Montana Gravel Challenge

In 2010 a group of like-minded community leaders came together to create the Missoula XC, a UCI and USA Cycling bike race, the first of its kind in Montana.  The Missoula XC was a success and is now in its 15 season.  At the time this success demonstrated a desire and ability for people to gather together to support sport and create community events centered on outdoor recreation.  These events caused an increase in cycling, skiing and other outdoor recreation in the Missoula area.  Suddenly Missoula was on the map for elite sporting events.  This demand has continued to grow with the increasing popularity of biking and skiing, both locally and regionally.

Biking and skiing events provided an arena that would foster healthy competition, a sense of community, and encourage youth recreation and development. This growth has naturally led to opportunity and demand for youth sports programming. Today, these like minded community members are raising children and grandchildren and understand the value in fostering Missoula’s next generation with a love of sport.  They want to build a healthy attitude toward completion, teach the value of being on a team, create community engagement and the internal rewards that come from participating in sport. Coupling programs and events, MTCX believes there is sufficient community engagement to create a mission based non profit; currently over 5,000 athletes are being serviced each year by MTCX, and that number is growing.

MTCX LLC was born out of this community camaraderie, enthusiasm and support for organized Biking and skiing. MTCX provides a unique experience for Missoula athletes with a focus on living in the moment, enjoying the process, and creating community.  MTCX hosts events and programming in gravel biking, mountain biking, and cyclocross in the spring, summer and fall, and nordic ski events and programming in the winter.  

MTCX programming is centered around the Rangers Youth Bike Team and the Ice Badgers Nordic Ski Team.  These programs focus on teamwork, trying one's best, and consistency.  This is unique and special to MTCX programming, where most youth programming focuses on skill development and winning, we let growth happen naturally. MTCX believes every kid and adult can find success in sport and we meet these athletes where they are at.  Whether an athlete is new to the sport or has a lifetime spent cycling or skiing, we continuously try to improve the product we roll out for our participants.

MTCX already serves over 2,000 local and regional riders and skiers.  With a newly formed non profit, MTCX will continue to support community and youth sport. Along with their more than 100 volunteer coaches and event staff, Shaun Radley, the only owner and operator of MTCX LLC will transition to the Executive Director of the new non profit, and bring his unique and inspired vision that has propelled MTCX events and programs thus far.

Nonprofit mission statement
To support all members of our community in their desire to enjoy time spent recreating outdoors. We enable and promote personal growth, camaraderie, and confidence through outdoor sports, events, and programs.

In order to carry out this mission, the nonprofit corporation will:

Lead in hosting events and programs to support athletes of all ages and abilities.
Foster a community of cyclists and skiers with shared passions for sport, competition,
and camaraderie.

 Support Missoula youth in finding joy in cycling and skiing through teamwork and
adventure.

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