Digest

Alex Wiles discusses his preparation for the Leadville 100 mountain bike race. He explains his choice of flat handlebars for comfort and control, contrasting this with the aerodynamic focus of road cyclists. His bike setup includes Roval Control World Cup wheels, 2.35" Air Track tires, a customized frame with a 100mm fork, and a SRAM groupset with ceramic speed components. His fueling strategy involves consistent carb intake and caffeine gels, emphasizing a conservative pacing strategy to avoid early depletion. He plans to adjust his tire pressure (starting around 16-18 PSI) based on temperature and elevation changes throughout the race, prioritizing comfort and control.

Outlines

00:00:00

Leadville Bike Choice: Flat Bars vs. Drop Bars

Alex Wiles discusses his choice of flat handlebars for the Leadville 100, contrasting his mountain biking background with the road biking backgrounds of other racers. He explains his rationale for prioritizing comfort and control over aerodynamic advantages.

00:04:04

Wheel, Tire, and Frame Setup for Leadville

Alex details his choice of Roval Control World Cup wheels, 2.35" Air Track tires, and a customized frame setup, including a 100mm fork for improved handling and a lower center of gravity. He also mentions his SRAM groupset and ceramic speed components.

00:07:37

Fueling Strategy and Race Day Pacing

Alex outlines his fueling strategy, including caffeine gels and a plan for carb intake throughout the race. He emphasizes a conservative pacing strategy, focusing on maintaining power targets on climbs and avoiding overly aggressive early efforts.

00:10:18

Tire Pressure and Race Day Adjustments

Alex discusses his tire pressure strategy, considering temperature and elevation changes throughout the race. He plans to start with a lower pressure and adjust as needed, prioritizing comfort and control.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are the key differences in bike setup philosophy between mountain bikers and road cyclists competing in Leadville?

  Mountain bikers prioritize comfort and control, often opting for flat bars and focusing on handling technical sections. Road cyclists might prioritize aerodynamics and efficiency, favoring drop bars.

• How does Alex's fueling strategy adapt to the demands of the Leadville 100?

  Alex plans a consistent carb intake, adjusting based on race progress. He incorporates caffeine gels for energy and maintains a sustainable pace to avoid depletion.

• What is Alex's tire pressure strategy and how does it account for changing conditions?

  Alex will start with a lower pressure (16-18 PSI) and adjust based on temperature and elevation changes, expecting a 2-3 PSI increase throughout the race.

Show Notes