Potential Detour around Tenmile is posted here:

http://www.climbingdreams.net/ctr/2017/CTR-Detour-over-Wheeler.gpx

Thank you Andrew Carney for taking the time to GPS this possible detour! Now let's hope the trail gets re-opened before racers get there.

[SPOT rental deadline is TONIGHT (7/17)!!!]

SPOT rental deadline is TONIGHT (7/17)!!!

[SPOT rental deadline is TONIGHT (7/17)!!!]

SPOT rental deadline is TONIGHT (7/17)!!!

Yes, Wheeler Pass will be the reroute if the CT is still closed there.

Im not racing this year so maybe I'm not allowed to comment...but...

Wheeler pass should be the reroute if you guys/gals want to stay semi true to form.  I'm bummed for you all about the descent from 10 mile not being part of it because it's fun.  Either way if you do Wheeler At least you get the gorgeous views and challenge of the climb and stay off the bike path....  You'd also get a nice bonus stop in Breck and there are a few options for the descent off the pass.

I'm jealous of those of you that are getting out this year and kicking ass. Have a great time, be safe, power through the low spots, and ride like the wind.

Start Location Moved!! Velorution Cycles is no longer on Main Street. We will be adding an easy mile to the prologue. Meet here at 4am on Sunday! 

Velorution Cycles
877 East Third Street, Unit 2
Durango, Colorado 81301

Start Location Moved!! Velorution Cycles is no longer on Main Street. We will be adding an easy mile to the prologue. Meet here at 4am on Sunday! 

Velorution Cycles
877 East Third Street, Unit 2
Durango, Colorado 81301

<bump>

As of 7/10, 40 people currently signed up with Trackleaders.

Fire situation is looking up. Segment 27 planned to reopen tomorrow!

[limiting the Leaderboard sign-up for the group start to 75]

Hello all CTRyans! The sign-up form for this year's Tracking is live. As always, a satellite GPS tracker is encouraged but not required for the CTR.

https://form.jotformpro.com/trackleaders/ctr17

The CTR has gotten to be such a Monster, indeed, that we are limiting the Leaderboard sign-up for the group start to 75. Since there is no registration or sign-up for the actual race, this is really just a way to try and keep the size manageable from a trail-user perspective and avoid any potential issues with permits. Max group size on USFS land is 75 without a permit.

Again, aside from the Leaderboard and/or SPOT rental fee, the CTR is 100% free. But pretend it isn't and kick at least $100 to the Colorado Trail Foundation (http://www.coloradotrail.org) for keeping the trail maintained and continuing to update their guide and trailside data book.

See you all dark and early in Durango on 7/23 at 4am in front of Velorution Cycles! Oh yeah, Velorution (http://www.velorutioncycles.com/) is no longer on Main Street, so take note of their new location as this is where we will start. I will be there a bit early to hand out rental SPOTs as necessary.

Please ask any start specific questions in this thread and I will monitor and answer as best I can.

Compiling results here which will eventually get posted to the website.  Initial times are from SPOT trackers. Please post up with a corrected, true time and/or name if you wish.  My apologies for missing any ITTs - they are a bit harder to keep track of, but simply post up your time here and I will correct. Also, feel free to share any trip report links or photo links here, and I will include those on the official results list.

Waterton Group Start
4:17:33 - Jefe Branham
4:21:49 - Ben Parman
5:05:50 - Ryan Franz
5:14:41 - Aaron Denberg
5:18:09 - Garrett Alexander
5:20:07 - Aaron Johnson
5:23:55 - Robin Schwartz
6:08:46 - Joe Sweeney
6:10:44 - Denny Newell
6:11:45 - Justin Simpson
6:11:45 - Tom Kavanaugh
6:12:09 - Kyle Quinn
6:21:37 - Paul Spencer
6:21:41 - Adam Marcinkiewicz
6:22:05 - Matt Quinn
6:22:16 - Paul Kruger
6:22:40 - Barry Ritchey
6:22:41 - Rob Conklin
7:00:31 - Scott Sidener
7:05:58 - Riley Barclay
7:15:26 - Graham Lierley
7:18:07 - David Goldberg
8:16:31 - Jessica Lobeck
8:19:57 - Alyssum Cohen
9:10:19 - Heather Rose
10:11:44 - Ian MacNab
11:09:02 - Michael Reuter
11:15:00 - Dave Kirk

ITT, Waterton Start
3:19:40 - Neil Beltchenko (COURSE RECORD!!!)
5:16:12 - Josiah Morgan* (*US-285 Detour instead of Tarryall)
7:10:58 - Dom DeMaio
7:21:40 - Spencer Skerget
8:59:59 - Erin Carroll


ITT, Durango Start
7:01:36 - Tom Hoppe

[Be Safe. Have Fun. Go Fast!]

This year's start was the most chill start ever I think. The combination of it actually being light at 5:30, the huge parking area at Waterton, and just the general comfort level most people have with bikepacking these days gave the start an aura of anticipation and excitement, but not so much nervousness as I've felt in years past.

As I said in my "speech" at 5:55am:  Be Safe. Have Fun. Go Fast!  In that order.   

Also, Austin Breunig didn't show up, and his SPOT was in my car while I went climbing up at Mt. Evans after the start. In case anyone was wondering about his odd track...

Just to clarify, the Leadville bypass is a legit option, but you will miss ALL resupply option in that area?  Thanks

Yep. I don't think there's even a gas station that way. But B.V. isn't too far off...

Hi,
Sorry for the rookie question, but how early should one show up at Waterton Canyon to pick up a Spot Rental.

Thank you and good luck to all,
Ben

I will try to get there around 5am and park conspicuously under a light to hand out the SPOTs. I'll either be in a black Jetta wagon or a bright red Ford Ranger.
--Stefan

A sad note, and a reminder to all participating in the CTR to send a generous donation to the Colorado Trail Foundation. Gudy was a visionary.

http://www.durangoherald.com/article/20160715/NEWS01/160719706/Gudy-Gaskill-%E2%80%98Mother-of-the-Colorado-Trail%E2%80%99-dies-at-89

Toby Gadd is the man and has posted the updated .gpx track for 2016 here: http://tobygadd.blogspot.com/2012/01/colorado-trail-race-gpsgpx-tracks-and.html

And the SPOT rental + trackleader sign-up form is live here: http://trackleaders.com/ctr-signup.php

Hi all,
I have a question regarding the spot tracking and, well basically signing up for the race.  I plan to race the CTR this summer but due to work restriction, my window of opportunity will require me to start on the 20th.  So I guess I am riding an ITT.  Is there any kind of notification, sign up, or inclusion in the spot tracking for ITT folks?

Yep. SPOT tracking sign-up usually gets rolling about a month before the start date. I'll post here and on the CTR website. Facebook too.

Is that where the "start" location is? May have a few days to squeak it in after memorial day.

Traditional start was at the Lunch Loops in GJ with an untimed "prologue" out to the Koko TH. The prologue usually took about 2 hours.  That was long ago though, so if you guys are reviving it and including the prologue in the overall time (Dave Harris did this on the old route through Bedrock I think) then start wherever seems best and just report back on watcha did! 

I look forward to the Grand Loop coming back into vogue - it was really the first multi-day bike adventure for me where I pushed harder than just touring. It covers some really cool terrain for sure.

The West End is about to get some single track love!      Here's the map of the project.

Paul, this is so awesome!! New singletack, with Nucla practically right on the route for resupply. Fantastic!

Bruce, and anyone else that's interested...attached is a gpx file for the Koski Traverse as I rode it a few years ago.

Oh man, what a hot item that would've been 10 years ago!

[CTR 2016 - July 24th, 6am. Waterton Canyon TH.]

CTR 2016 - July 24th, 6am. Waterton Canyon TH.

[CTR 2016 - July 24th, 6am. Waterton Canyon TH.]

Has anyone herd of a start date for 2016 CTR ?  ( July 24th ??)   I need to submit my vacation request to work so I don't loose out on the dates.

Nailed it!

CTR 2016 - July 24th, 6am. Waterton Canyon TH.