The Leadville Trail 100 MTB Race is the ultimate test of endurance, resilience, and mental fortitude. Perhaps the most famous endurance mountain bike race in the world, the Leadville Trail 100 spans the rugged terrain and extreme altitudes of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. It's not merely a race, but an experience that pushes riders to their limits. For those aiming to conquer this iconic event and earn the coveted LT100 belt buckle, here are our coach’s top 10 tips that can significantly elevate your chances of success.
1. Start Training Early and Build a Solid Fitness Base
The road (or trail) to Leadville begins long before race day. Establishing a hardy base of fitness is crucial. Months before you toe the start line, athletes should embark on a comprehensive training program that encompasses both on-bike workouts and off-bike exercises increase endurance, and to strengthen your core, stability, and overall durability. This foundational base will serve as the bedrock for your performance and endurance during the race. We recommend our 30-Week Leadville Trail 100 Training Plan
2. Practice Nutrition Strategies During Training
With races as long and tough as Leadville, you’ll be burning through calories at a significant rate. Fueling your body is paramount to having gas in the tank as you hit “The Boulevard” at mile 101. During your training sessions, experiment with various nutrition plans to understand what works best for you. Test different energy gels, bars, and hydration methods to ensure you find the optimal fuel mix that keeps you energized without causing distress. We recommend starting with 60-80 grams of carbohydrate per hour in training and gradually adjusting over time to find your sweet spot. At White Pine Athletics our athletes and coaches fuel with Neversecond products for their simple carbohydrate stackability, light viscosity, and amazing flavors.
3. Respect Altitude and Prepare for It
Leadville sits at a lung-sapping altitude of over 10,000 feet. The race will take athletes to a mind-bending 12,400ft at the top of Columbine. Acclimatizing to these conditions is crucial. Incorporate altitude training into your regimen if possible. Simulate the conditions by training at higher elevations, or try to arrive in Leadville around 2 weeks ahead of race day to give your body time to adapt.
4. Develop a Pacing Plan and Start Conservatively
Between LT100’s length, terrain, and altitude, this course demands a cautious approach. Build a pacing strategy that prioritizes conserving energy for the later stages. Start the race at a pace slower than you might initially intend. It's a long haul, and managing your effort early on can prevent burning out prematurely. Remember, you’ll be accumulating over 11,000ft of vert over 105 miles. Don’t burn all your matches at the start.
5. Prioritize Strength Training for Endurance
Endurance races like Leadville can take a toll on more than just your legs. We’ve heard from athletes who have complained of low back pain, forearm/grip fatigue, bicep and shoulder fatigue, and pain in everything from hips to ankles. Incorporate strength training into your routine to increase strength, durability, and prevent injury. Exercises that target your core, legs, and upper body strength are invaluable in enduring such a challenging course.
6. Know the Course and Train Accordingly
Familiarize yourself extensively with the Leadville 100 course. Shape your training sessions to replicate the course's demands, including its climbs, descents, and technical sections. Preparing specifically for the terrain you'll encounter can provide a significant advantage on race day. While not everyone is lucky enough to have access to 30-min to 2-hour long steep and sustained climbs, through the use of smart trainers, or some light tweaks to your bikes chainring size, you should be able to replicate and sustain the power needed for the monster climbs of the LT100.
7. Streamline Feed Stops to Minimize Time Loss
Efficiency is key during feed stops. Practice quick, organized stops during your training rides to minimize time off the bike. Plan and organize your nutrition and hydration strategy to swiftly refuel without wasting precious minutes. This goes for race day feed stops as well. The clock doesn’t stop when you stop for a snack. Have a plan to blast through feed stops as quickly as possible.
8. Dial Your Skills
While Leadville isn't overly technical, it does feature challenging descents and crowded sections. Sharpen your bike handling skills, especially on steep descents, to navigate these sections confidently amidst a crowd of riders. It’s also important to develop your uphill skills as well. These climbs can push athletes to their limits. With gradients has high as 20%, a quick lapse in focus or deficiency in uphill skill can quickly leave you walking uphill and sapping precious time.
9. Master Mechanical Fixes
Being self-reliant in troubleshooting common mechanical issues like flats, or derailleur issues is essential. Practice changing tires and performing basic bike maintenance to swiftly tackle unexpected problems during the race without losing valuable time. Knowing how to fix a mechanical issue only helps if you race with the right tools for the job. Race day isn’t the day to wake up and decide to slim down on bike weight by leaving kit behind. It would be wise to carry things like spare tube, CO2 and inflator, tire boots, multitool with a chain tool, tire plugs, and maybe a bit of chain lube. Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
10. Work with a Coach Experienced in Leadville
Hiring a coach who has experience racing Leadville can be a game-changer. They offer invaluable insights into the course's nuances, pacing strategies, nutrition plans, and mental preparedness, enhancing your overall readiness and boosting your chances of success. Both Coach Kyle and Coach Corbin have raced the infamous Leadville Trail 100 and are always happy to take on athletes looking to bring home their first buckle!
Taking on the Leadville Trail 100 MTB Race demands meticulous preparation, both physically and mentally. Following to these ten tips, and perhaps most importantly, working alongside an experienced coach, can significantly boost your readiness to conquer this iconic challenge. Aspire, train smart, and embrace the journey towards the ultimate achievement at Leadville. We look forward to seeing you there!
