Glad your coming back around.  I was in the same position as you since the end of May (end of the Highland Trail race) with not being able to even use nail clippers.  I could barely even use a pencil, pick up a plate, and the fingers started curling back under all the time.  I started seeing specialists and every one of them said surgery was needed right away to fix the problem.  All of them said it was a process of cutting the ligament, opening up the nerve, then stitching the hand back together.  I was a day away from doing the dreaded surgery until I decided, after reading a lot of posts and talking to many other bikers, to wait it out and let it heal on its own. I still have tingling and numbness in a few spots of the fingers but the strength came back and I'm sure the rest of the numbness will be gone soon as well.  Long story short - I'm so glad I listened to the advice of the biking community instead of the surgeons that make a lot of money cutting on people every day to make a living.

I'm glad you didn't have the surgery AND it was the right decision

Matt, the story can be read on an iDevice or computer using the Kindle App or Cloud reader.

I know what a pdf is but I'd have to look into the other options. Bikerpacker means a good chance of being a dirtbag which means the technology and devices stop at flip phone, digital camera, and internet.

If it's a polished story, then it's worth turning into a product. If it's a long blog entry then it's probably boring. I don't have a kindle so am out of luck? There is certainly no reason why people should expect everything to be free just because this is a backpacking forum or that others should offer things for free because you yourself give so much for free (Toby). Trackleaders isn't free and I don't think people begrudge Scott because of the contributions he's made.

Start List Update: Looks like about 15-20 starters thus far for start.

Is there a viewable start list?

I've been waiting myself for some chatter to pop up about this race. I don't know much about it and unlike the CTR where you can research most of it through the guide books, I've read some blogs to get a sense of what it's all about. I love the idea of the format. Way more time to actually meet people and share the experience.

Here are a few questions I have.

What should be expected for temperatures at night at the two camp spots? Looks like 30s is average. Is that accurate?

Are all food and water spots marked on the waypoints file? Are there any water spots you just have to hit and should fill up big? In the fall, what is a realistic amount of water you might need to carry or time between points?

What's the nature of the trail? It looks cool! Lots of sharp rocks? Lots of hike-a-bike? Or more mellow?

I'm not completely committed, but it looks like I'll be there.

There are definitely a couple different injuries people get from cycling but really the only one that can be fixed with a product is one for your hands, which means means gloves or grips. I think it's important to remember that the pressure on the hands may not be the cause of tingling/pain/weakness in the hands. If you follow the nerves back to spine there are several places they can become irritated. My issue, for example, was too aggressive a position which put more weight on my upper body and forced the triceps to work really hard. The triceps, down into the elbow is where my problem was originating from.

A bit more of a trip update after by first initial reaction.

http://travelingwild.wordpress.com/2013/08/12/ctr-wrapup/

Biggest issue was not eating enough calories.  I'm GF and try not to eat much 'race' food like gels.  I could feel how much stronger I was when I had a full meal but did not like to stop on the trail to take the time...other than bites of food while riding.  Do you take 15 min to occasionally stop and eat something more substantial?  I'm thinking maybe I should but the idea of slowing progress bugs me.  But barely moving because I'm depleted bugs me more...

I don't think you can justify not stopping to eat. Just how much time you take to eat is a different matter. In Leadville I was eating non-stop for 30 mins. I could have made it quicker by racing through the food, half chewing it, but I feel I deserved the time to properly eat.

After reading all these posts and talking to many riders I decided too wait it out, do some exercises,  then consult with the doctors and Occupational therapists. Every rider is telling me to give the hands time and they will heal. I'm 2 months past the end of my last big tour (Highland Trail 400) and my hands are becoming more useless by the day. Decided to have an EMG (Electomyogram) done too see what was happening with the nerves in the hands. Tests show significant nerve damage damage and now severe muscle atrophy. Doctors are telling me that a minor surgery should be done quickly but that scares me almost more than lightning on the CTR.

I would use surgery as a last resort. I've heard somewhere it takes 1 month for 1mm of nerve to regenerate, or something along those lines. You mention your hands are becoming more useless by the day. Are you saying they're getting worse even though you aren't cycling? My condition got worse for 3 months afterwards because the first month I continued to ride, the second month I was painting boards and lifting lumber every day, and the 3rd month I still rode once a week. Make sure you aren't doing any activities that are aggravating it, which can be hard depending on your profession. It took 7 months before I found out what exercises would help me. My issue was with the ulnar nerve. What are your symptoms? Is it numbness or loss of strength? Which parts of your hand, palm, wrists are effected? Don't be worried that a test shows nerve impedance. I've heard that most serious cyclists have reduced nerve conduction whether they experience symptoms or not. Have any exercises or the ones in the canadian video been helpful?

Great video Aaron!

Personally, I don't think people like Lance/Rusch/et al have what it takes to be self-supported for that long.

She has an adventure racing background and has mentioned considering CTR and AZT300, but she rides for a living, so hopefully those events are aren't marketable enough.

Was thinking about this... I would really like to do something of the sort. Started to chat with some people. It truly deserves it, Jefe, Jesse, Matt, and well everyone deserves it.

These events seem destined to become less esoteric and underground. Just look at the coverage of Rebecca Rusch on the Kokopelli trail. Or the dozen photographers from Durango to Silverton. What happens when Rebecca decides the CTR is her next challenge? The Lance Armstrong effect on Leadville? It certainly stands to lose the feel it has now. Guys who road back in 2007 could say it already has. I love the idea of more recognition for people's efforts and a story can be told from first place to DFL. It seems like a delicate balance of keeping the nature of the event and bringing it to an audience that ultimately might want to take part.   

After hearing the stories, I regret not stopping at the Stagestop. I didn't even slow down. I assumed there was alcohol and I didn't need any. Ordering food, a possibility, but a bar out in the middle of rural Colorado generally stands a good chance of not being too friendly to filthy cyclists in tights, nor their clientèle. Next year (or maybe the year after).

I have an etrex20 which is set to auto archive tracks every day and I just uploaded those. Iphone? what's that?

Thanks Stefan for bringing the event once again. Bad luck about the hands. I was pretty wrecked after last year and had to spend a lot of time trying to fix that. My wrists were still pretty sore this time around. As for time, I finished at 1:50 pm on the 4th day, so 4:09:50. I have GPS of the whole route on strava since I wasn't carrying a spot http://app.strava.com/athletes/219675.

Hey all, what a great race.  I'd like to write a few thoughts later when I'm not so tired...

Quickly though, regarding the Tarryall detour:  I loved it.  Very scenic and it was nice to stretch the legs out.  I did the first half in the sunset/dark.  Slept near the end of the construction zone.  That part rode really fast for me, not sure why I felt so great at 10:30 at night?  Then did the Hayman part in the early morning.  I hope this detour remains in the race. 

good to meet you at carvers the night before.

As for the detour I'm glad Stefan left it to a vote and that's what we chose whether informed or not. I voted for it but hated the idea once I was out there that we were trading in paved miles for a detour that has, and will have ultimately 26.something paved miles. I remember when I made the left onto pavement I was confused what this was all about and once it continued on it frustrated me. It's all about expectations though. It's the same thought I'm sure goes through people's minds on sargents and cataracts when they don't expect it to go on forever. Once the sun came up the hayman part was beautiful. I think stefan is right that both routes are not ideal by any means. Guess we have to go make our own trail.

Drove home this evening along I-70 with two hours of heavy rain. No lightning at least. I feel bad for anyone out with no shelter.

matt:  can you or anyone explain a bit more of the tarryall construction segment?  i was at the finish (just a blue dot fan) when Jefe and Jesse came in and i heard them mention how hard it was, how time consuming it was etc......and i'd like to know more about this part...thanks for the personal accounts and congrats on an amazing effort....

I didn't do my research on the Tarryall segment other than to see that there was plenty of water. I thought I'd heard someone say 5 hours but that seems like a lot of miles to be covered in that time. From Kenosha to the singletrack on 560 took me 12 hours, 9 hours of riding. I never realized any of it was paved. Once the construction is complete it'll be 25+ miles or so paved. As for the conditions the construction zone and FS211 just felt like trying to ride on a sponge. It was taking all my effort to ride 5 mph up slight grades. It's really sand, probably pretty loose usually, but had obviously rained heavily. But riding at night, the end of my 4th day, and having to calorie ration, I had to accept that maybe it really wasn't that hard.

Not unless we both did  That thing has been sitting there for ages - what is the deal?


Nice effort Matt, and thanks for sharing some insightful, personal stuff.

Yup, that was it. The flag was maybe 20 feet up the trail. I thought I was holding it together pretty well as I recited the manta "go gently" from the film "Cold".

Lots of time to reflect while riding the lonely CTR this year. I'll eventually write a blog but wanted to share a few things (now turned into many). Unfortunately I feel there’s more of a negative tone than positive.

- Lots of respect and admiration is usually given to the fast people and it's assumed that suffering and going faster form a pretty linear relationship. Last year I suffered immensely because of a bad stomach, eating and drinking difficulties the whole race. This year I knew I had solved some problems, would suffer far less, and ride much faster. All of that came true. Riding slower=riding faster. Riding even faster would not involve more suffering as the first step. I'd work on eating more. Just because you’re making yourself hurt doesn’t mean you’re going your fastest.

- About 2 days into the race I forgot how long it is. It's hard to quit anything for me, even if it's for the right reason. I knew I didn't need to wear myself out. I've had trouble getting the sleep I need for a few months now. I know if I had quit for the reason of not wanting to wear myself out, I could have lived with it. I've seen the trail already. The CTR was not feeding my soul and knew it wouldn’t give me a boost afterwards. I would have done something good for myself, one of those hard but BIG choices, and that's not something to regret. I stayed in probably because I didn’t feel like answering questions about it.

- I became an expert trail tracker and knew when Jefe was leading and Jesse was. On the final climb, I knew unless Jefe was passed on the descent, he had won yet again. Jefe, you thought you were second? You have to know what a racing ralph (2.4?) looks like by now.? No? That must be because you were leading most of the time? haha

- I followed the tracks of Jefe and Jesse from Kenosha, through the Taryall detour. I thought of what the two must be going through actually racing each other. I found a gel wrapper. I noticed tire tracks pulling off and then back on again. It helped create the story of two people battling in the night, minutes apart, each one trying not it let it all fall apart. I felt like I had it much easier, knowing they were hours ahead and confident no one was close behind. The wet soft sand seemed to suck all the power out of my legs.

- I feel like a became a better rider on the CTR. I’ve ridden for years and bike handling is my strength but somehow, even when I was fatigued I rode lines cleaner and smoother than I could expected, like a no hesitation night descent off the top of Fooses Creek.

- I was close to running out of food at the end. I hate always carrying so much extra food. I’m always a safe instead of sorry person so I took a little more risk, but also bought more sweets and snacks in Leadville. The Taryall detour was about 5 hours longer than I thought. 200 calories per hour soon became 100 but luckily by the end the body burns fat so well. I saved a bit of food for the last singletrack and the climb out of the Platte.  Once north of hwy 9 I realized my mistake but made the choice I wouldn’t accept any food if offered or take any from a trail angle box. The reason being is that it would significantly help me and I had to live with the decision I’d made in Leadville. I took a gatorade at apple’s tent and an applesauce at hwy 50. The difference being that I didn’t need the food or drink, I was fine on my own. Sure enough, I got offered and had to explain myself.

- My sleep program I would call the all natural sleep deprivation program. I slept about 7.5 hours total but never set an alarm. The bugs were pretty bad when it was warm but sleeping when it is cold, is well, cold. I don’t believe in 5 hr energy of other massive caffeine sources to prolong staying away. I wanted to stay safe without the spot. When I felt like I’m dosing off while hiking or riding, it’s time to get some rest. The last night I took a one hour nap but couldn’t make it past 3:30. I tried hard because maybe if I made it until sun up, I wouldn’t need the sleep but I had to succumb to another 2 hour nap.

- I had trouble with motivation on the Taryall construction  segment. I slept next to a tree for an hour. I got up with more motivation and in my dream we (all sleeping under the tree) solved the motivation problem of the construction workers. Win , win for everyone. I think I even said bye to them when I left.

-One of the most beautiful moments was riding through the burn area at the break of dawn with everything lush and wet. I wasn’t blown away by beauty as much as last year. Good weather is more boring than powerful storms.

- Wildest thought. On the 5th day I had a thought about my job and where I worked. It seemed so foreign and distant and could have been years ago. I suddenly became aware that I was a person (or had been) beyond someone just trying to survive on the CTR.  

- Best comment. “You’re training for Leadville, aren’t you.”

- Interesting conversation with a large group scurrying to get their bikes off the trail as I passed. “Those are camera bags, aren’t they” I decided not to correct the woman. “You look like an expert, can you tell me if her tire pressure is too high?” “It’s really a preference thing.” “Well how would she know?” I squeeze the tire and said, “yeah it’s too high.” A guy comes in saying “won’t higher tire pressure help her get over roots better.” “No, that’s not how it works.” No elaboration on my part. They start to talk among them themselves and not about to get drawn into the process of adjusting her tire pressure, let it be known that, “I really have to go”. Sort of dick on my part. But I never care much for the Doctor/Lawyer types with $10K bikes that are still working on common sense 101.

- Did I hallucinate? Descending the last descent, but before the small uphill into waterton, was there not an american flag and a carriage of belongings that looked like a homeless man pushed up? That would be the only real hallucination. Everything else was just things in nature that as you get closer is just a stump or tree.

- I regret not having the spot for the people that wanted to watch it. The CTR didn’t involve family at all this year. I didn’t really anticipate how much they’d be into it. The spot is just one more thing to mount, feed batteries, etc, and with my work and lack of work I had to save the money as well.  I was trying to remove myself from getting caught up in what other riders were doing. No cell phone either. I couldn’t get away from the helpful hikers relaying incorrect gaps to the next rider. One told me Jesse and Jefe were way ahead of me. I must of seemed uninterested because he said, “seriously, those guys are way the hell ahead of you”. I don’t know what he wanted me to do or say.

- A couple of days into the ride the biggest revelation I had, for the whole trip for that matter, was that I love descending so much and I’ve wanted a trail bike for a while, that I could make this happen not by waiting another year but by selling my road bike. It’s something I’ll lat east consider. This ride continued to increase my love of mountain biking.