The Dusty Banditas ride again

The Dusty Banditas gravel race returned to Ovando for a second appearance June 1. This year 300 riders entered, 60 for the 80-ish mile race and 240 for the 45-ish mile race. It was an increase in ridership of 100 from last years' 200-rider limit. The Dusty Bandita is the nation's first all-women gravel bike race.

"Overall the event was hugely popular and successful," Jenna Tomiello, one of the co-race directors and director of MT Alpha Cycling in Missoula, said. "The positive energy at the start, camaraderie out on the course and the excitement at the finish were felt by all."

In the 80-ish mile race that took riders to Rice Ridge outside Seeley Lake for a 5,000-foot elevation gain, Stella Hobbs, from Whitefish, defended last years' win and Jessica Cerra, also from Whitefish, was in second place, a repeat of how the 2023 race finished. Hobbs and Cerra both compete in gravel races nationally as well.

Times were tight with a 0.3 second difference between first and second, Hobbs finishing with a time of 4:23:48.3 and Cerra with 4:23:48.6. Amber Steed, from Kalispell, pulled in at third place with 4:29:30.7. The average speed for the top two finishers was 18.7 m.p.h.

"Jess and I are close friends that often ride and train together," Hobbs said. "She is a retired professional road cyclist and I am just beginning my transition into pursuing cycling at a high level. She has been an important mentor in my interest in the sport."

The 45-ish mile ride took riders through the foothills north of Ovando for a 2,500-foot elevation gain. This was winner Merilee Thomas's, from Bozeman, first Dusty Banditas race. She arrived in Ovando with a time of 2:36:54.6 and with an average speed of 16.6 mph. Second place Gretel Chapman, from Missoula, clocked in at 2:49:02:92 and third place finisher Marlene Hull, from Missoula, came through the finish at 2:49:12.92.

"I think the Dusty Bandita has carved out an important role in the ever growing riding community of Northwest Montana and beyond," Hobbs said. "By allowing only women to participate in the event, the Dusty Bandita does a fantastic job of encouraging women to sign up for an event and see it through to the finish line."

The races brought in riders from all over Montana, as well as a few other states. The Cycling House, a vacation cycling company based in Missoula, held a women's bike camp at the Cliff Ranch in Ovando the week before, and the race was the finishing touch to the five-day event for the 12 women.

Although downtown Ovando was swarming with riders and bicycles, care was taken that other people could still access the stores and restaurants. Local people enjoyed the activity.

"Apparently the men go fishing while the women are biking," Kathy Thurmond, owner of the Blackfoot Angler, said. "It was very good for business."

The Blackfoot Commercial Company Inn has been booked for six months, said owner Fred Valiton.

"As soon as they opened registration for the race, we were booked full at the hotel," Valiton said.

The atmosphere in the camping and parking area at the Rolling Stone Ranch was a jovial scene. BruTrek Adventure Equipment was handing out coffee, people were tuning up their bikes and greeting biking friends as they pulled into the field. Strategies were shared and volunteers were on hand to direct traffic.

"It is also really fun to see so many male counterparts jumping in to volunteer or support the riders in other ways," Hobbs said. "This was my third year participating in the event and me and my husband, our ride buddies and our entire shop staff all look forward to the event each year."

Riders were escorted across Highway 200 to the starting line on Monture Road. On their return to the finish line in the Ovando square, there were flaggers at the Highway 200 crossing and riders were instructed to stop and put a foot down before crossing the highway.

From 7 a.m. until 5 p.m Ovando was stirring with the race and the 300 entrants. Before dark, all the race equipment was packed up and no garbage was in sight.

"They are welcome to come back next year," Thurmond said. "It's a unanimous vote from Ovando."

"We're hugely thankful to all the participants for spending the day with us," Tomiello said. "And to the town of Ovando for supporting us. Since the race I've heard from dozens of friends and participants about the beautiful courses, the support of fellow female and non-binary racers and the overall success of the event, and excitement already for next year."