, and claim the title of first hand-cyclists to ever complete the River Ride. Additionally, many SOS participants will get in on the River Ride fun by volunteering at one of the four aid stations, and one SOS participant will also be riding the course. Wyatt Moehring, who has been involved in SOS for three years, will complete the 68-mile route with his dad. Wyatt just finished a three-day summer camping trip with SOS, including rock climbing and hiking adventures, as well as character development training.

The ride loops from Beaver Creek Mountain Resort out along the scenic banks of the Colorado and Eagle rivers and includes the famous and fun hard-packed dirt portion of the Colorado River Road. SOS provides full SAG support, four full aid stations and three mini aid stations, plus an after-party. The River Ride is SOS’ biggest fundraiser of the year, giving you the opportunity to support underserved youth with a life-changing leadership development and adventure sport curriculum. Visit http://www.sosoutreach.org or contact sosride@sosoutreach.org to register or for more information.


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