yikes, that is steep. I know that he plans on making a multi day race so that, ITI and another winter race may make the (supported) winter crown? Only time will tell how it all goes down....

Killer Deal.

Good point, that trail may be too difficult to ride without checkpoints at least to most of us. How expensive is it???

These three routes are all fine, worthy objectives.

However, any crown that lacks some version of the ITI is missing its most prized jewel.

Awesome. I cant imagine how hard a 1000 mile race is on snow, so I agree. How can we add the ITI???

+1 on the Enduro.

Just got confirmation that my highest todo on the bucket list is a go! I'm extremely excited and humbled to take on the journey along the divide route. It seem like such a small feat after reading about Scott and Eszter's Journey this summer, but I know it will not be. Excited to ride my bike for a few weeks, explore, and meet new friends!

Dean puts on the race, he was also the only to ride the rout this year. It's on my list just could not make it happen this year. More info can be found here... http://www.theenduranceunderground.com/moab-mountain-mashup/

So the detour at the start was optional?

Yes Bryan is doing a Thru Ride, we were roomies in CB last winter.

His spot is a bit off, wonder whats up. looks like a slog up Mingus.

I don't live in the area so I may not be the best person to ask, but usually by early April its hitting low to mid 90's - At least the past two years I did it.

Last year was a bit on the cooler side, I even felt a bit of rain heading up to to Mt. lemmon. I also ended up putting on all the clothes I had for the climb to the top. I think it was 2011 when it snowed up on Lemmon so its hard to say.

Usually if you carry enough water, you can fill up at spigots along the way, the only exception is after Oracle but the Freeman cache is usually stocked (be sure of this beforehand).

Scott Morris, Max Morris, and John Schilling would have the best advice for you.

Best bikepacking movie ever made, loved your CTR one as well!

Keep them coming!

Is this think still going? How many folks are racing?

Lol, Andrew... wanna carpool? Hehe

Heyo,

selling my HT

Check it out

http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1633676/

Looking at the sporadic spot history...this seems to be a spot issue. We will find out when he wakes. But I don't see a road in the valley where he is, if he wanted to bail he would take 435 just further south. That was my last out if my knee/ibuprofen didn't work.

Congratulations to Neil    Thank you for reminding me to donate. I must appease the CTR gods 

Yeah, maybe you won't feel bad not donating...but something will happen. Never doing that again I just want to say thanks again for all of your positive vibes, it did not go unnoticed. Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend!
-Neil

Safe travels Joe.

Wondering why the race discussion is locked and not this one?

WOOOW...You all rock! Thanks so much for the support during my ride. I felt the good vibes out there for sure!

Its a bummer I couldn't finish with the pace I started, like jerry said, So much goes into the CTR, its just so difficult to have a perfect run. I felt great, and my training was dialed up to race day.

I had a fantastic ride until the sunset on Wednesday. I got off my bike to stretch my knee/IT band and instantly felt a weird sharp sensation. I knew it was not good, but I still could pedal. As time went on it got worse, and every time my right knee would hit a 45 degree angle it would yell at me.

My goal was to get over Blackhawk pass in any event, then nap and see if the knee felt better. IT DID NOT - One thing lead to another and I was in a big funk around Orphan Butte. I decided I was t0o close to just quit, even with my dumb knee, I pounded some ibuprofen and push on. At this point the trail was a river, I was soaked and getting colder as I reached the ridge.

Once I reached Kennebec, the sun shined my knee hurt, but I knew I could do it. about 5 miles to the finishe, my knee wanted no more, I had to walk every flat/uphill section....SLOWWWWWWW. I really want to thank you all for sending positive vibes, I kept thinking how much the CT wanted to put me down, remembering that I forgot to donate this year among other things. Lots going on in the head, and sometimes you forget the goal...FINISH!

Ill head to Griggs Ortho early next week to get it looked at, I believe is an overuse issues. the pain is neutralized thinking its not a tar, but I'm no doctor.

Thanks for being out there Joe, It made for a fun story. and thanks to everyone I met on the trail. How beautiful a place this is...

Already thinking of my 2016 run

Thanks,

Neil B.

Aaron and I would like to meet up, were also looking for a cheap hotel.

Its also way better riding at night, that small section of road was a bit scary at 11pm last year. 550 at night would also be a little scary in this direction.