In 2019, John “Bear” Stillwagon placed ninth in the Tour Divide, a grueling 2,745-mile race from Banff, Alberta to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Two years later, the Butte 100 was not enough for Bear. So, he rode the course twice, making him the one and only competitor of the “Butte 200.”

This summer, Bear tried to top the field at the Tour Divide again, and he was in contention before his body gave out on him, forcing him to give up. On Saturday, Bear will be back on his back to compete in the 2023 Butte 100.

When they hear what Bear has done or is planning to do, a lot of people have one word: “Why?”

If you have to ask, you will never understand. Bear is not crazy. He just doesn’t do anything halfway. Whether it is high school football, coaching wrestling, working as a carpenter or riding his bike, Bear wants to be the best.

Over the last decade or so, that drive has led Bear to become somewhat of a legend in the cycling and outdoor communities, and that goes well beyond his hometown. The 1990 Butte Central graduate is so well known that he is simply known by his nickname.

No last name required.

Listen in to this podcast as Bear talks about the origin of that nickname. Listen as he talks about playing football at Butte Central, coaching wrestling and following the dreams of his children. Listen as he talks about getting into the mountain bike game, riding the Butte 100 and Tour Divide and helping start the youth racing team, the Copper Sprockets. 

Listen to see that Bear might be extreme, but he is anything but crazy.

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