It may not feature the showdown between Lance Armstrong and Floyd Landis that is expected at next month’s Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race, but the LT100’s NORBA-sanctioned 50-mile little brother promises to pack a punch just the same. The Leadville Silver Rush 50 on Saturday offers off-road riders a chance to sample a high-altitude endurance test before deciding if they want to jump in with the heavyweights next season (registration for the LT100 MTB closes on Jan. 31). The 25-mile out-and-back course begins and ends above 10,000 feet, surrounded by towering 14,000-foot peaks. Just don’t be surprised if you’re also surrounded by some cyclists training for Colorado’s 100-mile main event on Aug. 9. It’s not every day that riders get to go head-to-head with the past eight Tour de France champs.
Info — at or 719-486-3502. Registration is open until 4 p.m. Friday.
