Friday, August 12, 2011

Ride Idaho cyclists welcomed to Hailey

Organization donates bike racks and playground equipment to city


By TONY EVANS
Express Staff Writer

The city of Hailey welcomed about 400 Ride Idaho cyclists to town Thursday with a street party at the corner of Carbonate and Main streets.

The cyclists came bearing gifts. They were welcomed with enthusiasm by city leaders and businesses.

Hailey Chamber of Commerce employees and volunteers served 800 breakfasts on Thursday and Friday to the cyclists, who brought a financial boost to the city.

The city of Hailey provided restrooms and camping space at the Rodeo Grounds. Power Engineers donated cooking equipment.

The annual Ride Idaho cycle tour started in Lowman and went through Stanley, Challis and Arco before arriving in Hailey. The seven-day supported ride will have covered about 400 miles when it finishes back in Lowman.

Ride Idaho donated school playground equipment to Hailey Elementary School and Carey Elementary School, and bought bike racks for the Hailey Rodeo Grounds.

Ride Idaho purchased $10,000 in Hailey Chamber Bucks, redeemable at local restaurants and businesses.

"Ride Idaho is an awesome organization," said Hailey Chamber of Commerce Director Heather La Monica Deckard.

Several local businesses in turn joined forces to put on a street party for the cyclists, complete with raffle prizes and discounts for Ride Idaho.

The Sun Valley Brewery set up Boulder, Colo.,-based band Smooth Money Gesture on Carbonate Street on Thursday. The show was free and open to the public, bringing together locals with the Ride Idaho bunch.

The Ride Idaho cyclists were scheduled to decamp today and hit the bike path on their way north over Galena Pass to Stanley.

They will end their ride in Lowman on Saturday.

Tony Evans: tevans@mtexpress.com




 Local Weather 
Search archives:


Copyright © 2024 Express Publishing Inc.   Terms of Use   Privacy Policy
All Rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Express Publishing Inc. is prohibited. 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.