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Much of Sanders County enjoys a cycle of tourists each year to boost business, but there is also an annual influx of tourists on cycles who come through with that purpose in mind. Ride Idaho bicycle tour brings hundreds of cyclists from 43 states to the county for an overnight stay before pedaling their bikes up Thompson Pass to arrive at their destination in Post Falls – which is also their starting point.

"We really like to support the communities and the businesses there when we pass through," said organizer Bret Tinker, "just about everything the riders could need is included in their registration fee, so everywhere we stop along the way we encourage them to show their thanks and spend their cash whenever they see an opportunity."

Case in point: their stop in Trout Creek, Monday evening, where the Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA), volunteers from Open Gate Ranch, Clearview Horizon School and the Trout Creek community came out in force to host the bike tour at Trout Creek Park. Around 330 visitors needed to be fed and entertained in Sanders County fashion. That hospitality resulted in a fundraiser benefiting Trout Creek School.

"The school has always been on a tight budget but has always pulled through to provide quality education and a great school experience for their students," said TCCIA's Liz Stender, "but functions like this are the perfect example of how the community pulls together to help the school go above what could normally be offered."

Trout Creek School's cafeteria cook, Renna Mummert took on the task of organizing the menu for the riders, sharing her from-scratch spaghetti sauce and all the trimmings for the pasta dinner. Clearview Horizon students helped serve the hungry riders and Open Gate Ranch boys assisted in unloading the tents and other equipment that follows the tour in vans. Five-dollar Huckleberry cheesecake slices were topped with Mummert's huckleberry sauce made with berries gathered herself.

D&D Good Time Music featured Dave and Deb Oliver, playing for tips that would be donated to the school. Dave asked the bikers a question with honest curiosity, "How many calories do you all burn when on a ride like this?" The reply shouted from the road-weary crowd was, "All of them!" Oliver laughed and continued their country flavored act with his wife, strumming out western favorites with Deb on bass. Cody Mosher of HighLead Saloon had a tent with beer and wine, and reported that he had to order another keg of IPA long before the sun had set.

"That tells me y'all were thirsty tonight," joked Tinker during announcement time. "I never know how much you guys are going to drink at each stop."

The riders woke in Trout Creek Park to a country breakfast of eggs, taters O'Brien, juice and fresh fruit before pushing on to Beagles Bakery west of Thompson Falls.

Justin Harris

TREAT TIME - Jean Manning (right) with the Trout Creek Community Improvement Association was one of several volunteers who helped the cyclists feel welcome.

"Volunteers were up at 3 a.m. to start breakfast," said Stender. "We cracked over 700 eggs and scrambled them before 6 a.m." That would be the last break for the riders before pushing up Thompson Pass to rest at a flagged construction area on the Idaho side of the slope.

The cyclists were packed and out of the park by 9:30 a.m.

"We are projecting that the Trout Creek School will receive around $4,000 to help them in their education endeavors," said Stender, "we will be donating some of the money left over to First Baptist Church's youth AWANA program, as well as a kickback to the Open gate Ranch boys to help them purchase new school clothes. The TCCIA's costs were covered and there will be a little bit left for maintenance costs in the park. The event was a huge success and it was another great community effort to pull this off."

Prior to arriving in Trout Creek, the cyclists enjoyed the views from Sandpoint and pastries in Clark Fork. A trailer holding 16 showers followed the cyclists, as well as a bike maintenance van and mobile coffee service.