It takes way more than protour watts to win something like the TD. I wish him well in his endeavor and am looking forward to seeing what he can do. I think the "risk" of having more pros/sponsored riders participating is likely along the lines of a continued slow degradation of the original solo spirit of the race. We've seen riders (and their sponsors) place a desire for exposure above the "do it completely solo" ethos that makes events like this so special. Its my opinion that film/media crews consisting of familiar faces following along, regardless of how well intentioned or "policed", provide an unfair advantage. That's my opinion and no one is going to change it, so I'm not interested in a debate. I guess in the end it all depends on the style in which they wish to participate. In this age of the 'gram and "look at me look at me" mindsets I'm not super optimistic.

I agree 100%. Not all change is good but change is inevitable.

I haven?t been in here in a while but it is sad to see so little discussion. Just a few years back this thread would run to 30 odd pages and contain easily found nuggets of wisdom. FB groups have a lot to answer for as info/posts seem to disappear on that platform.
Best of luck to those trying this beast of a ride. It will be life changing!

Edit: 280 starters?! Let?s hope the start is low key and a bit under-the-radar.

I guess nobody has that problem.
It might be a "suck it and see" solution.  You can always pull the bag taut to operate the zip if it is a smidge too long I guess.

I am debating doing the CTR this year.  Basically have stopped riding the past six years as kids, work and life have taken a priority.  So, it would be a huge challenge to get into shape at this late date but I am seriously thinking about it.  I didn't finish in 2012 and I like to finish what I started.  Plus, this coming year is my big 50th - so it would be an awesome way to celebrate on the trail.

Walter

Hey Walter, I say go for it! Plenty of time to train before late July. I am staring down my big five-oh next year and I feel finishing the lifetime triple crown will be a fine way to finish my first 50 years on the planet.
Not that you need inspiration but this might help...... https://youtu.be/VGb2P8XsClc

Hope to see you at Waterton Canyon in July  .
Dave

Thanks Adam. I thought that was the direction this year as I have been looking at the climb out of Denver and thinking how nice it would be to descend into it 
It is what it is I guess, so the training and trail intel begins. I will purchase one of John’s sweet elevation profiles to stare at (and scare myself into preparing properly) I am a sea level dweller as well but hope to get over a week or two before the race to take in the vibe and acclimatise just a bit. I loved CO as I passed through on the TD so hoping to spend some decent pre race time there.

Hi folks. I thought I would kick off the 2020 planning thread with a couple of rookie questions.
The first - can someone please confirm the direction for 2020? Is it Denver to Durango? Sub question - is this the tougher direction?
The second - roughly what will the start date be? I need to apply for leave from work in the next month but understand the exact date may not have been set yet. Within a week or so will be accurate enough for me as I plan on coming over early to party err.... acclimatise to the CO elevation .

Thanks in advance.
Dave.

Bikepacking.com did a feature on the bikes and riders:
https://bikepacking.com/bikes/2019-colorado-trail-race-rigs/

Thank you very much.

Hey folks, a super late question but is there anywhere on the web with photos of the racers, their bikes and finishers, ala Tour Divide? I want to check out people’s rigs in my prep for 2020 and I can’t really find much info on the CTR.
TIA.

Congratulations Hal! Bloody legend! (Does this guy ever not smile?  )

Did he post this somewhere public?

Sounds like poetic licence to me - but who knows what Chris is thinking. Probably “let it be over”!

Where o where can Stevie be? Chris says " I ain't taking no chances. I'ma Keep rolling into the new dawn."

Helluva ride guys!!  So frickin close after 2 weeks of riding.  

Battery issues? Spot issues? Or “Spot issues”? (ie strategy)

Great riding/racing by these two champions either way.

As long as racers follow the race rules they don't owe anyone an explanation or justification for deciding to stop regardless of the reason.

That is so correct vikb.

Look at Josh - he just loves the hell out of this race. Evertything about it. He is a gifted, inspiring and generally all round great guy. He loves to inspire others to give it a go, no matter the race or route.
Now this is a bit of a long bow to draw on my account buuuttt.... (and I hope that his current medical situation isn’t too serious and he has a speedy recovery)  what if he feels an obligation, no matter how subconcious, to press on, not stop, leave it all out there because of some implied pressure from us sitting here on social media? I would hate to think that someone would push on when they really shouldn’t, just because they know they are being watched/talked about/not meeting someone else’s expectations.
The Divide is a wild beast that attracts all sorts of different people with different goals and aspirations. It has one common element though, be you the lead rider or the lantern rouge - it is a battle of mental toughness. There was a comment on the TD prep threads -from around 2013/4 I think - that this race is 90% mental. The other 10%? Yeah, that’s mental too....

Hope you’re ok Josh. That was a rocking effort.  

Let’s see what NM throws at the racers. Chris is currently enjoying the huge downhill roll off La Manga pass and will very shortly turn left onto the dirt again and cross the border grid. How will the Brazos mud be?!

Each and every rider has their own story and objectives in this race and each one has to make his or her own tough decisions. So it is not for us to judge I suppose. I would think, though, that if you are into it for the win then this is the chance to demonstrate grit, perseverence and, at the least, an opportunity to use the race to prepare for these conditions in future races. I would also think (but I have no experience myself so am the last qualified to say this) that the mind plays a lot of tricks convincing yourself that you cannot win anymore once behind. But those thoughts exactly will rob the energy from you. I am sure the four in front now have pushed on despite being behind at times and faced with seemingly unsurmountable conditions. But experience and preparation also clearly shows. Looking at Josh Kato's Instagram, he has been riding in mountain winter conditions all winter.

I am not judging, was merely speculating which is why I suggested “they have all done the TD before” and there is simply no way to win it (or go close to a record time) after being holed up in BML for so long. Perhaps their leave timeframes don’t allow them to finish now? Everyone has real lives too.
LW wanted to set a record time and have it all on film. Perhaps that doesn’t suit their agenda now. Personally, a movie where they all get stopped by snow, then push on eventually and keep smashing it out would be better than one that is all rainbows and tailwinds to a record finish. The TD tends to be the former in my mind - but that is just my take on it.
Go Chris, Josh and Steve!! They are the real deal for sure!

The group from Brush Mountain Lodge has already covered a fair bit of ground. They seem to be moving at riding speed.

Frozen ground?

And the Brush Mtn crew are off as well at 0400 local time.  Interestingly, it looks as though the front runners that have already tried, ie Lael, Josh, Evan and Kai, are not at this time attempting to move.  I read somewhere that 8 people were scratching, but can’t for the life of me find who those 8 are.  Also seems Steve Halligan also had his alarm set and is either riding with Josh, or at the very least - knowing that stretch of trail into Breck, they will be able to see each other’s lights.

I guess those front runners might be in it to win it, not just finish, so perhaps they don’t see the point in going on? Most of them have a TD finish or two already under their belts.
I bet conditions are still very bleak and while the riders who have braved the trail look a little spread out on the tracker, their Spot times are also staggered slightly which makes me think they are all together for safety and moral support - at least until they hit Clark. Either way, it is good to see movement. Kirsten would be starting to get over run!! 

Well, the women's record just passed Lael and the folks at Brush Mountain are now 119 miles behind the leader.  Conditions on that road must be truly horrendous.

Yep. That storm has blown the race apart. Sofaine is the big loser but I guess that is how these things go.
How much snow is likely on the next few passes? Kremmling coffee will likely be a godsend before tackling Ute Pass.

Is Dave Wicks going to yo-yo this thing? His AZT 750 yo-yo was insane!

He was planning on it but I think he has changed his mind as it may impinge on his CTR attempt....but I could be mistaken. Who knows how he might feel at AW 

Where exactly does most of the pre race banter happen these days? Does not appear to be here....

Seems to all be on FaceBook. It sux though as there seems to be no chronological order to it so it is hard to find anything.
Going back over previous year's prep threads is a great way to glean information as most of it is still relevant. About the only advantage to FB might be snow updates as that is where people can post photos/info easily and quickly. You have to find them of course.....

Anyway, good luck to everyone racing this year. Wishing I was going to be out there again...but sort of not.  It WILL be a life changing experience, especially if you manage to finish.

Inspiring for sure. Looks like he's riding over to Sierra Vista now, it just doesn't end!!!

Get that guy a beer!! They breed ‘em tough in New Zealand.

Great effort Dave!! There was never any doubt!
I think you should be safe to apply for 2 more belt buckles this year.

No day pizza delivery yesterday. Thought I had enough to get me to oracle. My legs had different plans. Half way up the first climb I had nothing. I sat there for a while the rode to Kearny. Pizza. Shopped for food. Washed clothes and now I smell like cheap hotel soap. Got some new sunglasses since I broke my others on the nobo run. Now I’m sitting outside the PO waiting to send cold weather kit anywhere but on my bike. It’s a bit of a set back but hey, better safe than being carted out in a bag.

So it was option “B” then. Glad to hear it.
I bet “cheap motel soap” would be a few steps up the ladder from how you did smell.

It looks like DW might not be liking Ripsey? He is on the road to Kearney so he either a) doesn’t like the look of the heat through that section to Tiger Mine or b) feels a need for pizza and milkshakes at Old Time Pizza? Or c) he has a mechanical or body issue.

Either way - Go Dave! That is a huge effort so far.