25 years of riding the wall

ENAVILLE — Gear up and celebrate the summer solstice with the 25th Annual Ride the Wall Bike Event.

Those wishing to register should hurry if they want to get the discounted price because it’s going to go up in just a few days.

The ride itself is a non-competitive, 13-mile bicycle ride starting at the Enaville Trailhead to The Snake Pit on the gorgeous “Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes” from Enaville to Cataldo, and then onto the historic CCC-Wall Ridge route, following the scenic road that winds along and above the Coeur d’Alene River beginning at Cataldo and ending at Enaville on the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River. This is a family event, and invites those who want to walk, with or without walkers, and those in wheelchairs.

Twenty-five years ago, when the Trail of the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes was beginning to be paved, members of the recreational community held a meeting at The Snake Pit in Enaville and created what was originally called Bridge the Years, and eventually turned into Ride the Wall.

“I remember Mike Domy, who worked at Excelsior Cycle and Sport Shop, Joe and Rosemary Peak, who owned the Snake Pit at the time, as well as people from the parks service,” reminisced Judy Blalack. “We would bridge between the oldest buildings in the areas, starting at the mission, rode on the gravel to Cataldo and then across and up over the Wall Ridge and down to the Snake Pit.”

Blalack, with the Silver Valley Fuller Center for Housing, to which all proceeds for the event will go, and has attended the ride for all 25 years.

The event was later moved to the Snake Pit once the trail was completely paved. In 2012, Joe Peak passed, and the Snake Pit was unfortunately closed for a few years.

“I was ready to call it quits,” Blalack said. “We weren’t generating enough to warrant keeping it going. But the community spoke up and wanted to keep it going, and give their support. Tom Richards eventually bought the Snake Pit and was incredibly supportive. But, it still took a while for people to gradually come back and be a part of the ride.”

The COVID-19 pandemic also created hardship for the event, but that didn’t stop the organizers from riding.

“For two years, we did a virtual ride which at least kept the date,” Blalack said. “People could sign up and ride anywhere, and they received a virtual ride T-shirt. At the time, it was only logical that we would invite anybody to join us, whether they were biking or not.”

Through the hardships and losses, this event continues on strong, and most years has had a rough average of about 50 riders.

Check-in for the event is Tuesday, June 21 from 4-6 p.m. at the Snake Pit outdoor pavilion, with the ride beginning at 6.

Early registration is $45 — payable to Silver Valley Fuller Center for Housing, registering before June 14, which also guarantees an event T-shirt and a barbecue dinner. After June 14, those who want to can register for $50 and can register in person the day of from 1-3 p.m.

Participants who would like to register early, or get more information about the event can do so at www.svfch.org or contact the Fuller Center for Housing at 208-682-3240.