Rolling Thunder Cyclocross Race

ROLLING THUNDER 2021 - OCTOBER 23rd - 24th  - SAVE THE DATE

Competitive Timing is proud to announce: save the date for RTCX 2021! Official venue, schedule and details will come later in the summer/early fall

Everything below is old 2019 information to whet your appetite, stir the rumors, and start conjecturing and hypothesizing on what's to come in 2021.

Venue

We are lucky to have Big Sky Brewing to be gracious enough to host us again! Big Sky Brewing has been very generous with their time, community involvement and sponsorship of many non-profits and projects around Missoula such as the International Snow Science Workshop, The International Wildlife Film Festival, Missoula Skatepark, Brennan’s Wave, United Way, Missoula Urban Demonstration Project, Garden City Harvest, Missoula Art Museum, Five Valleys Land Trust, MTB Missoula, and Cyclocross.

Across the street from Thunder Mountain, is Lalonde Ranch, owned by MIssoula County. We are fortunate enough to use this property for the event. Please no alcohol on County Property and no spectators around the historic buildings. The LaLonde Ranch is one of the last remaining historic ranches in the Missoula Valley that is visible from Interstate 90. The historic ranch is located west of Missoula in the County’s Development Park just off of Airway Boulevard. The site is 6.81 acres and consist of a two story brick ranch house, two wooden barns and a log cabin believed to have been built in the 1870’s – among the oldest buildings in Missoula County. 

Registration Check/In:

• Checkin will start Saturday at 8:45AM - 6:00PM and Friday 5-7PM at the Big Sky Brewing Tap Room.
  
  • Checkin 60 minutes before each race or by 6:00 pm for night races,
• Online Registration will be open all day on race day and we will have a registration computer onsite. 

Pricing

Extra shirts (if not ordered by cutoff and there are any left): $25.

Kids Untimed Races:

• Free. Just pre-register and sign waiver onsite at registration.

Juniors Racing

• $20 until 10/13 11:59 PM
• $25 until 10/31 11:59 PM
• $30 until 11/2

MTB and Try CX Race

• $20

All other races

• $30 until 10/13 11:59 PM
• $35 until 10/31 11:59 PM
• $40 until 11/2

Second race of the day is $10 discount ($20 for the 2nd race). Third race of the day is a $20 discount. ($15 for the third race). Pay onsite preferably with cash/check if adding a race. 

*Additional online processing fee apply as well as USAC licensing. Please see USAC heading for license info. Sponsors have generously covered the cost of one day license for some races.

SCHEDULE

• 9:00 AM    - Free Pedal and Strider Bike Untimed (recommended 3-6 yrs)  - Short Lap - Parents can walk with.
• 9:15 AM    - Free Pedal Bike Untimed (recommend 6-8) - Full Lap - Kids on their own.
• 10:00 AM  - JR 9-10 B/G  - 30min (One Day License Comped)
• 10:00 AM  - JR 11-12 B/G - 30min (One Day License Comped)
• 10:00 AM  - JR 13-14 B/G - 30min (One Day License Comped)
• 10:00 AM  - JR 15-16 B/G - 30min (One Day License Comped)
• 10:00 AM  - JR 17-18 B/G -  30min (One Day License Comped)
• 10:35 AM  - Training Course Open  -  30min
• 11:05 AM  - Try CX! Beginners M/W  -   25min (One Day License Comped)
• 11:55 AM  - Cat 4/5 Women  -  40m* (One Day License Comped)
• 12:55 PM  - Cat 4/5 Men  - 40m* (One Day License Comped)
• 2:15 PM    - Master W 40+ - 45m
• 3:20 PM    - Single Speed W - 45m
• 3:20 PM    - Single Speed M - 45m
• 4:25 PM    - Master Men 40+ - 45m*
• 4:25 PM    - Master Men 50+ - 45m*
• 4:25 PM    - Master Men 60+ - 45m*
• 5:30 PM    - MTB Baggies - Full Suspension Head Start (see below) -  3 Laps (One Day License Comped)
• 6:00 PM    - Training Course Open - 35m
• 6:45 PM    - Open Cat 1/2 Women - 55m*
• 6:45 PM    - Open Cat 3 Women  -  55m*
• 6:45 PM    - Open Cat 4/5 Women - 55m
• 8:05 PM    - Open Cat 1/2 Men -  55m*
• 8:05 PM    - Open Cat 3 Men  -   55m*
• 8:05 PM    - Open Cat 4/5 Men  -  55m

*State Championship races

For races such as the JRs, Masters, and Open where there are multiple categories in the same race, everyone will start on the same gun. This is so both category combined results and separated category podium results can both reported to USAC. This is beneficial for those looking for upgrades and bettering their points ranking for nationals.

MTB Baggies Race 

New this year! We are starting full suspensions first with hard tails and rigids to follow. Tires must be 2"+ and suspension left open. Only 3 laps! Party in the front, business casual in the back! Which bike will prevail?!

USA Cycling

Rolling Thunder is sanctioned under  USA Cycling. Permit Pending. Riders must have a current annual USAC license (renewed at USACycling.com) or purchase a one day license at checkin for $10 (cash). No license needed for the free untimed kids race and the following below.

Five Valley Urology has generously covered one day licenses for the  JR races, and the Try CX Beginner race, as well as the 4/5 Men and Women. This will be covered for you at checkin. 

However, those that plan to race at nationals in Seattle will need an annual license. One day license holders are not be eligible for ranking points.

For those that want to renew their annual license, save $30 by renewing their 2019 and 2020 licenses at the same time at www.usacycling.org

State Championships

The winners in the Cat 4/5 Race; Master M/W 40+, M50+, M60+; M/W Open Elite Cat 1/2, and M/W Open Elite Cat 3 will be acknowledged as the Montana State Champion. To be eligible as state champion, the rider must have a current annual USACycling license and be a current MT Resident as shown on their license. If you win on a one day license, the champion will be deferred to the next finisher that has the above requirements.

Podiums

Top five each race category will podium with prizes and/or medals to at least the winner. Podiums will be recognized ASAP after each race with State Championship presentation (if applicable per the category) immediately following the race podium.

The Open Men and Women Race will be scored with all categories combined for a top 5 podium. Then the top Cat 1/2 and top Cat 3 will be recognized as the state champion. See eligibility under State Championship heading.  The Open Elite races will have a combined categories podium of top 5 overall regardless of category but results will also be reported separately.

Call Ups

Callups for the Thunder have been tallied. Follow this link and click on the appropriate tab in the spreadsheet. This will give you an idea of the front row and still may be adjusted upon extraneous circumstances based on point number three below (ie if Lars Van Dar Haar or Ellen Van Loy decide to show). If you are registering late and didn't make the callup list, you will line up when we say everyone else line up after we call at least the top 8. If you registered before Monday when we advertised deadline for callup, then your name should be on the list. 

At least 8 in each category will get a call up for the front line. We may call past 8 if time allows from rider rankings/criteria below. Once we are done calling, then everyone else can line up first come, first serve.

1. 1st Callup - Defending Thunder Champion (2018) for that category about to to race.
2. Next 6 - CrossResults.com Rider Rankings pulled Monday before Thunder.
3. Next Riders - Wild Cards. Could be a Thunder legend, previous Thunder winner or special exception. If not, CrossResult Rider Rankings.
4. Rankings based on CX Results or First Come, First serve depending on time.

Parking

Please no parking in the Taproom parking lot. The taproom remains open to patrons. No parking at the gas station or hotel. Please parallel park along Harrier off of Expressway Boulevard, along Trumpeter, or in the lots at 4g Plumbing or Missoula Property Management which is at the top of Harrier road on the hill. You can access Harrier Road off Expressway Boulevard since the lower, eastern portion of the road will be closed for the race. 

Team Tents

Please place team tents up on the curb (off the road) on the sidewalk on the south side of Harrier Road. This will allow a walking path for spectators between the tents and the finishing straightaway. The sidewalk will be great for trainers. Additional tents can be placed on the infield right behind Big Sky Brewing against the course or against the building. Make sure your tent is secured with sandbags or ground stakes. 

Course Pre-riding. 

While a race is occurring, please no pre-riding the course. There are two dedicated slots on the schedule for pre-riding. After each race, there should be 10-20 minutes where you can do some pre-riding.

Lodging

One of our sponsors, Stone Creek Lodge is located right across the street from the venue. Stone Creek is offering deeply discounted room rates for $89/night for a room with a single beds or $99/night for a room with two beds!  Hot breakfast included. It's the perfect lodging option to be right in the action and a really good deal. Hit the kids race, then hit the salt water pool, race yourself, then hit the spa!  To claim you discounted room rate, call Stone Creek to book and mention Rolling Thunder Cyclocross. And for those flying into Missoula. The airport is right across the street.

What makes this race special:

14 years of best in the west CX racing!

Beer Garden presented by Big Sky Brewery. All the money donated goes to MTB Missoula.

Kid's Race and Junior racing. All kids  are free.

Women's and mens elite races are in the dark, we have lights on the course

Better your nationals call up with USAC sanctioning

Anyone ability wise can race in the night Open race

Beginners one day licenses are covered!

Professional course design.

Giving Back to Trails - MTB

MTB Missoula will be managing the beer garden with all the donations for beverages going to MTB Missoula and ultimately back to you in the form of public trails. 

Food and Beverage

MTB Missoula will be managing the beer garden with all the donations for beverages going to MTB Missoula and ultimately back to you in the form of public trails. Bring some cash.

Big Thai Country will be serving food from their food truck starting around noon. 

Sonny's Original Cheesesteaks will also be onsite starting around 4PM.

Black Coffee Roasters will be serving coffee in the morning.

Host families

We have a couple host families that might be able to take 1 or 2 riders. If you need some housing let us know!

FAQ

Have a questions, email cory@competitivetiming.com for any and all questions.

Q: I'm not a USA Cycling Member. Can I race and what category?

• Short answer, you can basically race any race throughout the day you want regardless of your USAC membership and category. If you don't have an annual license, you will just sign a waiver onsite and pay $10. If you are a JR, Beginner Race, 4/5 race, or MTB baggies race,  the additional fee is covered by our great sponsors. 

Q: I used to be a cat 1/2 or 3 racer but my license isn't current. Do I need an annual license to race?

• No. You can race on a one day to race in any race you want. If you are racing in any race other than listed above, then you will need to bring $10 (cash) to registration when you check for your one-day license. However, you must have a current annual license if you want to be eligible for upgrade points, ranking points for nationals, or up for a state championship title.

Q: Can I race more than one race in the day? 

• Yes! If you register early and register for a second race then it will be $10 discount. Third race of the day is $20 discount.

Q: Do I need a CX bike?

• No. Gravel bikes and mountain bikes work great! Just make sure if you have a MTB you take off any bar end extenders.

Q: What's the MTB Baggies race?

• For those mountain bikers without a CX bike and don't want to race against all the fast cx bikes. Mountain bikes are allowed in any of the races but this one specifically for MTBikes.