Just a reminder to call into MTBCast - mainly because it's an awesome service that Joe provides, but also because I'm doing a video similar to my 2014 AZTR video https://vimeo.com/103845154 narrated by MTBCast call-ins. The more the better, get those crazy stories on there! 888-866-4491.

You'll have some company out there - big ultrarunning race happening that same weekend up on the plateau:

http://www.grandcircletrails.com/bryce-canyon-general-info/

I'll actually be running the 50 miler this year - bummed to miss the Dixie, but at least I'll see some of you out there!

(have to wait until tonight to watch the video - no vids at work!).

Sorry - that's a repost of an old video, nothing new this year!

For what it's worth, the only reason I stock Easton hub parts is because they break ALL THE TIME.  Bummer on your run, Aaron - before I read your post, I was wondering "Why not just a new wheel?"  But as mtnbound said, logic isn't always our strong point in the middle of these sorts of things...

Oh, I've been warned before about Easton hubs - guess I needed to learn the hard way! And about buying a wheel - my befuddled brain at the time said I'd already spent enough money on this damn race and it wasn't worth it for just the last 150 miles that I'd already seen before. Of course, NOW I strongly disagree....it would have been so worth it

Some thoughts and photos from my journey:

http://www.ajphoto.net/blog/2015/8/2015-colorado-trail-race

I'm out, officially. Local shops don't have the parts I need to fix the rear hub. Definitely not happy to drop, but I could not have had a more incredible time out there. Aside from a little rain the first morning, the weather was spectacular. Rode much of the time with Joe and the other Aaron - Joe was suffering mightily on his fully rigid bike but never quit moving and had an awesome, upbeat attitude the whole time. Denburg is a machine and has perfected the art of relentless forward progress. Rode several hours into Silverton with Jefe - pretty awesome to meet and ride with someone of his pedigree. Didn't expect my second CTR experience to exceed my first, but it did, even with a DNF. To everyone still out there, ride strong and finish!

Bummed to say I'm held up in Copper right now with a busted rear hub - pawls not engaging, making horrible sounds. Was having a great run, good times battling with Denburg and Joe. Hoping to get it fixed in the am and continue on.

Here is my chafe-tastic Dixie tale.

http://www.ajphoto.net/blog/2015/6/dixie-200

Mine are just toughening up now into callouses! Try it on a hardtail next time 

Still haven't healed enough to ride yet....I should have the best callouses ever though!

I use the free app PDF Maps on my iPhone as a backup to my Garmin. You can save the GPS track as a KML file to a folder on Dropbox, then download it to the app. The app also allows you access to a ton of free or paid maps (all USGS topo maps are free), which you download and then overlay the KML file. You can do this in advance for the entire route. And the phone's GPS shows you your location. It works great.

Also, in regards to food choices, I've been experimenting with some recipes out of the book Feed Zone Portables. Easy and delicious. I too am hoping to go the route of starting with 3 days worth of food, homemade good food - after several of these races, my stomach can no longer handle massive amounts of gas station crap.

Some pics from the race:

untitled-011-2 by Aaron Johnson, on Flickr

untitled-018 by Aaron Johnson, on Flickr

untitled-022-2 by Aaron Johnson, on Flickr

untitled-038 by Aaron Johnson, on Flickr

untitled-067_68_69_70_71-2 by Aaron Johnson, on Flickr

untitled-075 by Aaron Johnson, on Flickr

untitled-111_2_3_4_5 by Aaron Johnson, on Flickr

untitled-128 by Aaron Johnson, on Flickr

untitled-136 by Aaron Johnson, on Flickr

Very bummed to announce I'm out. Todd (sans tracker) and I were having a great run, really enjoying the trails (Grandview was awesome!) and scenery, but unfortunately as it got dark I started to have some saddle sore issues. Totally bizarre as I've never had problems before, even in much longer races. Probably had to do with the heat yesterday and lots of sweating (but I've ridden plenty in hotter temps with no problems, so I dont know). Anyways, it got worse and worse as the night went on, to the point it was unbearable to sit on the seat. No amount of chamois lube or ibuprofen could help. Really infuriating. Had to ride the 20 miles coming into Harold's Place standing up. Thunder Mountain at sunrise was incredible, by the way. I knew there was no way I could ride another 60 miles and 10k vert standing, so I had to let it go. Todd's out there crushing it, he's super strong and I know he'll shave quite a bit of time off the record. Such an incredible course, I'm glad I at least got to see as much of it as I did and I'll be back to finish it off. Thanks again Dave, good luck to everyone still out there, and watch out for sweaty saddle demons!

Signed up! See everyone Thursday night!

I've been riding the new Ardent Races EXO for pretty much everything this past year. Same knob pattern as Ardent but slightly lower profile. Lighter and rolls faster. Max size is only 2.20 tho.

How dry is the area this year? Trying to figure out water sources from the waypoint file on the Dixie 200 website. Looks like dependable sources are Navajo Lake and Todd's store, but I'm unclear if there are any dependable sources between Todd's and Tropic Reservoir (lots of springs and creeks that could be dried up?). I know Erin mentioned a spigot around mile 83. After Tropic, looks like plenty of water sources.

Looks like there's still snow on the course, see attached pic.

I am in! See y'all on the 19th.

Finally finished putting together this short video about last summer's race.

California Sierra Trail Race

from Aaron Johnson on Vimeo

Keep in mind - this video describes the previous route, which is different than this year's route - Sean had to make some changes due to last summer's fires destroying some of the trails. Bummer, but the new route should be awesome too!

Are spots still available on the shuttle? When do we need to commit to the shuttle by?

Any word on a date yet this year? Route looks fantastic, would love to do it.

Awesome. Thanks guys. Watermark removed:

Colorado Trail Race Flyover

from Aaron Johnson on Vimeo

Thought I'd kick off this thread and get some stoke flowing with this Google Earth 3D flyover of the course:

Colorado Trail Race Flyover

from Aaron Johnson on Vimeo

Sorry for the "Trial Version" watermark - $500 for Google Earth Pro? No thanks.

Hoping to be there again this year - still deciding between a Tour Divide ITT or CTR!