About 2,600 people are already registered for the annual Ride the Rim event at Crater Lake National Park Sept. 9 and 16.

The annual Ride the Rim at Crater Lake takes place in September.

Bicycle riders will have 25 miles of East Rim Drive to themselves from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 9 and 16 at Crater Lake National Park.

The annual event is hosted by the park, Friends of Crater Lake National Park and Discover Klamath Visitor Center and Convention Bureau.

The intermediate-level, self-paced ride includes elevation gains of 3,500 feet, with five manned bike stops along the way. The ride typically takes four hours, give or take an hour.

About 2,600 people are already registered for the ride, which typically draws 2,500-3,500 riders, according to Tonia Ulbricht, senior marketing manager for Discover Klamath. As many as 5,000 riders have participated in years past. Fifty or more volunteers typically help out.

Ulbricht said she’s been involved in the event for 10 years.

“It’s amazing,” she said.

Electric bikes with a bike assist are allowed, because riders must use a pedaling action to receive the bike assist. Self-propelled bikes are not allowed.

Organizers highly recommend that no rides start after 10 a.m. and that families research the difficulty of the ride to determine whether children should ride. Parking is limited, and ride sharing is encouraged.

Riders are warned that weather can range from sunny to snow. Sunscreen is highly recommended. Helmets are required. Cellphone service is spotty.

Riders can choose to continue past the vehicle-free portion of the Rim Drive and complete the entire route around the lake for a total of 33 miles, although the additional eight miles includes a significant incline and a narrow winding road with no shoulders.

A free shuttle for people, but not bikes, is available for those who do not want to complete the West Rim section open to vehicles. Shuttle users leave their bikes behind after their ride, while they take the shuttle to retrieve their vehicle and return for the bikes.

To register, go to ridetherimoregon.com. For more information, contact Discover Klamath, at 541-882-1501 or email visit@discoverklamath.com.