Silver Rush & Columbine

Saturday Phil and I went up to Leadville for one last weekend of training/riding on the course. We got to town and were geared up and ready to ride just as the Silver Rush 50 mountain bike race was taking off. We’ve never done that event – friends who have done it say it might be even harder than the 100 miler – ugh.

I know the first 200 yards is a killer - they start at the base of the tubing hill in Leadville. That just seems mean!

After watching the racers take off we headed out for our own 50 mile ride. We rode the first 25 miles of the race course (St Kevin’s, Turquoise Lake Road, Sugarloaf/Powerline), turned around at the Fish Hatchery and did it all in reverse, too.

As I noted before, the first 25 miles of the course is in really excellent condition. It is still difficult, but the trail is as rideable as I’ve ever seen it.

Phil - clearing St Kevin's with no dabs.

We had a great surprise, running into our friend Junko on the St Kevin’s section of the course. Junko has done Leadville several years, but she is sitting this one out. Her friend Yuki was doing a training ride, so she decided to ride part of the course – just for fun. The fact that she started chemo two days earlier didn’t deter her. Amazing.

We spent the night in Leadville [had a fantastic dinner at the Tennessee Pass Cafe] and got up early to ride from Twin Lakes to Columbine Mine. It rained really hard during the night and early morning, but the soil is so sandy we figured we’d be fine – and we were.

The first (& last) 25 miles of the course are buff and beautiful. The 10 mile grind of Columbine is in poor shape. It looks like there has been some road work done, and combined with the very wet summer, the shoulders are terribly soft – if not entirely washed away. That means ascending and descending riders are going to be competing for the good line – and that may be disastrous. Remember – stay to the right, and stay safe.

Twin Lakes - looking toward Independence Pass.

Before the real grind begins . . .

It is beautiful . . . just so damn brutal in the middle of a bike race!

Rain sprinkles began about halfway down Columbine. By the time the bikes were loaded and we were on our way back to Denver, the storms moved in. Once again, we got lucky with the weather – let’s hope our luck holds on August 15th!

Something Entirely Different

I thought this was cool.

British army officer Phil Packer was paralyzed in Iraq more than a year ago. He recently completed the London marathon, taking two weeks to finish the course.

If the mind is determined, the body will follow.

It Begins

The obsessing over details.

Which tires should I use?

Kenda Small Block 8? This is the tire Phil plans to run.

Specialized Fast Track?

Specialized The Captain - my choice in 2007 and what I have on my bike currently.

What tire pressure should I run?

At least I know I'm going tubeless – one decision made.

Should I wear full length leg warmers or just knee warmers?

How many ounces of water in my Camelbak at the start?

Should I try to make it all the way to Twin Lakes with one big Camelbak bladder (100 ounces) or should I start with a small one (70 ounces) and swap for another lighter one (50 ounces? 70 ounces?) at the Pipeline outbound?

I know I've had good luck with Gu and Enervitene Cheerpacks in the past, but will it be enough?

What types of food should I send with my crew just in case?

Oh crap! My crew! What to tell them? Where do they need to be? When do they need to be there? Do they have chairs and sunscreen and umbrellas and snacks and . . .?

Supplements? How many Sportlegs should I take? Or E-Caps? Don't forget the Advil/ Excedrin/ Imitrex/ Flovent inhaler . . .

Tapering. When do I start to taper? Will it be enough? Will it be too much? Remember to focus on intensity while decreasing duration. How intense is intense enough?

Which bike shorts will be comfortable for 12 hours?

Ok, no bike shorts are comfortable for 12 hours. Will it be the Shebeest shorts with the Century Chamois? Or the Descente shorts with carbon inserts for muscle support?

Do I need a new music mix for my iPod?

Aaargh.