@Woodland,
Those aren't demons you're hearing, they are twisted friends of encouragement. Here's another 'third time's a charm' cohort chiming in and twisting your arm.

Right on, Barry. The scale is now tipping...

This is a different race that you guys are talking about running than the CTR. Perhaps a separate thread if you really want to do the stage stop thing?

I myself am beginning to hear the soft, soft whispers of the CTR demons (or angels?) in the back of my head again. 'Come back Nick, come back...one more try, third time's the charm'. Dangerous murmurings those are (as Yoda would say it)!

Usually around the beginning of the new year I would say. Just keep checking the website.

www.climbingdreams.net/ctr

All these races are about 'Doing. It. Yourself.' right? Self-supported.

So if you take a coke from someone on the trail (regardless of it being offered, or you soliciting for it), it's no longer self-supported...you've just received support.

In the 2013 CTR I had to accept a rear wheel from a bike shop owner's personal gear due to broken spokes on mine and he didn't have any in stock (nicest thing anyone's ever done for me!) and I pulled out of the race because I had received support. However, I went to a bike shop like anyone could have...and, at the end of the day, what's the difference between being handed a coke or a rear wheel if you really need it.

That's how I look at it.

According to the AZT rules however (looking at the website now) unplanned support from other races, and trail magic are 'allowed - but not encouraged'. You won't get relegated. I just don't think you can call it self-supported anymore.

Was wondering the same thing. I also want to hear about it. 20% finishing rate is one of the lowest I've heard of! Do tell!

And for all those who completed, you may be interested to put it on record and even get a completion certificate for free! 

http://www.coloradotrail.org/completers.html

I've always liked that the CTF features bikepackers for the picture on their Completers page!

After dedicating my life to this trail for 5 years and learning from the great masters Ethan and Jefe I sit here with a huge glow of accomplishment finally content to just sit in peace without the endless urge to do more training, planning, gear hunting, strategizing...  

Congratulations Jesse. That's a nice feeling. I just rode in the Mountains Revenge this past weekend - and kept marveling at your CTR pace this year as I was trudging up Radical Hill. Wow!

We camped at a campground near Dillon Reservoir prior to the race and we were sitting with the people next to us one night. The guy asked about my bike (I had my GPS and a gas tank on it) and if I was doing a race. We got to talking about bikepacking and the Mtns Revenge, and he proceeded to tell us that he and his family had been watching your blue dot...and - this is the best part - that his young daughter was running around their house for a few days pretending she was 'Jesse' in the bike race.

I just had to share that with you!

Some thoughts and photos from my journey:

http://www.ajphoto.net/blog/2015/8/2015-colorado-trail-race

Copper bike shops - pfff.

Their tech was not in on a Monday when I needed a spoke a couple years back. Guy in the shop couldn't fix anything without the tech.

Fabulous photos as usual Aaron.

You know who else only sleeps one hour a night? Right?

The suspense is killing me...

Woodland - Having heard a bit more of this story in the shop today, I'd be totally with Toby on this one... there has got to be an uncrossable line somewhere.  Especially when records are potentially at stake.

Nanath - I miss the weather layer too.  Wonder why Scott doesn't have it up this year?

And how do you run out of food heading up Los Pinos Pass? That seems to be some pretty poor planning...that is a LONG way from the next resupply.

Scott is too busy riding his bike somewhere in Oregon it looks like (good on him!) - the weather layer is one of my favorites though...

Jesse 'Superman' Jakomait. Does he wear a cape? He should - 'cause he's flyin.

While chatting with JayP, Jeannie and Martin rolled up. They seemed to be sharing gear and food.

Where is Toby Gadd when we need him?  

All right! So now we know where the dark horse is. 2nd place! Nice...it's fun having a spotless rider up near the front, adds that extra level of mystery!

How does Jesse spend so little time in town! Man...

70 bikers spread out over many miles doesn't sound like a crowd to me.

Classic. Hikers everywhere are gasping in shock at this comment. 70 bikers over many miles when you are hiking against the flow would be pretty hard going. Probably just bad timing for those backpackers that got caught in that mix.

The old trail-user-animosity flares up again. I get pissed at riders on my local trails when I go trail running - from what I see lately a lot of riders don't know how to yield around here, they either fly by off the trail, or seem to expect me as 'just a runner' to jump out of the way. Yielding to hikers/runners/ANYONE means stopping and stepping off the trail with your bike so they can pass...unless of course the hiker/runner has already done so.

At least the backpacker wrote a civilized note - not some rant.

I wonder where Kurt and Matt are in this mix? 

Kurt has been stopped for almost 6 hours now. Must be something wrong...

Not sure why JayP's dot is pink . . .

Seriously, mid-race in the CTR is a strange time to make such a life altering decision.   

And JayP's dot is pink because ... ?

 

oops

Kurt really seems to be struggling - ever since Cathedral. Wonder if everything is all right. He has dropped back significantly and has been moving real slow.

JJ and JB can both take the sleep dep to new levels. Would be great to watch another showdown between those two. But Sam K. is holding his own up there with Jefe...

I hope Sam K. figures out his missed turn soon! Bummer...

All right, the chase pack has reached Spring Creek Pass - let's see how much of that ridiculous gap they can close!

He's approx. half way through that 50 mile detour...but he does have a nice little climb up Los Pinos Pass before descending down toward the Cochetopa Hills and Dome lakes area where he picks the CT back up near Lujan creek.