My first bikepacking experience was the CTR. Before that, I hadn't bikepacked even once. I hadn't even been in a bike race. It worked out, and I had a great time. So, it is possible.

But there are some caveats. First and foremost, staying safe is the primary objective. Anyone who attempts a big event like this needs to know how to thrive in remote alpine conditions. That means lots of navigational, bivying, first-aid, etc. experience. Ideally, being able to self-rescue whenever possible is good. Before racing the CTR, I had decades of wilderness and mountaineering experience under my belt, so while I was a bikepacking newbie, I knew how to live and travel safely in the mountains. Sounds like you also have lots of outdoor experience, so you've already addressed the most important factor.

The second factor is how you deal with failure. Without bikepacking experience, you are more likely to bail out. Personally, I don't fear failure, since it's a great way to understand limitations--and then to overcome them by trying again. That which doesn't kill you, makes you stronger, and all that. If pulling the plug won't devastate you, then you don't have much to lose. In fact, you'll probably have great adventure--and you'll be just that much more knowledgeable and experienced for a re-try the following year!

I find the most value in attempting things where the result in uncertain. Makes it more real. Which is why I raced the CTR. Success was far from guaranteed, so finding myself in Durango was pretty cool.

As far as whether you're fit enough, only you'll be able to tell. Get out there and ride. You'll find out soon enough. Eat and drink all the time, ride hard (but leave a little in reserve), and see what happens. If you end up not being strong enough to maintain your desired speed, slow down. If you find that you've got extra energy, ride faster. If you finish the racer more slowly than you like, then train harder and try again next year. Regardless of what happens, you'll learn how your body and mind deal with stress, exhaustion, and elation.

Bummer. At least it was just an arm, not a leg. Maybe you can still maintain some core fitness on a trainer or someting?

Wow, so is the needle, thread and glue for sewing a ripped tubeless tire, or for fixing thread bare carpet you might encounter?

It's for sewing up my soul after Fooses. And torn sidewalls.

I'm guessing the answer is no, but just wanted to check.

I don't. But I carry a boot (basically a big sticker that Park Tools sells), carpet needle & thread, and Super Glue.

Sure do. PM me with your email, and I'll send it over.

15-20psi! Wow. I have never taken the proper psi very seriously as I pump mine up to 35psi and go. Am I missing something?

I did the same for years as well. After hearing everyone talk about lowering their tire pressure, I decided to give it a try. I don't go super-low, but I'm no longer a "set it and forget it" guy. Lower pressures make descending lots more fun. Also good for sandy conditions. I'm not sure about hardpack and pavement though--seems like more pressure would lead to lower resistance (but I've seen studies that show, up to a point, lower pressure isn't actually that bad). I usually run 20-30 PSI these days, depending on trail conditions and tire volume.

Another vote for Old Man Mountain racks. Rumor on the street is that they also have great customer service if you have issues.

New option for bailing in the CTR. Get to a trailhead or paved road and call AAA!!

Cool!

Anyone remember how long it is from bailey to the top of Kenosha?  Yes, I'm riding the highway up. Not racing.

19.5 miles.

Awesome!  I encourage anyone riding the CT to swing on by - I love meeting fellow bikepackers!

You do realize what how that'll make your shop smell, right?

Hey Guys, I'm going to try the CTR for the first time this year.  I'm very excited and having a blast over thinking every detail.  My current fixation is on wheels.  I am planning on buying a new set of wheels for the trip, as well as other races I have coming up. I was looking at the Stan's tubeless Crest ZTR wheel set.  I'd love to hear people's opinions on their wheel, as well as tire choice....or point me to the right place in the forum.
Thanks!

I don't know about the rims, but I really liked the combination of a Conti Mountain-King II up front and a Conti X-King on the rear. Both ProTection versions. When it got wet and mucky, the Mountain King was nice and secure on the descents. The X-King provided plenty of climbing traction.

I enjoyed a hotel on my first CTR finish. It was nice to grab a hot shower, dry out my gear, and sleep in a pre-made bed.

On my second finish, I skipped hotels. Not by intent, but rather I didn't hit any towns at the right time. I missed the creature comforts, but I slept just fine. After the first couple of nights, I'm usually so beat that I could sleep pretty much anywhere!

Going forward, I've decided that I'm going to skip hotels unless absolutely necessary. It just seemed a little soft, and I missed being outside. "Hotel" and "adventure" just don't seem like compatible words! But if I'm soaked to the bone, and really need a place to sort out my gear, I'd do it again.

Again...this doesn't surprise me.

Well, Chris, I don't know what to say. You seem more interested in attacking me than explaining yourself. I'm sorry that you're disappointed and not surprised. I've offered, via an offline e-mail, to meet with you in person to discuss this like gentlemen over a beer. But at this point, I'm finished with this public discussion. It's looking like a continuation of a some sort of grudge that you're holding, and I don't really see how it has any place in a forum about CTR planning.

If you're attempting the CTR again this year, I wish you the best of luck--unconditionally and with my whole heart.

Edit: I'm still trying to understand why Chris is to pissed at me, and his refusal to respond is really getting to me. I think that some people don't like having their disasters critiqued, analyzed, or judged. I admit to being a little defensive when people have dug into my screw-ups. But I think that it's important for everyone, from newbies to vets, to learn from other's failures. Reading about various SNAFUs might be the best way to stay safe in the mountains--which is one reason why some S&R organizations post accident reports (complete with often very critical judgments). I respect Chris for posting his story--it provides an excellent set of instructions for what NOT to do on the CTR. He seemed to be pretty self-critical, so I figured that obliquely referring to his story wouldn't offend him. I honestly can't think of a better example of what can happen when sleep deprivation wins, and your mind goes to shit. I hope that people see my blog for what it is: an attempt to shed light on a very real danger that many of us have faced (or will face), not as a personal attack on Chris.

Oh Toby. I don't come here too often anymore. At the risk of giving you too much power...I'm going to throw something out.

Whether you throw something out or not, I have absolutely no power whatsoever. I'm just another guy on a bike, out to experience the passion and adventure of the CTR. If I wanted power in this life, I certainly think that there would be better places to get it than posting my thoughts about an obscure race on an obscure blog.

(I wouldn't want anyone...even you...to actually experience what I did that night)

Thanks for that. I think.

You could have written a decent piece without assuming to know what I was feeling or going through in those last few miles.

I only know what you're written, and what I heard from those who helped get you safely to the trailhead. Seems that you became delusional, lost your bearings, panicked, abandoned your gear, and found yourself in a pretty damn scary and dangerous place. No, I wasn't there. But I've been close, having pushed myself to the point of hallucinating and having trouble making good decisions. Several years ago, I saw monsters on Cataract--which is pretty batshit crazy. I'm really glad that it didn't get worse, and it taught me a lot about sleep deprivation and risk management.

Educating others on something like the dangers of sleep dep could have been done in a much more respectful manner. I'm disappointed.

I'm sorry that you feel I was being disrespectful. Certainly not my intention. To me honest, I'm not sure what you find so objectionable. Anyone who pushes hard enough could find themselves in a similar situation. I'm glad that you survived, and that people were present to help you get to safety.

Failure, in any form that leaves you capable of a re-try, is part of the game. I failed by crashing into a log pile like a heap of incompetent rags on my second year. You lost your marbles just miles from the finish. Shit happens--and it's nice that both of us are still around to give it another go!

When the date gets a little closer, Stefan usually asks people to sign up for Spots and send him their info. That's about it. Keep an eye out in the existing CTR thread. http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,6817.0.html

So it talks about the new Collegiate West trail opening up and they are clear as mud if cyclist can ride it.  Obviously there is a 7 mile stretch of Wilderness, but it would be nice to know if there was a connector around that section.  

Also, the mapbook isn't the same as the data book right?  

From what I understand, Collegiate West isn't rideable, in most part due to the wilderness section. They told me that there's really not a reasonable bypass.

Yep, the Databook and Map Book are different. The Data Book doesn't have full maps, mostly just mileages and simple maps and profiles--which keeps it nice and small. The Map Book is big, but has beautiful maps. I don't expect that many racers will carry the Map Book, but it would be a great resource for planning.

The great folks at the Colorado Trail Foundation have just released a new revision of the The Colorado Trail Map Book!

http://www.shop.coloradotrail.org/Colorado-Trail-Map-Book-MAPBOOK.htm

Can someone please explain this?  I thought that the course is what it is, I didn't realize that there was an "alternate" route.

I am IN for 2014, but since there are large portions of the CT that I have not ridden before, I am doing a lot of studying based on the CTF's Data Book and topo maps.

Thanks for the help!

Check out the CTR website, and read the section about the Leadville bypass. http://www.climbingdreams.net/ctr/

Along those lines, great thoughts from Eszter, back in late Jan, on being self-reliant vs. self-supported...  -B

http://zenondirt.wordpress.com/2014/01/27/self-supported-self-reliant-100-miles-in-the-gila/

I like what Eszter says. Taking care of yourself is always preferable to having someone do it for you!

Nice work Mark!