Cyclists are gearing up for the annual CHAFE 150 Gran Fondo, a 150-mile charity ride through the Cabinet Mountains that raises money for local childhood literacy and education programs. The festivities begin with a pre-ride party Friday, June 19, culminating in the Saturday, June 20 trek.
Cyclists, friends and family will gather from noon to 6 p.m. at Matchwood Brewing Co. (512 Oak St.) for the pre-ride party with complimentary food. Anyone still looking to register or submit their entry fees, ranging from $95 to $175, can do so on-site or the morning of the ride. The following day, events begin at 5 a.m. at Sandpoint City Beach, with staggered start times based on the length of rides. Choose from the full 150 miles, 80 miles, 40 miles, 25 miles, gravel rides and the Family Fun ride. Cyclists participating in every event except the Family Fun Ride will enjoy an ongoing free breakfast at City Beach. 150-mile participants will take off at 6:30 a.m., followed by 80-mile riders at 7:30 a.m., gravel riders at 9:30 a.m., 40-mile and 25-mile at noon and families at 1 p.m.
Photo courtesy CHAFE 150 Ride Committee.
Following the long, scenic journey, riders and supporters will return to City Beach from 2-8 p.m. for the afterparty. 150, 80, 40 and 25 and gravel route riders will receive a meal and two free drink coupons each, and additional food and drink will be available for purchase.
The Grand Fondo, organized by the Sandpoint Rotary, raises funds for the Lake Pend Oreille School District’s Literacy Initiative and after-school reading programs, and has collected more than $1 million over the past 18 years. Donations and fees from the 2026 and 2027 rides will benefit the Every Student Graduates a Reader initiative, which provides annual literacy screenings, student diagnostic assessments, personalized instruction and teacher training to ensure each student has every opportunity to succeed. The initiative was created in response to national studies, which show that 20% of graduating high-school seniors are functionally illiterate.
The Gran Fondo is sponsored by Litehouse Foods; Like Media, 219 Lounge; Kochava; Bonner County Daily Bee; KPND Radio; Tork Electric, Inc.; D.A. Davidson; Williams and Schiller, P.C.; Tomlinson Sotheby’s; 113 Main; Peg and Read Tuddenham; Annie Pollock; and the Hymowitz Family Foundation.
For more information and a complete event schedule, visit chafe150.org.
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