2010 CTR Newbie Questions

[sanjuanrider]

I'm hoping to do the Colorado Trail Race (CTR) this year and would love to hear from some of the finishers and mostly the nonfishishers of things (or gear) they might have done differently to finish the race.  I know this is a broad questions but I need to start the thread to be ready by the begininning of August.

[Marshal]

Well, you asked…………..

All the many ‘gear’ choices are well reviewed/discussed in earlier threads, compare your current kit to other’s and then make your individual gear selections.  At the end of the day, within reason, your gear choices will not influence your success on the CTR as much as ‘other types’ of preparation.

I think many participants, both finishers and non finishers alike; misjudge the cumulative effect of racing a loaded bike for multiple days on lots of rugged, high elevation single track.  So if this type of bikepacking-racing is new to you, my advice would be to get in some good solid practice runs where you deliberately push yourself and your gear as hard as possible.  The CTR is a huge first bite for a newbie.

The biggie for many:
Eating and to a lesser degree sleep are the two big concerns, really the only things that matter for a experienced mtn biker/camper otherwise.  One MUST have a solid understanding of what individually works eating wise to have a good CTR run.

Personal Preference, but:
Get and learn to use a GPS.  I realize there are lots of silly luddite or touchy feely type arguments against using a GPS but if you want the BEST WAY to stay on track, eliminate wasted time and reduce route finding stress, well enough said………

CTR Specific:
And if I was to do the CTR again I would write out ahead of time a specific list of food items/cal amounts to buy at the convenience store in Mount Princeton Hot Springs.  By having a written check list you will save time and ensure you have enough calories to get you thorough the beautiful but remote Carson/Cataract sections.  Ha, IMO the ‘stress’ reduction alone makes this CTR specific ‘tip’ worth several hours in reduced finish time , anyway good luck

[Marshal]

Well your question got me to thinking some more, always a dubious thing for me, and I want to toss out another CTR tip.

Chuck the 1st aid kit

Thats right, take that super small, super light weight 1st aid kit and chuck it.  Replace it with one or two “no clip Ace Elastic Bandages” and some ¾ inch Velcro strapping. 

That small first aid kit was designed to give ‘comfort’, and only comfort, for small inconsequential injuries.  You know like in the Dire Straits song Money for Nothing --Now that ain't workin' that's the way you do it Lemme tell ya them guys ain't dumb Maybe get a blister on your little finger Maybe get a blister on your thumb We gotta install microwave ovens Custom kitchen deliveries We gotta move these refrigerators We gotta move these color TV's.
With the exception of some cream for saddle sores, If you really need 1st aid on the CTR it’s going to be at least a microwave, the blister(s) you will get and you will be ignoring.

Anyway I speak from first hand experience and I am deadly serious about this tip.
http://desertmountainride.blogspot.com/2008/08/alone-hurt-at-11500-ft.html

[sanjuanrider]

Thanks for the recent reply and the link to your page.  I followed the blogs last year during the race and your the reason I bought my SPOT locator (good story/reason to own one).  That makes great sense about the first aid kit.  I appreciate the great information youve posted.  Are you thinking about doing the race again this year?

[Marshal]

Thanks for the recent reply and the link to your page.  I followed the blogs last year during the race and your the reason I bought my SPOT locator (good story/reason to own one).  That makes great sense about the first aid kit.  I appreciate the great information youve posted.  Are you thinking about doing the race again this year?

Humm, not this yr, by the time the CTR rolls around I hope to be in a recovery mode with no vacation left. http://desertmountaindivide.blogspot.com/

But I will be Spot watching for sur……..

[wookieone]

Damn Marshall, I just read your CTR scar story, man you are a bad ass, nice work keeping it together, listen to marshall he has some serious experience!

My advice is similiar to what Marshall said, practice practice practice, know your mind, body, bike and gear. They will all be put to the test on something like the CTR, it takes only one of those breaking down and it your trip becomes a nightmare!
 Jefe

[Done]

Good topic, sanjuanrider. This year will be my first attempt at the CTR too. Like you, I'm doing everything that I can to show up prepared for a successful and exciting race.

Many of the GDR threads (both here and on mtbr.com) seem to have some good information that could apply  to any long race. Chris (Pivvay, as he posts here) has been very generous with his knowledge, so you might ping him directly.

There's only so much stuff that we newbies can learn from others though. I expect that I'll gain more wisdom in the first few days of the actual race than I have gleaned in a year of reading, listening, planning, training, and practicing. Truth us, I'm pretty eager to face the unknown--that's where adventure lurks. Hopefully I've got the safety issues nailed though, since there can be fine line between adventure and disaster!

[dream4est]

i would:

1. carry as little gear as possible- refine the kit through spring/summer practice runs.
2. preride day 1 and spend the night out (i did that last year on july 4th). last year the bottom feeders did 75-80 miles on day 1 and the leaders were 20-35 miles ahead. i felt that even though i had ct/ctr experience my pre-run gave me peace of mind when race day came.
3. realize you cannot really "train" for the moment when you will want to quit- but it will happen. how you react will determine your race outcome. fear of the unknown/failure can overwhelm a racer long before they even reach sections 22-23. thinking/preparing/internet analysis does nothing to ready one for the inevitable mental battle everyone has regarding quitting versus continuing.
4. be prepared to walk up to 100-130 miles. this means super stiff carbon-soled shoes are out.

i did not have a very good race in 09, but i finished. it was mainly due to will power and being very stubborn. plenty of people who are faster than me quit. that says a lot about how hard the ctr is.

mark c.

[sanjuanrider]

Thanks for all the information rolling in on this thread.  I know this will probably be the toughest physical and mental challenge I have ever attempted and not sure how I will do but hope to be prepared enough through all this information to start the race and HOPEFULLY finish. 

I should ask if anyone thinks this will be to hard to do on a full suspension Specialized Stumpjumper M5.  I need to order some bike packs in the next week or so in order to have enough weekend trips with them to make adjustments and fixes but hate to order anything if I have to reevaluate the main piece of equipement.  Would love to move up to a 29"  wheel bike but finances are holding me back at this time.  Does anyone have any knowledge/past experience with using this type of bike for bikepacking?

By the way dream4est- I appreciate the comments and hope you dont mind me cutting out your item 3. and pasting on my bars for mental motiviation.  Any little mental help might get me over the painfull hurdles that my mind will tell me when I  want to end the trip.

[Marshal]

Thanks for all the information rolling in on this thread.  I know this will probably be the toughest physical and mental challenge I have ever attempted and not sure how I will do but hope to be prepared enough through all this information to start the race and HOPEFULLY finish. 

I should ask if anyone thinks this will be to hard to do on a full suspension Specialized Stumpjumper M5.  I need to order some bike packs in the next week or so in order to have enough weekend trips with them to make adjustments and fixes but hate to order anything if I have to reevaluate the main piece of equipement.  Would love to move up to a 29"  wheel bike but finances are holding me back at this time.  Does anyone have any knowledge/past experience with using this type of bike for bikepacking?

By the way dream4est- I appreciate the comments and hope you dont mind me cutting out your item 3. and pasting on my bars for mental motiviation.  Any little mental help might get me over the painfull hurdles that my mind will tell me when I  want to end the trip.

Get your seat and handlebar bags ordered NOW!  Nor reason to wait, you might miss out as the two bag makers both have backlogs.  (note: you can now get a std Carousel seat bag online from http://www.adventurecycling.org/store/index.cfm/product/538_85/carousel-design-works-escape-pod-saddle-pack-medium.cfm)

Anyway, seat and handlebar bags will fit almost any bike. 

If you want a framebag that’s another story.  But doesn’t your bike (it should be more than ok for the CTR bty) have a very small area for a frame bag?  Might just go with a water bottle there & skip the frame bag or buy a small off the shelve one and stuff it to fit. 

Anyway what I really wanted to say was -- It’s not necessary to wait for your new bags to start your training/testing!!  Just start riding every ride with all your gear (start this weekend if you can)  If needed use a ‘temporary’ big back pack and strap some dry/compression bags on the bars-just get riding with all your stuff.  This will force you to train with the extra bulk and encourage you to ditch any ‘unnecessary’ items.  I know that every time I do this I always find something I want to ditch the 1st time up a long steep hill.  Also you don’t have to do a full overnight ride, just do a long (5+ hour) ride with a simulated ‘camp break’.  Ie: ride hard, find a nice spot, set up camp, eat a meal make a few notes, take a short nap etc, pack up and go home.  This exercise will teach you a lot about efficiently making/breaking camp—packing/unpacking, how your gear ‘really’ works, or not, where you like to stuff things so they are handy etc etc.  Then when you get your new bags you will be 90% done with getting your kit ‘dialed’ and ready for some overnight confirmation trips.  Oh, another training tip is to start such a training ride with zero or little food/water and stop at a gas station and get your food for the ride without wasting any time or buying any extra/unnecessary items.

Gee I am getting sort of verbose aint I

[Done]

Gee I am getting sort of verbose aint I

Yup, but we newbies are drinking it up. Thanks!

[Bral]

Marshal is a "bad ass" but also a really nice guy.  Calories are the key.  Figure out what you can buy along the way.  I started the race with too much heavy food and suffered the first couple of days with a heavy load.  When you get your bags, spend time figuring out how you want to weight them.  I started with a light backpack but during the race added weight to get my bike to handle better.  My ankles took a beating on the hike-a-bike, I would consider some type of guard next time.  Also need to decide how much you want to suffer.  I am on the older side (though not the oldest) and I decided that I wanted to be able to recover at night with a lot of good sleep.  I carried a full length air pad, light sleeping bag and gore tex bivy sack.  The guys up front carried a lot less.

[Done]

My ankles took a beating on the hike-a-bike, I would consider some type of guard next time.

Hi Bral, thanks for throwing some more good stuff out there. Agreed about Marshal, he's been offering up some terrific advice.

Can you be more specific about your ankles, and what type of guard you're talking about? Thanks!

[Bral]

A lot of the hike-a-bike sections are up steep, narrow trails with rocks on either side.  My ankles and feet were either hitting the rocks or my pedals.  At the end of the race my ankles were swollen for a couple of weeks.  I also tore open the sides of my shoes.  Amazingly, Universtity Bikes in Boulder warrantied them no questions asked.  I'll save you my diatribe on Boulder bike shops.  I think Pearl Izumi makes a high top shoe that might help or I was thinking of a soccer ankle guard.  BTW Marshal the new bike looks beautiful.

[Done]

A lot of the hike-a-bike sections are up steep, narrow trails with rocks on either side.  My ankles and feet were either hitting the rocks or my pedals.

We need quick-release pedals for those long hike-a-bike sections!

Thanks Bral. I've never walked with my bike for that distance before, so I'm going to take your advice to heart.

[Bral]

Good idea.  I have not heard of anybody else having this problem, so maybe I am just a spaz.

[Marshal]

A lot of the hike-a-bike sections are up steep, narrow trails with rocks on either side.  My ankles and feet were either hitting the rocks or my pedals.  At the end of the race my ankles were swollen for a couple of weeks.  I also tore open the sides of my shoes.  Amazingly, Universtity Bikes in Boulder warrantied them no questions asked.  I'll save you my diatribe on Boulder bike shops.  I think Pearl Izumi makes a high top shoe that might help or I was thinking of a soccer ankle guard.  BTW Marshal the new bike looks beautiful.

Umm, maybe you had some edema along with the pedal bruising?  

What is edema? http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/Edema/hic_Edema.aspx
Edema is swelling that is caused by fluid trapped in your body’s tissues. Edema happens most often in the feet, ankles, and legs. Other parts of the body, such as the face and hands, can also be affected. Edema can happen to anyone.
What causes edema?
Edema has many possible causes.
Edema can occur as a result of gravity, especially from sitting or standing in one place for too long. Water naturally gets pulled down into your legs and feet.
In addition, too much salt from your diet can make edema worse.


I got a pretty good case of edema from upper knee to my toes after my 1st AZT 300, and a light case after the 2009 CTR.  It almost knocked Mary Collier out of the 2008 TD.  I think it is somewhat common on multi-days, about the 3rd day or after you stop.  Anyway I now carry a off the shelf pair of compression stocking that I slip on at night, some days I have left them on till my lunch break.  I am investigating compression tights and/or thigh high stockings.

Ya, I really like my new Carver ‘dragon’ bike http://desertmountaindivide.blogspot.com/2010/01/2nd-ride-on-new-bike.html
It really rolls the fire roads—should be perfect for the Great Divide

[Bral]

I think you are correct about the edema as the swelling was beyond what I would expect from just bruising and it actually started after I finished.  The rock and pedal strikes did bother me during the race though and while guards might be over kill some extra padding would have been nice.  There could be entire thread devoted to the physical abuse from the CTR.  My left pinky was numb for a couple of months after the finish.  In training for the race I did a bunch of core and upper body work, I think this helped me from having any back, shoulder or neck issues.

[sanjuanrider]

Any suggestions from anyone on taking a water purifier for this trip?  From what I have researched I can resupply water along the trip about every day at stores/campgrounds (I am a slow rider) until  hitting the Monarch Crest.  Looks like from that point on that I would have to start pumping water to have enough liquids to make it through each day until the Lake City area.  I have a great filter but the bulk and weight are big issues for this trip from what I see.

Also - planning a gear test trip on the Centennial trail in S.D. black hills for Late May/Early July if anyone is interested in joining?

[Marshal]

Any suggestions from anyone on taking a water purifier for this trip?  From what I have researched I can resupply water along the trip about every day at stores/campgrounds (I am a slow rider) until  hitting the Monarch Crest.  Looks like from that point on that I would have to start pumping water to have enough liquids to make it through each day until the Lake City area.  I have a great filter but the bulk and weight are big issues for this trip from what I see.

Also - planning a gear test trip on the Centennial trail in S.D. black hills for Late May/Early July if anyone is interested in joining?

I seriously doubt you could be a ‘slower rider’ than me, but any rider, slow or fast can save time and effort with a good water strategy, here is one that’s proven for the CTR……………..

Yes you could re-supply with ‘store’ water IF you want to haul unnecessary weight up & over steep hike-a-bike’s and finish with a slower time.  However, I say buy your soda’s and red bull’s as desired along the way but do not buy any water.  Here’s why:


While not true for all trails, imo a filter is the most efficient way to go for the CTR, faster and lighter than any other system, including chemicals.

The CT guide book would lead you to believe that there are sections of the trail where water re-supply is sparse and hence you should haul along extra.  While this is true for a hiker it’s really not the case for a biker.  There ARE a few sections (& it’s up to you to figure this out) where you need to carry just a bit more water, (say 1, maybe 2 bottles worth) but in general, with a water filter you can go light on the water and just filter some up when ever needed.

What I am trying to say is on the CT you can save time and weight by carrying a filter.  One bottle of water weighs more than a filter by far.  And using a quick disconnect system between your filter / bladder makes filtering fast and easy.  Store your filter in a handy, ie: quick to get to place; stop as needed at a stream, filter up some nice, ice cold, water and go. Also if you time a food break/rest stop with a filter re-fill you will not be taking any extra time to filter. (And no reason to be carrying the extra weight of some warm ‘purified’ water while waiting for chemicals to work on the next batch of now warm water when all that clear ice water abounds)   

Side Note: If you plan on ‘cooking’ with water just filter up a bit more before your last stop.  Of course if you plan on ‘cooking’ you are not really going ‘light’ anyway. 

Also: It is wise to have a bit extra to sip on through the night, so finish the day up with a full bladder or a camp next to water.

(would love to join you in SD but all my vacation time is spoken for)