Leadville 100 Training Plan

The Leadville 100 is one of the hardest one-day mountain bike races in the world. High altitude, long climbs, and relentless terrain turn even small mistakes into big problems. Training for it isn't about surviving the day. It's about preparing your body to stay steady for hours, handle spikes in effort, and still have something left at mile 90.

Course demands

At this altitude, power drops for everyone. The riders who perform well are those who spend most of the day in control (riding essentially zone 2 / low zone 3), stay mentally calm, and keep fueling when others forget to. If you go too hard too early you will likely blow up later. If you forget to take a few sips of carbs on the way up Columbine, it'll bite you.

Who this plan is for

Racepace's Leadville Training Plans are built for riders who want a structured, realistic path into Leadville with coaching. You don't need to be a full-time athlete. You just need steady weeks, discipline on the easy days, and the ability to hit key long rides.

What makes this plan unique

The goal isn't to hit peak numbers. It's to build a body that can ride strong, stay consistent, and avoid late-race collapse. Training focuses on durability over raw power, with real-world nutrition strategy baked into long days so race nutrition feels automatic.

What the plan targets

Aerobic endurance: Long Zone 2 rides that raise your floor so you can stay steady for hours
Threshold resilience: Sustained tempo and threshold work to handle climbs like Columbine and Powerline
High-altitude pacing skills: Controlled intensity to avoid the first-hour trap
Strength and stability: Sessions to protect your back, hips, and hands from 7+ hours
Fueling practice: Real-world nutrition strategy baked into long days

What you will get