Bob Guthrie died back in 2008, but his love of bicycling The Summit keeps rolling right along.

A leader in the cycling community, Circle The Summit — Bob Guthrie Memorial Ride honors Bob, and Aug. 17 marks the sixth annual edition.

“A bicycle and ski guide, Bob always offered a helpful technique, tip or word of confidence to get you to the summit on a bike or to the bottom on skis, and he led many bike tours to Europe and other places,” recalls Friscoite Steve Smith, who will again ride this year.

So, if you want to join in the fun, you better pedal fast because registration is underway for the event that offers four distances — 21, 45, 60, and 100 miles. Sponsors of the ride are Avalanche Physical Therapy and Summit Biking, with co-chairs Erin Kneedler Jones and Kathy “KK” Skulski of Avalanche Physical Therapy.

“While it’s correct that Bob’s enthusiasm kept things rolling along, it was Erin Kneedler Jones from Avalanche Physical Therapy who presented the idea to the Friends of the Swan Mountain Recpath that got things started,” says Leslie Aaholm, who handles the event’s public relations effort. “Erin has been the chair or co-chair every year.”

It takes a committee of strong supporters to stage the rides, and one of those is Bob’s widow, Bonnie Guthrie, who is the volunteer coordinator and helps with food and beverage set up.

Others include: John Bowyer, who coordinates tech support, provides volunteers for pre-ride set-up; Jan Dudley — aid station coordinator; Bob Giordano — facilities coordinator; Roger Paluska coordinates course marshals and is treasurer; Bob Bode — signage; Judy McCarroll — secretary; Dan Schweitzer — web designer and maintenance; Becky Hopkins — food and beverage coordinator; Arnie Hendron, Shelley Hendron, Norm Stoller — registration; and Rick Oshlo, the president of Summit Biking.

“Circle The Summit Ride is a fundraiser to support, improve and enhance the Summit County recpaths system,” explains Leslie.

Funds from previous rides have been used to put lights in the tunnel at the top of Vail Pass, to stripe and put signs along sections of the recpath and to coordinate signage and maps with the towns and county.

“Our biggest effort, completed in 2011, was to raise the private monies to leverage public dollars to plan, build and complete the Swan Mountain recpath,” she adds.

Adult registration is $65 through Aug. 14, and then it goes to $75. Kids 16 and under are $10.

Arnie and Shelley Hendron will be at Frisco’s Wilderness Sports on Main Street for in-person registration from noon to 5 p.m. on Aug. 15-16.

The registration fee includes aid stations with bike mechanics and food, along the 100-mile route and vehicle support at A-Basin and Ute Pass Road, lunch (burgers from the Historic Mint Steakhouse; veggie options from the Dillon Dam Brewery), and adult brews from the Breckenridge Brewery, Backcountry Brewery and the Dillon Dam Brewery.

Day-of-ride registration and packet pick-up begins at 6:30 a.m. at the Frisco Rec Center on Third Avenue, between Main Street and Granite. Since there is a maximum 750 riders, ride-day registration is based on space available. All rides start and finish on Third. Here are the start times:

• Century ride starts at 7 a.m.

• 60-mile ride starts at 9

• 45-mile ride starts at 10

• 21-mile ride starts at 11

To get signed up and riding, see this link: http://www.circlethesummit.com

Miles F. Porter IV, nicknamed “Spike,” a Coloradan since 1949, is an Army veteran, former Climax miner, graduate of Adams State College, and a local since 1982. An award-winning investigative reporter, he and wife Mary E. Staby owned newspapers here for 20 years. Email your social info to milesfporteriv@aol.com