Caution: Cyclists ahead on Saturday

COEUR d'ALENE — About 1,000 cyclists will be on roads around Lake Coeur d'Alene on Saturday for the Coeur d'Fondo.

Drivers and residents in the area, specifically the south end of the lake, are asked to use caution.

The route starts in downtown Coeur d'Alene at 8 a.m. as cyclists head past Higgens Point on the lake, Wolf Lodge, on to Highway 97 past Arrow Point, Harrison and finally along Highway 95 into Coeur d'Alene.

Sherman Avenue from First and Second streets will be closed to traffic for about 25 minutes, between 7:50 and 8:15 a.m. as the riders parade through town on their way to Higgens Point.

"Motorists are asked to allow cyclists the same respect they would allow for another vehicle by maintaining a 3-foot gap when passing a bicyclist and being alert when turning," said Theresa MacLennan, North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation executive director, adding the lanes will not be closed to vehicular traffic.

Coeur d'Fondo is a fundraiser for the trail foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to trail maintenance, promotion and expansion. It features five varying-length rides ranging from 15 to 108 miles.

The rides showcase the lake, winding and historic roads along Highway 97 and the communities of Arrow Point, Harrison and St. Maries.

The rides finish in Coeur d'Alene at the fall Oktoberfest presented by the Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association.

For information about the foundation, visit www.ItsMyTrail.org.