15th Annual Kootenai River Ride,
Photo by Mandi Bateman Riders enjoyed the beautiful morning in the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge leg of the Kootenai River Ride.
Photo by Mandi Bateman The 15th Annual Kootenai River Ride took place on September 16.
Photo by Mandi Bateman The Kootenai River Ride is put on by the Rotary Club of Bonners Ferry, with the proceeds benefiting the community.
BONNERS FERRY — Saturday, September 16, saw the 15th Annual Kootenai River Ride, presented by the Rotary Club of Bonners Ferry, bringing out almost 80 participants who chose between a 16K ride, 60K ride, or 100K ride.
“The important thing this year is that we have dedicated it to Dean Satchwell who was a local rider,” said Rotary Club Member Kristie Campbell. “He wasn’t a Rotarian, but he was the inspiration for this ride. He decided that we needed a bike ride in Boundary County and he approached the rotary and the Kootenai River Ride was then born from that conversation. He passed on this year, so this one is dedicated to him.”
The riders were treated to a sunny day that started crisp, and warmed up as the morning progressed. All rides went through the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, with the longer ones traveling as far as The Little White Church in Paradise Valley, and the Katka overlook, offering riders an amazing view.
“We try to get them to go up to Myrtle Creek and maybe take the auto tour, if they don’t have road bikes, just mountain bikes,” said Campbell. “Just to let them enjoy what we have in Boundary County.”
Merv Ashby proved that you don’t have to be a die-hard bicycle racer to enjoy a ride like this. At 58, she finished the 16K and plans on returning again. “I haven’t really ridden a bike since I was a kid and I just thought, this is my chance. It’s a nice, fairly level ride. It was a lot of fun,” she said and added with a laugh, “It did do my heart good to pass some of the young people.”
Behind the scenes, helping to make sure that as many riders came back as went out, was the Boundary Amatuer Radio Club. “We are stationed throughout the course,” said club member Jeannie Borer, assisted by Patricia Quail. “We have five operators throughout the ride- and this station- net control.”
The Rotary Club provided all those that pre-paid with a long sleeve t-shirt, healthy snacks and beverages along the way, as well as lunch at the end of the ride. The atmosphere was casual, and lunch featured the melodic singing of Nancy Meadows who performed many favorites.
The proceeds for this ride help to benefit the community. The Rotary Club helps raise funds for scholarships, local community projects, assisting the robotics club attend international competitions, and much more.
For all attending, it was a beautiful day filled with adventures and fun, all to benefit a great cause.