From the inspiring to the tragic, ‘Adventure News of the Week’ presents a wrap-up of top news in the world of exploration. Here’s what you missed this weekend, and a few things to look forward to.
More than 1,500 athletes, ranging in age from 18 to 74 years old, returned to Leadville, Colorado, to ride in the Leadville 100 MTB race on Saturday for the first time since 2019. Both pro and novice athletes from 49 states — and 12 countries — took part.
Utah’s Keegan Swenson crossed the line first for the men’s category with a time of 6 hours 11 minutes and 26 seconds. Lachlan Morton passed the line second with a time of 6 hours 19 minutes and 22 seconds, and Howard Grotts finished in third place with a time of 6 hours 21 minutes and 47 seconds.
On the women’s side, 2019 Leadville 100 MTB winner Rose Grant broke the tape with a time of 7 hours 23 minutes and 57 seconds. Moriah Wilson followed in second, and Sarah Sturm scooted in third (she placed second behind Grant in 2019).
Runners, take your marks! The Leadville 100 Run event will throw down on August 21-22.
In other news, after 3 years of planning, the Rocky Mountaineer Train Line — a new train that will run from Denver, Colorado, to Moab, Utah — made its inaugural voyage on Sunday. The Canada-based Rocky Mountaineer is a luxury train experience that now offers four route options across North America.
A group of mountain bikers and cyclists formed Cycling Quests in 2020, and now, announce two new gravel races for the masses. The events “aim to be among the most challenging races on the East Coast,” co-founder Bobby Brown wrote.
Watch for the new Stuckey’s Gravel Roll Series: the Valley of the Giants (October 10) and the Bird Dog 100 races (November 6). Both will be held in Georgia, USA. At the moment, Cycling Quests is offering discounted registration for the first 300 registered riders for either race.
That’s a wrap! The Outdoor Retailer Summer Market trade show (postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic) returned last week. Check out the innovative gear that made our list for Best in Show.
