COEUR d'ALENE - The spuds were mashed, hashed and tossed in a soup.

Some were baked twice, or smothered in cheese and butter. They were served in crock pots and cooked in casserole pans.

A few - the dessert spuds - were rolled into spongy, coconut-flavored chocolate balls.

Saturday's contest at Lone Wolf Harley Davidson, the third annual, featured potatoes of every stripe.

"Some of 'em are really awesome," said Tom Lyman of Post Falls, who attended the cookoff with his wife, Ruth. "We bought a bike here, and we know some of the people here. We like to get together with the people and visit."

A good-sized crowd stopped by the Lone Wolf dealership on Appleway and tasted the potato-based entrees. To decide a winner, visitors voted on their favorite dish.

The contest raised money for the North Idaho Court Appointed Special Advocate program (CASA), which currently serves more than 450 children in the five northern counties, according to the organization's website. When an abused or neglected child is part of a court case, CASA volunteers act as fact-finders for judges and represent the child in the courtroom.

Before sampling the potato buffet, participants dropped at least $5 into the CASA jar. Non-perishable food items - bound for a local food bank - were also accepted.

"Lone Wolf cookoffs are a lot of fun," said Jerry Chambers of Hayden. "We always have a lot of people that come in, and we have some fantastic cooks."

With spring in the air, Chambers is ready to ride. She'll be embarking on some long-distance trips this summer.

"Won't be long," she said. "My husband and I are planning to go to the Canadian National Rally, which is in Kamloops, British Columbia, in August."

The Lone Wolf Harley Owners Group (HOG) chapter was well-represented at the potato contest. Teri Taranda, newsletter editor and sergeant of road captains, whipped up some cheesy potato soup. She traveled from north Spokane on Saturday.

"I love it here," Taranda said. "These guys are family. "I love the events. I come to most of 'em. And you get such a big variety."

Joe Rosen's twice-baked potatoes were tasty enough to win first place. He served them on napkins, piping hot.

"We always have a very good cookout, every time they have it," said Corky Read of Post Falls, also a HOG rider. "We do a lot of contests."

Read took his Harley for a spin on Friday. The weather was cool, but he didn't mind.

"If I can get out of the driveway, I ride," he said. "It was cool. Any day is good riding."

Lone Wolf and the HOG riders often host contests and benefits. They usually help out a local charitable organization, such as CASA or the Heart of the City Church food bank in Coeur d'Alene.

The Lone Wolf riders are a tight-knit crew. When he bought his motorcycle last Labor Day, Lyman became part of the team.

"They told me when I came here it was like a family, and I didn't realize it until I was in it," he said.