The CHaFE 150 bike ride

- June 13, 2009 -

Our 2nd Annual CHaFE was a fine success. Terrific sunny weather, a gorgeous course - and the best pack of riders ever - made the event a stellar experience for all, we hope!

See the ride photos. Our terrific CHaFE photographers have posted a whopping 265 photos of the 2009 ride. Riders can review to find their photo, and even order a copy. Click to see photos now. Order a bunch; money from the photo sales go to our cause of early childhood education.

Plus, here's more eye candy: Thanks to the skillful videography of Theron Humphrey, click to see this new 2009 CHaFE ride video. It's cool!

Read all about it. Click to read the ride recap with details on the event and comments from riders. The thumbnail report: Ridership almost doubled this year, riders had glowing praise and the CHaFE volunteers performed like champs.

If you missed the ride, browse down below to see more on the 2009 CHaFE ... and don't fail to mark June 2010 on your ride calendar now! We'll announce date and ride details in the next few weeks, as we evaluate this year's ride and cook up with ways to make the 2010 edition even better.

One very positive change in this year's ride: The new 1/2 CHaFE proved popular. The new 82-mile "1/2 CHaFE" ride received nearly four dozen entrants. The 1/2 CHaFEers caught a bus at the half-way stop in Troy, Mont., to ride back to the finish line.

As that old Idaho proverb says, "Half a CHaFE is better than no CHaFE at all."

Here's why you should put the CHaFE 150 on your 2010 ride calendar:

The route is redoubtable. Our ride starts in beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho, and follows a course along magnificent Lake Pend Oreille, through lush river valleys amid the rugged Cabinet Mountains in northwestern Montana, returning down the glacially-carved Purcell Trench. Although the distance is challenging there are no major hills or passes. See the route map.

The perks are prodigious. The CHaFE150 treats riders in the fashion to which they would like to become accustomed! There is great food and entertainment, attentive support along the route, fine facilities -- and of course, our very neat town of Sandpoint to explore and enjoy. All finishers receive a unique gift commemorating their CHaFE ride. Check event details.

The cause is worthy. This event is staged by the Panhandle Alliance For Education to raise money for Ready! For Kindergarten, an early childhood education program to help new parents and disadvantaged kids. Riders are encouraged to raise lots of donations, with rewards for the top fundraisers. Read about the cause.

Below is some more info on this year's 2009 CHaFE. If you have any comments or questions, please e-mail us now.

CHaFE IN A NUTSHELL

• Ride date: New date! June 13, 2009
• Ride length: 156 miles (optional 1/2 CHaFE 82-mile finish in Troy, Mont.)
• Number of food stops: 5 fully-stocked break/lunch stops
• Support: Lead ride vehicle, bike mechanics & nurses, sweep-vehicle
• Registration Fee: $120. Includes T-shirt and dinner voucher
• Registration: Open till day before the ride!
• Rider limit: 250

Explore our website to learn more about the ride. Got a question? Just click to e-mail us.