Hey all, I am curious to see if any of you don't use GPS. I am having trouble securing one and am out of budget to purchase. Has anyone ever reversed the directions from the databook for a northbound route? I know the trail is pretty well marked, but I don't want to inadvertently miss any miles and get a DQ. Especially up by jarosa mesa?

Got a smartphone?  #theresanappforthat

Howdy, Y'all! 

I'm psyched to take on my first CTR this July!

I'm hoping to find a ride from Boise, ID to Durango.  Anybody traveling to the start from points west that wouldn't mind lending a seat and some gear space?  I'll happily share driving and costs along with food/beverage bonuses! 

Thanks in advance and I'll look forward to sharing the trail with you crazies come July.

-Ryan

Do you have the ACA maps?  All distances on the route - including the Lowman Cutoff - are clearly shown in red type between red diamond markers to make estimation easy; just add em up!

Also, unless you'd prefer long pavement miles on a fairly busy highway I'd consider following the main route westward on road 579 through Bear Valley and heading south on road 555 (off-route) past Deadwood Reservoir rather than taking the Lowman Cutoff along Hwy 21.  The climb of Scott Mountain is tough but you'll already have come over Dollarhide and Galena so no worries!  You'd add some mileage and time but might still be able to make it work in seven days depending on the pace you intend to keep. 

There are also more interesting routes (and lots of singletrack potential) heading back into Boise that would make your ride a proper loop rather returning via the Middle Fork Rd and Hwy 21.  A handful of roads fork to the SSW off the main route between Placerville and Idaho City.  Bombing back into town on singletrack and/or rowdy dirt roads beats the highway any day.  The route of the recent Smoke 'n' Fire 400 might provide some inspiration.  Here's a link:

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5807789

Good luck with the planning and enjoy your ride!

Great route.  Read my account at Bike Touring News:  http://biketouringnews.com/podcasts-journals-interviews/tour-and-ride-calendars/sifting-ashes-from-the-smoke-n-fire-400/

Looks like a nice tent.  What didn't you like about it? 

Craig,

Talk to my good buddy Chris at Loose Nuts Cycles in Grant Park if you haven't already.  I know he'd be on board with this and would know some other like-minded rapscallions interested in being part of such a group.  Tell him Ryan said hello when you do.  

http://www.loosenutscycles.com/

Gabe,

I'm surprised that Surly didn't litter the Krampus fork with braze-ons for anything and everything like they do with all their other bikes but that looks like your limiter when it comes to rack options.  I wouldn't trust any kind of clamp-on attachment over rough terrain.  You could fashion some kind of extended bracket that attaches to the hole in your fork crown but to get the light far enough out in front of the handlebar roll and avoid severe tire shadows you'll probably need more points of support.  A long bracket that attaches only to one point would be likely to twist or rattle loose.   

Adding mid-blade rack barrels (like the ones on your La Cruz) would allow you to use a minimal front rack that would get the light exactly where it needs to be and provide a platform to strap stuff if desired. 



I'm sure that anyone with the skills to build you a rack would be able to add those braze-ons as well.  If you don't have this problem solved by July, look me up in Boise and I'll make it happen for a song.

Cheers,

Ryan

Cackalack,

I'd have your builder install the standard bottle bosses wether you wind up using a full frame bag or not.  I think your inclination toward the three bottles and half-frame bag is a good one.  With three bottles plus a dromedary or water bladder of appropriate size you'll be pretty much set for long stretches without water. 

On the technical side, I would be sure your builder knows what chainrings and derailleur you'll be using so they can position the cages as low as possible and free up triangle space for a frame bag.  Also, consider a custom frame bag to maximize the carrying capacity while leaving space for bottles.  As for mounts on the fork, they would certainly add flexibility and another option but may just clutter up your pretty fork if you never use them...  I considered this as well when I built my frame and fork and ended up leaving the bosses off the fork.  I don't think I'll regret it.

Cheers,

Ryan