The Leadville MTB Returns, but the Course Remains a Mystery

The Leadville MTB 100 will return on August 15, but the route remains a mystery. The Willow Fire swept through Lake County earlier this summer, burning large swaths of the course around Leadville. With limited options to work with in the high altitude valley that the race occupies, especially with the pivotal Power Line section in the heart of the burn zone, the race has had many participants and fans wondering what the ultimate resolution might be.

While race organizers have confirmed the race will go ahead, the lack of a known course is notable for a race that typically runs on the same, iconic out-and-back route every year.

Because the course is a big out-and-back, the inability to use Power Line, which serves as a key early technical section and late leg-breaking climb, will significantly change the competitive outlook of the race. There is plenty of terrain to add around Leadville itself, where Life Time could add trail or double track; it would just mean either a lot more trail and a lot more climbing, or more simple, easy terrain.

“We continue to be inspired and immensely grateful for the tremendous efforts of all the fire response teams on the Willow Fire,” race organizers said in a statement.

“Over the last two weeks, the fire teams have increased containment to 66%, and the monsoons have finally arrived. These two critical components, along with consistent and continual collaboration with all permitting agencies, have provided the necessary information to inform the best possible courses for the remaining events in our season.

“With this in mind, we would like to share more on impacts, timelines, and details of what to expect over the coming few weeks.”

In that announcement, the race reiterated its intentions to continue as scheduled its mountain bike stage race, the 10km run, and the premier 100-mile run and mountain bike race. Additionally, in the most recent announcement, the organizers have said that at the very latest, the course will be released on Friday, August 7.

According to sources close to the race, Life Time is waiting to see how much of the course will be suitable to ride. What is clear is that most of the terrain directly south of Turquoise Lake will not be in the course. That rules out Hagerman Pass Road, Sugar Loaf Mountain, and Power Line.

Nevertheless, the Columbine Climb will almost certainly feature around the mid-point of the day, with the adjustments or additions coming in the first or last quarter of the mileage. How Life Time will add up the mileage to get to that all-important 100-mile total remains to be seen.