What comes down must first go up. This universal truth has a terrible price you're going to pay this August in this out-and-back race. As you climb Kevens, Sugarloaf, Columbine, the Powerline and more, it will be painfully obvious that you've got to carry every single pound up every single climb. So how do you take the sting out of this equation? Lighten up, obviously? The question is, is the obvious thing the right thing? We've got experts in this episode to help you find the line and make smart scale-based decisions.

We are getting deep into the second half of the season, and that means it's time for you to start working on your Leadville 100 dress rehearsals. In this episode, Fatty walks you through his first dress rehearsal for this year's race. This is a can't-miss tip for anyone who wants to succeed at this demanding race. Hottie and Fatty then share their first reactions to the new course, corral, and crew changes, sharing our best-guess recommendations to racers and crews. Finally, be sure to stick around for interviews with Skratch and Kenetik, two of the nutrition sponsors of this race. 

Life Time has just announced some significant changes for the Leadville 100 that will likely impact your race. And if you have a crew coming along, these changes will DEFINITELY impact their day. Race Director Tamira Jenlink joins Hottie and Fatty to lay out the what and why for these changes. 

Many of us have been captivated by the first three seasons of the "From the Ground Up" video series, following new mountain bikers as they work to race The Leadville 100, with only a few months to prepare. Alexey Vermeulen and Ryan Petry are the creators of this project, and in the three seasons they've guided novice racers, they've learned a lot of lessons worth sharing. Also, be sure to listen in to Fatty's Finishing Tips, as he walks you through the finer points of managing the dozens of packets of food you're going to need to manage as you eat your way through the Leadville 100. 

Dr Kyle Pfaffenbach shares insights on weight management for the Leadville 100 race. Tips include energy-saving strategies, uphill navigation, and the balance of nutrition for optimal performance. The podcast also covers the importance of carb intake, handlebar specifications, and considerations for male and female athletes.

It is new bike day on the show. We went to the Sea Otter Classic, roamed the expo, in hopes of finding a bike – or bikes – that are Leadville worthy. We found four. One that spares no expense, one high value full suspension, one hard tail with a recent Leadville win, and one that promises not to break the bank. For sure there are other brands and models that would make a great choice for Leadville but this was fun exercise and one we hope can help you narrow the field as you search for that Kevins, Sugar Loaf, Columbine, Powerline eating machine. 

Every Leadville racer has the same question: "What will be my finish time?" And there was a time when that question was a real mystery. Now, however, if you are willing to fill in the variables, Best Bike Split can give you an astonishingly accurate prediction. In this episode, Best Bike Split ambassador Dave Schell joins us to explain how. And be sure to listen to Fatty's Finishing Tip in this episode: he's emphasizing a crucial part of your your training and preparation that you otherwise might be neglecting.

Ray Landry is quite simply the friendliest and most Leadville-knowledgeable guy you could ever ride with. He obsesses about this race every bit as much as Hottie and Fatty do, and has absolutely top-notch advice for Leadville racers. He's shared his wisdom at the Leadville Camp each year for several years, so we jumped at the opportunity to ask him what he hears as the most common questions and concerns. Enjoy the episode! 

An interesting — and confusing — story came out in the Leadville Herald Democrat late last week. In this episode, we untangle the story and lay out our best guesses for what significant changes are actually in store for the 2024 LT100. Then for our main feature we bring back show favorite Dr Justin Ross to talk about what it really means to dig deep, and how understanding this very real phenomenon can help you have a successful day on the course. There is a TON of info every racer needs in this episode; don't miss it!

Expert author Joe Friel and Selene Yeager share tips for mastering racing as a master at Leadville. Topics include age-appropriate training plans, navigating tricky turns, optimizing performance for older athletes, and addressing menopause challenges. Valuable insights on training strategies, pacing, nutrition planning, and preparation for endurance events.