Very good point, well made TooTall 
Bike Forum
Leadville 100, really a mountain bike race?
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Posted 9 months ago #
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FWIW in the qualifier event this year, Lance won the race on the descent - or at least that was where he closed the gap on the rider leading at that point so there's evidently some technical skill required.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/leadville-100-qualifier-crested-butte-alpine-odyssey-2011/results
The seven-time Tour de France champ shut down a one-minute gap to eventual second-place finisher Greg Krause all during the final six-mile singletrack section that wound around the shoulder of Crested Butte Mountain Resort.
“That’s usually not my specialty,” said Armstrong, who was riding a 29er hardtail. “But for some reason today I sort of felt in the groove and was able to come around the guy on the last downhill. That definitely surprised me.”
Posted 9 months ago # -
You've only got to watch some of them descending on the road to know they can tell what they're doing! Cancellara notably.
And they don't wear any protection, unlike the girly mtb'ers ...
Posted 9 months ago # -
IMO the Kielder 100 is a poor relation to MTB races.. due to a poor course selection - still its a tough race
but the much shorter Tour de Ben Nevis (a mere 42 miles) is definitely a proper MTB raceThe Leadville.. who knows but 100miles sat on an MTB its going to be tough.
Posted 9 months ago # -
If you have been and ridden on the course you will know it's and MTB race. I have and it's hard. Powerline down is great, back up it is a killer.
Posted 9 months ago # -
And they don't wear any protection, unlike the girly mtb'ers ..
No glove, no love!
Posted 9 months ago # -
Holy thread resurrection!! I remember starting this thread and it was a genuine question not a troll or dig at roadies, i knew little about it and the only footage i had seen of it looked all like fire roads.
And going up mountains does not make a mountain bike race, every year all three grand tours go up multiple mountains but they're still road races. What is it with this forum and being argumentative?
Posted 9 months ago # -
every year all three grand tours go up multiple mountains but they're still road races
Tarmac?
It is more pointing out that the race is off road and in big mountains rather than just an arguement. I guess the blokes setting good times pick the best bike for the job.
Posted 9 months ago # -
http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/document/0020/2169/EVCO1166_Leadville_Race_Guide_BIKE_8.pdf
if you want to learn a bit about it have a look at the above. loads of history about the various races. There is also a map and a profile.
Posted 9 months ago # -
IIRC when Lance first did it a few years ago he and Wiens were the first riders to ride up the 'Powerlines' climb, which had always been run in the past. IMO if the terrain is sufficiently 'extreme' that riders have always resorted to running up hill it's acceptable to call it a mountain bike race.
Posted 9 months ago # -
Who cares how hard the climbs are! CX racers run uphill and mince downhill.
Posted 9 months ago # -
most roadies I know cream me on the climbs but cant't descend for love nor money off road, and would struggle to bunny hop a twig
But put them at 50mph on a fast road descent then its a different ball game.
never really understood that.
Posted 9 months ago # -
most roadies I know cream me on the climbs but cant't descend for love nor money off road, and would struggle to bunny hop a twig
But put them at 50mph on a fast road descent then its a different ball game.
never really understood that.
Let me help:
most roadies I know cream me on the climbs but cant't descend for love nor money off road, and would struggle to bunny hop a twig
But put them at 50mph on a fast road descent then its a different ball game.
never really understood that.
Roadies: ride on roads and would therefore usually be good at it.
I'm equally poor anywhere these days...
Posted 9 months ago # -
most roadies I know cream me on the climbs but cant't descend for love nor money off road, and would struggle to bunny hop a twig
But put them at 50mph on a fast road descent then its a different ball game.
You must know a different bunch to me then - 90% of the 'roadies' (I prefer to call them 'cyclists', you know, just like you) I know also own and ride mountain bikes and are equally as accomplished on them as they are on the road.
Posted 9 months ago # -
There's plenty of 'roadies' out there would would kick your arse off road too, you just ride with rubbish ones
Posted 9 months ago #
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