STOKR returns to Libby Saturday morning
Jason Myslicki, left, and Bill Quinney, both of Calgary, descend Pipe Creek Road near Forest Road 6783 during the Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River Saturday, May 13, 2017. (John Blodgett/The Western News file photo)
A cyclist participating in the Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River speeds down Pipe Creek Road near Forest Road 6783 Saturday, May 13, 2017. (John Blodgett/The Western News file photo)
A group of riders participating in the Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River gets set to hit the road after stopping for pie along Pipe Creek Road about 13 miles north of Libby Saturday, May 13, 2017. (John Blodgett/The Western News file photo)
Jason Myslicki, left, and Bill Quinney, seated, both of Calgary, and Nathan Cook, standing behind Quinney, of Coeur d’Alene stop for pie, cocoa and coffee along Pipe Creek Road during the Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River Saturday, May 13, 2017. Myslicki has competed in the nordic combined skiing events in two Winter Olympics. (John Blodgett/The Western News file photo)
Susie Rice, co-founder and organizer of the Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River, describes the bike tour’s two routes to the first wave of riders about 7:45 a.m. Saturday, May 13, 2017. (John Blodgett/The Western News file photo)
The first of three waves of riders leaves Libby’s Fireman’s Park, kicking off the 23rd Annual Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River, about 7:50 a.m. Saturday, May 13, 2017. (John Blodgett/The Western News file photo)
The annual bike tour of Lincoln County to raise money for Habitat for Humanity starts Saturday, and cyclists will be a regular sight on Highway 2 between Libby and Yaak River Road in the morning.
Kootenai Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity board member Susie Rice said she hopes drivers will be patient and aware while the Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River is taking place, and remember that the about 400 cyclists are here to benefit the community.
In addition to raising money for local Habitat projects, STOKR brings not only the riders but others accompanying them to stay, eat and shop in Libby and the surrounding area, she said.
Rice said that the event has all the volunteers it needs at this point, but there is still one small thing others who want to make the event successful can do: “Be friendly and helpful to the riders.”
The STOKR riders are drawn to this area in part because of the friendliness of the community, she said.
“A lot of it is the low traffic roads, and they really like the hometown feel of it,” she said. “Everywhere they feel that welcome, and that makes it real special for them.”
With STOKR in its 24th year, Rice also gave credit to the around 300 volunteers who are helping with the event once again this year, from working food points to baking cookies to just helping sort out silverware.
“It just doesn’t take a hammer and nails to build a house,” she said.
Some contributing include people who have benefited from Habitat, and continue to show their gratitude, she said. One example is a local woman who made cookies for this year’s STOKR who was able to have her roof replaced through the no-interest loan from KVPHH and the work of volunteers to replace it.
Anyone interested in finding out about becoming involved with or raising money for Habitat for Humanity can go to kvphabitat.org or email habitat.libby.mt@gmail.com.