CHAFE 150
- Steve Russo
- Mar 1, 2014
- 3 min read
Riding for a cause. By Patty Hutchens. Photo by Jason Duchow Photography.
Seven years ago North Idaho resident and bicycling enthusiast Brad Williams had a vision to bring a bike race to the area. His inspiration, he says, came from the open road.
“That road between Bonners and the junction of MT 53 and Highway 200 is breathtakingly beautiful, and there is not much traffic,” said Williams. “I have been riding in many places around the northwest, and it just does not get much better.”
He also knew that in addition to a beautiful route, he wanted it to be challenging. “So why not 150 miles in a day?” said Williams.
Now, seven years later, the CHAFE 150 (Cycling Hard for Education) draws riders from all over the world.
“Most riders are regional, but we have had riders from as far away as Florida, Vermont, Canada and even Italy and Spain,” said Elana Westphal, a member of Sandpoint Rotary and an organizer of this year’s CHAFE 150.
Because of its incredible setting and the thoughtfulness and organization that go into the ride, CHAFE 150 has been named one of the top endurance rides in America.
“We have great rest stops, motorcycle escorts, excellent signage, great volunteers, and an excellent registration event and after ride party,” said Williams. “We really try to make this ride the best organized, best staffed ride of its kind in the country.”
Shortly after its inception, word of the event quickly traveled around the bicycling community, and cyclists of all levels were eager to participate. It was then that planners added a second route, the ½ CHAFE, an 80-mile ride that begins in Troy, Montana where riders and their bikes are bussed. The ride follows the second half of the CHAFE 150 route back to Sandpoint’s City Beach Park.
But there is much more to the CHAFE 150 than the breathtaking ride and the camaraderie of the cycling community. The event has raised a significant amount of funds all of which have gone back into the community to benefit education.
Panhandle Alliance for Education was the organizer and presenting organization of the CHAFE 150 for the first five years, and then last year Sandpoint Rotary enthusiastically took the ride over and continued the theme of benefiting local education. This year’s proceeds will go towards the needs of the students who are on the autism spectrum as well as Sandpoint Rotary’s annual college and post secondary education scholarship award program.
With 260 riders last year, the number is sure to increase with the addition of a 30 mile Fun Ride that begins at City Beach Park and travels to the Pack River Store through Selle Valley and back to City Beach Park along the Lower Pack River Road.
For those interested in the full CHAFE 150 route, it begins at City Beach Park in Sandpoint, travels north to Bonners Ferry, east to Troy Montana, south along the Bull River Valley and then back to Sandpoint City Beach Park via Clark Fork and along the shores of Lake Pend Oreille.
In addition to several corporate sponsors, many of which have already showed great support for this year’s event, money is raised through rider registration fees and donations.
Whether you are a rider, a volunteer, or a community member just wanting to cheer on the participants, there will be an after-ride party at City Beach Park in Sandpoint. The event will be catered by Trinity at City Beach and includes great food, beer, wine and live music. The riders will receive an after ride meal and drinks as part of their registration fee, and all others in attendance can purchase food and drink for a modest cost with the net proceeds going towards the ride.
CHAFE 150:
June 21, 2014
Register online for any of the three events at: http://chafe150.org/the-event/registration/.
To make a pledge donation log onto http://chafe150.org/donate/ or mail your donation to Sandpoint Rotary Charitable Trust, Inc., P.O. Box 1666, Sandpoint, ID 83864.
To volunteer, contact ride coordinator Jane Huang at ride@chafe150.org.
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