CHaFE 150 welcomes veteran, novice bicyclists
SANDPOINT — Great scenery, top-quality event and a terrific cause — these are the top reasons that many serious bicyclists are making their return to the Sandpoint area on Saturday, June 13 for the 2nd annual CHaFE 150 ride. And with this year’s new addition of the 1/2 CHaFE — at approximately 75 miles — the ride through Idaho and Montana is signing on some first-time riders, as well.
The CHaFE 150 is a fundraiser for Panhandle Alliance for Education, which funnels all rider registration fees and pledge money to fund the Ready! for Kindergarten early education literacy program (learn more at ReadySandpoint.org).
In addition to helping out this great cause, riders enjoy a top-notch event featuring five fully stocked break and lunch stops, a Friday evening dinner voucher to Ivano’s Ristorante, a race T-shirt, and a well-organized support crew along the course including the lead ride vehicle, bike mechanics and nurses, and a sweep vehicle.
Nathan Myers, a 34-year-old Spokane resident, is looking forward to the dramatically beautiful setting that, for him as well as other riders, definitely sets the CHaFE 150 event apart from other regional rides. Myers participated in last year’s inaugural CHaFE, and says that while this year’s earlier June date leaves him less time for training (last year’s ride was held at the end of the riding season in mid-September), he’s looking forward to feeling more confident when he heads out for the Seattle-to-Portland summer ride, which involves 100 miles each day for two days.
A cyclist for 9 years, Myers is a big fan of the CHaFE 150.
“I can honestly say my experience on the ride last year was the best single day I’ve spent on a bike,” he said.
For Brad Arnold, a 31-year-old Sandpoint resident, hearing about the 1/2 CHaFE was what drew him in to this year’s event. While he stays active and in shape with a variety of activities, Arnold doesn’t consider himself a serious bicyclist and says that cycling 150 miles in one day is “a challenge for anyone – no matter how much you train.”
“I’m not a super serious cyclist by any means,” Arnold said. “The 75 will be a long day.”
He has other friends who will be participating in the 1/2 CHaFE, including a triathlete who’s riding for training purposes. But most importantly for Arnold, it supports a worthwhile cause.
“It’s a good event, and it’s a chance to help,” he explained.
One of the unexpected benefits for riders is the chance to meet other bicyclists from different parts of the Northwest region, as well as the U.S. And for Myers, showing up at the event without knowing anyone makes him “much more apt to meet new people.” Myers recalls that just as last year’s race got under way, he met another rider.
“He had just finished climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa,” recalled Myers. “He and I spent the next eight hours riding together, and we still keep in touch.”
It’s not too late to register. For more information, or to sign up, visit “www.CHaFE150.org.”