Organizers emphasize gratitude to private landowners for granting permission
By Jen Clancey STAFF WRITER
Between 8 and 8:40 a.m. on Saturday morning, Aug. 23, hundreds of bikers began their 15-, 30- and 50-mile journeys for the seventh annual Big Sky Biggie. The community race welcomes people from all over the region and beyond in celebration of riding bikes on unique Big Sky terrain, some portions including private land otherwise inaccessible to the public.
Race Director Natalie Osborne noted the effort put into partnerships to expose riders to Big Sky trails annually.
“Every year, every course we’ve ever had has been a combination of anywhere between seven to 13 different permits with different landowners,” Osborne said. “The land in Big Sky is sort of a patchwork of public and private land. And so as the course travels around and through Big Sky we have to reach out to every landowner to get access permission and then have a use agreement.”
She said as bikers rolled through nearby resorts and clubs, members and residents got to spectate the range of professional to recreational athletes taking on the terrain, some even competing in the race themselves.
“I think everyone understands … it’s a really nice event for Big Sky and they’re willing to, you know, open up the gates … so to speak, for this event for one day of the year,” Osborne said.
On top of plotting a race course, the event also donates to support local trails. This year, Big Sky Biggie donated $10,000 to both Big Sky Community Organization and Big Sky’s chapter of the Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association, also known as the Trail Dogs. The Biggie also donated $2,500 to Gallatin County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, which Osborne noted the event couldn’t have happened without.
Bikers talk Biggie at the finish line
As 50-milers began to trickle through the finish line amongst 30-mile racers on Saturday afternoon, Explore Big Sky spoke with some of the participants, some new to the race, and others who could be considered regulars.
For Bozeman roommates Ian Jarvi and Will Ryan, this was their first time participating in the Biggie.
“It was super epic and I think we were both in decent shape for it,” Jarvi said. During the event, Ryan’s back brakes gave out, a testament to the physical and technical challenge of the Big Sky Biggie. Despite the issue, both racers enjoyed the downhill portions on Mountain to Meadow and Snake Charmer during their 30-mile runs.
“You know, we bike like 20-something times in the summer and … once a summer or so, it’s great to get out there and see how crazy other people are,” Jarvi said. “It’s just really amazing to see this huge community and then to see if we can do what they kind of do—push ourselves. Will likes to say something like, ‘it’s good to do something super hard once in a while.’”
Jarvi thanked the medical team for doing a great and attentive job of assessing riders after their races.
Another first timer, Valerie Lowe, did the 15-mile race and is used to more local, recreational gravel trails.
“One of the things I find interesting about this race is that you go on to private land and then public land and then resort land,” Lowe said. “I think with all of these events, it’s nice that it’s not just one person that takes these things to happen … It takes a lot of people coordinating, so it’s special we can do stuff like that.”
A crew of Big Sky Biggie regulars also discussed the race with EBS. Karen Mitchell, Rebekah Bunting, Kim Greene, and Candy Barton all completed the 30-mile race. They met through their kids, through skiing, and one duo actually met at the Big Sky Biggie start line.
As they climbed and rode down the course, they made sure all of them were together using Marco Polo call outs.
“Usually sometime around Hummocks I have to yell— ‘I love you guys,’” Mitchell said. The group called themselves team “Mullet” and jokingly modified the name to “Cougar Mullet.” They described a tough journey up Ralph’s Pass, great snacks from aid stations along the route and “amazing” work by event volunteers.
“We wanna thank Natalie for doing this for so many years … and the private landholders, I have to say, it makes me come back every year because the trail’s a little bit different and we get access to lands that we don’t get a chance to ride on regularly.”
Osborne reflected on the purpose of the race, and several moments that highlighted what the event means. She said the community and its businesses “get it,” understanding the purpose of the event.
“It’s not just a bike race and it’s not just about raising money either, because as you and I both know, there are plenty of nonprofits in this town that donate financially to the trails,” Osborne said.
She noted meaningful moments during the event, like a group of bikers from Idaho completing the race in memory of their friend who wanted to do the Big Sky Biggie, and racers sharing their excitement about wildlife sightings along the way.
“It’s about bringing so many different people all together to ride bikes and share the experience together,” Osborne said.
