The St. Joe Cycle Club’s 2013 schedule is set!
The local motorcycle club organizes several rides and races each year at Xmas Hills, in the long-established recreation area two miles from of St. Maries.
The season starts out with the Muddy Butt races May 5. Mud will be flying and bikers sliding in this early-season race.
By the time the Chuck Compton Memorial June 9 the course should a bit dryer, but no one is making any promises. Rain or shine it does promise to be a great day at the races.
The Jimmy Hansen Memorial Mini is June 16 for Auto, Mini 4-stroke and 85 Beginner and the Stix and Stones Last Chance Fall Dash is Oct. 6.
So tune up your riding skills and fire up your engines, spring is coming and so are the races at Xmas Hills.
The St. Joe Cycle Club and Benewah County lease just over 1000 acres of privately owned property, called the Xmas Hills Recreation Area. It is a multiple-use area dedicated to off-road riding. The only improvements on the property are a warming hut, restrooms and an unloading dock.
There exists an expansive trail system on the property with trails to challenge all levels of riders, from old forest roads, groomed ATV trails to tight single track trails. In the field area there is a 50 course for the kids and also a super cross track for the more experienced rider.
The track is open to the public year round, and come May 5 it will be filled with riders and pit crews, race fans and the sound of four-stroke engines.
Yes race fans, spring is coming.
Whether you plan a quiet weekend in the St. Joe Valley, enjoying the great outdoors of the area, or you come to town for one of the busy, fun-filled summer weekends, start planning now to visit St. Maries.
The first of the events is the second annual Rattitude Rod Rumble June 22 along the St. Joe River at Aqua Park. In addition to the car show, featuring low-budget jalopies, organizers plan a cruise and drive-in theater.
The car show opens from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Aqua Park, followed by a cruise from 5 to 7 p.m. and then the drive-in movie at dark.
If you’re looking for sparkle and shine, perhaps you’ll want at attend the St. Joe Car Club’s annual Show and Shine July 20 at the St. Maries City Park. The weekend also includes the St. Joe Snowriders’ annual Summer Sucks Grass Drags a mile north of town.
Although it may seem like spring is a long way off, it’s not too early to make plans for summer!
It takes great people to make a great community, and St. Maries has plenty.
The most recent group to step up in an effort to improve the quality of life for our community is the organizers of the St. Joe River Marathon.
For the past two years the group has showcased St. Maries as a great community through its annual race.
Recently the committee applied for non-profit, charitable status in order to provide financial assistance to local families with members who have been diagnosed with cancer.
“I think we have the potential to really help people in town and affect families in a very positive way.” organizer Devon Barta said.
Though the intent of the race has always been to benefit the community, organizers felt it pressing to complete the process after the cancer-related death of one of the race’s founders, Dr. John Thomson, last September.
Aside from the incorporation the event will have few changes this year. The children’s fun run will be June 8 and the 5K, half-marathon and marathon will be the following day. The course will reflect last year’s in going through downtown.
Those who do not wish to participate in the race but still want to help with the cause can donate directly to the foundation or help sponsor the race.
Registration is now open and available online at www.stjoerivermarathon.com. Approximately 40 people have already registered for the race.
The recent warm weather has not affected the mountains snows in the higher region, making it a great weekend to hit the mountains surrounding the beautiful St. Joe River valley.
Snowmobile enthusiast might enjoy a venture into the high country near in the Calder and Marble Creek area.
Uncertain about where to ride? How about joining members of St. Joe Snowriders Club in Clarkia for the Annual Morry Hedlund Memorial Ride Feb. 23. Money from that ride is used for upkeep of the Round Top Cabin warming hut.
Registration is from 8 to 10 a.m. at the J & E Stop in Clarkia. The ride takes participants on approximately 60 miles of groom trails. Hamburgers and hotdogs will be available along the trail for a small donation.
For mroe4 information contact Ken Schiermeister or Blair Peet.
In spring and summer they’re seen up the St. Joe River with their flies and rods. They’re also seen lining the trestle at Benewah Lake, their lines reaching into the shallow, fish-laden waters.
This time of year, they can be seen across the ice of Benewah Lake, Turtle Lake, Porrett’s Lake and Chatcolet. Area ice fishermen live for the days subfreezing weather, waiting for the ice to thicken enough to hold them as they drill holes to set their tip ups.
There are some pike to be caught in the area lakes, and perch too.
What better way to enjoy the great outdoors than fishing on one of the area’s many lakes, in any season?
