Can we stop talking about the "rules" now?

I wasn't trying to discuss what the rules should be. I was pointing out that to me they were confusing. You could be DQ'ed for doing something you didn't realize was wrong. The only nightmare I had was waking up 2 hours after finishing and mumbling to my sister to check my hood stitching. Apparantly I thought I might have been in violation of the stitching my hood. I guess the issue affected me enough that my subconscious was making fun of it.

This is another one of those posts regarding the rules. Since I just rode the CTR I'll post it in this forum but there is also the recent cell phone post and cell phone usage is a big point of controversy.

Going into the race I thought the rules were clear enough and simple enough. During the race there were many times when I questioned whether doing something might break a strict rule like outside support or a more debated rule like the millions of things you can do with a cell phone. I tried describing the rules to my sister and she didn't get it. There seemed to be too many inconsistencies.

I think the majority of riders, myself included, want to play by the rules, but don't have a respect for many of them. This sounds horrible but let me explain. It's 2012 and most riders I met on the CTR were there to push themselves and race. They weren't thinking about how the pioneers did it and you definitely get plenty of "experience" no matter how you do. We agree on the basic concepts of self supported but not on the smaller details. Compare this to a citizen who understands the need for traffic laws but routinely sees a 55 mph speed limit sign and limits themselves to 65 or 70 just so they don't get caught. This person has no respect for that 55 mph law and this is what I mean by respect for the rules.

Here are some examples of the dilemmas I faced.

If I had a smart phone could I use it to check race status, weather, grocery store hours, etc? (that all seemed like cheating)
Could I use my phone to call friends and family and ask for any of that info? (that seemed like cheating too)
If a racer offered me some food, could I accept it? (if you're not asking and you're not out of food, that doesn't seem like cheating)
It's pouring rain, lightening, and I'm on the side of the road. If a driver offers to let me sit in the car and wait out the storm could I accept it? (this is where I got pissed because if this did happen, and I turned down the offer not wanting to break the rules, what a dumb decision that would be in regard to safety)
If my bike broke, could I call a shop and ask if they had a part? ask if they could work on my bike in say 5 hours when I come through? (I think this for sure is breaking the rules but don't see why? This is a service available to everyone)
Why could I not call a hotel and book a room?
If I'm riding with a racer and know we're entering the last water fill up for a while do you mention it?... and discuss other parts of the course ahead?
How is adjusting your riding pace in any way in order to ride with someone not cheating? (ex: experienced rider turns right, you would have gone straight. You check your GPS/maps and go right. You were just saved minutes or hours from going the wrong way. Riding with other racers, especially the way this year's 2012 TD turned out seems like cheating)

As far as me describing things as cheating, I mean it only in the way I understand the rules and in that it gives someone an advantage.

In the years to come I imagine I'll see people riding a course ITT and doing it in a way that satisfies them, most likely with less contact, focusing more on riding. There will be people racing in the mass start and using their phones to the full potential, following two main rules: 1. No caches/buddies providing material support. 2. No sharing of gear/teaming up materially among racers. That's it, no other rules. Then there will be people who aren't in contention at all and the rules aren't on the forefront of their mind. They've read the list once, not 20 times like myself, but perhaps break a rule without ever thinking about it.

I think of JJ this year asking if he could replace his spot, which of course provides absolutely no advantage to the rider, and I know the rules are stupid.

To anyone who found a monster energy balaclava perhaps 5 miles past Marshal Pass , it's history began with high performance go cart racing in Sacramento California (which is basically like DH racing for 10 minutes straight) and made it onto my gear list because it looks bad ass and was only 35% cotton so it shouldn't really kill me. I'm sad to see it go, RIP.

Jesse,

Myself and Chris hung out at Spring Creek pass during the hailstorm you spoke about. It was my second time waiting out a storm in a portapotty (the doorway) while trying to down some food that day. It was crazy enough to cause drivers to pull over and let the roads clear. I wondered if the leaders would push through all rain and hail. Chris said, yeah Ethan's crazy. Just 30 mins before it started some ITT guys started section 22 and must have been getting pounded. I figured Max was somewhere around 5-10 hours ahead and getting pounded. When it came to getting wet I was conservative as I remember how much it can wipe out your energy. Dan showed up at the end of the storm and had just gotten rained on but not too badly. It's all a matter of where you were.

Thanks for putting me in touch Toby. It all worked out.

I think you got 1/2lb on me with the saddle. I'd strap on a 700 gram saddle if that's what it took to prevent saddle sores. In this case maybe just a 400 gram one.

Jeff, I'd have to experiment one year to see where I camp and what the temps are with regards to skipping the bag. This year I'm leaving the sleeping pad at home because I don't have a light/small one (I have a light tarp with groundcloth). I remember working trail crew in Boulder and taking naps everyday so I know it can be done. As for your setup, reading your blog perhaps inspired me to take a second look at my gear. I noticed the pack you have is a bit smaller, and bike setup similar = it looked like you have less stuff! And tires, if I got super strong ones, they'd probably weight 750 grams each. Instead I got three shitty ones that weight the same, ha.

I like your thinking. I have a fairly fitted rain jacket and assumed a fleece wouldn't fit underneath but it does. When I wake up I can deal with being cold for 15 mins as I get going. The extra tire thought came about because I'm running what would be considered fairly light tires, maxxis ikon exo at 580 grams (claimed) for 29er. It's what I have, they're new, and they're a bit beefier than the Specialized Renegades I had been running.

stefan, have you found that the down/synthetic jacket isn't necessary while you're moving?

weight discussion/bragging rights:

I'm a horrible overpacker and bike toured the US (www.bike49.org) with a bike that at times weighed 115lbs with food and water. If I saw something that I thought would be neat to have, I'd throw it in a pack. This time I'm trying to be weight conscious, using a postal scale around the house to check everything in ounces. My gear without food or water but including the weight of the bags/packs is 15lbs (12.5lbs without packs), a little heavier than I would like. Here are some items that I know would cut weight:

1. The pack is an Osprey Talon 22, tried and true but weighs in at 1lb 11 oz.
2. Sleeping bag at 1lb 14oz.
3. Synthetic fluff jacket 15 oz.
4. Extra tire 18oz.

So with the lightest weight gear and no extra tire I could save a little over 2 lbs.

Who else has meticulously weighed their gear or has suggestions on ways to cut weight?

Thanks, but no smartphone. Looking for a spot 2.

Being pretty busy the last two weeks, I dropped the ball on renting a SPOT and as of this morning they're all out. Anyone in the Ft. Collins (where I'm from) or Denver area have an extra or not racing this year and it's set up to go. Send me a message and we'll talk price and details.

Being pretty busy the last two weeks, I dropped the ball on renting a SPOT and as of this morning they're all out. Anyone in the Ft. Collins (where I'm from) or Denver area have an extra or not racing this year and it's set up to go. Send me a message and we'll talk price and details.

I'm in for monday july 30th