I'm trying to cut weight and I was given an MSR MIOX Purifier for Christams but have not yet used it in the field.  I have always used a pump and don't mind using it but it is definately twice to 3 times the weight of the Miox.  Does anyone have any experience with using the Miox and good/bad information about it for multi Day trips? When I test it at home on large quantities of water (4L) the test strips always come out negative even though it is very clean tap water (Denver Water).

Not Sure if Stefan still has any of these but after a lot of research I decided to buy one due to the incredible cost savings over buying a similar manufactered one out of Germany with the same power.  I have been testing it on night rides the last 6 weeks and this thing is great.  I did a test ride at night last weekend on the Colorado Trail with heavy wind and rain and the thing worked like a champ the entire time. It isn't the best looking but being the fact that you can run it for many hours and in all sorts of weather, it is the perfect setup for a multiple night trip.
 http://www.climbingdreams.net/gemini/

How does that work when we use our own SPOT with the tracking mode on?  Will we send Stefan our tracking link or will we need to set up a seperate Share Page on our account for the tracking to be shown on the leaderboard?

I've been using mine every weekend for my wife to track me on training rides and I have noticed over the last couple of months that instead of showing a signal every 10 minutes it has been closer to once an hour due to the heavy tree cover on the majority of the trail between Indian Creek Trailhead and Wellington Lake Detour.

I did the section from Kenosha Pass to Breckenridge 2 weeks ago and this picture shows what the conditions where like on Georgia Pass.  The pass itself is clear but the trees just below the pass had 4 foot drifts still.  They should be all clear within the next couple of weeks but when I did it on the 19th it was very tiring for about 2 miles with throwing the bike over the snow drifts over and over.

[start at same time and date]

I'm hoping that keeping the same start time and date is the preferable option (just being selfish) since I have put a lot of planning into this race for starting on that Monday.  I probably live closer than anyone starting the race (about 3 miles from Waterton Canyon) and would love to start from my house but starting on Sunday at this point would throw a big wrench into me even making it this year.

Looks like the alternate route (Indian Creek Traihead) only changes the distance of the race by 1 mile.  It probably changes a few minutes since it will add more single track but since that is what we are after anyway and with close to 500 miles it probably wouldn't make a difference on timing for those few elite trying to break a record (that will not be me though - just looking at a goal of finishing this beast).

If we were to set up a vote I would say start at same time and date but different location (as noted by Stefan).  I would still like to see if the Denver Water board would allow a start at 6:00 am then close the canyon at 7:00 am (once again being selfish and wishing for the best circumstance).

Sorry about all the seperate links but this one just found on the reroute.  Still not sure if this will change the start of the race.
http://www.coloradotrail.org/Seg1MapWatertonClosureHiRes.pdf

Another link.  This one directly from the Denver Water Board about the closure.  No listed closure time but does indicate the reroute for the Colorado Trail via Indian Creek neare Sedalia, CO.
http://www.denverwater.org/AboutUs/PressRoom/46FE19EA-ED92-7C8D-A8AB98748E45ACB3/

Denvers Fox News reported this evening that Waterton Canyon (The official start for the CTR - Colorado Trail Race) will be closing on Aug. 2nd (currently the same day as the CTR start).  They indicated the trail will close for 15 months for major work by the Denver Water.  Any information about when they plan to close the trail would be helpful to see if this will affect the race start time/date.
http://www.kdvr.com/news/sns-ap-co--firesediment-reservoir,0,4355644.story

Yep!  I'm the same way.  Just racing to finish and hopefully not burn out before the end of day one.  My light situation I'm sure will be for when I wake up freezing my tail off at 3 am and decide I'm better off walking that nasty hike-a-bike to stay warm rather than shake for 4 additional hours in my sleeping bag until the sun pops up.  Not sure what to expect but I'm looking to at least starting the race and see how far I can get.

Im planning on bikepacking the Centennial Trail in the South Dakota Black Hills in Mid June to do a multi day test on my gear for the CTR.  Anyone have experience doing this trail.  I've heard some of my friends say its best to do it South to North but wanted to get some ideas on this one (any posts/blogs that anyone might know of)? 
If anyone is interested in joining I think we are planning on June 11th through 13th.

Thanks for the great ideas on the lights everyone!  Someday I would like a great Dyno or Supernova but finances prevent that this year.  I like the ideas with just using AA or AAA batteries and doing a resupply at a couple of the stores along the route. 

I feel dumb asking - but does anyone plaster reflective tape on their bikes and helmets for the CTR? I'm fearing the Highway 285 section the most and If for some reason I dont make it to Kenosha Pass by dark I think I might be walking the highway ditch to keep from getting hit by a car or truck.

I've been researching lighting systems from forums posted here and have a little sticker shock going on.  Has anyone used a light for the CTR (or other multi day/night rides) other than a Supernova or Dyno sytem that worked well for them.  I was hoping to not have to spend more than $200 to $300 on a light for this ride but I am having a hard time figuring out an optimal light to purchase.

Does anyone use any type of system to strap your bike to your back for some of the long hike-a-bike sections?  I usually just carry my bike but with what appears to be over 100 miles of hike-a-bike on the CTR it seems that some type of useful way to pack it on the back might be helpfull.

Any suggestions from anyone on taking a water purifier for this trip?  From what I have researched I can resupply water along the trip about every day at stores/campgrounds (I am a slow rider) until  hitting the Monarch Crest.  Looks like from that point on that I would have to start pumping water to have enough liquids to make it through each day until the Lake City area.  I have a great filter but the bulk and weight are big issues for this trip from what I see.

Also - planning a gear test trip on the Centennial trail in S.D. black hills for Late May/Early July if anyone is interested in joining?

[HOPEFULLY]

Thanks for all the information rolling in on this thread.  I know this will probably be the toughest physical and mental challenge I have ever attempted and not sure how I will do but hope to be prepared enough through all this information to start the race and HOPEFULLY finish. 

I should ask if anyone thinks this will be to hard to do on a full suspension Specialized Stumpjumper M5.  I need to order some bike packs in the next week or so in order to have enough weekend trips with them to make adjustments and fixes but hate to order anything if I have to reevaluate the main piece of equipement.  Would love to move up to a 29"  wheel bike but finances are holding me back at this time.  Does anyone have any knowledge/past experience with using this type of bike for bikepacking?

By the way dream4est- I appreciate the comments and hope you dont mind me cutting out your item 3. and pasting on my bars for mental motiviation.  Any little mental help might get me over the painfull hurdles that my mind will tell me when I  want to end the trip.

Thanks for the recent reply and the link to your page.  I followed the blogs last year during the race and your the reason I bought my SPOT locator (good story/reason to own one).  That makes great sense about the first aid kit.  I appreciate the great information youve posted.  Are you thinking about doing the race again this year?

I'm hoping to do the Colorado Trail Race (CTR) this year and would love to hear from some of the finishers and mostly the nonfishishers of things (or gear) they might have done differently to finish the race.  I know this is a broad questions but I need to start the thread to be ready by the begininning of August.