Summer in Bozeman is packed with long days, dusty trails, and weekends full of bikes, friends, and finish lines. From massive gravel grinders to weeknight community laps, the Owenhouse Cycling crew stayed busy on and off the saddle for the 2025 Bozeman bike race season. You might’ve seen Luuk crushing gravel sprints, Joey grinding through long climbs, Wheeler setting personal bests, or Eric repping at community races. Whether we were racing, spectating, or just cheering on our friends, we were all in. Here’s a recap of where we rode, what went down, and what’s still coming up.
Update – September 23, 2025: We’ve added recaps of the Montana NICA Race Season and Big Sky Biggie! Scroll down to catch the latest updates and get all the details.
Gallatin Gravel Series
Race 1 opened the series with fast, aggressive group racing. The pace stayed high from the start, and no breakaways could stick. It all came down to a big group sprint through the final corners. Great turnout and a fun way to kick things off.
Race 2 brought the heat—literally. Sunny and hot conditions made the racing even more intense. On lap one, a group of four pulled off the front and worked well together. By the final lap, it was down to three. One rider went early to avoid a sprint but couldn’t hold it. The race came down to a head-to-head finish. The group behind splintered late in the race. Fast, fun, and loose in spots—classic Montana gravel.
Race 3 was a weather surprise. The forecast said clear skies, but rain rolled in fast and hard. Riders started in a full downpour, and by the end of lap one, the front group was already shrinking. On lap two, a good-sized climb shattered what was left. The sun came out just in time for the finish, making it feel like three seasons in one ride.
Race 4 wrapped up the series with what sounded like flat group racing early on, followed by an uphill finish that broke things apart. We didn’t get a full play-by-play from the field, but it was another strong turnout and a fitting end to a summer of fast gravel.
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The Dead Swede
The 100-mile race started with light winds and some punchy climbs that helped separate the group early. Around mile 30, the wind picked up big time. Riders started to echelon across the road, working hard to hold position. By mile 60, the pace ramped up again, and riders began falling off. Luuk rode solo from mile 60 to 80 into brutal wind. Fortunately, the course turned at mile 80, and the wind turned into a tailwind. A small group caught up, and it turned into a fun push to the finish.
The 60-mile version had a little less wind exposure, but the same story played out—strong winds, fast pace, and plenty of work in the group. All races finished in a park, with great food and a big post-race hangout in the grass. Honestly, that part might be just as good as the race itself.
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Gallatin Valley Trail Series
If you’ve ever wanted to race without the pressure, this is the series for you. All four races were community-focused and beginner-friendly, held after work with three distance options to choose from. Race one took place at Highland Glen, and the next three were at Crosscut. Luuk, Joey, and Leif all took part. The format—multiple laps on short courses—made it easy to cheer for friends, race hard, and catch up with familiar faces afterward. Great turnout, great energy, and a perfect weeknight reset!
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Butte 25/50/100
Cooler temps made this a fun day to ride in Butte. The day before, a mandatory pre-race meeting gave everyone a chance to catch up and camp at the pass. Race day, the trails were dry and dusty, and with very few berms, it was a different style of riding—loose, raw, and classic Montana. A lot of Bozeman riders turned out, especially for the 25- and 50-mile courses. A few brave souls tackled the full 100. Luuk had to pull out mid-race due to some body issues, but plenty of others had great rides—from big personal goals to just enjoying the day.
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Last Best Ride
This one’s a favorite for a reason. Instead of the usual gravel roads through open fields, Last Best Ride brings you into the mountains with remote forest roads, technical descents, and chunky terrain. The short course was fast-paced. By the final climb, the group was down to five—Luuk and four Whitefish riders. The group flew down the descent toward the pavement finish, and even with a few team tactics at play, Luuk held strong and finished a tight second.
Wheeler raced the long course and came in way faster than his time last year. Another big highlight? The shaded park at the finish line—perfect for laying out, grabbing some food, and soaking in the day with other racers.
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Belgian Waffle Ride Bozeman (BWR)
This year marked the debut of BWR in Bozeman—and it didn’t disappoint. The event drew some of the top gravel racers in the U.S., plus a huge showing from local riders. With 25-, 60-, and 110-mile distances, it had something for everyone.
The mass start for all three groups made for a tense and chaotic opening. Once things started to split up, the race settled into a rhythm. The 110-mile course was long, hot, and demanding. Joey had a tough day but still finished strong.
In the 60-mile race, Luuk rode with a group of eight while one solo rider stayed off the front. On the last big climb, the pace ramped up and gaps opened. Luuk pushed the descent and started closing in on the leader—until a mechanical forced a stop to adjust his seat. He got rolling again but ran out of room to make up the gap, finishing just under a minute behind for another second place. Still, it was one of the most exciting races of the season.
The 25-mile ride had tons of Bozeman riders—groms, parents, and weekend warriors alike. This event brought the whole community together, with a national-stage feel and a local heart.
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The Hoot at Crosscut
The Hoot is one of those events that always delivers. Hosted at Crosscut, it offers 5-, 10-, and 20-mile race options and brings out a great mix of riders. Eric took on the 20-mile course this year, repping the shop and mixing it up on some of our favorite local terrain. The vibe is always solid with lots of familiar faces, solid trail conditions, and a fun, low-pressure atmosphere that feels like Bozeman at its best.
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Big Sky Biggie
The Big Sky Biggie continues to prove itself as one of the best mountain bike races in the region. It’s not just a great course—it’s a full community event that brings local riders together and draws in competitors from all over the place. This year’s race had it all: smooth flow trails, scenic backcountry riding, and fast, well-built courses that pushed every rider.
50-Mile: Racers went out hard and never really let off. The pace stayed high, and the early weather was perfect—until the heat kicked in on the biggest climb of the day around mile 30. That final push to the top (and the aid station waiting up there) was a grind for everyone. Joey powered through for a 3rd place finish, and Luuk came in under his time goal and called it one of his best races of the season.
30-Mile: Don’t let the shorter distance fool you—the 30-mile course brought just as much intensity. A few younger riders were charging off the front, keeping the pace hot all race. Eric lined up for this one and ended up helping his son with a mid-race mechanical. He didn’t finish the course, but still had a great day out there riding.
15-Mile: We don’t have many notes on this distance, but if it’s anything like the rest of the Biggie, you can count on awesome trails, good energy, and a whole lot of fun.
2025 NICA Race Season
The Montana NICA season brought the heat this year—with fast laps, big climbs, and full-on team spirit from Bozeman and Gallatin High riders. The series hit some awesome venues across the state, including Crosscut Mountain Sports Center (Bozeman), Herron Park (Kalispell), Big Butte Open Space (Butte), and Rossignol Ranch (Lolo).
From the nerves at the season opener in Bozeman to cold bottle dumps in the Butte heat, these riders have been all in. First-time racers found their flow, returning athletes chased podiums and personal bests, and teammates packed the sidelines to cheer each other through every climb, corner, and tough moment. The glitter was flowing, the miles were stacking, and the stoke stayed high all season long.
Coaches brought the energy and consistency to keep things rolling, and the team vibe carried through every venue.
The Bozeman HS NICA Team rose to every challenge heading into and during the final race in Lolo — The Lolo Final Landing. Through grit, teamwork, and plenty of heart, they lifted each other up, handed out high-fives, and gave everything they had on the trails.
From the foggy, chilly middle school start to the sun breaking through for the high school races, the team stayed all-in. Eleven seniors capped off their NICA careers in style, cheered through raucous tunnels of teammates to the finish line.
The result: a 2nd-place overall finish in the Montana NICA League for 2025! We couldn’t be prouder of our athletes, coaches, and community. From the first start line at Crosscut to the final finish in Lolo, this team showed what it means to ride together and celebrate every rider’s journey.
Wrapping Up a Wild Summer
Every summer brings its own set of stories, and this one was full of fast miles, wild weather, tight finishes, and plenty of time spent with good people. Huge thanks to everyone who showed up, lined up, cheered from the sidelines, or just pedaled alongside us on the trails. You’re what makes Bozeman’s bike community so special.
Thinking about buying a new bike? Try it first!
Whether you’re looking to rent a bike in the summer, fall, or winter to test out, we’re the place in Bozeman to get that done! Plus! If you decide it’s the bike for you, we will discount the cost of the rental fees from the purchase price of your new bike!
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