'We're really excited about this'

By ERIC PLUMMER

Sports editor

SANDPOINT — Once again the little town of Sandpoint has earned acclaim at the national level, as the Chafe 150 Gran Fondo was named as one of “9 Totally Awesome Charity Bike Rides” in the most recent issue of Bicycling Magazine.

You don’t make a national list like that by accident, and considering how many charity bike rides there are in the country, the recognition comes as extremely high praise.

Here is what the popular national magazine said about the ride, under the header of Kids with Autism: You’ll support children on the spectrum in Idaho’s Lake Pend Oreille School District — the money goes to fund learning tools, and training and support for staff and families. Experience a single-day, high-country, 150-mile road ride that circumnavigates (key word) the gorgeous Cabinet Mountains. Translation: no major mountain passes or sustained climbs, and a total elevation gain of about 3,500 feet.

Understandably, those putting on the ride, with emphasis on the word ride and not race, were buzzing with pride upon hearing they’d made such a prestigious list, with the other rides listed benefiting national parks, feeding the hungry, domestic abuse, cancer, military, getting more kids on bikes, bicycle advocacy and boosting the power of bikes in Africa.

“We’re really excited about this. Bicycling Magazine is one of the nation’s premiere magazines,” said Chafe public relations director Elana Westphal. “Just to be singled out with the thousands of charity rides around the United States is very exciting. We’ve seen an increase in the 150 mile riders since the article came out.”

There’s good reason the ride has grown from around 60-70 in the first year to the more than 350 expected this year, and it’s not just the splendid scenery and varied distance options, including 150, 80 and 30 mile routes.

Ride originator Brad Williams, who has ridden in every Chafe except one, said the national attention is a reflection of the people putting on the event.

“We have a beautiful ride. But we also have so many wonderful volunteers that simply deliver a great experience for the riders,” lauded Williams, who will mark the course today and ride it on Saturday. “This ride is a group effort. My hat is off to the over 100 volunteers that work to make this the best ride in the U.S.”

Williams credits Sandpoint Rotary for bringing a wealth of skill and effort to the event, which started as a fundraiser for Panhandle Alliance For Education before switching the cause to Autism several years ago.

The ride also has more than 80 sponsors, which makes ultimately makes everything possible. Westphal admits she’s amazed that more people sign up to be sponsors every year, including 19 gold sponsors at $2,500. Litehouse is the lone Platinum sponsor of $5,000.

“We’re raising more and more money every year. What’s really amazing, this money stays local for children in our school district with Autism,” said Westphal. “People from around the country are raising money for this because they care. We’re always complimented on the people and the hospitality when they come to Sandpoint.”

The furthest rider away this year is from Florida, with the of the riders coming from Washington and Idaho. As the ride’s reputation grows, so too does it’s reach, with more and more riders coming from more and more states.

Last year the youngest rider was 7 years-old, while 87 year-old Jerry Schwartz impressed by riding the 80 mile route. The Calgary Octogenarian is coming back to do it again on Saturday.

“When I saw his date of birth I went ‘wow,’” admitted Westphal, who is expecting to break the registration record of 350 set at last year’s 10th anniversary ride. “We lowered the price of riders under 16 for the 30 mile route, making it more reasonable for families to ride.”

According to Mel Dick, one of the ride’s driving forces from the start, more than $60,000 was raised last year, and a check for $50,000 was presented to the Lake Pend Oreille School District to help students on the autism spectrum.

If all goes well, there could be another whopping check to present soon, part of what makes the event so special.

“On the ride day the experience is terrific, a challenging 150 mile ride ending with a great party at city beach,” said Williams. “But also knowing that all the efforts result in us making a real difference to the kids in our community.”

For more information, or to make a donation, visit www.chafe.org.