The Leadville 100 is a gravel race

EB · #1 08-09-2024, 11:33 AM

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/bike-c...ville-100.html

I am confused though because I thought gravel forks were only supposed to have 40mm of travel.

kppolich · #2 08-09-2024, 12:08 PM

This is it, the granddaddy of all endurance MTB races. Get ready for a big day in the saddle. The 105-mile out-and-back course is in the midst of the Colorado Rockies. With a low point, 9,200 feet in Twin Lakes and a high point at Columbine Mine, topping out at 12,516 feet. The majority of the course is on forest rough service roads and high alpine two track with a little bit of singletrack to keep you on your toes. Come prepared, leave as a legend.

105 miles
12,480 Elevation Gain
9,219’ Lowest Point
12,499’ Highest Point
New for 2024:
The course will route through Outward Bound property at mile 24.8 until mile 26 where it rejoins the traditional course
This will add 1.2 miles of single track and eliminate the pavement portion

from:
https://www.leadvilleraceseries.com/...-fad0dc3d-becd

aaronffs · #3 08-09-2024, 12:13 PM

this will be the topic that brings back spoon robot, i can feel it

Jaybee · #4 08-09-2024, 12:18 PM

Having just finished the Leadville Stage Race as packfill, I do think it is pretty much a gravel race that is hard because of the altitude and grades. I spent a lot of my pedally time out there wishing for a longer and lower position, and while I think the fork and 2.4" tires are important for control on some of the loose stuff, I also think pretty mediocre bike handler me could probably have handled the whole thing on drop bars.

I think someone else (maybe a Canadian?) did this in 2022, and Dylan Johnson popularized the idea last year.

Love this quote from Dylan:
"If Keegan breaks his own record this year with drop bars on his bike, Leadville will never be the same again,” he said. “For the rest of time it will be a drop bar mountain bike race and times will be faster because of it. I’ve never wanted Keegan to demolish the rest of us so badly.”

azrider · #5 08-09-2024, 12:23 PM

Prior to racing Lville in 2018 I asked a buddy how to train and his response was: "sprinkle some dirt on your driveway and ride back n' forth"

gdw · #6 08-09-2024, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azrider

Prior to racing Lville in 2018 I asked a buddy how to train and his response was: "sprinkle some dirt on your driveway and ride back n' forth"

That's pretty accurate if you have a steep dirt driveway.
The course was never technical and has been groomed over the years as they increased the number of racers and staggered the start.