No Leadville 100 MTB Course Change

Saturday, August 02, 2008

The North Face on Leadville 100 Mountain Bike Course

There's been talk on the Yahoo Leadville 100 MTB group about a possible course change for the race this year. The BLM has closed what race veterans know as the North Face to vehicles and there was talk that we might not be racing on it this year. I certainly wouldn't be sad to see it go.

Racers that aren't good bike handlers haven't liked it outbound. That hasn't bothered me. I've just hated walking up it on the way back. Normally the sun is beating down and there's no shade.

When I rode it last week, it didn't say anything about no bikes. Although boulders have been used to block it, there's plenty of room to ride between them. Unfortunately a few jeeps have driven through the sage brush to go around them.

Fourteen time finisher, Ricky, talked to race organizer, Ken Clouber, on Friday about the North Face. He said we will be racing on it this year but it will be the last time.

The BLM has also cut in some water bars on the steepest section. This combined with vehicles not keeping it packed has left it very loose. I was able to ride it but it wasn't easy. I would suggest anybody not comfortable with it to get off and walk down. Just stay off to the side if you walk so you aren't in the way of those riding it.

Mark Wallace was also riding the course last weekend. He shared GPS of the current North Face and a possible alternate route. Ken also mentioned something about working with IMBA to put in a singletrack. I don't know if that will happen since it would only be used for the race.

Related Links: Will Lance Show at the 2008 Leadville 100? | Leadville 100 MTB FAQ | 2007 Leadville 100 MTB pictures | 2006 Leadville 100 MTB pictures | Views from the Top of the Columbine Climb

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