Good Morning!
Below is additional information about the Garden City Gravel Event happening September 10th in Missoula. This is the first time a gravel race has ridden or started in the downtown Missoula area. The course is Holloman Saddle which is the second most famous and historic gravel route in Missoula (Deer Creek Sneak being the most famous). We still have lot’s of spots available. If you are interested or are on the fence view our photo album from the last event HERE.
RACE INFORMATION AND UPDATES:
Day Before Race (9/9/22)
5:30 PM -7:30 PM– Packet Pick Up Ride HQ 5250 Marshall Canyon Road
Race Day (9/10/22)
7:00 AM– Packet Pick & On-Site Registration, GRIST treats and Black Coffee
8:00 AM– Mass start elite and recreation divisions
2:00 PM– Post Ride BBQ & podiums & raffle
ROUGH NARRATIVE
– Start – equals Marshall Mountain Parking lot
– Mile 0 – 13 – neutral riding through downtown Missoula as a group
– Mile 21 – Aid Station – Five Valleys Land Trust
– Mile 27.3 – Start of KOM
– Mile 32.6 – Aid Station – Top of KOM – Party Stop
– Mile 43 – Aid Station – Van by the River
– Mile 54 – Aid Station – Last Chance Dance
– Finish
NEUTRAL START & FINAL COURSE
INTERACTIVE COURSE MAP LINK
The race will start and finish at Marshall Mountain (5250 Marshall Canyon Drive). We will ride 13 miles neutral through the city of Missoula to Lower Miller Creek Road. The 13 miles will be kept as a group with an escort. Plan on having some breakfast and catching up with friends. Tour of Missoula style.
The final course just includes one KOM and 4 Aid Stations. The “race” portion of the event will officially start just past Linda Vista Golf Course at the Linda Vista/Lower Miller Creek junction. The route follows Lower Miller Creek Road and you hit your first mild gravel section. Then we follow Miller Creek paved road till it turns to dirt and starts the KOM to the saddle. There is a Five Valleys Aid Station before the climb if you need to shed gear or stock up. The KOM is 5.6 miles and there is the Party Aid Station at the top. From the saddle it generally heads downhill but kind of rolls. The final descent is rocky and high consequence, use caution and choose equipment wisely. Aid station at the bottom along the river. Then flat pavement, left hand side of I90 towards Clinton. Back on the right side briefly then back under towards Turah and another aid station. Then our final dirt section of Crystal Creek and over to Deer Creek Road, through the paved road by the golf course and back on the highway towards Marshall Mountain. Course
Marshall at the lefthand turn to Marshall for the front riders. The finish proper will be the same finish used for the Missoula XC. Up the Marshall base and finish line right where the electrical shed is.
AID STATIONS & SUPPORT
We’ll have three support vehicles on course at all time. Race Director F150, Race Mechanic Subaru, and Race Sweep Xterra. With four aid stations those folks will also be sweeping the course.
Please pack your own tube and flat repair kit, we will not be able to support and fix flat tires quickly.
Aid Stations will have a full complement of Skratch products, including individual servings of things. Honey stinger waffles and Hammer gels. Cool water, floor pump, the usual things as well.
PRIZES/RESULTS – Current Results
Top 10 Women – Nelson, Westenfelder, Schroeder, Myhre, Spoon, Estill, Fisher, Beerman, Culver, Miller
Top 10 Men – Swartz, Hall, Mazza, Arthur, Yahrmatter, Thornblade, Leclaire, Mendez-Nunez, Mackenzie, Walnum
Series Scoring for Elite Riders Category. Checks will be handed out last at the final podium ceremony on 9/10.
We will be scoring both events for a series top-five podium. Total prize purse for top 5 Women and Men Elite racers is $1,000 cash, thanks to Big Sky Brewing. Series Payout: 1st = $450, 2nd = $250, 3rd = $150, 4th = $100, 5th = $50
Stage Scoring: 1st = 20, 2nd = 18, 3rd = 16, 4th = 14, 5th, 12, 6th = 10, 7th = 8, 8th = 6, 9th = 4, 10th = 2, all finishing participants get 1 point.
Tie breaker is who finished higher at the 9/10 Holloman Event
Thanks,
Shaun
406-544-5270
montanacyclocross@gmail.com
