Originally Posted by
Daspydyr
I would think that oxygen is going to be an issue as well. Can you get any riding in at elevations @10K' Leadville will leaving you begging for another breath! I love the mountains, but there is a two fold meaning to breathless!
No doubt that's an issue. Living in Florida, and not having the time to spend a couple of weeks in Colorado before the race, I'm just going to have to accept the fact that my power will be down a bit.
I've got a pretty good idea how I do at elevation from past rides. I did the entire US Pro Cycling Challenge course in 2012, which included a stage from Aspen over Independence Pass, through Leadville, to Beaver Creek. High point of Leadville is just a bit higher.
So no doubt, the elevation makes it harder, but I kinda know what I'm in for from that aspect. The data suggests that a non acclimitized rider can produce at 12,000 feet about 75% of the power they can at sea level. (acclimitization closes that gap a little but its still abig drop off). So I need to get 25% stronger (not likely) or be 25% slower (more likely).
http://www.joefrielsblog.com/2010/09...rformance.html