Welcome to Leadville!

In less than six weeks, Leadville.

What was once a small race in the Colorado Rockies is now a mountain-bike event known around the world.[thanks in part  to the participation of one disgraced ex-pro road-racer from Austin who’s name rhymes with dance]  Yup, the Leadville Trail 100 is just around the corner, August 10th to be precise.

For those who’ve spent many years living/riding in the area, the race may not hold the same sense of appeal.  I’m sure there are plenty who roll their eyes at the mear mention of the race, just as locals in every locale do in regards their home-town spectacle, whatever it may be.  But I’m just a kid from Ontario, Canada, so to me, the Leadville 100 is a big deal.  People from all around the world come to do this race, and this year, there will be a certain Canadian boy at the starting line!  Actually, since I got in through the lottery, I’ll be starting WELL back of the starting line.  But whatever, I’ll still be there!

Well, on Sunday it finally dawned on me; Leadville is only six weeks away!  HOLY CRAP!  There are certain events/rides/races I’ll be doing between now and then as well as my own training schedule, but what changed on Sunday was my head-space.  That race finally took hold of my brain and yelled “I’m nearly here, Bowling, better be ready!!”  What caused this shift in consciousness you ask?  I cycled in Leadville for the first time Sunday and now have a bit of an idea what of I’m getting myself into.

Sunday morning I drove to Buena Vista[about 25miles/40kms north of Salida] where Pat and Reilly were waiting, then on to Leadville[another 35miles/55kms] to meet long-time Leadville resident, bad-ass mountain-biker and super-great guy, Ty.  Within 15 minutes the four of us were on the bikes and heading for the hills.  Ohhhh and there would be hills!

Just as we get to the meat of the first big climb, we bumped into a hiker out with his dogs.  Turns out, that friendly guy was one of the Leadville Trail 100’s co-founders!  Moments later, my only thought was the brute of a climb that lay before me.  It was steep, really steep and it was long.  There sandy/technical spots, a quick-sand pit, giant fire-breathing dragons and a pterodactyl.  Okay, so maybe no quick-sand, but it was a gruelling climb!  Erosion forced you to ride to the inside of the trail, avoiding the sand that would slide you into a rocky rut.  Did I mention it was steep?  Quickly enough, I found myself alone and watching the other three pull away from me.  UGH!

“Breathe, turn your legs; breathe, turn your legs”

Eventually, we four reached the top of Mosquito Pass, taking in the grand mountainous views all ’round.  But, with one chant of “keep the rubber side down” we were screaming down hill, tearing along more of those rocky roads, at times under the canopy of trees, at times exposed.  We got our feet wet on several creek crossings but nothing could dampen our spirits; we were having a blast!

At the bottom were railroad tracks where, it’s thought, sparks from a train’s wheel ignited a dry tree, spawning a fire that climbed till the tree-line ended a few years ago. A sober reminder of just how fragile this rugged land can be and, that everything can change in a heartbeat.

Soon enough, the conversation ended and the climbing resumed; I assumed my position in back as I watched those three beasts climb away.  Up and up we climbed.  Looking down the trail, I spied my riding posse stopping at a cabin.  Thank god, I needed a rest.

Ty told us the story of it’s building, which was a monumental undertaking to say the least.  Now owned by the 10th Mountain Division, Sangree Hut serves as an Alpine Resource Centre and, an amazing place to stop while on a killer ride!  From it’s 11,700feet,  we climb, again, reaching nearly 13,000 feet on Mt Zion.   Ty oriented us to our route so far that day, nearby mountains including Massive and Colorado’s tallest, Mt Elbert.  Apparently, for a while now folks have been piling rocks atop Massive in  an attempt to gain the twelve feet difference between it and Elbert.

As was our lot, having climbed to that elevation, we got to go down!!  And boy did we!  Big fast corners, smooth rollers, technical but fast rock gardens, forest, desert, creeks, fun fun fun!!  Well, fun except for when Pat crashed into the tree that fallen across the trail.  Despite blasting along at 20-20mph, Pat was none-worse-for-wear and ready for more.

With a nice little cool-down ride along the highway to finish the day, we were soon back at Ty, handshakes, smiles and hugs all around for such a great ride.  Though we only rode about 25 miles/40kms, that really was one of the most demanding 40kms I’ve ever ridden.  Those two long steep climbs, all that elevation, conspired to make it feel much longer than the computer told us.

The intensity of those climbs, the lay of the land, the trail conditions, the town, all helped put Leadville on my mental map.  A big shout-out to Ty for guiding us around those fantastic Leadville trails.

Leadville Trail 100, I’m comin’ for ya…

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/336231374

Pat, Reilly and Ty chillin’ at Sangree Hut

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How does this qualify as a “hut”?

Top o’ the world

Doesn’t look like much, but that trail was WORK!

THIS is living!

Life is good.

Turquise Lake, from way up above!