More time to train for Sandpoint’s favorite ride
By Abigail Thorpe
The CHAFE 150 Gran Fondo has become a Sandpoint summer staple as the days lengthen and the sunshine returns. This year the event has been changed from June 20 to September 12 as a result of COVID-19 health concerns, which means riders have more time to prep for their personal record, or, if you haven’t yet signed up, you still have time to train!
The number of routes has changed, and only the 150- and 80-mile routes will be offered on the day of the event. The longer routes will make it much easier for people to practice social distancing, says Melvin Dick, a member of Sandpoint Rotary who helps coordinate and sponsor the CHAFE 150 every year. “There will be a lot less riders—that will allow for the volunteers who work the rest stops to be safer from a social distancing standpoint.
This year the event will be reminiscent of the original CHAFE years, when only the 150- or 150- and 80- mile routes were offered. While the family fun ride is canceled, there will still be an after-ride party, location yet to be determined. Both rides will start in Sandpoint and end in Sandpoint, though 80-mile participants will be bussed to Troy after the breakfast in Sandpoint.
All riders were offered refunds if they could no longer participate due to the unforeseen changes, says Dick. Proceeds will still go to benefit the Lake Pend Oreille School District’s After School Reading and Literacy Program and other youth and educational programs. For the riders and volunteers who return each year, good education is at the heart of why they do what they do.
Registration is open until the date of the event; sign up and find out more at CHAFE150.org.