Vail Sport & Outdoors

As if he hasn't ticked off enough accomplishments on two wheels, Lance Armstrong is competing in the 2008 Leadville 100 mountain bike race this Saturday, Aug. 9.

The seven-time Tour de France winner has not done much competing since retiring from professional cycling after his 2005 Tour victory, but has been training in the Colorado High Country the last few weeks preparing for the Leadville race.

The Leadville 100 is considered one of the most difficult mountain bike races in the world, with 50 miles out and back, more than 14,000 feet of elevation gain and a high point of 12,600 feet.

Only about 66 percent of riders who sign up complete the Leadville race within the 12-hour time limit.

Gunnison resident David Wiens is considered the king of the course, having broke the record last year when he finished in 6 hours and 58 minutes, barely beating Floyd Landis (who forfeited his 2006 Tour de France win after being found guilty of doping).

Landis, who competed in last year's Teva Games in Vail, will not be competing in this year's Leadville 100.

OK local mountain bikers. Those of you who have been busier growing fat tires this summer rather than riding on them might need to be reminded that this Wednesday, Aug. 6, is the last of the town series races this season.

The final race of the 2008 Vail Recreation District mountain bike race series goes off at Beaver Creek at 5:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 6.

Can you believe it? What happened to the summer?

Just don't tell us it's going to be snowing soon.

At any rate, the Beaver Creek Blast launches at 5:45 p.m. (5 p.m. for Little League) Wednesday at the base of the Centennial Lift in Beaver Creek Village.

The Blast course is known to be one of the most competitive of the series, involving both plenty of climbing on the mountain's service roads and some fast, technical descents on the Beav's best singletrack.

Course lengths depend on level, with beginners and children going 6 miles and expert/pros topping out at 18 miles.

Post-race festivities will take place at The Coyote Cafe.

Find out everything you need to know about the race and take a glance at course maps on the Vail Rec District's page.

In most contexts, 100 is a big number. One hundred years is a long time to live, 100 stairs are a lot to climb, 100 miles is a long distance to travel if you don't have a car.

The Colorado-Eagle River Ride

For most people, it's a long way to go on two wheels, but the Colorado-Eagle River Ride makes it all worthwhile.

The seventh annual River Ride pedals out of Avon on Saturday morning with hundreds of cyclists - some faster than others - but all determined to finish the ride by the afternoon.

Not all opt for the 100-mile version. There are also 100-kilometer and 42-mile rides, but if you're thinking of signing up, we suggest one of the "100" versions.

Beginning in Avon, the ride takes you along US Highway 6 to Wolcott, where you begin a climb up Hwy 131 and cruise over State Bridge to Colorado River Road. This smooth dirt stretch is by far the best part of the ride. With very little vehicular traffic, you cruise along the Colorado River before climbing and descending into Dotsero. The 100-milers then continue on Hwy 6 back to Avon.

Aid stations are numerous throughout the ride and chalk full of energy elixirs, Oreos and PB & Js.
All level of cyclists are welcome to try. It's not a race, and not everyone is a seasoned pro, as can be attested by one man's River Ride story from last year's ride.

If you are still interested in signing up, the ride is $95 by July 25, including an exclusive riding jersey and post-ride lunch.

For more info on the ride, click here.

If you want to put your oxygen supply to the test, oh, do you have some fantastic options in Vail this weekend.

Your lungs might get tired, but Vail provides some of the world's best scenery for trail running.

The and trail race will take it all out of the brave of heart and strong of lung this Sunday at 8 a.m.

The half-marathon is actually a bit longer than the standard distance at 14.5 miles, and certainly more than average in terms of difficulty. With 4,020 feet of climbing, the course tops out at 11,653 feet after climbing Vail Mountain's service roads and trails.

The 4.3-mile Berry Picker course is no walk in the park either. Those who have hiked the Berry Picker trail know that it's a steep and steady climb up roots and rocks from the base of Vail to Eagle's Nest. The Berry Picker will serve as the final selection for one man, two women and one male junior on the Teva U.S. Mountain Running Team.

Both races start at the Golden Peak Children's Center at 8 a.m. on Sunday. They are open to anyone and everyone game enough to try. To register, go to www.active.com. Also, learn more about Vail's La Sportiva Trail Racing series.

Dos Brisas and Team 21 wear the elite crowns of the 2008 Vail Lacrosse Shootout.

Team 21 dethroned Team Reebok with a 12-7 victory in the men's elite championship at the 2008 Vail Lacrosse Shootout.

Dos Brisas, comprised of Division 1 players from Duke and other renowned lacrosse programs throughout the nation, trounced Team Revolution (also comprised of some Duke players and lots of other talented, fast athletes with cool nicknames), 14-5, to win the women's elite championship Sunday.

Then the men's elite championship rolled around, defending champions Team Reebok (formerly Go Fast), a conglomerate of players from Syracuse, Hopkins, and all other matter of star lacrosse teams, took the field.

Then, the opponents, Team 21 - a swarm of fast and furious Cornell athletes - did their thing. Team 21 found the perfect formula of full-field connections to take the championship, defeating Reebok, 12-7.

It was a weekend of lacrosse madness, with everything you'd ever ask for of a high-speed tournament with sticks - laughter, blood, tears ... everything.

For a comprehensive run down of Shootout results, visit vaillacrosse.com.