Cross-country cyclists make Thompson Falls stops

Two groups of cyclists made stops in Sanders County over the weekend on cross-country trips.

The Journey of Hope team, a group of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity men, arrived in Thompson Falls on Friday after traveling 90 miles from Sandpoint, Idaho. The Journey of Hope group began their journey in Seattle earlier this month, and will end at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 11.

The Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce fed the cyclists dinner and breakfast during their overnight stay, and the group slept in the Thompson Falls High School gym. The young men were appreciative of the hospitality they received in Thompson Falls. The community was invited to an ice cream social Friday evening with the cyclists, who shared information about themselves and their journey.

The Thompson Falls stop was day 10 of the cyclists' journey, and one cyclist already had five flat tires on the trip. JP, at student from the University of Colorado, crashed his bike on the trip from Sandpoint to Thompson Falls, but was still smiling and excited for the rest of the adventure.

There were several cyclists from Colorado schools and from the East Coast, including a certified stunt driver. The 28 cyclists and five crew members said they had 67 stops planned on the cross-country journey.

Another group made a Thompson Falls visit last weekend on a cross-country bicycling trip. Nine cyclists with the Venture organization were hosted by Our Savior's Lutheran Chruch. The group, traveling from Seattle to New York, were thankful for the hospitality in Thompson Falls. The group is raising money for refugees in Southeast Asia. Venture works with the Feed My Starving Children program to provide food to children.

The Venture cyclists were on day six of their cross-country journey when they stopped in Thompson Falls, and said they averaged about 80 miles a day.