17th annual CHAFE 150 Gran Fondo set for June 15

SANDPOINT — The 17th annual CHAFE 150 Gran Fondo, organized by the Rotary Club of Sandpoint, will take place Saturday, June 15, and will again include a 150, 80, 40 and 25-mile routes, a 55-mile gravel route, a new 75-mile gravel route and a 4-mile family fun ride.

Named as one of the top charity rides in the U.S., the event supports reading programs which are vitally important to the community and the future of young students. Proceeds from the ride will directly support the Book Trust program for students from kindergarten to third grade at all the Lake Pend Oreille School District's elementary schools. The program enables students to select books throughout the school year that become their own books for reading in the classroom and at home. Proceeds from the ride also directly support other Rotary community Youth Services programs.

The CHAFE 150 has received numerous accolades over the years from being recognized as a top 10 scenic ride in the country to being named the third-best charity ride in the country by Bicycling Magazine.

ROUTE INFORMATION

150-mile — This route is a grand loop around the Cabinet Mountains, a frontal range of the Rocky Mountains of Idaho and Montana through gorgeous lakes and river valleys. The route encompasses one upriver leg, two downriver legs and one lake.

80-mile — This route incorporates portions of the 150-mile route.

40 and 25-mile — These routes ride along the beautiful Selle Valley with incredible mountain views and also incorporates portions of the 150-mile route.

75 and 55-mile gravel — These routes will be mostly along the forest service roads of the Cabinet Mountains and gravel and paved back roads of the Selle Valley.

The 150, 40, 25-mile routes and family fun rides start and end at City Beach Park in Sandpoint. The 80-mile route starts in Troy, Mont. (after breakfast and bus trip). The Gravel Route starts in Clark Fork (after breakfast and bus trip).

CHAFE 150 has partnered with the City of Sandpoint Parks and Recreation department, the City of Ponderay, the YMCA and LPOSD to organize and hold the Family Fun Ride.

All rides end at City Beach Park, where the after-ride party will be held. The party will have music, a wine and beer garden, meals, raffles, games for the kids and more. The after-ride party is open to the entire community and will be held from 2 to 8 p.m.

For more route information, frequently asked questions, and start times visit www.chafe150.org/the-ride

SUPPORT ALONG THE WAY

There will be vehicle, motorcycle, medical and mechanical support on all routes. There will six fully stocked rest stops organized by various community organizations, including but not limited to the Lake Pend Oreille School District, Angels over Sandpoint, KRFY, Friends of Scotchman Peaks, Pend Oreille Pedalers, Sandpoint Rotary, Williams and Schiller and the Litehouse YMCA. The race usually expects 350-400 riders from all over the country and Canada.

REGISTRATION 

The deadline to register is June 12 at 11:59 p.m. PST. To register and view registration fees associated with each race, visit runsignup.com/Race/ID/Sandpoint/Chafe150. For sponsorship opportunities contact Mel Dick at melvindick@gmail.com