Leadville 100 is 15 weeks away according to my TrainingPeaks app. The previous 15 have flown by and I’ve stuck with it since signing up for the plan.
The dashboard shows me the B and C races I chose for the year. All of them canceled: CSU Cobb Lake Road Race, Buff Gold Road Race, Front Range Classic Road Race, Koppenberg, Ridgeline Rampage, Battle the Bear, Superior Morgul Road Race, and the Rattler’s been postponed.
Yesterday, The Leadville Series posted on their social media channels and sent out an email:
With their June races canceled and August a mere two months after that, it’s hard to believe Leadville 100 MTB will happen. It’s a small community and to have people fly in from all over the world seems like too big of a burden on them.
I also planned to race the Leadville Stage Race to secure a better starting position for LT100. That’s at the end of July/beginning of August. Who knows at this point. All we can do is stay the course.
Today’s workout is sub-threshold intervals (6×10). 2.5 hours long. If I didn’t have these workouts, I’d feel lost. What would I be training for? It sounds silly because it is. My husband said, “You can just ride for fun.”
It’s been four years since I didn’t just ride. Every ride I’ve done since starting to race has had an objective. Even thinking about “just riding” puts me on edge. It puts me on edge because I like plans. I like following things. Maybe not rules because let’s face it, I’m a natural dissenter, but plans, schedules — I like those.
I enjoy training. I don’t know if I’d call it “fun” but being on my bike is always enjoyable whether that’s aimlessly wandering through the woods on my mountain bike or a structured workout on my trainer as I watch people walk by the window, pulled by their dogs. The bike brings us happiness, peace, tranquility, and strength.
It makes me think about the first time Jared asked me to ride bikes with him. I was 24 or so and my only point of reference for cycling was my Uncle Don. The classic middle-aged white male with a greying goatee, worn-out skin, and a gut that hung over his Wrangler jeans. I never saw him in lycra and I actually never saw him on a bike but I remember the stories he’d tell us at Thanksgiving.
When he told us he rode 50 miles that day, I didn’t believe him. Driving 50 miles tired me out let alone doing that on a bike.
I borrowed my cousin’s old mountain bike, the one she’d outgrown and had been collecting dust over the years. I dusted it off with my borrowed cycling gloves from Jared. I also had to borrow his blue Bell helmet because I owned zero cycling gear. For several months, I donned workout clothes on the bike, refusing to buy a pair of cycling shorts.
As soon as I bought my first off-brand pair from Sports Authority (R.I.P), there was no turning back. I fell in love with cycling. The accomplishment that comes with it was more deeply fulfilling than any other fitness endeavor.
And during these crazy-ass times where we’re told one thing and contradicted by another, it’s the bike that keeps me level. It’s the bike I can turn to for peace. That means that even if the Leadville Stage Race gets canceled and then the Leadville 100 MTB follows suit, I’ll still have my bike. I can focus on improving my mountain bike skills just like I worked on getting comfortable on my first road bike in the drops seven years ago.
I’m going to continue to train as if Leadville 100 is still on. If it gets canceled, I’ll go back to riding out of curiosity. Asking myself, “Can I climb that?” And answering, “Let’s try anyway.”
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I’m sure the uncertainty of your race is unnerving. I love how you mentioned you’ve got your bike to turn to no matter what.
What an interesting hobby/passion! 🙂 Sounds very exciting – thanks for sharing! I feel the same about writing – it’s what makes me feel the most fulfilled. I hope your race stays on schedule!
I feel the same way about running as you do about biking. It keeps me sane and it’s my happy place.
I’m sure the uncertainty of your race is unnerving. I love how you mentioned you’ve got your bike to turn to no matter what.
What an interesting hobby/passion! 🙂 Sounds very exciting – thanks for sharing! I feel the same about writing – it’s what makes me feel the most fulfilled. I hope your race stays on schedule!
I’m a runner too and had a race that was supposed to be Saturday canceled. It is heartbreaking but at least we always have the road!
What a great mindset to have! It’s been several years since I’ve been on a bike, but I’ve always enjoyed them. We always rent them at Disney World and ride them around different resorts.
It’s awesome to have something in your life that helps you “get away” from all the stress. I hope your race happens!
This would be a great time to have a bike. I wonder if I could still ride.lol
Traveling is to me what biking is to you…ugh…hope to get back to it soon.
I love this – I just ride for fun, and it’s always the perfect break in the day. We have a few nice trails nearby and if the weather is good I’ll try to sneak out at lunch!
I love that you have turned to your riding as your source of constant & purpose, especially during this time! Good for you. I enjoyed reading your post!
I hope it doesn’t get cancelled!!!!
Me too! Fingers crossed!
Thanks for reading it 🙂
That’s awesome! I love riding bikes.
Yes. You too!
You never forget! 😉
Thank you! Me too!
Oh, I bet that’s fun!
Exactly! And we can still train to simply become stronger regardless if there’s a race or not. Happy running 🙂
Writing is also a passion of mine! At least I know that if I don’t have one, I have the other! Thanks for reading 🙂
Yep! I’m sure it’s like you with golfing. It’s your outlet 🙂
Definitely! I hope you’re able to still run these days.
I hope it doesn’t get cancelled!!!!
It’s awesome to have something in your life that helps you “get away” from all the stress. I hope your race happens!
Traveling is to me what biking is to you…ugh…hope to get back to it soon.
I love that you have turned to your riding as your source of constant & purpose, especially during this time! Good for you. I enjoyed reading your post!
This would be a great time to have a bike. I wonder if I could still ride.lol
Yes. You too!
I love this – I just ride for fun, and it’s always the perfect break in the day. We have a few nice trails nearby and if the weather is good I’ll try to sneak out at lunch!
Thank you! Me too!
I’m a runner too and had a race that was supposed to be Saturday canceled. It is heartbreaking but at least we always have the road!
You never forget! 😉
What a great mindset to have! It’s been several years since I’ve been on a bike, but I’ve always enjoyed them. We always rent them at Disney World and ride them around different resorts.
Yep! I’m sure it’s like you with golfing. It’s your outlet 🙂
Oh, I bet that’s fun!
Me too! Fingers crossed!
Exactly! And we can still train to simply become stronger regardless if there’s a race or not. Happy running 🙂
Thanks for reading it 🙂
I feel the same way about running as you do about biking. It keeps me sane and it’s my happy place.
That’s awesome! I love riding bikes.
Writing is also a passion of mine! At least I know that if I don’t have one, I have the other! Thanks for reading 🙂
Definitely! I hope you’re able to still run these days.
What a great read! I’m not a cyclist by any means but I am completely intrigued by the journey of those that are. I just bought a used mountain bike from a neighbor and I’ve been waiting for the right moment to try it out. I’m inspired after reading your thoughts. Thank you and all the best on your next ride!
No better time like the present! 🙂