I have a confession to make: I’ve been mountain biking for 12 years, and have been riding fairly seriously for the past 5. I currently ride 4-6 days a week but despite all this riding, I have never done a 100-mile ride. A century ride is a big milestone for any rider and I’m long overdue to complete this goal.
14 days before the Leadville 100, one of the toughest races in the country, I got a call from the “Leadvillians.” “Hey man, we have an extra spot this year if you want in!” Of course, I can’t pass up an opportunity like that! Although I was totally unprepared, I accepted without thinking twice.
All of my training this year has been focused on XC Nationals in West Virginia. My training rides were focused on two-hour hard efforts and intervals rather than long, extended rides. I had no idea what to expect and was worried that a ride of that length was going to destroy me. I didn’t know how to handle nutrition or how hard to push myself (or not push myself). 103 miles is hard. Add 12,000+ feet of elevation gain and it gets harder. Don’t forget that the race takes place at 10,000 to 13,000ft. where there is 40% less oxygen than at sea level. I think I’m in for one heck of a day.
I invite you to watch the video above and check out what the Leadville 100 is all about. Can I finish 103 miles with 12,000+ feet of vert with no long distance training?
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Good job, dude! Your positive attitude and enthusiasm during even the toughest sections are an inspiration.
Hey thanks Rebus! Attitude is everything IMO. We are all just out there to have fun right?
Dude, you slayed it! Nice job and excellent video!
Thanks Jeff! I was really worried that I was going to be in bad shape out there (hence over-packing nutrition) but it went great!
Way to go Colton! How do they do the starting positions? Will you get a better one next year? I’m sure you’d be way faster without all the traffic at the start.
And a 38T chainring?!?!?! You cray!
Hahaha, thanks Aaron! They had 5-6 different waves to send people off. When the gun goes everyone is cut loose simultaneously but the waves are separated by a good bit. I didn’t actually cross the start line until 3ish minutes after the gun. You are categorized by previous times Leadville times and by a handful of qualification races. I will definitely have a better start wave next year and hopefully I can break that 9 hours mark and snag myself a gold buckle!
Always be passing!! Seriously, you probably passed like 500 people!
Also, what Aaron said about the 38T–nuts!!
That is one of the perks of being in the back I guess! Traffic jams suck but massing people is a big moral booster for sure. I started somewhere around 1700ish and finished 360ish.
Wow, great job man! And yeah, it hurts just thinking about that 38t 🙂
Thanks Arkinet! The 38T would have been fine but unfortunately my rear derailleur wasn’t functioning properly. I has that 1×11 set up but I really only got a 1×9. My two highest (easiest) gears kept dropping my chain. That made Mt. Columbine a real B!
Maybe Breck epic next? I heard its harder than L100.
I mean breck100
Not many biking videos over 10 minutes long I’ve seen lately. This one is truly interesting to watch. Congratulations, Colton, on successful race.
Thanks stumpyfsr! Glad you liked it. I’m doing Iceman in a few months here. I might do a video on that as well.
Wow Colton just saw your video. Great race. First century accomplished in Leadville … Truly manly. And you seem to do it with “relative” ease. I guess you have proven that interval training and shorter harder workouts can prepare one for almost anything. Or maybe you just have AMAZING genes. =) Congrats.
Thanks Mongwolf!! Interval training really is what it’s all about these days I guess. Genes probably have a big part to do with it as well hahaha! Thanks Mom and Dad!
That was the best video I’ve seen about this. Also you have a great attitude! Hope to do this race one day!