This event is capped at 550 per our recreation event special use permit with the USDA Forest Service.

With your registration, you unlock a special Whitefish, MT weekend featuring all the festivities below.  Also included is a post-race celebration with a Gourmet and locally-cultivated feast created by Chef Sam of forage catering, TWO adult beverages or locally made kombucha, and handcrafted ice cream from Sweet Peaks of Whitefish.  This is not your average post-race fare, as Chef Jess would never allow for that!

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donations along with a portion of proceeds from the race will go to our Champion Scholar Award. 

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*please read our important event info and cancellation + deferral policy below the schedule.*

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2023 EVENT SCHEDULE

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Friday, Aug. 4th, 2023 - Fundraising Happy Hour

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. 

While it is not mandatory, we HIGHLY encourage all attendees to contribute to the night's fundraising efforts, the proceeds of which will go directly to our Champion Scholar Award, which goes to one financially qualified Whitefish high school female and one financially qualified local Native American female.

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To all registered participants, ONE BEVERAGE and snacks will be provided when you present your proof of registration. Dinner will be available for purchase at the local eatery. 

 

Saturday, Aug. 5th, 2023 - Packet Pick-Up, Sponsor Expo, Women's Ride/Brunch, And Fun Community Rides

Presented by Great Northern Cycle & Ski

*All participants are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to pick up their packets between 10am and 5pm. 

Join us for a quintessential summer afternoon in the center of downtown Whitefish, hosted by our local bike shop. Here, you will pick up all your race materials while browsing product tents and grabbing any last-minute gear or nutrition that you will need for the race on Sunday from the shop. 

Once you've gotten your swag bags and race materials, take a walk through Downtown and finish off the evening with a meal at one of the many delicious restaurants Whitefish has to offer. 

 

Sunday, Aug. 6TH, 2023- RACE DAY!

You'll be treated to stunning views and challenging terrain as you traverse through the back gravel roads of Whitefish. 

Upon your return, there will be a catered meal, bevies, and locally-made ice cream ready and waiting for you to enjoy.

As we near the end of the day, we'll have our podium ceremony, and will hand out our handcrafted prizes. 

 

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

PLEASE READ

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No e-bikes (including pedal assist) allowed - due to our land permits, thanks for understanding.

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Do I need a gravel bike to participate in this event?  

No, a gravel bike is not required, but it is highly recommended for this event.  Alternative options would be a hard-tail mountain bike, followed by a CX bike.  We STRONGLY recommend against using a road bike on this course, but if you feel you must, please select the widest tires possible.  

 

The Last Best Ride 2023 Transfer Policy

The transfer period is closed for 2023.  Please refrain from emailing us to ask for an exception.

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Instructions for transferring your registration to another ride (gifting registration): 

1. Login to your RunSignup account (this is the account you used to register for the event)

2. Under your profile, scroll down to view Upcoming Events

3. Click Manage Registration to the right of your Last Best Ride event

4. Click the Transfer to Another Runner menu option from the column on the lefthand side

5. That rider must then register with the link emailed to them and provide payment to you. 

6. PLEASE NOTE: You will not receive a refund. Step 5 must be completed as listed

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Can I Change Courses If I've Already Registered? 

Yes, you can change your course selection until Friday, August 4th, 2023 at 11:59PM.  If you miss this deadline, course transfers can be made at packet pickup/expo. If you are changing from the short course to the long course, you will be required to pay the additional difference.  If changing from long to short, you will not be refunded the difference. 

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Instructions

1. Login to your RunSignup account (this is the account you used to register for the event)

2. Under your profile, scroll down to view Upcoming Events

3. Click Manage Registration to the right of your Last Best Ride event

4. Click the Transfer Event menu option from the column on the lefthand side

5. Click the Start Transfer button

6. Choose your New Event and click Continue

7. Proceed through the registration questions

8. Review your details, check the refund policy box, and click Complete Registration

 

Once you complete the transfer process, you can confirm your event registration under the “Find A Participant” tab on the registration website.

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WHAT IS YOUR REFUND and Event Cancelation POLICY?

Please refrain from emailing us to ask for an exception.

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The Last Best Ride has a no-refund policy, except in the case of our Wildfire Policy or other unforeseen circumstances that are out of our control and/or could pose a health or safety concern to all participants. the last best ride is not responsible for unforeseen circumstances that occur to individual riders.  In a circumstance not covered by our Wildfire Policy, riders will have the choice to defer their registration 100% to 2024 or cancel their registration for a 50% refund.

 

NO other refunds will be allowed, NO exceptions.  Please note that RUN SIGN UP offers a third-party event insurance policy that participants may choose to purchase.  Unfortunately, The Last Best Ride organizers can’t be responsible for participant injuries and other life events including but not limited to the following: work events, weddings, pregnancies, illnesses, and weather/smoke conditions That might impact one's ability to train for the event.  To be fair to those who do choose to purchase this insurance we will not offer any exceptions.

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What Is Your 2023 Deferral Policy? 

Deferrals will only be allowed for unforeseen events, such as wildfires or other natural disasters which are out of the race organizer’s control. For more information, please refer to our Wildfire Policy below.

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The Last Best Ride 2023 Wildfire Policy

Wildfires and smoke conditions vary over the course of the summer in Montana.  Often, even when the Whitefish area does not have active fires, smoke is blown in from the west causing poor air quality.  Wildfire conditions are variable, unpredictable, and can change daily in northwest Montana.  As we experienced in 2021, smoky conditions were persistent until race weekend where we experienced rain and clear skies.

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In the event of an active wildfire posing a safety threat to The Last Best Ride courses and/or rider safety, the race organizers reserve the right to cancel the event at any date.  Please keep in mind that we work with several different land owners that will also be looking out for the health and safety of participants in our event, and also have the discretion to cancel The Last Best Ride.  

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If The Last Best Ride is forced to cancel due to an active wildfire, participants will have the options to:

1. Defer their registration 100% to 2024.

                                                   OR

     2. Cancel their registration for a 50% refund.

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In the event of smoky conditions causing variable air-quality, The Last Best Ride organizers reserve the right to make a final race cancellation decision by 6:00am on the race morning of Sunday August 6, 2023 based on the official Montana.gov air quality report. The Specific Air Quality Index Chart We will refer to can be viewed here. 

 

1. The event will not be cancelled for Air Qualities With NowCast Concentrations Between < 12 (green)  to 35 (yellow).

2. If air quality has a NowCast Concentration of 35-55 (orange), riders will have the choice to 1) complete the event  2) defer their registration 100% to 2023 or 3) cancel their registration for a 50% refund.

3. If air quality 55 or above (Red to Purple), the event will be cancelled and riders will have the choice to 1) defer their registration 100% 2024 or 2) cancel their registration for a 50% refund.

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Are E-Bikes Allowed? 

Unfortunately, due to permitting and land-use Restrictions, We cannot allow E-bikes in the Event. 

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Become Bear Aware and Learn How to Use Bear Spray

Whitefish is Grizzly bear country, and while bear attacks are rare, it is important that you come prepared for not only The Last Best Ride, but also your other adventures around Whitefish and any possible trips into Glacier National Park.  We recommend taking the time to become bear aware for your safety, as well as that of the animals who live in the areas that we have the privilege to recreate in.  

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Be Bear Aware - Courtesy of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

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We recommend that you carry bear spray during The Last Best Ride, as well as during all your outdoor Montana activities.  You can purchase bear spray with your registration and we will have it ready to go with your race materials at packet pick-up Saturday, August 6, 2023. 

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Bear Spray Info and Video Tutorial - Courtesy of The National Park Service