The LeadVille 100  (Copied from my blog on Xanga)

Well, as most of you know, Myself, Ron Kennedy, Dave Newman, Steve Lacey and Darren Clifford entered the Leadville Lottery with Gale Bernhardt and Scott Ellis.  We figured that we had better chances signing in as a group with folks that had done it before.  Scott had done it 9 times before, and this would be Gale's 2nd year.  She was "Last Ass Across the Pass" Last year!!

So all year we have been focusing on this event.  It's one of those once in a life time chances that one may not wish to repeat if one fails, so it's better to train hard and focus rather than have fun all of the time, and many of the BC folks were opting out of the weekly rides as they say them as too much suffering and not enough fun.  I must admit, when I was climbing up Trail Ridge Road from Fort Collins, I was asking myself, "What the %@$# am I doing this for?". 

Now the time had come for the LeadVille 100 and it was to be a day of reckoning for many of us. 

The plan was to meet Dave Newman at his friend Scott Giffin's place.  Scott and his lovely wife Shannon had offered us all a place to stay and all of us took them up on this most  generous offer.  Steve and I were driving up Friday A.M and Ron was already up there with his family.  Dave was in Breckenridge with his parents and  "mutant" brother Mike.  Darren ended up driving himself up there.   Eventually we all meet up and find ourselves at Scott's, enjoying each others company and bonding and all of that sort of stuff.

We decided to do a pre-ride of the last 4 miles or so of the course.  This was a good chance to do a last minute check of the equipment.  It's a leisurely ride and I am just making note of the soil so as to re-affirm my tire choices.  I chose the Smoke Dart (560g) for the front and a Hutchinson Python (485g) for the rear.  I thought about going with Pythons fore and aft, but I wanted something up front that was going to hookup well on any possibly sketchy descents.  During the ride, Steve's rear derailleur was giving him troubles since it got bent a ride before, when he crashed coming done from the Antenna Towers at HT testing his tire choice.  I should Mention here that Steve and Darren are Ex-MotoCross racers and have "Mad" skills when it comes to descending.... Anyhow I notice that my HR is way up for the perceived effort that I and doing so I am a bit alarmed that this event may even be harder than I feared!!  Oh well, can't do anything about it now.    The rest of the pre-ride was un eventful and we put to bed our steeds as they were as ready as we were... After a good meal and making our preparations for the A,M we are ready for bed.

Try as I might I don't think I got that much sleep.  I was pretty tired but  believe that nervousness had taken over.  I tried counting sheep, meditating, whatever but it didn't work.  Well I think I got some sleep but it was sporadic.....  After what seemed like an eternity the alarms were  going off and it's time for the final preparations for battle.

I didn't really have the stomach to eat much so I just downed one of those "Ensure" drinks and that was good.  It worked for Steamboat so it should at least get me through the 1st 10 miles anyhow.    I didn't really pay attention to what everyone else was doing..... 

We make ready our mounts and it's time to go down to the Start.   We all pedal down to the Start Finish at about 5:50 and when we arrive there are tons of folks with their bikes already laid down to hold their start position.  There are tons of folks buzzing around.  I get to meet Dave's Parents and Dave's Father (Kickstand Pete) "Crew Chief" had prepared this whirling Pea-Cock that we could use to spot the crew.

I find Al Miller (Co-Worker/Friend) who had just bought a place in LV and he volunteered to take some photos for us.   Gale had gotten all of us that wanted them, "Active.com" jerseys to wear for the event.  Al was kind enough to get some photos of us. ( I think Al got 315 photos  at the event, which he is going to put on DVD, thanks AL ).

I find a spot to Lay my bike in the back and Dave gets a spot next to me. I have no clue where anyone else is.  The count down begins.  I check my HR and it's at 109 already, which really isn't too bad considering.  Bang the gun goes off and it' seems like minutes before I get to pedal.

I find myself in with folks who have probably never been in a crit before and they are braking way too much and not holding a good line.  I make the decision to start to move forward in the pelton.  This is what JZ said should be done anyway, so as not to find oneself behind those who have taken a higher position than they deserve and the other Stumble-bums who can't climb.  So I find it quite easy to move up cause there were way too many gaps and spaces.  I get to a spot that seems reasonable and then before I know it we are to the dirt.

I am feeling good and I am more/less climbing with easy and holding my place in the group.  Seems like some folks are going kinda hard. I check my HR and it's at 175.   I figured that this isn't too bad since the perceived effort wasn't that great and that this 175 might be closer to 160 if I were at 5000 ft instead of this 9000+ stuff.  I am moving well and actually passing some folks as we climb up St. Kevins. 

Before long I see Steve Lacey as I pass him on the Double trak.  Hmmmm, this is the 1st red flag that I might be going too fast.   In any case I keep going and hold my place in the group.  Before long,  Mike Newman, Dave's Brother passes me quite briskly and we exchange greetings.  Finally to the top of St Kevins and I am feeling good, but I am thinking that I shouldn't be going this fast. Aerobically I am not taxed at all, but I fear that my legs would give out and cramp and if that were to happen it would be pretty much "Game Over".

I make the descent onto the pavement and Steve Lacey catches up to me.  He is in aerobars for the descent.  There is a small group of us descending together and I try and keep contact with Steve.    The effort to stay with Steve is more than I want to exert at this point so I let Steve and this group go.

Onto the SugarLoft Climb and I am still moving well.  I find myself next to one of the tandems and we chat for a bit.  The Captain has done this race 9 times before.  This is red flag #2 that I might be going to fast.  The terrain is really sweet and my tires are rolling well and hooking up when needed.   I could probably have run the Python up front and save 100 grams, which I might do next time if I ever do this one again...   I am trying to drink often and  the Cytomax/Accerlade mix is still tasting good and going down well.  I reach for my gue flask, only to find that I can't get any gue out.   Guess I should have tried it out before today, but I have used these in the past, however this one is from "Nashbar" and might be inferior to the powergel flask that I had previously used.  Ok, so now I have to unscrew the lid while riding to get any out.  This is costing me time and focus which isn't much, but over a long day like today isn't cool.

Now it's time for the Powerline descent that I have heard so much about.  I wish I would have gotten a chance to preride some more of the course, but I had to work the day that Gale, Pandora, Scott, Dave got to do it.  Oh well,  I have raced may courses without seeing them so I wasn't too worried..... This descent is sweet and this is real MTBing,  I am wondering how the guy on the Crossbike is doing on this stuff.  I am passing folks left and right and no-one has passed me on the descent.  JZ is there on the side lines cheering us one and I he is saying, "focus, focus".  Maybe this is trickier than it looks but I heed those words and  continue on....  I  see Scott Ellis on this one and pass him on the way down.  Hmmmm,  Red flag # 3 that I might be going to fast, or maybe not.  I think that Scott could make up sooo much time if he worked on his descending skills.  IMHO I am not a great descender like Steve or Darren, so if Scott could just work on that skill he could probably shave 20 mins off his time easily....   Near the bottom of this on there is a stream crossing with a bunch of folks lined up on the left to walk around it. Someone in front of me decides to ride through it and I decide to follow!  Yeee Haw that was fun and saved me a bunch of time.

With the big to climbs over it's time to focus on getting to columbine.  I am consciously slowing a bit and looking to sit in behind folks instead of working.  Soon a group with 2 tandems in it comes blowing by and I have a ticket for this bus.  These guys are going really hard and even sitting in I find that I may be wasting more energy than it's worth.   After a bit I have had enough and let them go.    Shortly there-after I come upon an aid station and get some power-aid for the camelback.    Too my surprise Ron comes up from behind and was quite surprised to see me I think.  He stops by to see his wife Linda and Kids to get more fuel and to say Hi.  I hang out with him for a few seconds and tell him I will soft pedal and am sure he will catch up.  He does catch me shortly and we ride together until the grade changes.  I bid him adieu at tis point.  I can see him in the distance  walking away from me and I get some chain suck and must stop for a second and when I remount I have lost all contact with Ron.

I keep pedaling and holding a good rhythm, but saving some for the big climb.   It isn't too long that I am at the fish hatchery and I stop by the Newman Crew stop just to say Hi.  I take off after about a 10 second "touch and go".   I didn't want to get anymore liquid for the climb so as to be as light as is reasonable.     The way over to the climb was longer than I remembered and I was happy to finally be climbing.

Up, Up Up, and I am keeping a reasonable tempo.  It was probably slower than the pre-ride but after 40 miles it should be.    I passed a few folks and a few folks passed me. Before long Dave Weins comes flying down the Mtn.  I think he gave me a greeting, something like,  "Go Rasta Man".     Every so many minutes more "Mutants" would come flying down the hill.   As I neared the last 2 mile stretch  Dave comes by me and we exchange greeting.   Soon it is time for the "Hike a bike".  Even my 22/34 was not enough to save my legs and make it worth climbing this stuff.  My right Ham-String is beginning to cramp and this is not a good sign.  I didn't do any hiking as part of the training!  Ouch, Ouch as I try and stretch it while climbing.  Uh-Oh!  this is the 1st time I have the thought that I might not be able to finish this event if I cramp!... I push on and work through the cramps...Eventually, I pass Dave on this one as he choose to walk some stuff that I think I rode....We rode all of this on the pre-ride but now, there ain't no way to ride it and make the rest of the ride.  There is al line of folks pushing their bikes. ( I see Scott & Scott as they are coming down...)There are some lesser grades along the way where I ride, but all of the steep stuff is still being walked by me. Finally I can ride again and make my way to the half way point.

Now it's time for some food and bio break.  There is this little blue tent that I use which is rickety but provides some privacy.... Ah, that feels good.   I go and get some food and find that the turkey sandwich looks good. Yes it was good.  I take 3  lava-salt tablets, 1 Calcium pill and a Spike for good measure.  It is starting to sprinkle now so I put on my jacket.  While I am finishing up   Dave takes off.   He rode right past me, but didn't say anything, Guess he didn't see me.  I hasten my efforts and I take off in search of Dave.  He is wearing this bright orange jacket and I get a lock on him quickly. Time to make the return trip and I have enjoyed that Turkey sandwich.   It’s starting to sprinkle a bit so it’s on with the Jacket.

I am flying down the technical stuff, not taking any risks but moving at a good clip. Within minutes I catch Dave.  I say, “Dave,  Show me the Magic” as we begin to descent on the smooth stuff.  I guess I should mention I saw Gale, Darren, Todd in that order on the way down this one.

Dave has the lead and he is flying down this one.  His bike is hooking up in the corners much better than mine and it looks like his is on rails!  I am having to brake a bit more into the corners and play catch up on the straits.  We pass a couple of riders on the way down like they are standing still.   In retrospect in looking at my HR data, we were hitting about 32 mph on the way down.   Finally we are at the bottom and the party is over.

It’s a bit warmer now as we hit the meadow.  We decide to stop and adjust some clothing as it really isn't raining anymore and it’s getting hot.  A few riders pass us but we are in no hurry.  Back on the bikes again and we are heading for the Hatchery where Dave’s folks are crewing. On the way back I see Al taking some pictures.  Can’t wait to see what Al captured.  I think he said he as about 375 shots from the event.  We  are greeted by folks cheering us on at every stop and this is no exception.  I recognize Eric from Gales posse and a few familiar faces but I can’t put remember enough to put names to them.   At this point I have run out of  CytoMax/Accelerated mix and I welcome the stop at the Crew pit to get some more.  I have 2 bottles already mixed and Dave’s father helps me dump them into the  Camelbak.  I don't need anything else and so we are off.

These transition areas are kinda boring and grueling at the same time.  I am metering my effort so as not to cramp which is my worst fear. Dave and I stick together and as I am exiting the pit area I get some chain suck and can’t climb the little riser on the way out.  It’s fixed soon enough and we are off.  We are joined by a female and male “Kevin from Ft Collins” and we sorta work together on the flats.  Dave is doing a lot of work up front at an effort that I would not be putting out with 40 miles to go.  The female is just sitting in and Kevin is jumping to the front when he feels good and it really sucks cause it ain’t smooth.  I refuse to jump when he does, but rather reel the group in slowing after the gap as there is plenty of disrupted air and it saves the legs.

As we get closer to Surgarloaf there is this Dirt 50% grade hill staring us in the face.  The female riders attacks/leaves us without so much as a thanks!   Dave and I  start walking up this one, but there isn’t a sense of urgency yet.  While we are walking we are greeted by Heidi and her friend Kay.   I believe this was Heidi’s 1^st attempt at this and Kay was a veteran.  They live in Boulder and ply their living as a Graphic artist and Software Engineer.  Hmmm, should probably contact them later so as to see is there is any sweet riding in Boulder to be had….  Anyway we ride and Chat for a few moments and then they make a pit stop and we exchange pleasantries….

Now it’s Dave and I working again.   We make it to the next aid station where we get some food and I have a short chat with Heidi again.  Dave and I depart and life is good.  I am starting to feel weak and in need of some food.  I must stop and get some gels out of my camelback.  I see Dave and Kay? Maybe riding away from me but I don’t care cause I need more fuel.  I do a powergell and stuff a few more in the rim of my shorts.  I kinda feel like a gun slinger with all these things lining my shorts.  Ah I can feel the Gel working and I depart again with renewed vigor.

I am able to run catch up to Dave and we hang together again.  It’s really getting windy and the weather is rolling in.  We look towards the Mountains and it’s clear that we are in trouble.  We decide to stop and put on some rain gear.  While we stop several other riders join us, including  Heidi and Kay.  This is good as this large group will be able to work well together.   It takes Dave a bit longer to get ready than the others and we “Miss the Bus”.  I am a bit disappointed but there are other groups coming along that we can catch.  Oops, we missed them too.  Now we are out by ourselves again and loosing the time isn't an issue but missing the bus will cost us effort that we could have saved….

We push on and I am at the lead.  I  look back and Dave has stopped again.  I make the decision to  just continue on along.  I see a rider in front a bit, and a small group up the road.  I am able to catch and pass the guy in front and he sits on my wheel.   I am close to reeling in the guys up the road.  Did I mention that It’s pouring down rain at this point and life isn't so good.  Anyway the guy who was on my wheel takes the lead and pulls us up to the group in front.  Life is good now as we have our ticket!

We climb and pedal and we make it too the power line climb.  The rain is staring to subside and I am able to remove my glasses so I can see.   I am able to only ride a bit of this climb before I have to walk.  The ground is wet and the climbing is a bit loose under foot.  This is brutal on the legs, since I didn't do any hiking for training.  I am in the company of several riders.  I chat with Gunnar from Missouri and this is his 1^st Leadville too.  We trade positions for a while until finally I can’t hold his pace. There are sections that I choose to ride to save the legs and there are riders that are riding more than I and passing me.   There is a Tandem that was climbing some stuff I was riding and they we working so well together…   Finally after a ton of hike-a-bike I am at the summit.

There is a little descent before reaching St. Kevin’s.  That was fun and a nice break for a bit. Now it’s onto the pavement for the climb to the summit.  The grade is pretty easy and I happy to be riding again.  I am also happy that my legs will still obey my commands, but I am careful not to abuse them as there is much more to go.  This climb is friggin long and I am really looking forward to the descent.  Up, Up, Up, we go.  I find myself in the company of a young woman who has done this before and she says that the top is near but doesn't want to give a number.  The end of the pavement comes soon enough, but to my horror it’s not the summit!

There is more climbing in the dirt and I was mentally preparing for the descent.  There was an aid station where the pavement met the dirt but I chose not to stop.  I had plenty of energy drink which I mixed a bit to strong, but it was palatable and I can pretty much consume anything and I guess this was a way to get in some more calories while riding.   I still had to walk some of this stuff and I was quite surprised by another young woman who was able to easily ride stuff that I choose to walk.  Surely there are so many Mutants here and it’s a wonder mere mortals don’t just quit after witnessing the “Powers” that some of these folks have!!

Yes!, I am finally at the summit of this one and it’s party time again.  Yeah baby, as the Y-bike cuts loose on this one.  I am really pretty happy that I have the Smoke up front as it’s doing a great job on these descents.   I pass Kevin who had just crashed big time, but was OK, so I didn’t stop while he was  straitening his front wheel.  I find that  Mutant woman being cautious on the descent and I say to her as I pass, “Ride it like you stole it!”.  In minutes I have checked out and I am at the bottom.  Man that was fun!  Now I  pedal my way towards the boulevard.  I check my 6 and there is no-one there.

A mile or so pass and that Mutant woman joins me.  We chat for a bit.  When the road turns to pavement she turns up the burners and I choose not to engage and let her go.  The soil is really sticky and I am wandering on different lines trying to find the hard stuff.  Soon I am caught by another woman who passes me and I think that I am happy to finish and so I let her go too. Hmmmm,  I am not sure but it looks like she is trying to put some more effort in and I find that I must engage and blow by her in a sprint.  I may have been acting like a “dick” her but….   I can see the finish line and I figure I should zip up the jersey so the pics look good.  Only problem is that my headset is a bit stiff and I couldn't take my hands off long enough to zip up.  Oh well as I cross the line.

I see JP Kole a co-worker there and I think I must be hallucinating.  Al is there too taking pictures.   Then I see JZ handing out the finishing medals and it was really kinda special to have JZ put one around my neck.  Kinda like being on Mt Olympus and having some deity honor one for brave deeds etc.  Thanks JZ!.  I am so happy to be done.  I see Ron and Steve etc. as I head for some food.  The Ramen noodles never tasted so good.  I see lots of folks in the Medical tent that don’t look so good and I reckon part of this is cause they didn’t have jackets on during the rain and have become hypothermic.

I hang around and to my shock and amazement,  Darren crosses the like at like 11:47 or some such.  This is so impressive since I don’t think he rode more than 600 miles all year!  Guess those runner/motocross guys are pretty tough!  Dave Newman comes in a minute later or so with Gale, Janet and Pandora (The real Last Ass Across the Pass”). 

All in all a good time was had by all.  Not sure if I would do it again, unless my brother Paul said he wanted to do it. Whew, glad that’s over, now I can stop all of this silly training stuff.  Hopefully when I am old I will be able to hear folks pointing at me and saying, “That guy did Leadville”

Special Thanks to Al Miller for the 300+ Pics and Scott and Shannon Giffen for the place to crash,  Gale Bernhardt for her wisdom and friendship, Active.com for the jersey, Dave's Parents for Crewing,  and the rest of the Breakfast Club crew for putting up with the insane rides we did for training, and JZ for his sage advice!