This post is part of the Leadville 100 MTB FAQ.

There’s no single magic way to train for the Leadville 100 mountain bike race. Racers have a very wide range of experience and different goals. Each person also has different strengths and weaknesses.

I did my first mountain bike race in 1989. I’ve done 6 solo 24 hour mountain bike races and even longer races on the road. 2007 was the first year since then that I haven’t done at least a couple races. Even if I don’t train, I have good endurance but get really slow. I know other people that seem to still be fast when they’re out of shape but they don’t have much endurance.

Even though everybody is different, there are general training principals for everyone. Based on your strengths and weaknesses, the focus will be different. Even though I’m writing these training tips as part of the Leadville 100 MTB FAQ, they apply to any 100 mile or similar length mountain bike race.

I had started this post last year as one big post and it got out of hand. I shelved it and never posted it. Now I’m breaking it in to smaller pieces so it’s more manageable. Below are the training topics I plan on covering but may make some changes as I go.

• Cross Training
• Bike Handling Skills
• Periodization
• Base Training
• Build Phase
• Peak/Race
• Consistent Training
• Recovery
• Intervals
• Long Rides
• Road Riding
• Tapering
• Other Training Resources

Related Links: Leadville 100 MTB FAQ | 2008 Lance and Wiens videos | 2007 Leadville 100 MTB pictures | 2006 Leadville 100 MTB pictures | Views from the Top of the Columbine Climb

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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

Salomon X Alp Mid LTR GTX Hiking Boots Price: $219.95

Salomon X Alp Pro GTX Hiking Boots Regular Price: $280.00 $209.95 on sale

Asolo TPS 520 GV Evo Hiking Boots Price: $268.44