Montana & Regional Cycling Events in 2013
May
Bike For Shelter – Saturday May 18. Watson Childrens' Shelter is dedicated to providing a safe, nuturing environment for children who have experienced abuse, neglect or abandonment. 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 11-12. The STOKR, 'Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River', bike rid 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 43rd Annual TOSRV West - Saturday and Sunday, May 18-19. Mark your calendars and sign-up now. We'll be returning again 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
2013 BPR - Sunday, June 9. Join the Missoula Lions Club for a benefit Bicycle Poker Run with a 50 or 100 mile ride (50 mile route from Bearmouth to Jens and 100 mile route from Bearmouth to Nevada Creek Reservoir). Draw a card at each water stop. Top three hands in the 50 and 100 mile groups win cash prizes. Additional prizes at the free BBQ following the ride. Get more information and register at www.MissoulaLionsClub.org
Spokes and Suds for CASA - Saturday, June 22. - Bitterroot CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) benefits from these fully supported rides starting in Hamilton. One route heads over the Skalkaho to the Philipsburg Brewerey. The other route loops through Stevensville and back to the Higherground Brewery. SpokesandSudsforCASA.com.
Lemhi Valley Century Ride - Saturday, June 22. One hundred miles or one hundred kilometers, pick your poison. Your ride will follow the majestic Lemhi Valley along Idaho Highway 28. Fully supported with rest stops and barbeque celebration at the end. Shuttles will get you from Salmon to the start. http://lemhivalleycenturyride.weebly.com/
RATPOD -Saturday, June 29. 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 22, - Jun 29. 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
Gran Fondo Kootenai - July 6-7 - A two-day, point-to-point, "stage" gran fondo featuring fully supported rides through the spectacular landscapes of Montana’s remote northwest corner. Located on National Forest Scenic Byways, our routes take in the stately Cabinet Mountains, serene Lake Koocanusa, and the legendary Yaak Valley. Participants will enjoy stellar climbs, thrilling descents, plenty of fantastic scenery and -- best of all -- nonexistent traffic. Proceeds from the event benefit charities in Libby and Eureka, Montana. www.gfkootenai.com
One Helena Hundred - Saturday, July 13. Cycle from Cascade north to Ulm, continuing along Millegan Road to Eden Bridge and heading back to Cascade for lunch to complete the metric century. After lunch, to complete the standard century, ride south from Cascade to Wolf Creek to the turnaround at Stickney Creek and return to Cascade. Helena Bicycle Club.
CHaFE 150 - Saturday, July 20. 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 Montana Bicycle Ride - July 20-27 www.bicycleridesnw.org
Butte 100 - Saturday, July 27. 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
Le Tour de Koocanusa - Saturday, August 10 - One of the best fully supported rides. The 83 mile bike ride tours the breathtaking shoreline of Lake Koocanusa, which is located in Libby, MT. Ride includes support vehicles; 3 food/beverage stops; 2 water/electrolyte stops; and an awesome post-ride BBQ with live music, prizes and raffles. Proceeds go to David Thompson Search and Rescue, an all volunteer non-profit organization. http://www.letourdekoocanusa.com/
Double Divide Ride - August 3-4 - 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.
Cycle Greater Yellowstone - August 18-24 - A weeklong, fully supported bike tour through the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Meals, rest stops, showers, prime camping, baggage support, entertainment and all the scenery you can absorb. 1000 rider limit. http://cyclegreateryellowstone.com/
September
Cino Heroica 2013- Saturday-Sunday, September 7-8. This ride is a celebration of the cycling days of old when road racing in Europe meant racing on unpaved dirt roads over mountain passes. The 7th running of thi sevent takes place as we ride from Kalispell to Hot Springs over a mostly unpaved, back route. ~60 miles. http://www.cinorider.com
Cycle for the Symphony -Ovando Gran Fondo. Sat. September 14. Bring your cross bike or mountain bike for this 57 mile supported ride through some of Western Montana's most amazing scenery. More details to follow. missoulasymphony.org
Pedal for the Medal (P4M) - . A fund raiser for Special Olympics with rides of 10, 25, 50 and 100 miles begins in Great Falls with routes along the scenic Missouri River and through the stunning Smith River basin. Great food stops, t-shirts, goody bags and more are part of one of Montana's premier road bike rides.
Park-2-Park Montana 2012 - Mon-Fri September 9-13 - For 8 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
Huckleberry 100 - - If scenery plays into your love for riding then the Huckleberry 100 offers the perfect mix. The 100 mile course winds through the most rominent towns of the Flathead Valley. 50 & 25 mile options too. Kalispell, MT http://www.huckleberry100.com
Tour de Cure Montana 2013 - Saturday, September 14. The American Diabetes Association hosts the inspiring Tour de Cure 2013 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 2013.
October
The 37th Annual Western Montana Hill Climb Championships - Sunday, October 6. 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.