Below are links to sites that may be of use for event preparation.
The Route: Separated into 3 segments
If you are new to bikepacking or unfamiliar with the competitive aspect of it, here are some suggestions to become more informed and help you decide whether you want to participate in the Big Sky Spectaculaire.​
You can check out these sites:
There are recaps posted on Bikepacking.com written by participants in each year's event. Access them by clicking on the following links.
2020 (Evan Deutsch), 2022 (Jules Stennes),
2023 (Trish Holt), 2024 (Jen Kelly).
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You can also read a personal blog from the 2020 race written by Heather Poskevich here.
Watch the movie Inspired to Ride, about the inaugural 2014 TransAm Bike Race or Ride the Divide to get an idea of competitive bikepacking.
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Search for anything about the TransAm Bike Race (TABR), Tour Divide, Transcontinental Race (TCR) or the Indian Pacific Wheel Race (IPWR). There are also videos from many other events offering a variety of distances and riding surfaces for you to review as well.
Dirty Freehub is a proud supporter of the Spectaculaire and other organic, community-driven gravel events. With over 350 meticulously curated gravel routes and ride guides spanning from British Columbia to
Spectaculaire entrants have also given interviews on podcasts chronicling their experience riding in Montana, other events and bikepacking in general. Here are links to those podcasts. Meaghan was registered for the Spectaculaire, however, withdrew at the start line due to an injury. She did do a short multi-day ride in the greater Bozeman area.
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​Experience By Bike (2020-Evan Deutsch)
​My Back 40 (2022-Meaghan Hackinen)
Bikes or Death (2024-Jen Kelly)
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​You can also listen to other podcasts by these hosts to learn more about bikepacking.
Additional information regarding logistical planning will be provided to riders who have initiated the inquiry/registration process.
Southern Arizona --west of the Rockies -- Dirty Freehub is a go-to resource for all types of riders whether you’re a casual gravel cyclist, an adventurer of somewhere in between. They’re strong presence in Oregon and Southern Arizona means expanding into new regions is one of their goals. If you have a favorite gravel road to share, get involved as a Ride Steward to help put it on the map.
The Big Sky Spectaculaire uses the Follow My Challenge tracking platform. They provide an outstanding presentation of the route and comprehensive rider performance as well as weather information. The website has a current list of upcoming events they are collaborators on as well. Once the event starts this link will allow viewers to monitor race progress.
The 2025 event may be replayed and the results viewed using this link.
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