THE CHAFE 150 has been a favorite of bicycling enthusiasts for seven years. What started as a 150-mile benefit ride has rapidly grown as organizers do what they can to accommodate various levels of endurance. Shortly after its inception the CHAFE 150 added an 80 mile half CHAFE; and this year there will be a 30 mile Fun Ride in the hope of bringing more participants to the event. The 30 mile Fun Ride will begin at City Beach Park and travel to the Pack River Store through Selle Valley and back to City Beach Park along the Lower Pack River Road.
When six-year-old Taylor Ailport learned about the Fun Ride, she jumped at the chance to participate. And there’s been no slowing her down since.
“I discussed with Taylor, who was 5 at the time, if she thought she could ride 30 miles, her answer was a most definitive, YES!” said Lisa Ailport of her daughter who is finishing her kindergarten year at Sagle Elementary and has been riding a bike since she was 4, logging over 100 miles on her bike last summer.
First drawn to the CHAFE by the love of riding, Taylor and Lisa became even more motivated when they learned that the proceeds from the ride were going to programs at Lake Pend Oreille School District that support students on the autism spectrum.
“When we learned what the ride supported, we got excited to get behind such a worthy cause,” said Lisa.
According to Lisa, Taylor has three young friends who have been diagnosed within the range of the Autism spectrum. “One of her friend’s parents knew early on their child came with a gift, but it was later in life that parents of her other friends got the diagnosis of Asperger’s, a lower range of the spectrum,” said Lisa who adds that the average age of a child’s Asperger’s diagnosis is 6 years old.
The fact that many children Taylor’s age have not even mastered riding a bicycle makes it even more remarkable that this young girl wants to participate in a 30-mile ride.
The mother and daughter officially started training in early May, logging 60 miles in their first two weeks, with a couple rides ranging between 13 and 15 miles each.
“We hope with our training program that Taylor will get up to 25 miles prior to the event on the 21st,” said Lisa.
Each team participating in the CHAFE ride can have up to five riders. Taylor has been busy soliciting donations from family and friends as well as gathering team members, all of whom are adults, in anticipation of the event. To date she has raised $60 towards her team goal of $500. Her enthusiasm and desire to help is inspiring.
“She is an amazing gift and has a heart of gold,” said Lisa. “I am proud to call her my daughter.” To donate to Taylor, visit her webpage at https://www.active.com/donate/2014chafe150/LAilpor
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