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Eccentric Hobbies
In February 2013, André began to think about giving himself something back for nearly 25 years of commitment to his education. That something developed into a goal ... a goal to qualify for and then race in the epic Leadville Trail 100 (LT100) endurance mountain bike race held annually in Leadville, Colorado. André's experience with a mountain bike started when he purchased his first mountain bike in March 2010. The LT100 is a 50 mile out and back course that starts in historic downtown Leadville, at 10,000 feet above sea-level. Along the 50 mile course, the rider experiences elevations between about 9,600 feet and 12,560 ft. The rider will climb over 12,000 feet before they reach the finish line, back in Leadville. Below are a list of some of the races that André experienced as he successfully qualified, trained for ... and then competed in ... the LT100. Please visit André Breton Racing for more details: www.andrebretonracing.com.
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Many thanks to the following businesses, friends and family for 2013 donations and crewing!
Sponsors: Integrative Physiotherapy, Fort Collins, CO Full Cycle Bikes, (formerly) Fort Collins, CO Friends & Family: Andrew Mackie (Crew Boss) Rodney & Diane Breton (Crew, LT100; $600) Katelyn Vondfelt (Crew, LT100) Bill Lutes (Crew, LT100) Ed Thomas (Crew, Silverrush 50) Ann Dukett (Crew, LT100) Team: Northern Colorado Grassroots |
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Austin Rattler (62 miles)
Austin, Texas April 13, 2013 André's first mountain bike race experience! Despite finishing 61st out of about 350 solo riders, his missed qualifying for the LT100 by 4 minutes. He raced that day for 4 hrs and 26 minutes ... |
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Landis Cyclery Barn Burner (104 miles)
Flagstaff, Arizona June 1, 2013 The race that qualified André for the LT100! In this event, he raced for 7 hrs and 54 minutes ... and finished 25th overall (7th in his age class) out of about 400 riders. This was his best finish over the whole summer. |
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Silverrush 50 (50 miles)
Leadville, Colorado June 14, 2013 Preparation for racing in the LT100 requires training at high elevation. To gain some experience in the atmosphere, I raced in the Firebird 40 in Eagle, Firecracker 50 (miler) in Breckenridge, and Silverrush 50 in Leadville, Colorado. All of these races are above 8000 feet, the last two are above 9,500 feet and the Silverrush 50 approaches or exceeds 12,000 feet 6 times along it's 50 mile course. |
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Leadville Trail 100 (103 mile)
Leadville, Colorado
August 8, 2013
The big one, and my ultimate goal in 2013. After repairing a flat tire at mile 87, I crossed the finish line 198th out of about 1600 racers ... time 8 hrs 28 minutes and 24 seconds. Next time you find yourself wondering what you're capable of, imagine that you can do more than you think you can, that life begins at the edge of your comfort zone ... and life will bring you many more exciting moments. Ride on!
Leadville, Colorado
August 8, 2013
The big one, and my ultimate goal in 2013. After repairing a flat tire at mile 87, I crossed the finish line 198th out of about 1600 racers ... time 8 hrs 28 minutes and 24 seconds. Next time you find yourself wondering what you're capable of, imagine that you can do more than you think you can, that life begins at the edge of your comfort zone ... and life will bring you many more exciting moments. Ride on!