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USA · MTB

LEADVILLE TRAIL 100
TRAINING PLAN.

Leadville 100 is the definitive high-altitude MTB race — 160km through the Colorado Rockies starting at 3,100m (10,200ft) with 3,800m of climbing and a topout above 3,800m on Columbine Mine. Lottery entry, hard cut-offs, finisher buckle is a career milestone.

160 km·3,800 m climbing·8-12 hours·August

PICK YOUR WINDOW

HOW LONG TILL YOUR LEADVILLE 100?

Count back from your event date. Pick the weeks-out plan that matches your window. Each one is a week-by-week framework built around the demands of this specific course.

EVENT INTEL

WHAT THE LEADVILLE 100 ACTUALLY DEMANDS

KEY CHARACTERISTICS

  • ✓Altitude 3,100-3,840m — altitude-naive riders lose 20-30% power
  • ✓Columbine Mine climb — 9km straight up to 3,840m above sea level
  • ✓Cut-off at the Columbine turnaround (6:00) is the race
  • ✓Powerline descent — fast, rocky, tyre-popping territory
  • ✓Weather varies from freezing dawn to 30°C + thunderstorms

COMMON MISTAKES

  • ✗Arriving less than 2 weeks before for altitude acclimatisation
  • ✗Racing the first 40km on paved road sections and blowing up at altitude
  • ✗Running tyres too light — Leadville's rocks destroy XC casings

PACING

Altitude changes everything. Target a power ceiling 15-20% below what you'd hold at sea level. Heart rate runs 5-10 bpm higher than your lowland rate at the same effort — don't panic. Columbine Mine is a controlled climb at aerobic threshold. The flats + the Powerline descent are where the front group makes time; the back half is where you win your sub-9 buckle.

FUELLING

Altitude suppresses appetite — force-fuel on a timer. 70-90g carbs/hour. Feed zones are excellent (crew + on-course). Hydration is critical: 750ml+/hour with electrolytes. The dry Colorado air dehydrates faster than you feel.

KIT

Hardtail or 120mm trail bike. 2.3-2.4" tyres with Enduro or MaxxTerra casings — not XC race tyres. CO2 + pump + plug kit + spare tube. Arm warmers + gilet for the 06:30 start (cold). Altitude requires sunglasses with good UV + clear lens backup for the Columbine descent (often cloud + rain).

FAQ

LEADVILLE 100 TRAINING, ANSWERED.

How long should I train for the Leadville Trail 100?

For the Leadville Trail 100 (160km with 3,800m of climbing), most riders benefit from at least 12-16 weeks of structured preparation. If you've been riding consistently, 8 weeks of focused work can still be enough to transform your result. Pick the weeks-out plan that matches your window.

What's the typical finish time for the Leadville Trail 100?

Most amateur finishers complete the Leadville Trail 100 in 8-12 hours. The spread is driven by climbing fitness more than flat speed — the course has 3,800m of vertical, and pacing the climbs is what separates a strong finish from a suffering one.

When does the Leadville Trail 100 take place?

The Leadville Trail 100 typically runs in August. That sets the training window: count back from your event date and pick the weeks-out plan that matches.

What's the biggest mistake riders make at the Leadville Trail 100?

Arriving less than 2 weeks before for altitude acclimatisation

How should I pace the Leadville Trail 100?

Altitude changes everything. Target a power ceiling 15-20% below what you'd hold at sea level. Heart rate runs 5-10 bpm higher than your lowland rate at the same effort — don't panic. Columbine Mine is a controlled climb at aerobic threshold. The flats + the Powerline descent are where the front group makes time; the back half is where you win your sub-9 buckle.

WANT THIS BUILT AROUND YOUR FTP?

READY FOR A PLAN MADE FOR YOU?

The framework above gets you in the right territory. Roadman coaching builds it around your FTP, your life, and your weeks remaining.

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