Sherman avenue was subject to a lot of traffic as over 1000 cyclists gathered before the start of the annual Coeur d’Fondo on Sept. 24. In the crowd, several NIC students waited to start riding, not only to warm up, but also to support the upkeep of the Centennial Trail, a popular biking and walking route through the city.
Each year, at the end of September, the city of Coeur d’Alene holds the Coeur d’Fondo, a friendly bike race that varies in length. Riders can participate in a 15, 37, 47, 84 or 108 mile ride along Lake Coeur d’ Alene. The race is designed to be casual and riders of all ages and fitness levels are encouraged to participate. Proceeds benefit the Centennial Trail.
Upon their arrival at the finish line, bikers are given a complimentary ferry back to the Coeur d’Alene Resort from the opposite end of the lake.
Despite the vertical climb and endurance that one needs to ride, many NIC participants enjoyed the event and the encouragement from members of the community.
“The ride was super meaningful to me. Being able to make it halfway and not training as much as other people, was great for me,” NIC student Juliana Franco said of the 37 mile ride. “Riding up the first hill and having people cheering me on in ridiculous costumes felt pretty good. It’s pretty clear how important exercise is to our health, and the ride made me feel good.”
The Coeur d’ Fondo serves as one of many bike races in the area, and is one of the most popular. The ride provides the opportunity for varying types of cyclists to come together and enjoy the scenery while getting exercise.
“I’d say that it’s a fun thing to do, because you get to ride with other people that enjoy biking, and it’s for a good cause because the proceeds go towards maintaining the Centennial Trail,” NIC student Nathaniel Wardwell said.
The Centennial Trial runs through Coeur d’Alene, along the lake, and behind NIC, providing a safe and scenic route through the local area. Registration fees for the race and sponsorships all benefit the preservation of the trail.
“I would encourage more NIC students to do the race next year. There is no real reason not to,” Franco said. “It’s fun, healthy and helpful to community. If you have an opportunity to do it and are capable of doing so, why not do it?”
