Rolling Thunder Cyclocross Race

ROLLING THUNDER 2023 - OCTOBER 28th - 29th

Venue

1518 Tower Street, Missoula, MT 59804, RACE HQ in the lower Fastpitch lot on the corner of Tower and Spurgin

Back to one of the original Rolling Thunder Venues.  Maverick's Stadium within Big Sky Park.  The host of Rolling Thunder from 2009 - 2018.  It's characterized by a twisty, technical course.  Missoula is hosting the Pan American Cyclocross Championships on November 4th and 5th.  Rolling Thunder's courses will be very similar to the Pan Am Courses at Big Sky Park.

Rolling Thunder and Pan Am Champs are part of our larger cyclocross community.  The Missoula Cyclocross Series is 7 weeks and a clinic.  It also has a corresponding youth program called "Zootown Rangers."  New for this year, we will be providing front row Rolling Thunder call ups to riders who are in the top 7 of the overall standings of the Missoula Cyclocross Series.  To learn more about the series click here

Registration Check/In:

• Friday at MTCX 9am-6pm
  • Day of Check in will start Saturday at 8:00AM - 6:00PM and in the MTCX trailer at Fastpitch lower parking area
  • Checkin at least 60 minutes before each race
• Online Registration will be open all day on race day, but day of price is $40
• Parking will be in the field to the south

Pricing

• $30 per race per day all events.
• Second race of the day is $15
• Free Untimed Kids Strider and Pedal Bike on short lap.
• $40 per race for day of registration.

SCHEDULE INFO

1. You do not need to qualify for any categories. 
2. Beginners and those that want to try cyclocross are absolutely welcome! Juniors (if a junior), Cat 4/5 (B), or Mountain Bike Baggies would be a perfect fit!
3. Single speeders can use a zip tie on their geared bike to prevent shifting. Let us know if you need help with this. 
4. We will combine starts if field sizes are small (example score Women 4/5 and 40+ separately but start on one gun)

Saturday

• 8:00 Check-in and reg open
• 8am - 9am - Course Inspection
• 9:15am -  Untimed Strider and Pedal Bike - 1 lap - 2-9 yr - free
• 9:45am  - Junior 13 - 17 - 30 min *separate start
• 9:46am  - Junior 10 - 12 - 20 min *separate start
• 10:45am - Women Cat 4/5 (B) - 40 min
• 10:45am - Women 40+ - 40 min
• 10:45am - Women 50+ - 40 min
• 12:00pm - Men Cat 4/5 (B) - 40 min
• 1:15pm - Master Men 40+ -50 min
• 1:16pm - Master Men 50+ -45 min *separate start
• 1:17pm - Master Men 60+ -45 min *separate start
• 2:30pm - Women Open Elite 1/2/3 (A) - 55 min
• 4:00pm - Men Open Elite 1/2/3 (A) - 55 min
• 5:45pm - Party Open (C) - 30 min 
• 5:46pm - MTB baggies - 30 min *separate start
• 5:47pm - Single Speed - 30 min *separate start

Sunday

• 8:00 Check-in and reg open
• 8:00am - 9:00am - Course Inspection
• 9:15am  - Junior 13  - 17 - 30 min
• 9:16am  - Junior 10 - 12 - 20 min *separate start
• 10:00am - Women Open 1/2/3 (A) 40 min
• 10:00am - Women Cat 4/5 (B) - 40 min
• 10:00am - Women 40+ - 40 min
• 10:00am - Women 50+ - 40 min
• 12:00pm - Men Open 1/2/3 (A) - 40 min
• 12:00pm - Master Men 40+ - 40 min
• 12:00pm - Master Men 50+ - 40 min
• 12:00pm - Master Men 60+ - 40 min
• 12:00pm - Men 4/5 (B) - 40 min 
• 12:00pm - Party (C) - 40 min

Sunset Race 

New for this year.  The Sunset Race will include the Single Speed, MTB Baggies, and Party (C) categories.  Race and get cheered by your favorite non cycling friend!

Points and Sanctioning

Rolling Thunder is unsanctioned, but insured. No USAC license is needed.  All results will be submitted to CrossResults and some call ups at Pan Am Champs will be based on CrossResults. We will still have a competitive field and you won't regret racing Rolling Thunder.

Podiums

Top three in each race category will be on podium. Podiums will be recognized immediately after each race. The Open Men and Open Women Race will be scored with all categories combined for a top 5 podium. Prizes and medals provided by Zillastate.

Call Ups

Register by Wed before Thunder to ensure you are considered for a callup. 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 (2022) for that category about to to race.
2. Front Row - Missoula Cyclocross Overall Standings in category similar RT event
3. Other Rows - Crossresults.com

Sunday will be based on Sat Results.

Parking

Parking is in the south field at Big Sky Park.  You can also part at the West Side Little League paved parking area. The best entrance is off Tower Road on the Fort Missoula/Big Sky High School side.  It's just a field and you will see the vehicles lined up.

Team Tents

Team tents will have a row near the front of the parking area or in the Fastpitch lower lot.  Either way, it's first come first serve or shoot us an email to reserve. 

Course Pre-riding. 

While a race is occurring, please no pre-riding the course. There are  dedicated slots on the schedule for pre-riding. After each race, there should be 10 minutes where you can do some pre-riding.   We have a new start and finish line, it's inside the grass outfield of the lower fastpitch stadium.

Lodging

Please also hit up Keyvin Pollington's City Center Motel Keyvin is a strong supporter of Missoula Cycling.  City Center Motel is located downtown Missoula. 

What makes this race special:

• 17 years of best in the west CX racing! Year of the Rattlesnake
• Beer Garden presented by Big Sky Brewery.
• Kid's Race and Junior racing. 
• Women's and mens elite races are in the dark, we have lights on the course
• Fans.
• Prizes by Zillastate

Food and Beverage

• The beer garden is sponsored by by Big Sky Brewery with beer, seltzer, and seltzer water.
• Grist and Black Coffee providing breakfast and coffee.

FAQ

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

• Yes, this race isn't sanctioned by USAC so no license is required and you can race in any category based on your self selected ability. Fast Juniors are encouraged to race Cat 4/5 or even Open. 

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

• Yes! Race as many times as you want Saturday and Sunday.

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.