THE SAME AS IT NEVER WAS

OTHER THAN THE 2ND AND 3RD TIMES I RACED LEADVILLE, I've always done it on a different bike.  A soft tail, a hard tail, and lots of fulls...

... the experience is always slightly different because of that.

This time I'm rocking the BMC 4Stroke.  A very similar bike to the Scott Spark from 2 years ago.

Twin Lock is basically the same on each bike, and a game changer over other suspension approaches.  With the flick of my thumb I have 3 different suspension settings:  fully rigid, fully open and plush, and a mid point called traction control.

The BMC geometry is slightly more raked, which is awesome for fast steep stuff.  At Leadville, there is plenty of fast steep stuff.

Being newer, 2021, the BMC gets the electric shifting which I have learned to love and trust.  It's fast and precise

The last difference of note is the integrated dropper post.  Not only is it great when the terrain gets tricky and snappy, but there is something else awesome.  Tucking on the dropper is way faster than without it.  The aerodynamic advantages are real, and I'll be using it a lot.

But, here's the thing.

The biggest difference this weekend, which I have no idea how I'll react to, is that we are racing the 100 miles over 3 days instead of 1.

Do I just go for it on the first day, holding back nothing?

Do I keep it somewhat in check, unleashing everything I've got on Day 2's huge ascent up Columbine?

Or, do I save it all for Day 3, where based on the recorded times, everybody seems to fade.

I have no reference point for this other than the Cactus Cup.  But, those 3 stages are very different:  a short TT, a 3 hour MTB XC, and an enduro.  Where this weekend is 3 solid XC races of 2.5-3 hrs at an elevation over 10,000'.

This unknown is one of the things I enjoy so much about racing.  

There is only one factor that hasn't changed over the years...

... the desire to do my best, regardless of the outcome.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/helmets

I like to bust out the red helmet and red socks on raceday.  There's something about it.

Use promo code: REDFORRACING

The code is good on any of the helmets... and if get gloves, the red socks are free.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/helmets

PS... We stopped at Glenwood Springs for dinner at The Pullman.  I've eaten here successfully many times - the food and the racing.

The pic below is where I set up to write.  That's the Colorado River down below and the famous hot sprints on the other side.  Those train tracks are for the Zephyr, which runs between here and CA.

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