I too saw the magicless coolers and trash...

I would definitely recommend some warm (preferably waterproof gloves!  My hands got very cold and wet with regular full finger gloves on several occasions last year.

I think it would be safe to say that I would not have completed the CTR last year without a GPS.  I was convinced that I could do it using only the 2+ lbs of Trails Illustrated maps... My GPS and a few days of batteries weighed less than the giant stack of maps!   I think that using the maps in the rain, wind or dark would be miserable!  Needless to say, I purchased a new GPS three days before the race began.  When I started the race I had never actually used a GPS to navigate.  (not a good idea)  While doing the race, I found several areas where the signs were missing or poorly marked.  I suppose it would be much clearer now that I have ridden the whole route.  About four hours into the race I came to an intersection of several trails.  I could not tell what way to go, so I pulled out the GPS and saw the "blue line" for the first time.  After that I zoomed the GPS in to about 60 ft. and just followed the blue line for the rest of the race.  When I got to Buena Vista, I mailed all of the trails Illustrated maps home to save weight and space.  I did however keep one basic map for emergencies.  Needless to say I relied on my GPS almost entirely.  The bottom line for me was that the GPS saved me considerable time and stress. (not that that was reflected in my finish time!)  bOB 

I can also relate to having other priorities in life.  I did not think that it would be fair for my son to be out training every day after work and all weekend.  My solution was to take my son on my training rides.  I loaded up the trailer with my son,  plenty of snacks, a portable DVD player and a few coloring books with crayons and set out for the hills.  The total weight, not including myself or the bike was about 65 to 70 lbs.  Most of the rides involved about 3k to 4k of climbing and about 30 miles...  I got a lot of funny looks and comments from other cyclists that I passed and that passed me!  Pulling all of that weight REALLY helped a lot in last years CTR.  I also did lots of night rides.  I would put my son to sleep and head out from about 9PM until 11 or 12 pm.  It was pretty lonely as few of my friends were into night riding during the summer.  I guess that was also good mental preparation for the solitude and long stretches of the CTR where there were few, if any, other trail users.  While doing the CTR I actually rode very little past dark.  After riding for 14 hours during the day, I was pretty much toast by dark.  There were a few times that I rode after dark but it was mainly to get to a lower elevation so that I could recover better at the "lower" altitude.  This strategy certainly was not going to keep me anywhere near the leaders but I was able to finish.  That was my primary goal.    bOB

Thanks for the kind words everybody!  I have to say that this "race" has been one of the best experiences of my life!  I have never pushed myself this hard both mentally and physically.  I really appreciate all of the support and well wishes!  I cant believe how many really cool people that I met along the trail.  Everyone was really supportive and contributed to my completing the race.  There were plenty of times that I just wanted to quit...   Fortunately for me, those times occurred when there were no easy bail out points.  Congratulations to all of the participants in this amazing race!  You are all bad asses in my book!  Be safe and keep the shiny side up!  bOB

Hi Mark!  It was cool meeting you on this years CTR!  It was great seeing, and feeding,  off of your passion for mountain biking.  Thanks for all of your advice in Leadville.  Bob B.