Montana Gravel Challenge

03/24/2024

The Montana Gravel Challenge returns again for 2024!
We are proud to host the three-day, three-stage event, with mass starts and categories for all ages and abilities.



MGC Schedule
Thursday Optional Packet Pick Up & Big Sky Brewery Drink:
3:00-6:00 pm
HQ, 517 S Orange St 59801

Friday, TT Schedule:
2:00 On-site Registration/Packet Pick Up Begins.
3:30 First Rider Off
6:30 Last Rider Off (can't make it by 6:30?, let us know)
~7:00 TT Podium

Saturday, Petty Rd/Southside Schedule:
8:30 On-site Registration/Packet Pick Up, plus Black Coffee & Grist Treats
9:30 First Wave (Competitive) Start
9:40 Second Wave (Recreation/Juniors/Paracyclist) Start
~2:00 Day 2 Podium

Sunday, Rocky Mountain Roubaix Schedule:
8:30 On-site Registration/Packet Pick Up, plus Black Coffee & Grist Treats
9:30 First Wave (Competitive) Start
9:40 Second Wave (Recreation/Juniors/Paracyclist) Start
~1:00 Day 3 Podium


Courses


All courses will be marked with arrows.
New finish line for all three stages. 1 mile to up from the race HQ at the top of the rise.
Stage 1 TT start is 100 feet down the road
Stage 2 Aid Station is at mile
Stage 3 Aid Station and lap counter is at the Ranger Station
Stage 3 Finish is past the circuit 1 mile up from the race HQ at the top of the rise
Stage 3 is 45 miles in length


MGC 2024 - Stage 1: Time Trial - Friday - and back 9 mile TT - ~11 miles - 756 feet of climbing - MAP LINK. **ALL GRAVEL/DIRT 100%



MGC 2024 - Stage 2: Southside/Petty Road - Saturday - - Southside Road - 56 miles - 3,000 feet of climbing - MAP LINK. **38 Miles Paved/18 Miles GRAVEL/DIRT



MGC 2024 - Stage 3: Rocky Mountain Roubaix - Sunday - - Roubaix Circuit 4 laps - 45 miles - 1711 feet of climbing - MAP LINK **27 Miles Paved/18 Miles GRAVEL/DIRT

04/22/2023

2023 Update

Hello & Welcome

1.) 7 days out!
Get your bike ready, get your mind ready. Still time to register, there are lot's of spots available and you can register for one day at a time. If you need shop support consider MTCX, MBW, Hellgate, they are ready to help you.

2.) Snow & Courses
The early reports are that all courses are clear. The only course change will be reducing the Friday time trial to 11 miles total. Weather forecast is showing highs in the 60's and clear. This could dry the roads up completely.

3.) Official Tire & Gear Recommendations
Friday - 28-40 - 700 - slick tire - road/gravel bikes
Saturday - 35-50 - center slick - gravel bike
Sunday - 28-40 - 700 - slick tire - road/gravel bikes
*flat repair kit
*2-3 bottles
*2-3 calorie items
*flashing tail light

4.) Support & Nutrition & Post Race
*Friday - Andrew Plant stationery mechanic support, and then just gels, snacks on site, two course marshalls
*Saturday - 2 follow vehicles for elite pack, 2 follow vehicles for recreation pack, 2 aid stations with bars, waters and skratch labs. Post race meal is fried chicken provided by Zillastate
*Sunday - 1 follow vehicle, 4 course marshalls including Andrew Plant mechanic course marshall, bottle hand up at the finish line (lapped course). Post race meal is provided by Grist and MTCX.

5.) Ride Safe
*Respect your fellow riders, help eachother, be a steady wheel. If it's your first time join the recreation field.
*Southside road on Saturday is rocky and rough, it's not meant for a pack of 100 barreling down. There are sneaky corners and could be on coming traffic. Please ride with caution and help eachother.

6.) Camping
Show up to the race address and setup. Bjorn and Tami are the owners and will help you get setup.

7.) Thursday and Friday
Early number pickup at MTCX 517 S Orange. 12-6pm on Thursday. Friday is show and go time trial format, 3-6:30pm riders can go off. TT bars are allowed.

Best,
Shaun and Cory

05/10/2022

Thanks for riding in the MGC this year. Consider fanning, volunteering or racing at the Missoula XC week. We added mtb clinics and a new course.

BikeReg - online cycling event registration

04/29/2022

We are super excited to host everyone today! First rider off at 4pm, check in opens at 3pm! Here are some course photos for Saturdays route.

Big Sky Brewing Company
Zillastate
Grizzly Liquor Missoula
Marshall Mountain

04/27/2022

and are going to set course these next couple days. We will post some course pics starting Thursday.

Keep getting your bikes and bodies ready. Get a tune up from your lbs.

Lets do this

04/23/2022

Weather is looking solid so far. That is the biggest deal with events out in the 9 Mile. If the weather holds, then the birds sing, and you won't have to replace your bb post event.

04/22/2022

Event update - 8 days out. Full update is in riders inboxes. New finish line for Saturday and Sunday. Zillastate providing fried chicken, GRIST providing sandwiches, lots of highlights!!!

03/18/2022

MGC hats for this year. Pick yours up at rider check in. Thanks

03/18/2022

New MGC hats for 2022. All registered riders get the hat at check in. Thanks Zoo City Apparel for the help once again! Navy or black?

03/14/2022

Missoula weekly gravel ride.

Need a weekly gravel group?!?! Hellgate Cyclery Tuesday Night Gravel starts this week, RSVP on strava

We are excited to kick off the Tuesday Night Gravel series for 2022! We will be meeting in front of the Hellgate Cyclery shop (316 N Higgins Ave, in the alley) and rolling out en masse. The first ride this year will take us out Kim William, up Deer Ck, then out Crystal Ck and back. We will announce....

03/14/2022

Course is in fine spring form.....lol