I believe everyone should set their sights on a challenge they don’t know they’ll accomplish. I think challenges create struggle and thus growth, and the journey is more formative than the achievement. For me, that challenge was the Leadville Trail 100 MTB race; a 101 mile mountain bike race through the Colorado Rockies at an average elevation of 10,500ft.
Every summer, I would drive between Waco and home in Washington state. On this drive, I discovered the charming little town of Leadville, Colorado. Leadville is an old mining town and the highest incorporated city in the United States. I would often camp around Leadville and Twin Lakes as the area was a gorgeous place to stop. When I started working in the bike shop, I bought my first mountain bike with no intentions of racing. However, after discovering the Trail 100 MTB, I decided I would train and rebuild my bike so I could toe that starting line August 2026.
A tough forest service road training ride back at home.
The trusty steed, an aluminum workhorse in a field of carbon bikes these days. A Specialized Chisel Frameset, full Shimano XTR/XT Di2 groupset, Fox 34SL and Float, and Roval Control rims wrapped around DT Swiss 350 hubs. 26lbs loaded is respectable weight for a full-suspension, aluminum 29er.
I think I miss summer in Washington.
After working the bike shop and training during the summer, I got the opportunity to travel down to Colorado early and acclimate to the altitude. I had two weeks to train and focus on the race ahead, preparing physically and mentally for what was to come.
Finally, race day was here. It was a nice, crisp Colorado mountain morning. The course was perfect, with a touch of rain from the days prior to firm up the loose dirt on course. The weather also looked perfect, with not a trace of fire smoke, no rain in the forecast, and mild temperatures throughout the day. It was go time.
This race isn’t possible without some form of support. Huge thanks to my parents for supporting me at the aid stations. More importantly, thanks for supporting me in the race that is life. I owe everything to you guys, and I love y’all.
The first 40 miles of my race went splendidly. I was flying and staying on top of my fueling. I was shooting to consume around 60g of carbs and 700mg of sodium per hour. I saw my parents at the Twin Lakes outbound aid station almost 90 minutes ahead of my expected schedule. All was well, but looming ahead of me was the crux of the course: the Columbine mine climb topping out at 12,500ft.
Ultimately, Columbine took it out of me. I was unable to keep fueling while pushing up that 8 mile, 3000ft climb. By the time I got to the top, my gut was in shambles. However, I pressed on, regrouped, and gripped those bars for the chunky and fast descent downhill.
I stayed in it for a total of 77 miles. I stepped off the course at an aid station when I could no longer force myself to eat. Despite the struggles on course, I had so much fun and made lots of friends along the way. I’ll be back.
Dear Leadville, we regrettably now have some unfinished business between us. However, I loved every second of those 77 miles today. I promise I’ll be back someday, and I’ll be coming for a belt buckle.
