Just an update on the map and data I’ve collected so far.  You can find the map of 2010 Leadville 100 MTB Race entrants here. A couple of notes.  First, I’ve grouped points on the map in red and blue.  Red means you made the lottery.  Blue means you didn’t.  I appreciate the data from those that didn’t make it in and I assume you are submitting your coordinates because you still want to train for the race or help those that have made it in.  That’s commendable and so I’ve added you to the map.

Second, I decided to keep email addresses off the markers.  I figure that’s better than letting the SPAM kings of the world have at us.  We’ve got plenty to keep our minds on right now with out getting inundated with ads for viagra, untold riches (if you’ll help the king out), and free software. If you find a partner in a location you want to connect with, just shoot me an email and I’ll get you connected.

I hope everyone’s off to ride their training plan and look forward to seeing you in Leadville in July (SR 50) and August.

BD

Oh yeah, if you want to add your info to the map, read this post and follow along.

Finally, go say hi to these fine folks that keep my wheels spinning.

Siren Bicycles

MOTOR TABS

Infinit

FRS

Vita-Mix (Free Shipping)

PROBAR

As some of you know I did a lot of analysis of previous year's data (that I
could find) from Leadville 100 MTB races. I've been looking for some new fun
stuff to try in my efforts, so I thought I'd do a couple of things.

First, I've set up a simple Google Form to allow anyone that wants to add their
info into the form (all fairly benign data and definitely not to be used for any
spammy BS). If you'll enter your data, I'll map it to a Google Map that should
give you the ability to start to see who is in your area for training, support
or questions. This, of course, doesn't negate the great value from the
historical information on this group or the information sharing that will surely
start today through early August.

You can find the form here: http://bit.ly/9WodRs (Shortened URL to help keep it
manageable--Google's URL is ridiculous.)

If you add your email address (not required) I'll send you a link to the map
once I get it integrated to Google Maps (need data first). Hopefully this will
help to normalize some of the data that's out there and also allow for some
increased quality in training and camaraderie.

Second, there's a ton of data that swarms an event like this. Both before,
during and after. The medical folks from the University collected a lot of data
last year. I never saw the aggregate output, but I sure would have liked to.
So for those of that do sign into the form, I'd like the option to be able to
send you another link at some point in time to help me collect some info. I'll
never publish individually identifiable data, and no names will be collected,
but I'd like to collect, analyze and publish some of the more interesting data
if the group's up for it.

Totally open for suggestions here as this is "side of desk" work for me, but I'd
like to see some more quantified info come out of 2010.

If you'd like to get in touch with me personally, please feel free to reply here
or shoot me a message on twitter @degroodt.

Good luck to all that made the first hurdle. See you in Leadville (one way or
another).

Sent via email to:
Mr Jordann Turner
jordann.turner@lacity.org

Mr Turner,

I’m writing to voice my concerns regarding the City of Los Angeles’ inclusion of a very large contingency of active mountain bicyclists in and around the Los Angeles metropolitan area. As a mountain bicyclist for over 15 years I feel very qualified to state that in my many thousands of miles logged on trails across the United States it is possible for mountain bicyclists and equestrians to coexist without issue. Indeed, it is the exception (as much of life) where a mountain bicyclist and equestrian have an incident beyond a mutual respect and appreciation for each’s hobby.

In reading the recent comments from equestrians submitted to the city, I have to claim surprise–even shock–at the generalization that somehow mountain cyclists are incapable of coexisting with other trail users. Nothing can be further from the truth. I implore the city to take the following in consideration:

1. Somewhere in L.A. City Parks there should be opportunities for mountain bicyclists — it’s bad public policy that all dirt roads and trails are closed to bikes.

2. Bicycling is a positive, safe, health-promoting activity for people of all ages and should be encouraged with both natural-surface and paved riding opportunities.

3. The 2009 plan should incorporate the 1996 bicycle plan language that called for pilot projects and a gradual increase in mountain bike opportunities in the parks.

4. Bicyclists safely share trails with other trail users, including equestrians, all around the globe.

5. Mountain biking is a sustainable, manageable appropriate activity for L.A. parks — it works in dozens of other cities so why not ours?

6. Mountain bicyclists generate a sizable income for the city in the form of taxes on services rendered by local businesses.

7. Mountain bicyclists perform many, many hours of volunteer trail work every year at a time when many of our parks and recreational areas are falling into disrepair due to a lack of dedicated funding for maintenance.

I understand and respect the need to keep certain controls over the safe use of our limited trail systems. This is a mutual desire of all parties. However, complete exclusion of such a large contingency strikes me as rash, without regard for a significant and vocal constituency in the city and bad for Los Angeles business owners. Surely a compromise can be offered and embraced by all interested parties. Right?

Respectfully,

Brian De Groodt
IMBA Member
GT Bicycles Dirt Coalition Rider
www.degroodt.com

What can I say? When all else fails head to the Apple Apps Store and get yourself a cool, if basic, T-Chart app and lay out the pros and cons of your dilema. Hardtail stays home and the Ellsworth Evolve comes to Leadville. All set. See you at 9,600″.

Thursday at 5:30AM marks the official beginning of the trek east to Leadville.  I’m excited but have some real questions on my mind when it comes to bike choice.  As a GT Dirt Coalition rider I have a company-provided GT Zaskar that’s just kick ass.  It’s light, handles like it’s on a rail and has provided me all of my best finish times this year (other than operator error at Solitude–but I’m trying to forget this).  On the other side of the temporary garage is my Ellsworth Evolve.  If I was forced to make a choice and keep only one of my bikes, it’d be the Evolve (sorry GT).  But if I was forced to make this choice I’d probably give up racing as well.  Point is, one works best for me for racing certain types of races and the other works best for me racing other types of races.

I really like riding hardtail more than a suspended bike and there’s nothing that I’ve ridden so far on the Leadville trail that makes me think I must have suspension.  It’s the tire size and the thought of rolling over 100 miles on a hardtail that push me to think the Evolve has to be the bike of choice on race day.  It’s not my lightest bike, but those big wheels and a little cush-under-the-tush make a very attractive proposition.  Especially after getting my teeth rattled out of my skull on the Zaskar coming down Trabuco Trail earlier this year.  After 40 miles on it I was constantly looking behind to make sure I picked up my teeth to bring them to the dentist for reinsertion.

So I’m going to sleep on it one more night (mostly because I never make a decision until the last minute) and we’ll see which horse gets in the trailer by Thursday AM.

Still have to pick up a few items before I head east including rubber gloves, some extra tubes, and some sort of flag or something that goes sky high in order to find my crew.

Nutrition is all worked out.  FRS, coffee and some rice and eggs in the AM to get started. A PROBAR just before liftoff.  (If you haven’t had them yet, I highly recommend them.  Lots of wholesome goodness.) I estimate about 10-15 calories will be burned across the day.  So I’m using Infinit Nutrition’s custom formula for my food at 295 calories per 20 oz of water.  I’ll add the usual Goldfish Crackers for mental support and a few extra grams of sodium and calories.  Oh yeah, and some sort of cookie goodness or PB & Nutella concoction.

I’ve decided to leave the Ergon BD1 behind.  I really love this pack, but I just can’t race with one.  I’ll opt for water bottles on the bike and replacements at aid stations.  I’ll keep extra food (Infinit powder) in my Feedbag (these things kick ass if you haven’t gotten one yet).  This’ll require a few extra goodies on me and I’ll have to take a (big) chance on the weather, but barring rain the morning of the race, I’m traveling light.  I’ll use some hand warmers taped to my body and start the race with my Solo gilet for the first couple of hours till the sun warms up.

With no flats or major mechanicals for the day, I think I should have a good day (meaning finish under 12 hours).  My best hope is for a finish under 9 hours with no mechanicals, but my pre-rides make me think a reasonable hope would be 10.5–and no mechanicals.

That’s all I got for now.  Oh wait.  Go Dave!

I’ll save the lame excuses about not having updated this blog and instead defer to my default excuse these days–”I’m busy training for Leadville!  Can this wait?”

That said, some great videos of Leadville have come out in the past few days.  Have a look here for a good selection.

Rob Lucas, AKA UltraRob has some great photographs of the Leadville course scenery posted at his site. Have a look!

Looking forward to seeing all the racers and support staff and volunteers that make the race such a success next week.

And to those of you that haven’t yet heard, after a long battle against a vicious cancer, Elden’s (of FatCyclist) wife Susan passed yesterday. I’ve followed Elden’s blog since early winter of ‘06. I’ve rarely said much on there, but it’s always been an inspiration to me to read their very public battle with the disease. Not only from the strength it takes to fight physically, but the candor (a rarity these days) and judo he’s done on the disease to make a significant contribution to the fight against cancer. Having watched 2 close friends go through much the same battle (and ultimately lose) I have a remote sense for the pain one endures through this fight and can undoubtably say Elden and Susan will be on my mind as I endure relatively little pain in comparison on the course at Leadville. TwinSix have had a relationship with Elden/FatCyclist for a while and I hope they’ll do something in Susan’s honor. I for one would be first in line for a TwinSix “Fight Like Susan” jersey. And to Elden and his family, fight on.

Fight Like Susan

BD

Been a while since I posted here and  that’s mostly because I’ve been underground riding my rearend off for Leadville.  In any case, I’m a big believer in FRS (I start every morning with a smoothie made of 2-3oz FRS Concentrate, 3-4oz real oj, 1/2 frozen banana, 1/4 cup chopped frozen mango, same amnt. frozen pineapple, blend–that courtesy of Juan Pelota at Mellow Johnny’s in Austin.  They call it the Hella Yella.) and found this new study done at the University of South Carolina on the positive impact of Quercetin on endurance capacity and VO2 Max.  If it’s true, this is pretty big stuff.  I hope it’s not another goji berry or acai hype job (and for the record I believe in both of those berries for their benefits, but not to the extent the marketing departments of most company’s would have us believe).

SHARE Kernville 2009 Trip

I’m getting ready to pack up the house and head east for some altitude acclimation before Leadville.  After last week’s ride in Kernville (where I felt pretty good), I’ll be curious to see what my numbers look like versus sea level.

Back to the salt mines.

It’s 5:30 and it’s quitin’ time at the Salt Mines. I’m taking tomorrow off to get rested and ready for Saturday’s ride across the Santa Ana Mountains.

Big thanks to the wrenches at Revo Cycles in Dana Point for putting my bike back in racing condition after its untimely wreck two weeks ago. (Hey my scabs are almost gone too.) I have a sixth sense for wrenches I can trust and those I should watch while they work (and I’m the worst wrench I know).  Mike and the guys at Revo are the kind you know are going to get it done right and without having to wonder why the hell this bolt or that skewer is loose.  

Tomorrow it’s clean and lube the bike, fill the BD1 (but first decide if I want backpack support on this race), fill the feedbag with a few goodies, throw the kit downstairs, load the bikes, check the equipment twice (Oakley Radar frames snapped in half and they aren’t willing to take them on exchange–guess which sunglasses I used to love that I won’t be buying any longer), double up on FRS and pretend to go to sleep until 4:30 Saturday morning.

Then it’s on!

Well. 3 weeks ago I was planning on being on the beach in Hawaii, but that “fell apart.” So now this week is all about hydrating, resting the legs and getting ready to spend them on a ride across the Santa Ana Mountain range. 40 miles and 8,000 feet of elevation gain. Should make for a fun day of suffering. Temperatures, currently projected to be about the mid-70s, should make for a pretty nice day in the saddle.

A little color from The Warrior’s Society:

The ride will begin from the end of Black Star Canyon Road at 7:00 AM. You will ride up Black Star Canyon Road to the
Main Divide Road and at this point you will traverse the Santa Ana Mountain range via the Main Divide Road hitting all
the peaks (including Modjeska and Santiago Peaks) until you intersect with the Trabuco Canyon Trail. You will then
descend down the Trabuco Canyon Trail to Trabuco Creek Road and out 4 miles to the finish line at Trabuco Canyon
Road. You must reach Aid Station 1 located at the intersection of Maple Springs Road and the Main Divide Road
(4 corners) by 11:00 a.m. to be allowed to finish the course. You must also reach the intersection of the Main Divide
and Lower Holy Jim by 12:30 p.m. to be allowed to finish the course. If you do not make the cutoff times and refuse
to return to the staging area you have violated the terms of your participation and the Warrior’s Society will no longer
responsible for your safety. Your emergency contact will be called and notified that they will be assuming all
responsibility your safety.

If I have to be here instead of HI, I’m up for the sufferfest. OK! Let’s do it! See you there.

So it’s on! If you’re in Texas and have legs of steel ready to take the GT Golden Bike off Vincent Lombardi (Sea Otter Classic winner), then saddle up and get yer race on. GT Bicycle’s Golden Bike series stops at the GHORBA Big Ring Challenge in Cold Spring Texas this May 3rd. Win the race, win the bike–till you lose it. Plus you get the hot Gold Diggers to give you some attention. I got to see this bike in Monterey and it’s pretty damn cool and worth a little extra push for the finish line. Get it!

Get rid of those free radicals, just like Lance Armstrong. For free!