The Long Road to Leadville 2013

356 days from now...

I had always known about it. For years I had considered it. For the past three years I even attempted to register for it through the lottery. Finally, on April 21, 2012, I qualified for it. It's the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race. And it is epic. Every mountain biker has wondered if he or she has what it takes to endure this 100-mile test of body and mind. And 365 days from now ... I get to find out. The words and images that follow will document my 1-year journey from Austin, Texas to Leadville, Colorado.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Day 4

Well, I'm off to a miserably slow start. Work has gotten in the way, and I've already skipped a day of workouts. But today it's back on track, full speed ahead.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Day One

This is the race bib my little red bike wore across the finish line as we qualified for Leadville this past April. It's also the last time I thew a leg over my mountain bike. In part because I experienced a few technical issues with the drive train in that race. But in much larger part because of 1,000,000 other excuses that aren't worth mentioning.

To be fair, I have been riding. Over the years I've completed 7 triathlons. So I have no fear of riding on the road. Just don't tell any of my mountain friends that that's me out there on those skinny little tires.

Nevertheless, today I put 20 road miles under my saddle. Not bad for another 102° summer day here in Austin.