[Leatherman Skeletool - 5oz]

I have been searching for a way to reduce some weight in the tool dept. too and am thinking about the following combo:

Leatherman Skeletool - 5oz
- knife
- pliers
- Wire cutters
- Bit holder
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000XU9NXW/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

Then select the bits I need such as 2-6 mm, T25 and slotted and philips drivers:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002H49D0/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

Finally add the bit extender:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0022G72BK/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

Add a chain breaker and this could be a usefull and light toolkit.  Anyone have some thoughts or concerns from experience?

Yipeeee


After delaying its decision for more than a year, the U.S. Forest Service unveiled its approach to managing the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST) this fall. The plan states that mountain biking is an acceptable use of the trail, and emphasizes that forest service offices should formulate strategies appropriate for their districts.

http://imba.com/news/news_releases/11_09/11_19_USFS_CDT_decision.html

If you haven't chimed in on this post yet and wonder how hard it could possibly be to hash out a solution, I strongly suggest you jump in the ring (if only to make me look a little less like an ass).

Hey I'm willing to looklike an ass, so here goes.

I posted several pages back about the rules and have kept my mouth shut since I really wanted to learn from all the experience present on this board.  After all the posts thus far I have an observation, those with the most stringent interpretation of the rules tend to be the "racers" (those who are going for the ITT record or can at least challeng for it)  the second group are the "riders" (those who probably won't challenge for the ITT record but want to set a PR).

I too have a consulting business and forsee the need to carry my phone for fear of losing clients.  In my mind carrying a cell phone and using it on the trail, outside of a town does not give me a competitive advantage. But, and this is a big BUT, this is probably because my goal is 51/2 to 6 days, this will not set an ITT record.  This puts me firmly in the camp of rider and not racer.  Over tha past several weeks, I have had to modify my thoughts about this race and remember the earlier statement about elevating yourself to the race.  It is with this statement that I have come to realize that my belief of using a cell phone on the course does not elevate me to the race and to the other riders.

When I line up in 2010, I want to line up with 40 other racers, not 40 other riders.  I want to pass some and know that I will get passed by others. I want to be 100% true to myself and the other racers.  If I wanted a ride I would get a group of friends together and go ride.  I want to be pushed both internally and externally.

I agree with Dave that fewer rules are better than more rules.  I think any rules or interpretation therof should assume that we are all racers who all have the same advantages/disadvantages when we line up (what you do before or after is up to you bike, prep, $$, etc) and don't change untill we get to Durango. This is the conclusion that I have reached and and I expect others to have a different view as evidenced by 15 pages of posts here.

So am I an ass or simply brilliant

Jeff

Here is Segment 3

CTR Segment 3

[Segment 1:]

I have been studying everything I can about the CT over the past few months.  I bought the book, purchased the GPX files, and have been studying the route mile by mile.  I then started to virtually ride the CT using the KML file in Google Earth.  It was then I thought why not record the route while flying over it in Google Earth and commit it to memory.  I tend to memorize routes as I am a very visual person.

I have posted the first two segments for anyone who has an interest in "riding" the course from the comfort of your own home.  I plan to overly the elevation profiles in the videos later and eventually all segments.

I was pre-viewing the TopoFusion software, but couldn't figure out a way to duplicate this virtual ride from any perspective that I wanted.  Please feel free to correct me on this point if I am wrong.  I hope other new riders might find it helpful.


Segment 1:

Colorado Trail Segment 1

Segment 2

CTR Segment 2

I live in Minnesota and have used the Descente Wombat gloves for a few years.  Not perfect, but they do work pretty well when it is lightly raining and/or windy.

I like the little cover that can go over my fingers.  It warms them up well and then can pull the cover back to cooloff or if I start to sweat.

http://www.rei.com/product/776693

OK I'm just having fun here, but how does one interpret tandems.  Are the limits of support different?

FWIW I don't think a tandem would survive CTR but they sure did well on the GDR

For those that ride 29, how many are FS vs. HT? 

Would a nice steel ot Ti take enough of the sting out of a trail like the CT?

I must be really stupid.  Could you translate this?

I A theme of the CTR is " what if a thousand people did what you did". Don`t mess with peoples marbles, carry an inhaler and shop where you want to see growth.

Am I welcome to partake in this event or an outsider who is not welcome?

[Mile 28]

This should probably not be my forst post since I have not even introduced myself to the gang herem but here goes.

I have been planning on the CTR for 2010 with a GDR in 2011.  I raced XC for a number of years, accidentally got into 24 hr races and never looked back.  Now I would like to push myself even father with multi-day stage races.  I have read every thread and post in Q&A, Racing, and Bikepacking (yes I really have), I have been going to sleep for the past week with the Colorado Trail book.  My wife thinks that I am irresponsible for attempting this race, I counter that it would be irresposnsible to not COMPLETELY prepare for this race (route info, gear, physically, etc).  So this thread (minus the emotions) has had particular interest to me since I look at the three simple rules as the guide to what I bring and how I plan.

Over the past few days I have been giving a lot of throught to how I would respond to many different situations on the trail during the race and I believe that the following would not disqualify me from the race.  BUT, and this is a big BUT, this is from a complete outsider who has never run a multi-stage race.  I have done some 100 mile self-supported races and the rules are gennerally very similar.  I am posting here not to get anyone angry but to list the things I have thought about and to see if I would still be classified at the end of the race. 

One of the early posts kind of summed up the there rules with the comment, "what if you were riding alone and not part of a race"  This is how I came to the following decisions.

Here goes:

Mile 28  I break down crying on the side of the trail and ask myself "what were you thinking?"  Another rider comes along and says "straighten up your skirt and get riding".  I wipe the tears from my eyes and keep riding to Durango.  I accept his moral support and will still consider myself a finisher

Mile 70 I see a multi-tool on the trail.  It has a chian breaker on it which is really lucky because in my haste to get ready I forgot mine.  I pick up the tool and will consider myself a finisher

MIle 75 My chain breaks and I use the found breaker to fix it and keep on my way. Trail magic.  I consider myself a finisher

MIle 80  Meet another CTR rider on the trail and he is bummed that he lost he lost his multi-tool with chain breaker.  He describes it and it is just like the one I found and use.  Being th ehonest person and thinking I just filled up the karma tank, I offer up the one I found and he does a little dance of joy.  "That's it" he says.  An exchange is made.  Was never mine, but found, returned to rightful owner, I would still consider both os us finishers

MIle 120 My multi-tool freind and I have been riding together for 40 miles now and we come to a not so well marked turn.  We discuss it together and decide to go left.  We are correct and keep riding together.  Two riders using what they brought on their own making independent decisions, I will consider myself a finisher

Mile 150 I have been eating Dark chocolate Snickers for the past two days.  He brings out a Twix bar.  We exchange a Twix for a Snickers. I would have choked down the Snikers but man that Twix sure tasted good. I will still consider myself a finisher

MIle 200 I call the wife and kids to say hi because I really miss them.  It would be irresponsible to not call them (see earlier statement about responsibility).  I get a little choked talking to them, I haven't slept much so emotions come out easier.  Wife an kids cheer me on and sya they have been following me on SPOT and are realy proud.  OUtside support?  Maybe, but not in my world that would disqualify me. I will still consider myself a finisher

Mile 201 I begin to wonder how I am doing compared to others.  I call back the wife and ask here who is ahead and behind me.  She tells me I am behind the next by 8 hours and the one behind is closing fast and only 2 hours behind me.  I straighten my skirt and pedal off  I personnally consider this too much outside support and regret my decision and would not consider myself a finisher

Mile 202 It was ll just a hazy dream, but I think I can pull into the library and check the internet myself.  I do and find who is ahead and behind. I see another racer check too.  We exchange evil glances, I thank Al Gore for inventing the internet and off I go  I figured out how to use one of those fancy internet computers and I still consider myself a finisher

Mile 300 Along side the trail is a tent with cold beer and brats on the grill.  An old man with a long white beard says I am the trail Angel and these a free to al who want one.  I rub my eyes twice to make sure I am not dreaming.  I'm not .  That beer an brat sure tasted good.  Away I go with a big thanks.  Available to all, I am still a finisher

MIle 350 I have been carrying my bike up this damn mountain for the last two hours.  I pass some through-hikers who are on their way down.  I ask "How much furhter to the top?"  They give me the bad news but I continue on.  I was lucky to passs them and others may too.  I consider this OK, it would be rude to not talk at all so I still consider myself a finisher.

Durango I roll into town and can't believe it was only 9 days ago that I started .  I think I raced by the rules and look for my name on the official list of finishers.

Sorry it is so long. But early on in this post some specifics were requested. These are mine.  I hope that there are always grey areas and they we are honest with ourselves first and other races second.  I love the fact that there are only three rules.  This is part of the attraction to me.  Hope to see and meet you all in August 2010.

Jeff