I’m doing the full 100 this year (my relay partner is headed back to Japan) and I’ll be mounted on the same Cannondale Scalpel Carbon 2, but now with a dropper, Ocho Carbon, and the Onyx/Astral/CX-Ray wheels I had built up early this year. Heading up about a week early to get some acclimation and to pre-ride at least once.
Extended forecast starting to firm up for race day. about 47F at the start and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it hit 90 during the race.
Based on the rider guide it looks like they moved the drop bag check point to mile 27, four miles before the turn around for lap 2 near Northstar village. That’s a change I approve of for sure.
I’m doing the 50K. At 55 years old coming off two knee replacements, left in 2020, right in 2021…100K just doesnt sound fun. I did the 100K in 2017 & 2018, best time was 5:37. Now I struggle to break 3 hours in the 50K.
Was up there last weekend for the Truckee Tahoe Gravel race. I finished just before noon and it was getting pretty warm. Last significant climb was on the road and pretty exposed. I definitely felt the heat there.
Tahoe Trail starts an hour earlier and is shorter at least for those of us doing the 50k. Hopefully most folks can be done before it heats up too much.
Between the altitude and the heat be sure to stay on top of that hydration.
Yep, I’m doing the 100K and plan to swap hydration bladders at mile 27. Start with a 2.5l w/2l in it for lap one, then switch to a 3l for lap 2. That and fresh bottles (of carbs) and swap out gel flasks. Shooting for 100g+ grams of carbs per hour. So far that’s been working pretty well.
Here is my setup. First time I’ve ever used a 30t ring. Will be great for that super steep section on Tevas Cup trail and a few sections of that climb back to Northstar.
Yeah I train with a 36t and race with a 32t. Boy does it feel easier to climb with the 32. I’m hoping spending the week prior will help at least a little bit when it comes to acclimation. Sure does help to be remote and log out of work early, not to mention get to bed early the week leading up to race day.
Any suggestion on what time to be at the start to lineup? Reach goal is leadville red corral (sub 445). I know there’s plenty of space and time to pass at the start but I also don’t want to be crossing the start at gun time +10. Don’t want to be sitting around in the cold for 45 mins either, if I can help it. Correction , silver corral.
I rolled up to the line at 6:45 last year and put myself about 3/4 back as I was in the relay, so no need to self seed very high. If it took 3 minutes to the starting mat, I’d be surprised. The worst part of the start is once you get past the village, get on gravel and it kicks up, it also gets narrower. The last 400m before things flatten out narrow up a bit more and it’s not uncommon to have people rando unclip in front of you. . If you get there the day before it’s worth just riding up that first climb just to scope out alternate lines required to ride around walkers. I have zero issues with barking out “Pick a side and stay there walkers!” in my best military voice of command.
FWIW there’s going to be traffic for the first 3-5 miles, but room to pass if you don’t mind being a tad aggressive.
Start Protocol
Each athlete will self-seed at the start line based on ability, with pros up front. This is a mass start and all riders will go off together. Please be honest with your start position in order to make the start as safe as possible. Please do not leave your bike unattended in the start corral
Pre rode the course yesterday. More singletrack than I expected for this type of race. Everything was is in pretty good shape except for 2 sections which will likely require dismounting. One water crossing with an awkward fallen log on the western states trail and later a loose climb with a monster rut in the middle. Hoping for expected high temps as that seems to hit the bay area guys harder
Good to know, I’m headed out for a loop after my next meeting is over. Starting later than I expect lap 2 to start for me, so good stress test of my hydration plan.