PRESCOTT - The Prescott Alternative Transportation (PAT) will host its annual Skull Valley Loop Challenge next month.

Described as a "fun and challenging 54-mile charity road ride," the Sept. 16 event will take cyclists through Skull Valley, Kirkland Junction, Wilhoit, and back to Prescott.

Along with promoting PAT's goal of a bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly central Yavapai County, the ride also brings tourism dollars in to local businesses and restaurants, according to a news release from PAT - especially in the downtown area, where the ride starts and finishes.

PAT expects this year's ride to attract 200 to 400 riders to Prescott.

Participants who register by Aug. 30 will be guaranteed an event T-shirt, said Mariangely Echevarria, PAT's new director of outreach and development.

PAT invites businesses interested in contributing and having their logo on the T-shirt to contact Greg Hull at greg@prescottbikeped.org.