CHAFE 150 registration set to open

Registration for the Sandpoint Rotary Club’s 2022 CHAFE 150 Gran Fondo bicycle ride opens at midnight on Wednesday, Jan. 19, at CHAFE150.org. As an extra incentive for early birds, cyclists who sign up before Feb. 18 will save $10 on their registration.

Organized by the Sandpoint Rotary Club, the CHAFE 150 is supported by presenting sponsor Litehouse Foods and over 90 other local businesses, organizations and individuals.

This one-day ride offers 150-, 100-, 80-, 40- and 25-mile routes along the lakes and through the river valleys of the Cabinet Mountains.

The signature 150-mile ride remains in a class of its own. The CHAFE 150’s course circumnavigates an entire mountain range while gaining a total elevation of approximately 6,600 feet.

The event has been touted as one of the nation’s top charity bike rides by Bicycling Magazine and consistently is considered one of the most beautiful and best supported rides in the country.

For those looking for a challenge, yet aren’t quite up to the full 150 miles, there is a ride for every level of rider.

Here’s a look at all of the routes for the 2022 CHAFE 150:

CHAFE 150: The 150-mile ride begins with breakfast on the beach and starts and finishes at City Beach in Sandpoint.

CHAFE 100: Begins with breakfast on the beach in Sandpoint before riders and bikes are bused to Troy, Montana. The ride starts at approximately the halfway point of the CHAFE 150. The CHAFE 100 is a combination of a portion of the CHAFE 150 and CHAFE 40 routes.

CHAFE 80: Begins with breakfast on the beach in Sandpoint and then riders and bikes are bused to Troy. This starts at approximately the halfway point of the CHAFE 150. The CHAFE 80 is the second half of the CHAFE 150 route.

CHAFE 40: Begins with continental breakfast on the beach in Sandpoint. Starts and finishes at City Beach and winds its way through the Selle Valley. The CHAFE 40 is an extension of the CHAFE 25 route.

CHAFE 25: Begins with continental breakfast on the beach in Sandpoint. Starts and finishes at City Beach and winds its way through the Selle Valley.

The 150-, 100- and 80-mile routes incorporate a recently paved route through Montana. This alleviates traffic congestion on the customary routes leading into Clark Fork. All the CHAFE routes are timed.

This year’s CHAFE 150 continues Sandpoint Rotary’s legacy of support for education in the greater Sandpoint community, contributing $455,000 in the past nine years.  Previously, funding has helped with autism programs, early childhood readiness and after school reading and literacy programs. This year, CHAFE proceeds will benefit the Lake Pend Oreille School District’s Book Trust Program which enables all first and second grade students to purchase their own books throughout the school year for reading at school and home.

Riders are encouraged to raise funds for the cause through pledge donations; find more information at CHAFE150.org. Riders who raise the most funds receive an assortment of prizes ranging from bicycles to free registrations for future rides.

Information: chafe150.org