Flathead Cycling’s yearly tribute race to Ben Parsons will be a race he would love! This year, they are going LONG! The race name has been changed to the Spirit Bear Mountain Bike Gran Fondo, and it’s going to be epic! Start and finish are at Herron Park again, but this time racers will ride out from Herron Park, along Foys Canyon Road, to Patrick Creek Road. There they will climb for about 9.5 miles along this beautiful gravel road until they reach the Emmon’s Saddle trail head for the amazing Foys to Blacktail trail. From there they will climb and ascend some of the best singletrack in the state, which offers spectacular views and challenging rock sections, ending up back at Herron Park, where they will descend the fun, fast, flowy Spirit Bear course from previous years. The entire loop is 24.5 miles, with 4200 feet elevation gain. Options for one or two loops are being offered. Ride it fun or ride it for glory! Plans are in the works for a barbecue at the end.
Cash prizes for those who take on two loops: $100 first, $50 second, $30 third. Merchandise prizes for first thru third in the one loop category!
Registration is here: https://runsignup.com/Race/MT/Kalispell/SpiritBearMountainBikeGranFondo