Yeah....I'm afraid using tape or zip ties won't provide enough support for the cable housing during shifting but we'll see

The problem is the cable on the far side of pic? Full length housing fix that?

Any estimates on number of hours of HAB? I'm guessing not more than 20. I figure this figure would be pretty consistent for everyone. I'm still sort of torn between two different pairs of shoes. One pair I'm almost assured of no problems, used them last year. The other pair I haul ass (Scientifically proven to increase speed by 12%) but I'm not totally convinced I won't get a blister or hot spot.

Yo fellas, if anyone is interested, I posted my setup on the Twenty2 blog.  Let me know if you have any questions.  I'm lookin' forward to hanging with you all!
http://blog.twenty2cycles.com/

nice setup! food in a backpack or are you fitting it on the bike?

Pulled one of them old credit cards out of the box made a donation today. Hopefully this year we've represented well.

HAB means getting a chance to look around and relax or "more bullshit". Depends on your mood.

Calorie rich backup food, coconut bars, shredded unsweetened coconut and brown rice syzurp. Around 2500 calories right there.

Trackleaders only shows 24 riders (4 of which are ITT, so only 20 for GD) for the CTR, with only a week to go.  Is the list just not updated or is the number of riders down this year?  Of course, there are always last minute racers.

+1, no spot for me this year.

I personally contacted the Foreman of the project, and he told me that bikes would be allowed as long as they are escorted by the Pilot vehicle.  But, in the end, ya gotta do what they allow. This would certainly be an exception to the no-motor-vehicle rule.  Ride through it if you can, but don't at the expense of breaking the law and ruining it for the other riders!

I've had to ride in the back of a pickup when the detour is long enough. The word escort can mean many things.

I guess you could say if you come through during the day and have to wait and it's hot, then you deserve a free 9 mile ride.

What is the terrain like on the CTR? Choosing tires right now and I am wondering is something like the conti x-king or the geax aka would be enough for the climbs?  Curious what others are running.

-EF

I know people use the aka on the rear and the x-king is good front or rear. I like the maxxis ikons front and rear

Starting at six will guarantee only a couple (if any) people make it to the stores, but will also make the climb out of town such that we end up on Indian Trail Ridge right at peak storm blow-up time.

True. I'm just lazy about getting up early.

Did I hear free breakfast? details?

I'm fine with 4am but I'll probably be one of the first people there to buy out all the peanut M&M's!

ah lets move it to 6am and up the *risk* for the fastest people. There's nothing but junk food in that town anyway.
Seriously though, I'm for sticking with 6am.

Don't know how accurate the elevation calculation was. I have the tarryall detour adding 47 miles but only 2000 additional climbing. I think I was looking at descending. The climbing is similar since the start and finish are different elevations.

According to the CTF's facebook page the CT is now 100% open!

yehaw!

I've been wondering how easy, having margin for error, it would be to get to the store for a "fast guy". I'm up in the air about how much food to bring from the start.

West Fork fire complex 25% contained and it seems a bunch of work has been done on the northern end of Papoose to keep it away from 149. I'm still hopeful this won't be the year of detours.

I just discovered that Fenix discontinued the PD32 UE and, coming out July 5 with the PD35, which is to replace the PD32 UE.

http://shaologear.com/products/fenix-pd35

It does look better than the PD32 UE.  I like the 170 lumen mode that runs for 7:45 hours on one set of batteries - not shabby (assuming it actually has such runtime in real world use).  That is a good setting for the CTR, particularly since it also has other modes if you need it - 10, 45, 170, 450 and even goes up to 850 lumen (for short periods of time).  It weighs 2.6 oz (not including batteries). 

runtimes are with the 18650 I'm pretty sure. The Pd 32 UE also has a somewhat neutral tint and is very floody. I don't know how the new light compares in those respects. the pd 35 has the new xml L2 emitter (20% more lumens for same power).  Always more factors to consider than just lumens.

Good to know. I knew the 18650s lasted longer and the runtimes advertised were achieved using those but I didn't think they lasted that much longer. Satisfied with the light?

I ask about the runtime because on mtbr or some other site there were some pretty bad reviews because the light was lasting like 1/3 of the advertised time.

I'm carrying two Fenix BT 20's (plus a head torch), which is 1 too many. They're pretty bulky and the batteries are heavy and just not available easily on route, so one of those can go + the extra batteries.

what kind of run time have you gotten on the BT 20 and with what battery system?

I suppose one way to avoid the post event depression you refer to, is to keep doing yet another one. Craig divulged to me before the TD that he was "hoping for a quick turnaround" in order to...wait for it...take part in the Colorado Trail Race in July!

Doing another event is sorta like drinking more in the morning so you don't get a hangover. It'll be fun to see him for the CTR. Like Kurt Sandiforth, he'll probably still post a descent time, but I can't imagine him leading the pack after what he'll go through on the  divide

I haven't done such large scale events as either of Mike's current ride or his prior biggest one, but I relate to the empty feeling of returning to life/work/the normality after large tasks (which in my little leagues, week long mountain bike stage races scattered whereever I get myself organized to travel to are what qualify).  

Yup, pretty well documented that many people get post event depression. On one level, it's the issue of dedicating so much thought and time to the event, and you feel empty once it's over. On the other hand you are so physically spent that the body can't even produce a little adrenaline to you get you excited once again. For normal racing you try not to overtrain. For ultra endurance you have to accept you're going to over do it and deal with the mess afterwards. It certainly helps to understand how you're going to feel after a big event so it doesn't take you by surprise.