CHAFE 150 returns Saturday

SANDPOINT — The illustrious CHAFE 150 Gran Fondo bike ride makes its return on Saturday after a year away due to the pandemic.

The 14th annual event is taking place a few months later than usual, but the Sandpoint Rotary Club is excited to bring back one of the best charity bike rides in the country. An event like this gets to the heart of Sandpoint Rotary loves to do — give back, Rotary President David Keyes said.

“I just think it continues what we've been building on over the years of helping our different charities as a result of the ride and just making sure it’s an integral part of who the community is,” he said.

The CHAFE 150 is one of the Rotary’s biggest fundraisers, and supports literacy and after school programs in the Lake Pend Oreille School District. About 85% of the Rotary’s members will participate in the CHAFE 150 in some fashion, Keyes said.

“It’s our biggest hands-on project,” he said.

Keyes said it’s been special to see how much the community has embraced the ride over the years. That couldn’t have been more evident in 2020 when Rotary was still able to raise $50,000 for LPOSD programs despite not holding the event.

“That’s a testament to what the CHAFE ride is and thanks to people like Mel Dick and Brad Williams and the whole [CHAFE] committee,” he said.

Over the last eight years, the event has donated over $350,000 to local schools, according to the CHAFE 150 website.

The ride offers five different lengths — 150, 100, 80, 40 and 25 miles. The 150-mile race is for the most experienced riders and loops around the Cabinet Mountains. It consists of two steep climbs, with grades up to 18% and 8%, out of Bonners Ferry and Troy, Mont. A rolling start for the ride will take place from 6-6:30 a.m. Saturday at City Beach.

The 100- and 80-mile routes will begin in Troy and offer similar terrain, with a maximum grade of 8% percent. The 40- and 25-mile options provide a scenic two- to three-hour ride through the Selle Valley and bikers will depart from City Beach between 11 a.m.-noon. The shorter rides are perfect for anyone looking to register for the event at the last second, said Keyes, who will be in the 40-mile ride.

“Anybody can do the 25 or 40 … and it’s a great family thing, too,” he said.

Packet pickup and onsite registration for the ride is happening from 3-7 p.m. today on the lawn at City Beach. Refreshments will be provided and the minimum donation of $50 will be collected from each rider who hasn’t submitted it already.

On Saturday, late packet pickup and race day registration will start at 5 a.m. at City Beach. The after-ride party will be held from 2-8 p.m. and the majority of riders should finish between 3-6 p.m. The course will close at 7 p.m.

To ensure the CHAFE 150 is safe for everyone involved, all bikers taking the bus to the start line in Troy for the 100- and 80-mile rides are required to wear a mask while on the bus, a rolling start will be held for each distance and social distancing will be encouraged during the Saturday breakfast and after-ride party.

For more information on the event, visit chafe150.org.