Yes, but no drop bags, so you’re limited to what they have. I personally am not really a fan of anything at the aid stations except in a pinch. Not enough sodium content, and all the gels are harder on my stomach.
Last year I stopped twice, twin lakes dam both directions and that’s it, where I left drop bags with my own stuff.
Plus, the bulk of what you need is to get you up anyways.
Yes, I was thinking about getting a bottle topped up at the top.
I also think there’s a much bigger chance you’ll have issues on race day due to fueling and hydration rather than the weight from carrying an extra bottle.
Yeah, but just remember that you are bombing downhill immediately after the turn-around for 20+ minutes, so best to slam whatever you can at the top if you need a drink (but don’t linger, there is no air up there). You will not be taking hands off the bars on that downhill, it’s scarier than powerline in some ways (traffic in your face). There’s a road section after the descent where you can drink, but twin lakes isn’t far after the descent (and twin lakes alternate is right there).
So maybe the pack will be the better option.
I’m enjoying your Vlog. As a 55 year old, I’m interested in your weight loss and fitness building journey towards Leadville. Along with your FTP and weight, would you care to share your height? Also, I’m interested in your equipment choices, including tires. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks. I am 5 8. 172-4cm I think. I will
Mention that in the next Vlog thanks for pointing it out. I will go over my equipment choices in detail in one of the Vlogs as I am still doing sone research and the camp will help with my decision but I have ordered the 2.2 Continental Race Kings but was close to going with the Thunder Burt 2.25 and RR combo 2.35 but i will see how they hold up on camp.
I think that’s what. Nate ran when he did Leadville. Super Ground if I recall correctly.
Yes that is right. I have run them in the past with success on more technical terrain. Thought i would give the contis a go as they might be faster and I will be on a full squish bike.
I ran the race kings last year for the first time and liked them. I was about 9 minutes faster on the conti’s last year vs my 2021 time on aspen 2.25’s (and my NP was a few watts lower in 2023). Too many variables to say the tires were that much faster, inbound winds were favorable last year and I think that was a lot of the better finish time. But I plan to run the conti’s again this year. Minimal concerns about tread/grip on that course as far as I’m concerned. It’s all about rolling resistance. And very few sharp rocks to cut a tire, the only flat I’ve ever gotten out there was from a pinch flat on powerline in 2022 (totally my fault).
Air liner light in the rear? I might run F/R because the weight is negligible vs piece of mind.
Just ordered Airliners and was thinking the same thing, with Conti either just rear or both.
Air Liner LIGHT 
The year I flatted on powerline, no insert. Added one (just in rear) last year. Tubolight.
With how light they are, (~50g) I see the only downside being that it’s a little harder to break the bead if you need to out on the trail. I’m banking on good fresh sealant, front and rear inserts to keep that from happening.
I’ll be running F/R with Conti Race Kings again.
I double flatted on St Kevins inbound last year on Conti RKs with Air Liner Light inserts. I was riding aggressively as i was right at edge for making sub-9. The rear sealed up with some CO2 and a spin of the tire, but the front had a torn side knob and it kept intermittently leaking. It probably needed a tube but by then sub-9 was lost so just kept topping it up and limped to finish.
Ultimately they are still a good choice for Leadville but if you are used to something tougher, know that you do have to be aware of your line choices as they can be torn up.
Not related to the tires - but you and I were probably right at the same rough time doing the same thing last year. We may have even ridden together / passed each other, who knows. I gave it hell all the way from the bottom of the sugarloaf descent to the finish. Ended up missing sub 9 by less than the amount of time I spent in my two twin lakes stops. Oh well…
I will say my one issue with a Conti RK (posted about it here on the forum) was on a training ride where I sliced the sidewall open on my first training ride. I haven’t had an issue yet (knocking on wood) with the tread, but I do think you need to be more careful with the sidewalls.
Which is why I’ll likely opt for Schwalbe Super Ground instead of Super Race.
What gets me is the Thunder Burt Super Ground is rated lower than the Race King for Both Tread and Sidewall Puncture score by BRR. Theoretically, they’re even more fragile although I’m not sure how that plays out in the real world.
