LEADVILLE 100

From the technically sublime shredders to the wacky, ridiculous fancy-dressers, Leadville Trail 100 MTB has it all.

By Black Sheep Cycling

September 14^th, 2016

I’ve been to Leadville once, well, twice now. It’s a sleepy little mountain town in the Colorado Rockies with breathtaking views and a tiny main street. The Leadville 100 had been mentioned to me in passing as a must-do, must-see. Expect the unexpected I was told. What I didn’t anticipate was 1,500 riders of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels prepared to tackle 100 miles of rugged mountain terrain, with 12 kilometres of climbing elevation, topping out at over 3,500 metres.

The climbs of Columbine and Powerline are infamous – you’ll find fables of the destruction they’ve caused all over the internet.

Feed zones are party zones for the supporters. Heckling makes this sport part of what it is.

Write your story here. (Optional)

Powerline, which pitches up at some 46% in places, is where you begin to sense the competitors’ exhaustion. 100 miles of gruelling terrain, which the race leaders will complete in just over six hours, takes its toll.