Vittoria athlete Taylor Lideen recently took on the challenge of back-to-back racing with two of the most grueling events in the MTB calendar in the US, the Leadville MTB 100 and Breck Epic MTB stage race. This grueling challenge, spanning seven consecutive days of high-altitude racing, is a true test of both physical and mental endurance. We asked Taylor to tell us in his words how the races unfolded and how Vittoria tires played a crucial role in his success.
The Leadville/Breck Epic double is a beast: 7 consistent days of racing at over 10,000 feet, and it’s been a dream challenge of mine for a while. This year, it was finally time to take it on!
Leadville has always been a tough nut for me. The past two years were particularly frustrating, with lots of time and money spent trying to acclimate to the thin air, only to come up short on race day. But this year, I got a solid boost thanks to my Allied teammate, Payson. He and his partner, Nichole, graciously allowed me to stay at their place in Durango for a few weeks leading up to the big day. That pre-race altitude hit was a game changer, and spending time with such awesome people made the impending stress of race day seem like a distant memory.
Race day finally arrived in Leadville, and it turned out to be fantastic! My bike setup was dialed top to bottom, especially with the tires. I decided to go with Peyote 29x2.4 front and rear on my Allied BC40—my dream setup. The Peyote is a fast-rolling, durable, and confidence-inspiring tire, making for an all-around fun ride. The race started with its typical high speeds, and I found myself in a strong group. Things got a bit spread out on Columbine, as they tend to, but I kept a steady pace knowing there were still 50+ miles to go. On the inbound, I joined up with another small group that worked well together, trading turns in the wind. I might have burned a few matches a bit too early, but overall I was thrilled with how the race unfolded. I finished 11th—just shy of the top 10—but I’m really proud of how I raced from start to finish. Everything ran smoothly with zero mechanical issues! My body responded as I’d hoped, and my focus was laser-sharp. All around, it was an 11/10 day! 😉
From Leadville to Breck Epic
With the excitement of the day taking center stage, I had to switch gears a bit earlier than I'd have liked so I could get mentally prepped for the 6 days of singletrack coming up the very next morning.
Summarizing my experience at Breck Epic in a few sentences doesn’t quite capture its essence. It’s a race that demands to be experienced to fully appreciate the breathtaking views and challenging terrain. For this race, I switched from the Peyote to the Mezcal XC Trail 29 x 2.35 for a bit more aggressive knob and extra protection. My legs felt like they were finding their spark more and more each day, until a major mechanical issue midway through Stage 3. It would have been easy to call it a day and DNF the race, but that would have meant exiting the race for the GC, and I wouldn't give up by choice. After a grueling 1.5-hour hike, I managed to stay in the race, though the next three days were tough. Heading into the final day of racing, I was exhausted but determined to finish as strong as I could. Any struggles we faced that day were put into perspective though, when we saw Howard had crashed out and was seriously injured. It was a sobering reminder of the risks we take every time we head out on a ride. Our thoughts are with him, and I hope to see him back racing soon.
Overall, I’m thrilled with how this 7-day block of racing went. It has me pumped for the next big event: the Vapor Trail 125 on September 7-8 in Salida, CO. With a start time of 10 p.m., I’m both excited and a bit nervous. I’ll be making a few adjustments to the BC40 steed but gonna stick with the Mezcal XC Trail 29 x 2.35 tires.
