Top cyclist to speak at CHAFE 150 event

SANDPOINT — In the season’s first World Cup road race in Italy, Tristen Chernove won the gold and the World Cup leader’s jersey. In 2020, the Paralympics gold medalist and three-time world champion rider will be competing in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

On Friday, June 14, the Canadian para-cyclist of the year, will be the guest speaker at a pre-dinner ride for this year CHAFE 150, according to a press release by the organization.

Chernove, who rides worldwide in competitions, is getting ready to ride in Belgium for the second World Cup road race. He rode the 2018 CHAFE 150 and was the first rider to complete the 150-mile route and will be riding this year as well.

Chernove has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a neurological disorder that causes damage to the peripheral nerves which carry signals from the brain and spinal cord to the muscles. He just competed for Team Canada in the UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships in Apeldoorn, Netherlands. In the men’s C2 category, Chernove won gold in the scratch race, silver in the individual pursuit, and bronze in the 1,000-meter time trial. In addition, he topped the standings in the first Omnium; a compilation of points over four events.

During the June dinner, Chernove will speak about CMT, his training regime, and what it takes to compete at a world-class level. A question-and-answer session will follow. The special pasta buffet-style dinner will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 14, at Trinity at City Beach, 58 Bridge St. in Sandpoint. The dinner includes all-you-can-eat pasta buffet, dessert, and two tickets for beer or wine. Organizers expect the event will sell out; to purchase tickets, go online to sandpointrotary.ejoinme.org/chafedinner.

Recently touted as one of the nation’s top charity bike rides by Bicycling Magazine, the 12th annual 150 Gran Fondo is presented by the Sandpoint Rotary Club and sponsored by Timberline Helicopters, Ting Sandpoint, RE/MAX, and more than 100 local businesses and organizations.

Registration for the event, which now features six ride options, is open at CHAFE150.org. The signature 150-mile ride remains in a class of its own, with a course that circumnavigates an entire mountain range while gaining a total elevation of approximately 6,600 feet. Named one of the most beautiful gran fondos in America, the route winds through the forests of northern Idaho and western Montana, past the scenic Bull River and takes in the incomparable vistas of Lake Pend Oreille. Previous riders praise the professional SAG (support and gear) and numerous rest stops stocked with nutritious foods and beverages.

A new century ride of 100 miles has been added, plus there are 80, 40, and 30 mile distances as well as a new 4-mile Family Fun Ride that starts at Sandpoint’s City Beach and ends at Dover City Park with family activities and games. The 150, 100 and 80 mile routes are professionally timed. New this year, electric bikes are permitted on the 30 and 40 mile routes.

CHAFE proceeds benefit the Lake Pend Oreille School District’s Literacy Initiative and After-School reading programs. Funds will support this initiative by helping fund a literacy curriculum, staff development, and expand after-school programs. This promotes the LPOSD vision of providing high quality instruction and high levels of learning for every child, every day, in every classroom and environment. Riders are encouraged to fundraise for the cause through pledge donations.

Information CHAFE150.org