I'm still trying to figure out a shuttle. I thought I had it solved by a friend in Denver but he's not available. I could be there a few days early. I'd be up for sharing a ride back to Durango in a rental car either before or after the race. Before is probably better since I don't have a clue how fast I can get through this 

There's always Amtrak from Denver to Grand Junction, then Road Runner Stage Lines bus to Durango. Problem with that is Amtrak gets to GJ too late to catch RR that day, so you have to spend the night. I haven't looked into if there's another bus carrier that gets to GJ earlier in the day.

I've been looking into this myself since I don't know a soul around there, so it's hard to make arrangements.  I haven't looked into one way rental cars or moving trucks like U-Haul though. I just assumed they would be crazy expensive one way.

You could always turn around and ride back

Which direction?

I'm looking for a Sept ride. This might be the one.

The Burners have less than 20 miles to go. What an epic ride!

I might be in the same boat. I'm thinking of taking the train (Amtrak) the Grand Junction, then a bus (roadrunnerstagelines.com) down to Durango.

G'Day!

First post here. Also riding CTR will be my first time in the USA.

I'm planning on a relatively relaxed ride of CTR so I can enjoy the view. Hopefully without aggravating the compressed nerves I managed to give myself in the 2013 Transcontinental...

One thing I've failed to plan so far is working out how I'm going to get from Boulder to Durango before the depart. Unfortunately, I don't have enough time off work to ride there and back. Anyone got any suggestions?

Cheers,
Tyno

I'd love to know as well.

I know we're not supposed to discuss rules, but I'm pretty sure riding the dog instead of a bicycle would violate a few.

It's fine as long as the dog's peddling the bike.

It's a custom steel frame and fork fabricated by Cjell $$.  Mone Bikes.  I've ridden it.  It's dope.

I don't normally pay much attention to tandems but that thing looks very dialed in for them. I hope to see a write-up about it after the race.

At first glance it looked like one of the glued up custom carbon tube bikes, kind of like how they build those bamboo frames. Steel's cool though.

Yep, his 16 yr old daughter.  They are under "Team Rice Burner".

Is that a custom carbon tandom? I think I know who I'm rooting for.

I'm in. I want to start at 0400. However, work crap may dictate an ITT. Is it ok if I ride and i dont eat whale blubber and coconut bars?

That will be fine, although I'm not sure why you would want to do that. Eating like that is pretty much the #1 reason I ride.

More blubber for me.

Bikepacking is just bike touring with 1/3 of the stuff you'd normally take, LOL!

And on the trail the 1/3 you do have you wish you didn't.

What would you guys buy today if you had to? I'm looking at this SPOT Trace GPS Tracker at REI for $100. I think it requires $100 in annual service as well. I'm not sure what my options are. I don't really need additional features, I think, just the tracking.

I'll have a hub dynamo and 11000mHa bank, lights, phone.

Cheers,

Erik

I'm in.

I'm new here and to bikepacking, but not to mountain biking or single track. I'll be coming out from Ohio once I finish my business here. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have plenty of time to do a yo-yo and giving me a week in Durango before the official start. I'd prefer to camp, but from what I'm hearing that's difficult so I hope AirBnb or craigslist turns up something. Not too worried about it, but I'm very excited to spend some time in Durango. I hope the Radio Shack next to the VC is still open because I have a return to make.

I've got the whole summer plus, so I'm looking for the next adventure after the CTR. That Idaho loop thing looks interesting.

I'm traveling with a slightly larger touring setup, but I plan on leaving the rack and panniers in storage in Denver or Vail  during the race. I'll pick them up after and on route to the next ride. I'm loosely planing on finishing up the season heading south on the Pacific Coast, but I don't want to start that until after Labor Day because I hate traffic and I have a bad feeling about rental RV's this year due to the low gas prices. Off-road and single track is more my speed.

I look forward to meeting some of you all.

I loved that energy ball recipe a few pages back. I saw that a few weeks ago and it made me laugh. I think one of the things that attracts me to endurance riding is the opportunity to eat like a lunatic. I've got a project I've been developing in regards to food on the trail, but I'm keeping that under wraps until I do some more field testing. I'll keep you guys posted though and report on it in another section.

I know that cel service is limited out there, but need to get a new provider anyway so who's the strongest in the region? I spend some time in Vail area as well. Verizon?

That's about all I know. I'm so excited you can't even imagine.

Laters, E

Hi guys.

I know this isn't the place for introductions but I've never been much of a rule follower. Just wanted to wish all the fools riding the TD a safe and fun trip before you hit the road.

Keep your rig up and the water out! Wait, that's sailing. Still sort of applies.

-Erik