Organizers hope 50-mile course will increase participation in longest-distance event
By Jen Clancey DIGITAL PRODUCER
The Big Sky Biggie mountain bike race returns for its sixth year in 2024 with a new date and changes to the 60-mile course.
One of three mountain bike courses traversing Big Sky terrain, the 60-mile race will be shortened to a 50-mile course this year. The mountain bike event also announced a change to race weekend dates: the 2024 event will be on Saturday, Aug. 17, one week earlier than usual.
Registration for Big Sky Biggie opens on Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. Mountain Time. View online registration here.
Natalie Osborne, race director and founder, said that she’s excited for the 2024 race. Last year, Osborne hoped for 600 riders—720 signed up, breaking the 2022 record of 408 riders.
“I’m excited that it’s still growing and that people are returning every year,” Osborne said. For 2024, the event is offering 50-mile, 30-mile and 15-mile courses.
For the past three years, the 60-miler showcased the strength of endurance athletes from all over the country. But Osborne noticed that many eager riders would request to drop to the 30-mile race mid-summer.
“With the vertical and elevation gain, I think it was intimidating,” Osborne said. For those who passed on the 60-mile race, they missed one of the “most extraordinary rides,” Osborne said, describing the view from Buck Ridge on the Yellow Mules Loop as one that goes on “forever.”
She hopes that the 50-mile will attract and retain more riders so that they can experience the 18-mile Yellow Mules section. “I’d rather people have a good day and a good race experience,” Osborne said.
“[The 50-mile] is a good sweet spot, a good challenge that is feasible.”
Date change allows more Big Sky involvement
The Aug. 17 race date will allow more Big Sky families to be involved in the race, both as bikers and volunteers. As a nonprofit organization, the Biggie’s proceeds go toward the Big Sky Community Organization and the Big Sky chapter of the Southwest Montana Mountain Biking Association to support trail stewardship and help in event planning.
For the past five years, the Biggie has landed on the weekend before students return to school, making it hard for families to participate. The new date will “give Big Sky families an extra weekend before kids go back to school,” Osborne said.
She hopes it will also free up people involved in summer activities like softball—the 2023 Biggie conflicted with the Big Sky Softball League tournament—and other events.
She concluded with excitement for the Biggie’s sixth year: “It’s a privilege to put this race on.”
