I had 6 minutes of stopped time - I’m going with if I didn’t have to stop to take a leak a couple times and my crew showed up 
Random question… but does the altitude affect fork / shock pressure much? I’m wondering if I’ll need to use different numbers to normal (I guess I’ll try and dial it in a bit with some practice rides).
No, you use the same pressure. But, you should check pressures when you get there as the pressure will change from sea level to elevation. Probably not enough for most people to notice would be my guess though.
While on the subject - good idea to bleed your brakes when you get to Elevation too. Or at least make sure they’re freshly bled with new pads before you go.
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Another quick question. If I was to contact someone at Lifetime about corrals, is there anyone in particular that would be a good option, or am I best just going with the general enquiries email?
That’s the email you are supposed to use for corral updates.
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grwoolf…I used the USWE Race 2.0 at Tahoe last weekend for the second lap when the temperature was above 90 degrees. For the race I froze 1L of Maurten in the bladder overnight and then added more Maurten in the morning, put on the “thermal sleeve” then put it in a cooler. When I picked up the pack it was still a little frozen. The mix was a consistency of a slushee during the 2h30 lap and helped keep me cool in the heat and I finished feeling great. I will definitely use this for last leg between TL and the finish.
Bonus was that I also got a coin so I will be doing the 2025 race. Downside was the 40+ hour trip back east due to flight delays from the software outage.
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I used pen and paper, listened to LT100 Podcast on pacing and found the TR podcast where Jonathan and Nate talk about pacing. Additionally, I looked at Athlinks from the prior year to see where the 8-9hr finishers (that was my goal) crossed each checkpoint. I determined that time based on my sea level ftp, 4.2w/kg and adjusted to altitude using Besset’s and Peromet’s adjustments.
I didn’t have specific power targets for climbs though I didn’t want to go into threshold unless absolutely necessary (i.e. powerline in) especially in the first half of the race. My goal was to maintain between a NP between 2.5 and 2/7w/kg. I kept it on the lower side for the first half of the race and was passed a lot, hit traffic on the goat path and had to walk for 2:42.
My data screen on my garmin had avg speed, avg NP, 10sec power, and elapsed time and IF. I had my “worst case” times for sub 9 on my handlebar so I didn’t have worry if I was on pace or misremembering the time. Race brain is real so make that easy as possible.
I had minimal stoppage time at the aid stations as my wife, sister and brother-in-law were on-point with the pack and bottle swaps. Aid stoppage was ~3:24, which included re-inflating my front tire at pipeline out. I also had a couple of mechanicals, including having 5psi at the bottom of Pipeline out and then a rattling that turned out to be a loose rear caliper and derailleur (which I didn’t realize until the next day). Again, race brain is real…thought it was my front end rattling. If you do experience mechanicals, keep a cool head, take a breath and address it. If you are panicked and in a frenzy it’ll impact your ability to troubleshoot and get help.
Overall, my strategy may be considered “conservative” but this was a one-and-done race for me so I’d rather have something left and achieved sub-9 then miss out and “have” to do that race again.
As you develop your strategy, have a range of best and worst case time for sub-9 and then plan around that. I think this has been said multiple times throughout the years but do not push the first couple of climbs. It’ll come-back and bite you at the end of the race.
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Does sort of make me wish I’d bought a power meter at some point!
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Probably the best investment you can make in your riding, in my opinion. I’ve used a PM since 2008 with the old school PowerTap wheel hub.
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Does anyone have any intel on the new “OutwardBound” section? Only piece I have found is from Payson McElveen’s Instagram page from day 1:
" Full suss top tubes aren’t quite as good for sittin as gravel or hardtail top tubes 
but the BC40 sure was nice on that new ‘Field of Dreams’ section of the @ltraceseries course today. The Flight Attendant was definitely getting busy in there"
Just finished up the stage race. It’s pretty much riding over grass across a field. It’s bumpy but not terribly slow. Took me around 4 minutes each way averaging 13mph.
I wouldn’t call it singletrack either, plenty opportunities to pass in here if needed.
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Thanks for the feedback…much appreciated
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Sadly would be a bit of a waste now, this is my last year of this sort of thing.
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I don’t think the new grass sections will add much time. It’s slower for sure, but the section is pretty short and most of it can be rolled at decent speed. And I heard that the single track is a good bit shorter, so maybe the time will be closer to a wash. A few speed bumps and rough spots, but pretty much like riding the grass at your typical cyclocross race. Plenty of room to pass, no racing line that will be faster. I was following the last rider through today at the stage race and 2 days worth of traffic didn’t really establish any line.
Also, I thought Columbine was in great shape, best I’ve seen it. I was able to clear it for the first time yesterday, I typically stick a foot down in one of those 2 rocky steep sections up top. Rocks seem more bedded in and firmer to ride across.
Powerline seems like similar conditions to years past.
There is a short section of new pavement (previously gravel road) between the singletrack and twin lakes. I don’t think the new asphalt will be measurably faster. That gravel road was super smooth, not really gravel as much as packed road base.
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I was at the stage finish line for a bit today. saw about 150 people cross then headed off for a loop around Leadville, got back for the last few podiums and coin lottery. (I was easy to pick out as I was in our USMES Hi-Viz kit today)
Plenty of people nursing burp flats or sidewall cuts. Neither of the riders I spoke two that had those were running liners either. So that’s something to consider if you’re not sure.
That trail complex up by the Mining School is a lot of fun. I’ll defiantly be going back there on “easy” days this week.
Only two days at real altitude so far, but the only time I’m really feeling it is when I go to take a drink, or eat. You know those few seconds when you stop breathing. So when I can drink without being completely out of breath, then I’ll be reassured that the time at altitude has been worth it.
Encouraging. I still remember losing a ton of time behind people pushing there and not being able to overtake due to riders coming down. 
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Dylan Johnson’s bike for LT100 has been unveiled: https://youtu.be/MuzGry1rw6w?si=NKxn6BEwXuHcEWJn
Welp, I’ve just bought the final few things I need… now I just have to pray that it all turns up before I leave!
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I think Outward Bound is a nothing to worry about. Outbound is very fast as it is slightly downhill. I tried a bottle handup which failed as I was with a fast group (top 4 women and two fast guys) I wanted to stay with and we were flying through there. It is bumpy and feels like a cyclocross race. Inbound is slower with the slight uphill and you feel the bumps more so. With that said it will be easier to get support from crew inbound since they will be just before you get on pavement to Powerline. Also, if you want to do a bottle handup it will be much easier since you are going a little slower.