Colorado Trail questions

[stumpyfsr]

Hello to everybody! I'm almost ready to tackle Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango in early July but have a few questions. Tried to find answer in here but no results.
I rode Monarch Crest before and have some idea what I'm putting myself into. Also rode Maah Daah Hey two years ago.
1. Colorado Trail Foundation selling pocket guide book (no wilderness detour info in it) and a regular map book (with all detour info). Should I go for Map Book or will be fine with Pocket Guide. I'll be using Garmin Oregon too with already uploaded route.
2. How do I get back to Denver once I get to Durango? Turn around and ride the trail? Ride the roads, including 285? I'm on the tight budget and shuttle/taxi will be expensive
3. What should I do if caught by lightning storm above tree line?
4. Between titanium hardtail 29er and Stumpjumper FSR 29er I think Stumpy is better tool for the job, despite being heavier and too small triangle for a decent frame bag. Am I right or lighter hardtail (already have a frame bag for it) be better? Also, which tires: Maxxis Ardent or Kenda SB8?

I know it's a lot of questions. Hope for your help.

[Adam Alphabet]

Hey stumpy,
I'll try. I toured the route in August of 2012. Rode 10 days, it was awesome and hard. The trails and sceneries were incredible and the people along the way were great. Cool little towns and places to check out. You're going to have an awesome time. I plan on riding the route again in 2015. Can't wait!

1. I used Eric the Blacks Colorado Trail Pocket Atlas. I had some of the most relevant pages from the guide book photo copied (bike detours, town maps) onto water proof paper in my map case and had Toby's track on my Dakota 20. I wouldn't bring the book, too heavy, but study before.
http://blackwoodspress.com/colorado-trail/maps/atlas/

2. I flew home from Durango. I just went to a travel agent and got a ticket for the next day, super easy....I live in Vancouver Canada though so I didn't have the time to ride home although I gladly would have. If you've got the time I'd ride the route in reverse or plan some alternate route to get you back to where ever you need to be.

3. There's a bunch of info online. Get below tree line and 'assume the position'. I only got caught out once and had to retreat and wait out a storm for a couple hours. My trip was in August but I'm pretty sure July has more regular afternoon T-storms. Any locals want to chime in here..?

4. I just got a brand new custom steel 29er hardtail and I've never owned a full susser so my vote is for the Ti hardtail for sure. Each their own though. I'd go with whatever you feel you'd be more comfortable riding long days on. You're going to be pushing a lot if that's any consolation. I personally don't do backpacks so I was happy to have the frame bag space. I rode a 2.4 Ardent and a 2.2 Ikon. These were fine.  If I were to go again I'd probably go 2.35 ikons front and rear, although I'm really digging my DHR II on the front and ikon on the rear lately.

If you have any other questions I'll try to help as best I can. You're in for a hella fun adventure!
Adam.

[maettu99]

We did the CT in 2006. Pictures here...http://www.mat-sa.ch/reisen/2006_CT/index1.html

I would take a full suspension bike rather than a hardtail. I like the Kenda SB8. Regarding the detours from CT this would be the better choice I guess.

If you have a GPS track with all the detours I think the pocket guide might be enough for informations about the segments. But not as navigation backup for the Garmin.

Thunderstorms in an open area are always dangerous. If you find yourself caught in the lightning storm, first of all, do not panic. Stay calm and take the proper immediate precautions. Quickly leave open fields, elevated mountain tops, and watery areas. Look for a dry, low-lying area such as a valley and become the smallest target possible. Do this by crouching down with your heels touching, head between the knees, and ears covered. Minimize your contact with the ground and do not lie down flat.

The cheapest way to get back to Denver from Durango for us was renting a car at the Durango airport and drive back. Much cheaper than a shuttle but of course more expensive than ride the bike back. 

Be prepared to hike a bike a lot! Especially the part from Silverton to Durango

Have fun and enjoy

mat

[stumpyfsr]

Thank you, Adam and Mat, for response. It's very helpful info for me.
I saw you, Adam rode many interesting routes in different countries. This is what I'm after, to meet people, experience culture. And the bike is perfect transport for this task.
Thank you, Mat, for pictures. Some places I guess looks familiar, like Buffalo Creek, for example.
I foundBlackwoods atlas first. Tried to contact them if there's any bike detours in pocket book but got no reply yet. I have Toby's track too. Although Colorado Trail Foundation launching new detour this year with a whole new singletrack wich (they say) marked only in their book. So I'm more leaning towards CTF's map. Gotta act quick anyway and order it this week.
Both bikes feels comfy on long rides. Hardtail is more XC, race-oriented while Stumpy with it's longer wheel base feel more stable at speed. I'll do a few more rides on each before finally pick which "kid" will go with on this journey
Great idea about car rental - I missed this option somehow. I won't be in a tight schedule and might probably ride the bike back if my rear end will remain in good condition till then.

3 more questions and guess I'm ready:
- do I need bug spray (I think there're no mosquitos at that altitude)?
- should I consider chamois cream/butter for this ride? I never used anything of that kind but don't want to ruin a ride because that issue.
- do I need a bike lock? I know that story from Tour Divide when guys bike was stolen at the store...

I really appreciate you guys for sharing experience since I never done bike rides longer then 4 days neither with such a huge elevation gain.

[maettu99]

If you choose the hardtail you will have more options to move stuff and weight from the back to the bike. That's a good thing if you ride multiple days.
Do some testing and choose what looks perfekt for you.

Your questions are not easy to answer because they depend on personal preferences. For example I will not advise you to take no bike lock with you.  

But here is what I would do.

- I wouldn't take a bug spray with me because I had one on the CT ride in 2006 and never used it

- I definitely would use chamois cream because my ass loves it  

- I would take a superlight bike lock with me to make sure that the bike cannot be simply rolled away. For example this one...http://www.knog.com.au/gear-locks/milkman.phps

But again, that's my opinion.

Regards from Switzerland
mat

[Adam Alphabet]

Hi Stump,

Along the CT if you're looking for some neat places to stop and meet cool people I would definitely give yourself a bit of time to make a side trip to Salida. I did this and then got shuttled up to Monarch as opposed to riding Fooses. Salida is great and kind of a bike packers mecca. Give yourself a bit of time in Leadville as well, just a couple hours. I slept in a bit, checked out the town, ate well, talked to a guy doing a Divide through ride and then had an awesome ride into BV.

I'd go hard tail based on the frame bag space and keeping the weight off your back as Mat has stated above.

I didn't use bug spray.
I brought a cheap little luggage lock similar to the knog one posted above. Always have some sort of lock and try to always keep your eye on your bike, peace of mind.
I don't use chamois cream but I never do so each their own on that one.

You're in for a real treat on the CT. Best of Luck!
Adam.

[Couloirman]

lightning safety:
http://rendezvous.nols.edu/files/Curriculum/research_projects/Risk%20Management%20Reports/NOLS%20Backcountry%20Lightning%20Safety%20Guidelines.pdf

[stumpyfsr]

Thank you all for your knowledge and time to share it with me.
 I never use chamois cream, even on longer rides (up to 100 miles). I survived four days without it before, guess will be fine this time too.
Will leave bug spray at home.
It's been a long time since I was to Salida. I will definitely stop there, maybe ride a few singletrack around town. I know one campground close by with hot shower if it's still operating.
Special thanks to Couloirman for a link to lightning safety.
All I need now is a map-book to arrive and go and ride. So excited about this trip. Thanks again. I will post a report after get back home

[Couloirman]

Keep an eye on the Colorado trail foundation Facebook page, the trail very well might not be passable yet by early July. They usually post as new sections become passable

And I'm definitely bringing bug spray-- those mosquitoes could kill a man

[Yagi]

And I'm definitely bringing bug spray-- those mosquitoes could kill a man

Seriously.  I forget where exactly we were, but we stopped for 30 seconds to put on more sunscreen and I thought I was going to need a transfusion.  Deet, baby.  D-E-E-T.

Have an awesome ride.  I'm going to ride it as a tour again this year.  Maybe I'll see you there!

Steve

[windowace]

I'm biased living in the pacific NW but I say never ride without deet, an ounce or two of 100% can make a world of difference.
I would bet good money you could hitch back to Denver, even with your bike, there are lots of pickups in Colorado.
Good luck you'll have a great time!

[stumpyfsr]

For some reason I thought there're no Mosquitos in Colorado, at least that high above sea level. Thanks to all, who chimed in - you guys convinced me to pack some DEET into my pack. I know how bad these blood suckers could be and not ready to be eaten alive just to save a few grams.
Will be glad to meet anyone from here on the trail.

[Yagi]

Just for more clarification, when it came time to set up camp for the night, I really didn't get much in the way of skeeters.  My main encounters with 'em were in the wetter, valley-type environments, in the middle of the day.  So, if you can get to a little bit higher ground when you're setting up for the night, you'll probably be fine for the night.  Once it gets cool enough at night, they seem to disappear, anyway.  That being said, I'd still invest in a couple ounces of deet.

[aphoto]

Maybe it's just me but it seems to be a bad season for the mosquitos this year. Nearly got eaten alive this weekend and I was nowhere near water.

[Yagi]

Were you on a bikepacking trip? 

I thought the mosquitos were bad where I was, but then I just picked up my lawn chair and PBR and walked inside. 

[THE LONG RANGER]

Pretty bad year for 'em, all over. Snow meltoff was really late this year.

[Couloirman]

Mosquitoes are the #1 reason I go with an enclosed shelter like the ZPacks Solplex. If it weren't for that I'd just go tarp and sleeping bag. My blood is like crack to those things. I think I'd need a transfusion sleeping under the stars on the CTR.

As long as I don't get a tick on the Colorado Trail I will be cool. God I hate ticks...

[Yagi]

Yeah.  Some places have 'em way worse than others, but whatever.  Still, nothing compares to the mosquitos where I grew up in northcentral Wisconsin.  When I'd change the oil on my Jeep, I'd have to put 3 box fans at the side of my vehicle just to keep them off of me.  That sucked.  Then yer oil goes everywhere with all the airflow.  Ughh.  Maybe that's why I ride bikes so much...

[Yogi the Barry]

FYI - there is a CTR 2014 thread with over 20 pages of posts at:
http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php?topic=6817.0

[Yogi the Barry]

My 3-cents worth:
Riding the CT is not like a fast paced day ride. There's enough slow HAB that riding a hardtail, instead of a FS bike, is fine. Much easier to carry gear on a HT bike. I rode CTR in 2012 on an Ibis Mojo-SL. This year it will be on my Ti 29er hardtail.
Take bug juice - I rode up Fooses a few weeks ago and mosquito pressure kept me from stopping. All you'll need is a small 1-2 ounce container. Sleeping at night is cool and you will be in a bag. I just don a mosquito headnet inside my bag, using a ZPacks solo tarp.
Lightning-storms - Get an idea of the extended weather before you leave to know what direction t-storms are going to move. Usually they come out of the SW, but this year [in NM] the drift is different every day. The wind direction on 700mb maps will tell you the expected drift direction. If the monsoon is active, then expect rain and start riding very early in the morning.
Bike locks - If you don't leave the bike unattended for long, I don't think you need a lock. If you go inside a restaurant, park the bike by the window to keep an eye on it. I went shopping at the City Market in Buena Vista and just removed the front wheel and took it inside with me while shopping. I'm a weight-weenie and even a lightweight lock is too heavy for me.
Food - Carry at least 3000 calories a day. 4K is better. Try to eat a real breakfast every day and some extra calories before you go to sleep.
Check out the CTR Planning thread - this year and past years for lots of info.
Ciao, -Barry

Hello to everybody! I'm almost ready to tackle Colorado Trail from Denver to Durango in early July but have a few questions. Tried to find answer in here but no results.
I rode Monarch Crest before and have some idea what I'm putting myself into. Also rode Maah Daah Hey two years ago.
1. Colorado Trail Foundation selling pocket guide book (no wilderness detour info in it) and a regular map book (with all detour info). Should I go for Map Book or will be fine with Pocket Guide. I'll be using Garmin Oregon too with already uploaded route.
2. How do I get back to Denver once I get to Durango? Turn around and ride the trail? Ride the roads, including 285? I'm on the tight budget and shuttle/taxi will be expensive
3. What should I do if caught by lightning storm above tree line?
4. Between titanium hardtail 29er and Stumpjumper FSR 29er I think Stumpy is better tool for the job, despite being heavier and too small triangle for a decent frame bag. Am I right or lighter hardtail (already have a frame bag for it) be better? Also, which tires: Maxxis Ardent or Kenda SB8?

I know it's a lot of questions. Hope for your help.