Leadville Trail 100 MTB Coaching

The Leadville Trail 100 MTB is one of the world’s most iconic endurance mountain bike races. Its high altitude, long sustained climbs, fast descents and 100-mile distance demand far more than general cycling fitness. Personalised coaching helps you prepare specifically for the physical, nutritional and tactical demands of race day, whether your goal is to finish confidently, earn a buckle or chase a sub-9-hour performance.

Book a Free Consultation View Coaching Options

Coaching from a sub-9-hour finisher Altitude, pacing & nutrition guidance Built around work & family life

Prepare with a coach who has earned the Leadville Big Buckle — first-hand race experience combined with personalised training for the altitude, climbing, pacing and endurance demands of the Leadville Trail 100 MTB.

Why Leadville Trail 100 MTB Requires Specific Preparation

The Leadville Trail 100 MTB is not simply a long mountain bike race. The combination of altitude, sustained climbing, fast descents, variable terrain and more than 100 miles of racing creates a unique endurance challenge. Personalised coaching helps you prepare specifically for those demands rather than relying on a generic cycling plan.

Prepare for Racing at High Altitude

Much of the race takes place above 3,000 metres, where reduced oxygen availability can significantly affect power, pacing and recovery. Your preparation considers your access to altitude, travel schedule and acclimatisation options while developing the aerobic fitness needed to perform effectively in Leadville.

Build Sustainable Climbing Strength

Leadville includes long, demanding climbs such as Columbine Mine, where poor pacing early in the race can be costly later. Training develops the endurance, threshold power and muscular durability needed to climb efficiently without using too much energy before the return journey.

Develop Race-Specific Endurance and Repeatability

The course repeatedly alternates between climbing, descending and flatter high-speed sections. Your programme prepares you to produce controlled power for many hours, recover between harder efforts and continue riding strongly when fatigue begins to accumulate.

Practise Pacing, Fuelling and Race Execution

Fitness alone is not enough to deliver a successful Leadville performance. Coaching helps you establish realistic pacing targets, practise your nutrition and hydration strategy, plan equipment choices and make better decisions throughout the race.

See the Leadville Trail 100 MTB Through My Eyes

I've raced the Leadville Trail 100 MTB myself, earning a sub-9-hour Big Buckle finish. These videos provide an honest look at the course, the atmosphere and the challenges riders face on race day. If you're preparing for Leadville, they'll also give you a better understanding of the pacing, climbing, altitude and race-day decisions that shape a successful ride.

Why Train With Me for Leadville?

There are plenty of cycling coaches, but very few have first-hand experience of preparing for and successfully racing the Leadville Trail 100 MTB. My coaching combines years of endurance coaching with personal experience of earning a sub-9-hour Big Buckle finish.

Sub-9-Hour Leadville Trail 100 MTB Finisher

I've experienced the physical, nutritional and mental demands of racing Leadville at the front end of the field, earning a coveted Big Buckle with a sub-9-hour finish.

First-Hand Course Knowledge

From pacing Columbine correctly to managing the return journey, I've experienced the decisions that can make or break a Leadville race. That practical knowledge helps shape your preparation.

Years of Endurance Coaching Experience

I've coached endurance athletes across cycling, triathlon and running for many years, helping them prepare for demanding events with structured, personalised training that fits around work and family life.

Training Tailored to You

Whether your goal is simply to finish, earn a silver buckle or chase a Big Buckle, your programme is built around your current fitness, available time and race ambitions.

Who Leadville Trail 100 MTB Coaching Is For

Whether your goal is simply to cross the finish line or earn a coveted Leadville buckle, personalised coaching helps you prepare for the unique physical and mental demands of the Leadville Trail 100 MTB.

First-Time Leadville Riders

If Leadville is your biggest cycling challenge yet, your programme will develop the endurance, climbing ability, pacing and confidence needed to arrive on the start line fully prepared.

Riders Chasing a Buckle

Whether you're aiming for a finisher buckle, a Silver Buckle or the prestigious Big Buckle, your training is tailored to the demands of your target finishing time and personal goals.

Athletes Travelling to Colorado

Preparing for Leadville often means training at sea level before racing at high altitude. Your programme considers travel, acclimatisation, equipment choices and race preparation to help you arrive ready to perform.

Busy Athletes Who Want Expert Guidance

Most Leadville competitors balance training alongside work and family commitments. Your programme is built around the time you realistically have available so every session contributes towards race-day success.

Choose the Right Level of Online Cycling Coaching Support

The right level of support depends on your cycling goals, experience, available training time and how much guidance you want throughout your programme.

Whether you want full coaching support and regular feedback or a personalised monthly structure to follow more independently, both options are designed to help you train with purpose and make consistent progress.

Prices shown in:

Performance Coaching

Full coaching support, feedback and accountability

per month

Best for cyclists who want ongoing support, responsive programme adjustments and expert guidance throughout their training.

Initial consultation and goal setting
Fully personalised TrainingPeaks programme
Weekly coach contact and plan adjustments based on training data, recovery and life schedule
Ongoing session review and performance feedback
Direct coach contact by email and WhatsApp
Regular video feedback and training analysis
Structured endurance, threshold, VO₂ max and race-specific training
Guidance on pacing, fuelling and event-day preparation
Training adapted for road, gravel, sportive, Gran Fondo or MTB goals
TrainingPeaks Premium included
Private athlete WhatsApp group
Strava club and team kit access

Minimum 3-month commitment.
Ideal for cyclists who want regular feedback, accountability and a programme that evolves alongside their fitness and schedule.

Book a Free Consultation

Guided Plan

Personalised structure without ongoing coaching feedback

per month

Best for self-motivated cyclists who want a personalised monthly training programme but do not need regular feedback between updates.

Initial consultation and onboarding
TrainingPeaks Premium included
Personalised 4-week TrainingPeaks plan updated monthly
Training structured around your goals, experience and available time
Monthly screen-recorded plan walkthrough
Monthly coaching insights video
Private Facebook group access
Strava club and team kit access

Not included:

No session review or workout feedback
No mid-cycle plan changes
No direct messaging access

Minimum 3-month commitment.
A strong option for cyclists who want more personalisation than a static training plan, with the option to upgrade later.

Ask About Guided Plan

Leadville Trail 100 MTB Coaching – Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from riders preparing for the Leadville Trail 100 MTB with personalised online coaching from EnduraPrep.

Do I need previous MTB marathon experience to race Leadville?

Previous endurance mountain bike experience is helpful, but it is not essential. Riders come to Leadville with different cycling backgrounds and goals. Your programme is built around your current fitness, technical ability, endurance experience, available training time and target finishing goal.

How does online Leadville Trail 100 MTB coaching work?

Your training programme is delivered through TrainingPeaks and tailored specifically to the demands of the Leadville Trail 100 MTB. With Performance Coaching, your training is reviewed regularly, feedback is provided and your programme is adjusted according to your fitness, recovery, schedule and progress. With the Guided Plan, you receive a personalised four-week programme and monthly video guidance without ongoing workout-by-workout feedback.

Can I prepare for Leadville if I live at sea level?

Yes. Many successful Leadville riders prepare primarily at sea level. Your coaching will focus on developing the strongest aerobic fitness possible while also considering travel timing, acclimatisation opportunities, pacing expectations and how altitude may affect your power, recovery and fuelling on race day.

Do I need a power meter for Leadville training?

No. A power meter can be useful for controlling climbing intensity, monitoring training load and developing pacing targets, but it is not essential. Sessions can also be prescribed using heart rate, perceived effort, duration or a combination of methods. Indoor trainer and road-bike power data can also be used alongside mountain bike training.

Will my training include climbing and altitude preparation?

Yes. Your programme will prepare you for Leadville's long sustained climbs, accumulated elevation and high-altitude conditions. Depending on your terrain and equipment, this may include long climbing intervals, muscular-endurance work, threshold training, low-cadence efforts and extended endurance rides.

Can you help with Leadville pacing and nutrition?

Yes. Pacing, fuelling and hydration are central to a successful Leadville performance. Coaching includes guidance on managing effort across the opening climbs, Columbine Mine and the return journey, as well as practising a nutrition and hydration strategy that you can execute reliably on race day.

Will you advise me on equipment and bike setup?

Yes. Coaching can include guidance on bike choice, tyre selection, gearing, hydration capacity, nutrition storage and other practical race-day considerations. The final setup should reflect your riding style, technical ability, race goals and the likely course conditions.

Can Leadville training fit around work and family commitments?

Yes. Your programme is built around the time you realistically have available. The most important endurance, climbing and race-specific sessions are prioritised so you can prepare effectively without following an unrealistic professional-level training schedule.

How early should I start training for Leadville?

The ideal preparation period depends on your current fitness, cycling background and race goal. Many riders benefit from at least six months of structured training, while first-time endurance riders or athletes chasing an ambitious buckle target may need longer. A consultation can help determine the most appropriate starting point.

Can you coach riders targeting a sub-9-hour Big Buckle?

Yes. As a sub-9-hour Leadville Trail 100 MTB finisher, Lawrence understands the fitness, pacing, fuelling and race execution required to pursue a Big Buckle. Your programme will be tailored to your current ability and the performance level needed to make that goal realistic.

Can I book a consultation before committing?

Yes. A free, no-obligation consultation allows us to discuss your cycling background, Leadville goal, current training, available terrain, equipment and weekly schedule. We can then determine whether Performance Coaching or the Guided Plan is the better fit.

Ready to Start Preparing for the Leadville Trail 100 MTB?

Book a free consultation to discuss your cycling background, current fitness, available training time and Leadville goal. Whether you're aiming to finish confidently, earn a Silver Buckle or pursue a sub-9-hour Big Buckle, we'll identify the best approach for your preparation and whether Performance Coaching or the Guided Plan is the right fit.

Book Your Free Consultation Message on WhatsApp

Prefer email? Reach me at coachcronk@enduraprep.com