Montana & Regional Cycling Events in 2012

May

Bike For Shelter – Saturday May 12.  Beautiful family bike ride, barbecue and balloons.  Helping kids in crisis.  What's not to like? This day is filled with lots of serious cruising on bikes, food and the good times of a family carnival. All to help and protect area children in crisis. Bike for Shelter 2012 will include the Shelter to Shelter 12-mile scenic loop showcasing the new 2nd shelter off Blue Mountain Road, along with the two-mile Fort Missoula Fun Ride and the Bike Rodeo where kids can earn a medal. Enjoy live musical entertainment, a yummy lunch, cotton candy and snow cone treats. Kids won’t want to miss the sack races, face painting, miniature horses, jumping gyms, bean bag toss, parachute games, prizes and tons of fun.

STOKR - May 12-13. The STOKR, 'Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River', bike ride is held each year on the second full weekend in May. The event is sponsored by the Kootenai Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity. Money raised goes to build Habitat for Humanity homes for those in need in Libby, Montana. To date, 8 homes have been built in our community with funds raised by STOKR. It takes 2 STOKR fundraisers to build one Habitat for Humanity Home.

The 42nd Annual TOSRV West - Saturday and Sunday, May 19 & 20. Mark your calendars and sign-up now. We'll be returning to the original loop route. On Saturday we'll ride up Highways 200 and 83 along the Blackfoot and Clearwater to Seeley Lake for lunch and then on to Bigfork for dinner and overnight. On Sunday we'll ride alongside Flathead Lake and down next to the Mission Mountains on Highways 35 and 93 to return to Missoula - the classic, scenic TOSRV West.

June

CHaFE 150 - Saturday, June 2nd. The fundraiser for early childhood education in northern Idaho has an 80 mile or a 150 mile option, starts and finishes in Sandpoint, ID and includes riding the river valleys of the Cabinet Mountains in Montana.  CHaFE 150 

2012 BPR - Sunday, June 3. Join the Missoula Lions Club for a benefit Bicycle Poker Run with a 50 mile ride, Bearmouth to Jens, and a 100 mile option, from Bearmouth to Nevada Creek Reservoir.  Draw a card at each water stop. Top three hands win cash prizes.  Additional prizes at the free BBQ.m

RATPOD -Saturday, June 23. Ride Around the Pioneers in One Day is a one-day bicycle ride to benefit Camp Mak-A-Dream, a cost-free, medical camp in Western Montana for children, teens & young adults with cancer. Riders are encouraged to raise donations for the camp and bring them to the event.  The ride takes place in the remarkably scenic Big Hole Valley of southwestern Montana. http://www.ratpod.org/

Cycle Montana - Jun 23, 2012 - Jun 29, 2012. 362 miles. What could be better than spending a week bicycling through the scenic valleys and over the mountain passes of western and southwestern Montana? Beginning in Adventure Cycling's hometown of Missoula and looping through the Big Hole Valley. Adventure Cycling Association

July

Tour de Bozeman - July 7-8.  Headquartered in beautiful Bozeman, Montana, just north of Yellowstone National Park, the Tour de Bozeman 2012 is a two day, three stage, timed event featuring a criterium in Bozeman, stunning mountain climbs in bridger canyon and a classic time trial in the Bridger Range.

One Helena Hundred - Saturday, July 14.  Cycle a standard century (100 miles) or a metric century (100 kilometers) along the Missouri River from Cascade to Wolf Creek and back with an additional loop to Ulm for the stand century.  Helena Bicycle Club.

6th Annual Butte 100 - Saturday, July 28.   The Butte 100 consists of a 50-mile and 100-mile mountain bike race taking place atop the continental divide just outside of Butte, Montana.

August

2012 Montana Bicycle Ride - August 4 - 11, 2012 Plains, Polson, Kalispell, Eureka, Libby, Noxon, Plains. 546 miles Come away with us to the wilds of Montana – an area we have yet to explore on two wheels. Experience the beauty of the Clark Fork, Kootenai and Bull Rivers, as well as, the incredible sight of Flathead Lake flanked by the magnificent Rocky Mountains. Surprises galore will be had by all when visiting these rural communities which are throwing out the red carpet for your arrival. www.bicycleridesnw.org 

Le Tour de Koocanusa - Saturday, August 11 - David Thompson Search and Rescue presents the first annual Le Tour de Koocanusa. The ride will take place in beautiful Northwest Montana. Following the 81 mile bike ride, which tours the breathtaking shoreline of Lake Koocanusa, riders will be entertained at the 3rd annual Riverfront Blues Festival. www.letourdekoocanusa.com

Double Divide Ride - August 11-12 - Enjoy two days of cycling (83 miles the first day and 56 miles the second day) through rolling hills, tranquil valleys and challenging mountain passes. DDR is famous for its food fare.   Helena Bicycle Club.

September

Cycle for the Symphony - Saturday, September 8. Bring your cross bike or mountain bike for this 50 mile supported ride through some of Western Montana's most amazing scenery.  More details to follow.   missoulasymphony.org 

Park-2-Park Montana 2012 - Mon-Fri  September 10-14 - For 7 years Park-2-Park riders have traveled the eastern prairies of Montana from St. Mary in Glacier Park to Gardiner at the north entrance of Yellowstone Park. The new 2012 route will start near West Glacier and end at West Yellowstone. The ride is open to just 50 riders who will be raising funds for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) programs in Montana.  park2parkmontana.org

Tour de Cure Montana 2012 - Saturday, September 15. The American Diabetes Association hosts the inspiring Tour de Cure 2011 Montana bike ride at the Missouri Headwaters State Park near Three Forks, MT. Choose from a 6-mile family fun ride or 23-, 56-, and 100-mile routes. Featuring full-service rest stops and a celebration at the finish line, support services for Montanans with diabetes and pedal for a cure. If you have diabetes, become a Red Rider! Enjoy a day of positive recognition for your fundraising and riding efforts. Learn more, form a team, or register at Tour de Cure Montana 2012.

October

The 36th Annual Western Montana Hill Climb Championships - Sunday, October 7. You are invited to take part in what is Montana's oldest annual competitive cycling event. The Hill Climb traditionally closes Montana's bicycling racing season, but it is designed for the casual as well as the competitive rider. Riders of all abilities have participated in the Hill Climb and have ranged in age from 7 to 75.  There are eight age categories each for men and women plus categories for tandem, recumbent, high wheel, tricycle, unicycle and handcycle. The four-mile climb rises 840 feet up Pattee Canyon Drive.  Missoula Bicycle Club.