The small town of Leadville, Colorado, is nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, surrounded by stunning peaks that soar over 14,000 feet. While the town may be small, its history is rich, and it’s famous for its mining heritage and outdoor recreation opportunities. One of the town’s most iconic events is the Leadville Trail 100 MTB, a grueling mountain bike race that draws athletes from around the world.
Leadville’s History
Leadville was founded in 1877 during the Colorado Silver Boom, which saw the discovery of rich silver deposits throughout the state. The town quickly became one of the largest silver producers in the world, with a population of over 30,000 by 1880. The mines in the area were also rich in lead, which gave the town its name.
During its heyday, Leadville was a bustling hub of mining activity, with numerous mines and mills operating in the area. The town was home to some of the richest silver mines in the world, including the Little Jonny, the Ibex, and the Matchless.
The town’s prosperity attracted many notable figures, including the famous Western lawman Wyatt Earp, who worked as a bouncer in one of Leadville’s saloons. Other famous residents included the author Oscar Wilde, who visited the town in 1882, and the industrialist Horace Tabor, who made a fortune in the silver mines.
Despite its wealth, Leadville was also a rough-and-tumble place with a reputation for violence and lawlessness. The town’s most infamous event was the so-called “Leadville War,” a series of conflicts between rival factions of mine owners and labor unions in the late 1800s. The violence culminated in the murder of the union leader Frank “Big Bill” Haywood in 1900.
As the silver deposits began to decline in the early 1900s, Leadville’s population dwindled. By the 1960s, the town was largely abandoned, and many of its historic buildings had fallen into disrepair.
Revival and the Leadville Trail 100 MTB
In the 1980s, Leadville began to experience a revival as outdoor enthusiasts discovered the town’s stunning natural beauty and abundance of recreational opportunities. In addition, the town’s historic buildings were restored, and tourism became a major industry.
One of the most popular events in Leadville’s calendar is the Leadville Trail 100 MTB, a grueling mountain bike race that takes place every August. The race was founded in 1994 by Ken Chlouber, a local mining engineer and endurance athlete looking for a way to draw attention to Leadville’s stunning mountain scenery.
The Leadville Trail 100 MTB is a 100-mile race that takes place on a course that winds through the high mountains surrounding Leadville. The race begins and ends in the center of town, and the course includes steep climbs, rocky descents, and high-altitude terrain that challenges even the most experienced riders.
The race has become one of the world’s most prestigious mountain bike events, attracting top athletes from around the globe. The course is known for its punishing altitude, which can reach over 12,000 feet, and its technical terrain, which includes sections of singletrack, fire roads, and rocky descents.
Leadville, Colorado, is the highest incorporated city in North America and is ranked by Rodale as one of the 12 most challenging events in the world. As they ascend Mount Massive and Mount Elbert, Colorado’s two highest peaks, riders put their physical and mental endurance to the test.
At the beginning of the race, 2,000 cyclists start at an elevation of 10,200 feet, and 30% or less of them are able to finish the race without being disqualified. Nevertheless, the saying “This race makes grown men cry” has been uttered by many top-tier riders.
This race is also unique in that amateur competitors can be seated next to top cyclists from all around the world at the starting line. Most likely the last time an amateur and professional will see one another, so get your selfie fast while you can.
Here Comes Lance
A great example of this is Lance Armstrong back in 2008. Armstrong is one of the most iconic figures in the world of cycling. He was known for his record-breaking seven Tour de France victories and was a force to be reckoned with on the road. But it was his foray into the world of mountain biking that would bring him to the high-altitude terrain of Leadville, Colorado.
Armstrong’s history with the Leadville 100 mountain bike race began in 2008 when he decided to enter the race on a whim. Despite having little experience with mountain biking and no training at altitude, Armstrong managed to finish second overall, just two minutes behind the race winner, Dave Wiens. The unexpected success of his first attempt only fueled Armstrong’s competitive fire, and he returned to the race in 2009 and 2010, determined to take the top spot.
In 2009, Armstrong and Wiens engaged in an epic battle, with the lead changing hands multiple times throughout the race. In the end, Armstrong pulled ahead to take the win by just over a minute. The victory was a triumphant moment for Armstrong, who had only recently returned to competitive cycling after a three-year hiatus following his retirement from road racing.
Armstrong’s success in the Leadville 100 was not without controversy, however. Some critics questioned his decision to enter a race with little experience, and his use of performance-enhancing drugs during his Tour de France victories cast a shadow over his mountain biking achievements. Yet, despite the criticism, Armstrong remained a popular figure among many cycling fans, who admired his tenacity and competitive spirit.
In 2010, Armstrong returned to the Leadville 100 for what would be his final attempt at the race. Once again, he faced off against Wiens, who was determined to take back the title he had lost the year before. The two riders battled it out for the entirety of the race, with Armstrong eventually pulling ahead again at the end of the race.
The victory was bittersweet for Armstrong, who announced shortly after that he would retire from competitive cycling for good, but his legacy in the sport and Leadville would live on. Today, the Leadville Trail 100 MTB continues to attract top-tier mountain bikers worldwide, all eager to test their mettle on the same high-altitude terrain that Armstrong once conquered.
Armstrong’s time in Leadville may have been brief, but his impact on the race and town was significant. His performances inspired a new generation of mountain bikers to take up the challenge of racing at high altitudes. They helped cement Leadville’s reputation as one of the world’s most challenging and prestigious mountain bike races.
Resilience is the Test
The race and the town have embraced one another to symbolize Leadville’s resilience and determination. The town may have had a tumultuous history, but it has reinvented itself as a hub of outdoor recreation and endurance sports. The Leadville Trail 100 MTB is a testament to the town’s spirit and the beauty of its mountain landscape.
The history of Leadville, Colorado, is a testament to the resilience and spirit of the American West. From its early days as a silver mining boomtown to its modern incarnation as a hub of outdoor recreation and endurance sports, Leadville has always been a place of adventure and opportunity.
The Leadville Trail 100 MTB is a fitting tribute to the town’s history and character. The race embodies the ruggedness and determination of the Western frontier, challenging riders to push themselves to their limits in the face of steep climbs, technical terrain, and punishing altitude.
As the race has grown in popularity, it has also become a symbol of the enduring appeal of outdoor recreation and the human spirit of endurance. Athletes from around the world flock to Leadville every August to test their mettle against the mountains and to experience the natural beauty and historic charm of this iconic American town.
Whether you’re a history buff, an outdoor enthusiast, or an adrenaline junkie, Leadville has something to offer. From its rich mining heritage to its stunning mountain vistas, this small town is a true gem of the American West, and the Leadville Trail 100 MTB is just one more reason to explore all it has to offer.
BTW
In case if you were wondering, what do you get if you finish the Leadville 100? That is, if you made it past all the time check points and various dangers on the trail. A Belt Buckle, and the satisfaction of knowing that you just completed a race in which 92% of all Americans couldn’t finish.
GREAT JOB AND SEE YOU IN LEADVILLE THIS YEAR!!