events
9th Annual Highline Hammer
Thank you for your interest in the 9th Annual Highline Hammer ride! The dates have been set for July 14-18, 2010. This is an amazing event and all who have participated have wanted to return the following year. In fact, some have ridden every year since 2002! Keep in mind that we are limiting this year's event to 25 campers. If you wish to join us, act fast, as slots go quickly! We hope to see you in July!
Join us for our 2011 event, July 20-24th! Further information will be posted here as it becomes available.
About the Highline Hammer
The Highline Hammer is a 5-day cycling experience held in Northwest Montana, the site of Hammer Nutrition's headquarters. Along with epic rides and breath-taking scenery, attendees are also treated to shuttle service to and from the airport and events, full SAG support on all rides, round table discussions with Brian Frank and the senior Hammer staff, product and clothing discounts, gourmet meals, and much more.
Rides include a 2-hour warm up spin around the Flathead Valley, a 70+ mile ride around Flathead Lake, and a 136-mile loop through Glacier National Park. With 15,000 feet of climbing, four mountain passes, and two trips over the Continental Divide, this ride is truly one of a kind.
» Take a look at the 2010 Highline pics
Check out the 2010 Highline Itinerary (PDF / 960 KB)
Be Prepared
The following information should help you determine if this event is a good fit for you.
Skills/Ability level:
We will be riding between 250 and 300 miles in four days with 15,000 + feet of elevation gain in the process. While this is not a professional stage race, or anything close to it, a good degree of fitness and endurance experience is necessary to be able to handle this volume of training comfortably so that you can enjoy yourself, not just survive and/or hold up the group.
- Have ridden several centuries or longer.
- Have at least 1,200 miles of riding since January by the time you arrive.
- Be comfortable riding in a large group, or at least be strong enough to ride off the back without getting dropped (we ride two up or single file most of the time).
- Be comfortable riding the white line (staying to the right, out of the middle of the lane).
If you have any concerns about these criteria, please call 800.336.1977 (tell Customer Service that you have questions about the Highline) to discuss it further before deciding that this is over your head. We're not trying to intimidate you; we just want to avoid having clients who are unprepared for the event.
When: Wednesday, July 14th through Sunday, July 18th, 2010.
This means that you need to arrive on the 14th and depart on the 18th.
Cost: $625 per person
A 25% deposit ($156.00) is required to secure your spot. This becomes non-refundable on May 3, 2010, at which time the balance of $469.00 will be charged.
What's included: This covers all food (gourmet, healthy, and organic when possible) from Thursday morning through Sunday brunch, unpacking, building, and repacking bikes, unlimited Hammer fuels and supplements for the duration of the event, shuttles to and from the airport and hotel (slight restrictions apply), SAG support (including tubes, etc. on all rides), and more. Daily shuttle service will be provided from the host hotel in town to our offices two miles away. (A rental car is necessary only if you want the independence).
If you choose to arrive or depart outside of the stated pick up and drop off times or start and end dates of the event, you are responsible for your own transportation and accommodation arrangements.
What's not included: Airfare, hotel room (although we do have special rates and will be setting up shared double rooms), and dinner at a restaurant (with the group) on Wednesday night. Bike shipping charges are also not included.
Bonuses: A newly designed 2010 jersey is included with your entrance fee. Please notify us of your size in advance so that your jersey can be ready when you arrive and we can all look spiffy during the rides. (Note: It is a Glacier National Park requirement that everyone in our group wears a Hammer jersey for the Friday ride!). You will also be able to place ONE order for as much product as you want @ 40% off during the event. These orders will be processed and shipped to you the week following the event. Shipping charges always apply to discounted orders. No hand carry.
Travel: Delta, Northwest, Alaska/Horizon, and United all fly into Glacier Park International Airport, Kalispell, MT (airport code FCA).
Bike Shipping: Feel free to FedEx or UPS your bike to us. We'll build it up and have it ready to go when you get here. We'll also do the re-packing and return shipping too (shipping charges apply). You can bring the bike with you, although the airlines are now charging about $200 each way for a bike box.
Families Welcome: Spouses and kids are welcome to participate in meals as follows: Wednesday - afternoon mixer, all welcome, no additional cost. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday dinner - $15 per adult (over 15) and $10 for kids (6-15). Kids under 6 are free. Advanced notification required.
We'll also be happy to suggest and help out with alternative daily activities for spouses and kids such as river rafting, day trips to hike in Glacier National Park, hanging out at Whitefish Lake, etc. A personal rental car would be necessary.
Special dietary needs: We will be serving wholesome, healthy meals everyday that feature high quality, lean proteins, lots of fresh fruit, and vegetables. There will be plenty of food options in case you don't eat meat or dairy. However, if you have very special needs, please let us know so that we can prepare accordingly.
Rides
North Fork Warm Up:
Glacier Park Loop (The Highline Ride):
Flathead Lake Loop:
Star Meadows:
Please Note: Rides are subject to change.
Highline Videos
- Watch the 2009 Highline Slideshow Video by Mike Anderson
Comments From 2009 Highline Participants
You all are the best! I just LOVE this event/experience ... you all do an amazing job of helping make this a most memorable experience for all of us. Thank so you much for continuing to offer the Highline Camp!
I love being able to try new products, especially during the Highline ride (where the length/difficulty of the ride gives you the perfect opportunity to see the benefits). The camaraderie before/during/after all the riding truly makes this an awesome event!
- Jennie Phillips
I personally think the Highline Hammer staff over delivered! There was always the availability of friendly staff to ask questions, the cycling was world class, and any cyclist who has not had the privilege of cycling the 136 mile loop through one of natures awe-inspiring creations, Glacier National Park, is missing out! That ride is fantastic, the scenery is unbelievable, and the Hammer SAG is top notch! The cyclists have the choice to learn on this ride what works fueling-wise and post-workout the use of the Globus and recovery drink in invaluable! The dinners were great and the breakfasts were good. Thanks for another great week of cycling and fueling from the Hammer Nutrition gurus!
- Suzy Degazon
Can't imagine how to improve on the 09 experience. The weather was great, the support was excellent and very professional. Food was wonderful. Brian and his team did a fantastic job. I would especially like to thank Owen and Jason for their encouragement and support during the rides. As you can tell, I had a great time and it turned out to be one of best cycling experiences I have had.
- Jamie Fitzgerald
I really enjoyed this years Highline. Special thanks to Brian for the additional help with the Globus and discussion on methods to help my back to heal. The staff at Hammer is absolutely awesome and I can't thank you all enough. It was great to get to meet many of the people that I talk to on the phone. Great people, great food, great weather. Brian, you run a fabulous company.
- Mike Lewis
I had a good idea of what to expect having been to the 7th Annual Highline, but you really delivered this year - particularly the weather! It was just another great experience. EVERYONE on the staff (including Zander & Owen, as the "temporary" help) were fantastic - very encouraging, helpful, and of good humor.
While the attendees included many elite riders, there was a great sense of camaraderie that did not differentiate between fitness/ability levels; I felt as if folks were interested in friendship and not who was going to be faster. Egos were checked before arriving in MT.
- Stephan Rosen
