Place
Whitefish, MT US 59937
EVENT SPONSORS
Description
WELCOME! SCHEDULE!
EVENT HQ
Great Northern Cycle & Ski
(gncycleski.com)
328 Central Ave. Whitefish, MT 59937
Friday, July 25th
Champion Scholar Award Happy Hour (5-7:30pm) - The Tap House (845 Wisconsin Ave. Whitefish, MT 59937)
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.
Saturday, July 26th
Packet Pick-Up (1pm-6pm), Expo (8:30am-6pm)
All Group Rides
- 8:45am All Bodies
- 9:15am Womens X
- 10am The Cycling House
- 11am SRAM
Join us for a quintessential summer afternoon in the center of downtown Whitefish, hosted by our local bike shop, Great Northern Cycle & Ski (gncycleski.com) 328 Central Ave. Whitefish, MT 59937.
Sunday, July 27th 6am-8pm
Race Day!!! - SAME LOCATION as Expo/Packet Pick-Up, Finish line at Depot Park
7:30am Long Course Start
7:45am Short Course Start
PODIUMS & FINISH LINE
*PODIUMs, post race snacks/meal/drinks, and Finish Line over at Depot Park (510 Railway Street). If you need to leave early let us know and you can grab your prize.
3pm - Short Course Podiums Begin
5:30pm - Long Course Podiums Begin
Top 5 M/W Short/Long Course,
Top 5 Non-Binary Short/Long Course,
Top 5 Para Short/Long Course.
Top 3 M/F Junior Short Course 18 and under
Top 3 M/F Masters 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, Short/Long Course
WELCOME MESSAGE
Welcome to Montana!
My name is Shaun Radley. I own and operate MTCX Ski, Bike, and Events. We are a Montana based events ski, bike, and events business. We’ve combined my events team; Meghann, Dan, Abby, Selden, with Jess, Stella, and her amazing team; Andy, Brian, Beau, Bear, Chance, Jenn, and Drew. With Jess’s blessing we have taken over operations of the event and look forward to honoring TLBR traditions and supporting the local Flathead Cycling Community.
Our style of events is very welcoming, fun, and relaxed. Talk with our team on site, talk with me, ask questions. We are here to support you in having a fun race vacation.
We will have over 50 local volunteers supporting the event as course marshalls, aid station support, and medical help. Thank you to this group and thank you for honoring one of the best levents in Montana.
I’d also like to thank our local partners , hosts and sponsors. First and foremost, Great Northern Cycle & Ski. As our host again, Stella and Willy will loan their parking lot, emotional support, coffee, and race support. We could not put this event on without them.
Whitefish Resort; Josh and his team have stepped up to welcome the event and support it. We appreciate working with this community partner.
Remember, ride safe, ride within your abilities, and have fun!!!
Love,
Coach Shaun
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- TLBR custom socks
- Post race drinks
- Post race ice cream
- Fully stocked aid stations
- Ride support
- Finishers bandana
*Permitted through a special use authorization by the USDA, Forest Service.
*Proposed activities are (or) Recreation event is currently under analysis by the Forest Service pending a special use authorization.
*Not currently permitted through a special use authorization by the USDA, Forest Service or a special use authorization by the Montana Department of Natural Resources.
*Proposed activities are (or) Recreation events are currently under analysis by the U.S. Forest Service and Montana Department of Natural Resources pending a special use authorization.
For more information head to https://www.thelastbestridemt.com/
SATURDAY GROUP RIDES
GENERAL INFORMATION
All rides will be 17 miles long, and will preview the first 9-miles of both courses at a fun and casual pace. Riders will see the split for the long and short courses as well as our finish route
Specific details, such as finish areas for women's ride brunch, will be provided at the start of the ride.
All Bodies on Bikes Ride
Start Time: 8:45 am
Marley Blonsky (She/Her), Co-Founder of All Bodies on Bikes will lead a ride 30-min prior to the Womens X Brunch Ride. This ride provides riders more time to explore the route, while still being able to meet up for brunch.
Ride will finish at the brunch
Trans, femme, non-binary, and non-gender conforming folks welcome!
*Ride will conclude at a local residence for brunch*
Please attend if you can't make the ride, but please. do not sign up for the ride if only attending the brunch.
Women's Ride x Brunch
Start Time: 9:15am
Join us for a fun, no-drop ride and brunch led by TLBR Founder, Jess Cerra, (She/Her), and Stella Hobbs Great Northern owner and pro gravel Rider, Trans, femme, non-binary, and non-gender conforming folks welcome!
*Ride will conclude at a local residence for brunch*
Please attend if you can't make the ride, but please do not sign up for the ride if only attending the brunch.
Ride limited to 50 spots.
The Cycling House Group Ride
Start Time: 10:00am
for a fun, no-drop, shakeout ride, join the Cycling House crew. TCH has been at the Last Best Ride from year one. They run bike tours all over the world and are based in Montana. Learn from the best guides in the business!
Ride is limited to 50 spots.
SRAM Team Ride
Start Time: 11:00am
A no-drop led by athletes Caleb Swartz. Come ride with the SRAM pros and Staff. Learn about the latest and greatest from SRAM.
This ride is limited to 50 riders total.
COURSES
- 2025 Long Course -
THE BIG HORN SHEEP
Distance: 95 miles
Elevation Gain: 8,189 feet
Starting Elevation: 3,036 feet
Highest Point: 6,708 feet
Start Time: 7:30am
Aid Stations (5): Miles 9, 26, 50, 55 & 66
View on Ride With GPS*: Click here
- 2025 short Course -
THE MOUNTAIN GOAT
Distance: 55 miles
Elevation Gain: 4,189 feet
Starting Elevation: 3,036 feet
Highest Point: 4,489 feet
Start Time: 7:45am
Aid Stations (3): Miles 9, 26, & 36
View on Ride With GPS*: Click here
The Last Best Bandita Challenge (TLBR + TDB)
The Last Best Bandita is a challenge for those who identify as women + to race both The Dusty Bandita and The Last Best Ride (both MT gravel races founded by women!). You must sign up for each race separately (http://www.thedustybandita.com), and must race similar distances of each event (ie. 45-ish mile in The Dusty Bandita and the “short course” in The Last Best Ride); you cannot mix distances (ie. 45-ish in The Dusty Bandita and the “long course” in The Last Best Ride).
The challenge will combine your times from both events - Anyone who enters and finishes both events will be recognized with a commemorative medal and podium during the TLBR awards ceremony. In addition, we will celebrate The Last Best Bandita challenge with a podium for both the shorter and longer distances; more prizes included!
The raffle drawing and podiums will be finalized at The Last Best Ride in Whitefish, MT!
*To sign up for this challenge, just sign up for both races and you're automatically entered - Remember to sign up for both races separately!*
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Directions
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