STOKR bicycle ride coming this weekend

STOKR starts Saturday and there are a few new things this year for the two-day bicycling event.

New for 2008 STOKR is a lottery system to be chosen as one of the 400 participants in the bike ride. The event has grown and a lottery was necessary because of limited motel space and the limited number of volunteers available to cook, bake, man food stops and drive support.

This is the 15th Annual Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River (STOKR) and is held each year on the second weekend in May, which is May 10-11 this year. The biking event is a fund raiser for the Kootenai Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity. Seven homes have been built in the Kootenai Valley community. It takes two STOKR events to raise enough funds to build one Habitat for Humanity home.

On the first day of STOKR, riders have the option of participating in a 98-mile ride along the Kootenai River and then up Pipe Creek Pass and back into Libby along Pipe Creek. Riders also have the option of a 45-mile route along the Kootenai River.

On day two, STOKR riders will follow a 37-mile ride along the Kootenai River to Lake Koocanusa and the Libby Dam visitor center.

There will be plenty of additional entertainment during STOKR weekend. Mountain Standard Time, a local musical group that performs “acoustic folk music,” will be doing a benefit concert for Habitat for Humanity at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Christ Lutheran Church. At noon on Saturday the 2nd Annual Wings Youth Trap Shoot will take place at the Yaak Rod and Gun Club. STOKR riders can refuel at the 2nd Annual Wings Spaghetti Feed, with social hour beginning at 5:30 p.m. and dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Libby Elks Lodge. Dinner is $8 per person.

For more information, go to www.stokr.org .