2010 colorado trail race-looking for a co-rider

[ruthslp]

hi, i am rather new to the whole bikepacking thing, but after years of XC/XXC 'racing' and riding all over east coast I really want to do more of this now. Looking forward to some 'casual' paced trips in the future, but right now I would really like to do the CO Trail Race this year in august but not too sure about going it totally alone. I know you can't have an actual partner or support for this, but looking for someone who might want to ride similar pace, stop at the same towns at night, wait up if a bad mechanical happens, etc. The biggest reason is I am scared of running into bears, etc alone!my pace will not be too fast, but I do want to keep moving steadily. I am thinking it will be more than 7 days for me, but hopefully not much more than that!!

This website is great info on the routes etc for the west! and for bike set up info. thanks!!

Ruth.

[Done]

Hi Ruth,

Bears aren't really that big of a deal in Colorado. I've  biked, hiked, and backpacked in Colorado for about 20 years, and I've only been fortunate to see a handful of bears. Generally all you'll see is their bug furry rumps running away from you. Since they're hunted here, they seem to have learned that hanging around people is a bad idea.

That said, I still don't sleep with my food. A hungry bear may decide that your food smells pretty darn good, and challenge you for it. I'd hate to lose all of my food to a bear on the CTR, but better that than get bitten or clawed too.

If you're really concerned, take some pepper spray--and make lots of noise in areas where you bears might not see you coming. Bears don't like being surprised, and will sometimes attack defensively. If you want to learn more about avoiding bear attacks, check out "Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance" by Stephen Herrero. He's done an amazing job of evaluating pretty much every bear attack to determine why it occurred and how it could have been avoided. I think that it'll actually make you feel a lot better. I spent the first 20 years of my life in the Canadian Rockies, where bears can be a little more problematic, and this book really helped me stay safe and relaxed. 

The truth is that there are many more dangers than bears on the CTR. Specifically, I worry a whole lot more about cars, crashing, and lightening. For that matter, I suspect that I will face more danger driving to Denver from Fort Collins--really!

I'd offer to ride with you, but I'm pretty committed to the solo thing. But with the number of people who seem to be starting the CTR this year, I expect that there will be lots of "groups" out there.

Cheers,
Toby

[ruthslp]

yeah i know its kind of silly, but i even am worried of wildlife to ride too much alone anywhere far from a poplulated park near my house!!
I somehow manage to usually have some friends to get into the forest with. i know there are much worse things that could happen while out there alone!
thanks for the info though!
ruth.

[kbabin]

ruth,

I have never been on the CT but I did the the San Juan Hut to Hut from Durango to Moab.  Couple of things to think about.

1. Yes you will be "alone" on the trail, but there is a lot of traffic on trails and bail out routes.  I never not seen someone when riding in CO.

2. If you are going to be in Colorado, you might want a CORSAR card http://www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/fa/sar/sar_purchase.html

3. What about carrying a Spot? http://www.findmespot.com/en/

Kev

[Esportsman]

Hi Ruth,

Don't be worried about bears.  Toby was right that it is traffic and lightening that are significantly bigger threats.

I grew up in CO and have lived in British Columbia, Canada for the last 10+ years.  I saw more bears my first field season here than all my years in CO.  Read the books he recommended too.  The author also produced 2 excellent videos: "Staying Safe in Bear Country" and "Working in Bear Country".  There are likely to be copies of these at your local library or university.  We watch the Working in Bear Country video every year or 2 for my job as a field geologist/engineer.  The more you know the more comfort you will have!  These books and videos describe the situations where you are likely to encounter bears, how to read their stress levels, and how to react should an encounter escalate into something more serious.  But take comfort that most encounters either 1) you aren't aware there is a bear and 2) simply don't escalate with aggressive behavior from the bear.

Get at COSAR card, educate yourself and keep your food/smelly stuff (food, lip balm, trash, toothpaste, chamois cream too) away from your sleeping area.  Get a bear bell for your bike.  Outdoor stores sell bear bells that have a magnetic silencer for those times where you feel OK.  Heck, get an air horn that you can recharge with your bike pump.  Get bear spray and a holster.  I've been known to sleep in my tent with the bear spray (as well as my rock hammer just 'cause it makes me feel better!!).  Make noise on the trail in sections that look like favorable locations for bear habitat. Sing Mr. and Mrs. Bear a song.  Let them know you are coming.  Heck, if we're on the same section of the CTR at the same time this year, riding through bear terrain, then I'll teach you *my* bear song.    

Think of the CTR as exposure therapy with very little chance of an actual encounter. 
Em

[Done]

Heck, if we're on the same section of the CTR at the same time this year, riding through bear terrain, then I'll teach you *my* bear song.

Might this bring some well-needed levity at about mile 200?

[Esportsman]

Might this bring some well-needed levity at about mile 200?

It will probably be as bad as my field partner who once spent the entire summer singing ABBA's 'Dancing Queen'.... the only song...the whole summer. 

[Done]

It will probably be as bad as my field partner who once spent the entire summer singing ABBA's 'Dancing Queen'.... the only song...the whole summer. 

Uh oh, now we have another serious hazard to address on the CTR! I'll add some ear plugs to my emergency kit. Hopefully the type used for long-range artillery will be sufficient.