Place
Whitefish, MT US 59937
EVENT SPONSORS
Description
In 1988, in celebration of Montana's centennial, Annick Smith and William Kittredge published a book titled, The Last Best Place, A Montana Anthology, from which our race gains its namesake.
Working with friends and editors, the two compiled journals, essays, stories, poems, and indigenous oral histories to help paint a portrait of the state through its literature. The book became a national bestseller, and the title accrued its own history, as many Montana residents adopted it as the unofficial moniker for their home state.
Though the scope of The Last Best Ride does not cover as much statewide geographical ground as the collection Smith and Kittredge present, we believe that our event will showcase some of Northwest Montana's most spectacular outdoor offerings.
In the spirit of the anthology, we hope to enrich your visit beyond the bubble of the bike race. Partnering with local businesses and neighborhood volunteers, we hope to provide you with an original Montana experience that celebrates and champions community and inclusion.
RACE DAY SCHEDULE
Saturday - 1pm - 5pm - Packet Pickup @ Great Northern Cycles
Sunday - 6am - Packet Pickup @ Great Northern Cycles,
7:30am Long Course Start
7:45am Short Course Start
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- TLBR custom socks
- Post race drinks
- Post race ice cream
- Fully stocked aid stations
- Ride support
- Finishers medal
PODIUMS
if you need to leave early let us know and you can grab your prize.
2pm - Short Course Podiums Begin
5pm - Long Course Podiums Begin
Top 5 M/W Short/Long Course,
Top 5 Non-Binary Short/Long Course,
Top 5 Para Short/Long Course.
Top 3 M/F Junior Short Course 18 and under
Top 3 M/F Masters 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, Short/Long Course
*Not currently permitted through a special use authorization by the USDA, Forest Service.
*Proposed activities are (or) Recreation event is currently under analysis by the Forest Service pending a special use authorization.
For more information head to https://www.thelastbestridemt.com/
SATURDAY GROUP RIDES
GENERAL INFORMATION
All rides will be 17 miles long, and will preview the first 9-miles of both courses at a fun and casual pace. Riders will see the split for the long and short courses as well as our finish route
Specific details, such as finish areas for women's ride brunch, will be provided at the start of the ride.
All Bodies on Bikes Ride
Start Time: 8:45 am
Marley Blonsky (She/Her), Co-Founder of All Bodies on Bikes will lead a ride 30-min prior to the Womens X Brunch Ride. This ride provides riders more time to explore the route, while still being able to meet up for brunch.
Ride will finish at the brunch
Trans, femme, non-binary, and non-gender conforming folks welcome!
*Ride will conclude at a local residence for brunch*
Please attend if you can't make the ride, but please. do not sign up for the ride if only attending the brunch.
Women's Ride x Brunch
Start Time: 9:15am
Join us for a fun, no-drop ride and brunch led by TLBR Founder, Jess Cerra, (She/Her), and Stella Hobbs Great Northern owner and pro gravel Rider, Trans, femme, non-binary, and non-gender conforming folks welcome!
*Ride will conclude at a local residence for brunch*
Please attend if you can't make the ride, but please do not sign up for the ride if only attending the brunch.
Ride limited to 50 spots.
The Cycling House Group Ride
Start Time: 10:00am
for a fun, no-drop, shakeout ride, join the Cycling House crew. TCH has been at the Last Best Ride from year one. They run bike tours all over the world and are based in Montana. Learn from the best guides in the business!
Ride is limited to 50 spots.
SRAM Team Ride
Start Time: 11:00am
A no-drop led by athletes Caleb Swartz and Meg Fisher. Come ride with the SRAM pros and Staff. Learn about the latest and greatest from SRAM.
This ride is limited to 50 riders total.
SCHEDULE
SCHEDULE
Friday, July 25th 5-7:30pm
Packet Pick-Up (5-7pm), Sponsor Expo
Champion Scholar Award Happy Hour (5-7:30pm) - The Tap House (845 Wisconsin Ave. Whitefish, MT 59937)
An optional early evening event at a community eatery where you can socialize with the organizers, meet and make friends with your fellow cyclists, and indulge in some local grub and grog.
Saturday, July 26th 8:30am-5pm
Packet Pick-Up (8:30am-5pm), Sponsor Expo, Women's Ride/Brunch, All Group Rides
Join us for a quintessential summer afternoon in the center of downtown Whitefish, hosted by our local bike shop, Great Northern Cycle & Ski (gncycleski.com) 328 Central Ave. Whitefish, MT 59937.
Sunday, July 27th 6am-8pm
Race Day!!! - SAME LOCATION as Expo/Packet Pick-Up
7:30am Long Course Start
7:45am Short Course Start
PODIUMS
if you need to leave early let us know and you can grab your prize.
2pm - Short Course Podiums Begin
5pm - Long Course Podiums Begin
Top 5 M/W Short/Long Course,
Top 5 Non-Binary Short/Long Course,
Top 5 Para Short/Long Course.
Top 3 M/F Junior Short Course 18 and under
Top 3 M/F Masters 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, Short/Long Course
COURSES
- 2025 Long Course -
THE BIG HORN SHEEP
Distance: 95 miles
Elevation Gain: 8,189 feet
Starting Elevation: 3,036 feet
Highest Point: 6,708 feet
Start Time: 7:30am
Aid Stations (5): Miles 9, 26, 50, 55 & 66
View on Ride With GPS*: Click here
- 2025 short Course -
THE MOUNTAIN GOAT
Distance: 55 miles
Elevation Gain: 4,189 feet
Starting Elevation: 3,036 feet
Highest Point: 4,489 feet
Start Time: 7:45am
Aid Stations (3): Miles 9, 26, & 36
View on Ride With GPS*: Click here
The Last Best Bandita Challenge (TLBR + TDB)
The Last Best Bandita is a challenge for those who identify as women + to race both The Dusty Bandita and The Last Best Ride (both MT gravel races founded by women!). You must sign up for each race separately (http://www.thedustybandita.com), and must race similar distances of each event (ie. 45-ish mile in The Dusty Bandita and the “short course” in The Last Best Ride); you cannot mix distances (ie. 45-ish in The Dusty Bandita and the “long course” in The Last Best Ride).
The challenge will combine your times from both events - Anyone who enters and finishes both events will be recognized with a commemorative medal and podium during the TLBR awards ceremony. In addition, we will celebrate The Last Best Bandita challenge with a podium for both the shorter and longer distances; more prizes included!
The raffle drawing and podiums will be finalized at The Last Best Ride in Whitefish, MT!
*To sign up for this challenge, just sign up for both races and you're automatically entered - Remember to sign up for both races separately!*
Race Contact Info
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Directions
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