A crisp fall day is a perfect time for a long bike ride, and one of the area’s favorite rides is just around the corner. The annual Coeur d’Fondo ride benefitting the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation will be held Saturday, September 24, and there are five different distances you can tackle.
The most serious of riders choose the Gran Fondo, a 108-mile journey that wraps around Lake Coeur d’Alene through St Maries, Harrison and back to downtown. Shorter options include the Medio Fondo at 84 miles, Centro Fondo at 47 miles and Piccolo Fondo at 37 miles. There is also a family fun ride, perfect for kids, which runs just 15 miles. While the Gran and Medio Fondos take you around the lake on your bike, the Centro and Piccolo distances are an out race and riders are then brought back via a Coeur d’Alene Resort Lake Cruise from Harrison. Each distance ends at the same location, which this year coincides with the Coeur d’Alene Chamber’s Oktoberfest celebration.
Those who register receive a race T-shirt, entrance into the Oktoberfest event, raffle tickets towards great prizes, and bike and bag valet service. There will be manned checkpoints along the ride with food and water as well as mechanical support along the course if you encounter bike malfunctions. The ride is timed, but awards are not given out for finishing first, second, third, rather they are given out for finishing within certain time limits.
Proceeds from this event go to benefit the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation which maintains the trail from the Idaho border and on. The foundation seals cracks, keeps the trail clean of debris, and funds long-term projects to make our community more bicycle friendly.
To register online or learn more visit www.cdagranfondo.com.