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Leadville 2009

Last year I wrote a short novel on my Leadville experience.  This year I just want to touch on a few things to remember for next year.  That is right, I said NEXT YEAR!

First of all my time was 9:47.  This was exactly 1 hour slower than last year.  Crazy thing is I am really happy that I even finished!  Here are some ways I can save time:

1.  No matter what my heart and brain say I need to run a 32×20.  I realize that the flats are a wash.  The key to this race is how much of Columbine and Powerline you can ride.

2.  If it looks like it will rain, it probably will.  Wear a minimum of knee warmers and have extra gloves and sunglasses at the aid stations.

3.  Ride your race.  The pace at the gun was brutal, especially on a single speed. Don’t worry about everyone, and I mean everyone, flying by you on the pavement. Ride St. Kevins and then let the race come to you.

4.  It is okay to walk.  A good walking pace is 2.8-3.2mph.  If you are riding slower than this, get off and push.

5.  Columbine is going to hurt! You are halfway when you hit the mine.

6.  Powerline sucks! You are halfway after the 3rd false summit.  It is okay to cry and curse out loud during this stretch of trail.

7. The descents coming home from Powerline and St. Kevins make the climbs worth it.  I love how fast these 2 downhills are.

8. The climb back up St. Kevins is a piece of cake.  You have hammered it twice, so don’t stress it.

9. It can’t snow on Columbine 2 years in a row

10 Sub 9 on a single speed is totally doable!

Here are a few pics of 2009

numer1crewNumber 1 crew

number1fanTandem Team Clark 20114guysDNAthe gangThe gangfinishline bysTeam Fatty crossing the linebed at delawareWhere the magic happens


This entry was posted on August 24, 2009 at 8:44 pm and is filed under Mtn. Bike with tags . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

5 Responses to “Leadville 2009”

  1. dug Says:
    August 25, 2009 at 10:30 am

    thanks for including that picture. i look like the monster from young frankenstein.

  2. brandon S. Says:
    August 25, 2009 at 1:48 pm

    Glad to see you are planning on next year. I am going to take down your 8.47 time next year! I agree with your assessments (1-10) above also. But remember no “magic” until after the race.

  3. VH1 Says:
    August 25, 2009 at 2:03 pm

    Brandon I will be taking down that 8:47 time next year with a little magic before and after.

  4. VH1 Says:
    August 25, 2009 at 3:24 pm

    I think the beanie and sweater are a nice combo

  5. whit Says:
    August 25, 2009 at 4:50 pm

    Sign me up to crew for Tandem team Clark in 2011!!!

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