More good info on the race

This is an update to a post I've done several times over the last
5(OMG!) years. It's free advice, and worth every penny! These are in
addition to some pointers Dean posted a couple weeks ago. My favorite
from his post and one I can personally attest to:

- It's better to quit than to die, but not by much.

====================

I've spent way too many hours thinking about this race, I think it is
an infection. Here are a few tips I try to follow as I ride and race
the course:

- Don't start out too fast, the lead pack will fly out of Leadville
like it were a 20 mile sprint. Now that the single track has been
removed at about mile 14 the only backups you might experience are the
St. Kevins climb and the Powerline descent, worst case these probably
won't cost you more than 3 minutes. Try never to engage your turbo
power; you will pay dearly later in the race.

- The descent down Powerline is very loose and rutted especially near
the bottom. Rains can form very deep ruts. There are always some bad
crashes and flats in here. Even after it gets flat before the stream
crossing there are some potentially deep rain-formed ruts. (RUN AT
LEAST 45PSI!!!)

- Join a paceline once you hit the pavement at the base of the
powerline descent to the gravel pits if you can but stay in your zone.
Get in one on the way back too. You're most likely to encounter a head
wind inbound from TLD to FH (fish hatchery), steel yourself for it and
try drafting as much as possible.

- Just as the long climb begins to Columbine (about 2 miles after TLD)
you'll encounter a long stretch (1/2+ miles) of the steepest sustained
part of the climb. This is just as you enter the trees after going
through the cow pasture. Take it easy and don't push too hard here,
you'll be able to speed up after this section, e.g. from 4 to 6 MPH.

- There is a white piece of tracked mining equipment 1/2 buried on the
left half of the road as you're climbing, you can't miss it. It's
VERY close to the 1/2 waypoint in time between TLD and CM if you're
holding a steady effort.

- There are at least 6 places almost everyone must walk, I plan in
advance to walk these sections and no others:

* 2.5 miles from Columbine right next to a tall silver pipe mining
tripod thing there is about a 100-yard stretch.

* 2 miles from Columbine there is about a 50 yard stretch just as you
turn off the main road to Gold Basin mine; it's loose, rocky and
steep.

* About 1 mile from columbine there is another 50-yard section only a
few studs ride.

* Between TLD and CR just after leaving the pavement there is a very
steep rutted hill, no one rides this. Sometimes called North Face (in
honor of sponsor)

* 1/2 mile later there is another pretty steep but short hill.

* Near the bottom of Powerline there is about a 150-yard section.

- Recover but stay on the gas coming down from CM; you can save 5+
minutes by not coasting.

- There are 3 false summits going up Powerline, at a 9-10 hour overall
pace it takes about an hour to get from FH up Powerline to Sugarloaf
pass.

- It's a 3 mile climb on pavement going back up to St Kevins. When
you leave the pavement after this climb you're an hour or so from the
finish at a 10 hour pace. Get supplies at this point at the mini-aid
station if you're low.

- At a 9-10 hour pace it takes about 25-30 mins to get from Leadville
Junction (RR track crossing) to the finish. It's still about 5 miles!

- Most racers carry way too much equipment. THINK OF THE RACE AS
SEVERAL SHORT ONES. Carry enough to get between aid stations and have
spares there. NORBA rules apply with exceptions, you can accept spares
(even whole wheels) and food at aid stations but you must carry all of
your tools.

- If you're going for speed don't stop at CM (even if you're not don't
linger at this altitude), eat/drink on the flat area near CM and again
about 1/2 way down when there is a little uphill section (it's short
and right after a hairpin turn so eat quickly).

- Give plenty of space to the tandems, they are crazy maniacs who
exhibit little control and even less caution. With gross rig weights
near 400 lbs they can mow you down like a bowling pin.

- HAVE FUN!