CHAFE 150 signups seeing record returns

The number of riders registering for the 2019 CHAFE 150 Gran Fondo — coming up June 15 in Sandpoint, Idaho — are out-pacing previous years, according to event organizers.

“Our ride received national kudos last year, so the word is definitely out there,” Mel Dick, a member of the Sandpoint Rotary and the ride organizer, said.

The ride, which is in its twelfth iteration this year, features a myriad of starting places around Sandpoint and Montana, but race’s main hub is City Beach in Sandpoint. This year, CHAFE 150 is on June 15.

Those involved with the inner-workings of the annual ride are encouraging bicyclists who may be sitting on the sidelines to consider registering sooner rather than later.

CHAFE 150 was named the No. 3 Top Charity Ride in the United States by Bicycling Magazine in 2018, which cited the ride’s scenic routes and its commitment to benefiting local education as reasons behind ranking the ride that high.

The upward trend of early registrants could also be credited to this year’s new expanded routes available to riders — there are now a total of six ride-length options. Besides the 150-miler, bicyclists can choose 100 miles, 80, 40, 30, or the new Family Fun Ride at 4 miles.

Repeat riders of the Sandpoint Rotary’s CHAFE 150 rave about the event’s ample support from local volunteers, specifically its fully stocked break stops, professional ride support, a post-ride party and prizes for top fundraisers.

As it has in years past, CHAFE 150’s proceeds will go towards local education initiatives. This year, the ride pledged to fund after-school reading and literacy programs in the Lake Pend Orielle School District.