A scenic ride in the Northwest
By Jillian Chandler
Ride at this year’s CHAFE 150 Gran Fondo in beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho! Organized by the Sandpoint Rotary Club, the ride offers 150-, 80-, 40- and 25-mile road rides and 55- and 75-mile gravel routes. There is also the family fun ride for everyone of all ages to enjoy. There are food and drink stations along the routes, as well as mechanical and medical support. The after-ride party, held on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille at City Beach Park from 2 to 8pm, concludes the day and includes prizes, food, a beer and wine garden, and music. Riders, their friends and family, and the entire community are invited to attend. This year’s ride is scheduled for Saturday, June 15.
Riders begin in Sandpoint with a hearty breakfast or morning snack. The 150-, 40- and 25-mile rides start and finish at City Beach Park. The 80-mile ride starts in Sandpoint with breakfast, and then riders and their bikes are bussed and moved to Troy, Montana, where they join the second half of the 150-mile route. The 55- and, new this year, 75-mile gravel routes start with breakfast in Sandpoint, then riders and their bikes are bussed to Clark Fork, Idaho, for the start of the ride. “All rides are timed to start so that the majority of riders finish at the same time in Sandpoint for the after-ride party," notes Mel Dick, Sandpoint Rotary Club member and CHAFE 150 Gran Fondo Ride Committee member.
The ride has been recognized as one of the most scenic and best charity rides in the country. “It will be one of the best rides of your life,” promises Mel. “Every year we hear from riders that it is one of the best rides they have ever ridden.”
Since 2008, approximately $1 million has been raised to support education in the Lake Pend Oreille School District (LPOSD) and other Rotary Club of Sandpoint Youth initiatives — all thanks to the CHAFE 150. Proceeds from the 2024 ride go to benefit Book Trust, whose mission is to help elementary school children with little/no access to books fall in love with reading and become lifelong learners.
Come visit Sandpoint and ride the CHAFE 150 Gran Fondo. Bring family and friends and make it a long weekend while enjoying the beauty of Northern Idaho and experiencing all that Sandpoint and the area has to offer — from the shores of Lake Pend Oreille to the summit of Schweitzer Mountain Resort. To find out more about the ride and courses, and to register, visit CHAFE150.org.