2010 Colorado Trail Race

[mtbriderz]

I like how Denver Water Works announces this a month and a half out....   

[ETURK]

Indian creak trail instead?

[Stefan_G]

Even moving the start a day earlier, parking will be a problem at the TH since the lot at the canyon's entrance will be closed from 8/2 onward.

Changing the start location to the Indian Creek Trailhead on CO Hwy 67 may be the best solution.  I think the time & length to the CT intersection is probably similar to starting in Waterton.

[KO]

Starting at IC would be awesome.  Any of you haven't done it yet, it is worth it.  The only problem would be if starting at the trailhead, you have singletrack right away for 3.5 miles before you get to Lenny's rest, no room to spread out.  The alternate would be to start at the little lot by Rampart Range Rd about a quarter mile away.  You could start at the fire road so you have about 1.25 miles to spread out going down the singletrack or you can continue the fireroad for about another 1.5 miles but then you have at least another 6+ miles of fun singletrack before reaching the dam.  Can't lose either way.  Now I'm even more pissed I can't do the race, but have to settle on doing my CT trip in mid July.

[ETURK]

Sounds like problem solved! Would the start date remain the same then? 

[Stefan_G]

OK, it's settled.  Same start date and time, but ride the IC trail.  Exact start location TBD in hopes to make the time/lengths negligible and to have a mile or two of roll-out before the ST.

[jeffkerkove]

Via the Colorado Trail website.......



More info here:  http://www.coloradotrail.org/waterton_closure.html

[ETURK]

Well my CTR reverse plan is still in effect!  See eveyone else more than halfway if I am lucky, but either way BCNU! 

[mnmtb]

Well this change presents a callenge to my start/finish plans.  Originally I had planned on dropping my car in Durango, flying back to Denver and staying near Waterton Canyon trailhead the night before the start.  I used to live not too far from there so I could ride to the TH and get started.

Now with the start location changed could anyone give me some help with lodging options or even be willing to give me a place to stay the night before.  Would anyone be willing to give me a lift to the start?

I will offer a return ride from Durango if anyone finishes within say about 12 hours of me.  I am planning on a less than 6 day pace if all goes well.

Thanks much everyone.  Look foward to riding with you all.

[sanjuanrider]

I'm hoping that keeping the same start time and date is the preferable option (just being selfish) since I have put a lot of planning into this race for starting on that Monday.  I probably live closer than anyone starting the race (about 3 miles from Waterton Canyon) and would love to start from my house but starting on Sunday at this point would throw a big wrench into me even making it this year.

Looks like the alternate route (Indian Creek Traihead) only changes the distance of the race by 1 mile.  It probably changes a few minutes since it will add more single track but since that is what we are after anyway and with close to 500 miles it probably wouldn't make a difference on timing for those few elite trying to break a record (that will not be me though - just looking at a goal of finishing this beast).

If we were to set up a vote I would say start at same time and date but different location (as noted by Stefan).  I would still like to see if the Denver Water board would allow a start at 6:00 am then close the canyon at 7:00 am (once again being selfish and wishing for the best circumstance).

[Done]

I rode the section from Copper to Tennessee Pass last weekend. Beautiful day--hoping for the same in August. Here are some pictures to whet your appetite. No surprise to the veterans of course, but this is going to be one brutally  HARD race. I didn't take any photos of the rough spots because I was either too busy holding on for dear life on the descents (I may actually be slower going down than up!) or gasping for air on the climbs. I'm looking forward to getting out there again a couple of more times before August 2.

Hard to believe that the race is only a month away. I wish that I had more time to train--but I suppose that my wish may be granted if I fail this year!

[sanjuanrider]

I did the section from Kenosha Pass to Breckenridge 2 weeks ago and this picture shows what the conditions where like on Georgia Pass.  The pass itself is clear but the trees just below the pass had 4 foot drifts still.  They should be all clear within the next couple of weeks but when I did it on the 19th it was very tiring for about 2 miles with throwing the bike over the snow drifts over and over.

[bartspedden]

I road the trail with full vehicle support last year.  Here is a long winded pic/write up.   spedden.com
Enjoy,
Bart

[Done]

Great photos, Bart. Nice insights too. Thanks for sharing!

[Done]

I rode the Indian Creek Trail 800 "bypass" on Sunday. Nice trail. It starts with a 1-2 mile single-track climb, but then opens up to longer sections of double-track. After the short climb at the start, it's mostly gentle downhill for 10+ miles. With a little patience, we can all get a spread out a bit before things get tighter again.

Watch out for some of those drainage dips/waterbars (mountains?)--they are HUGE, and the last few are the biggest. I was riding pretty conservatively, and I still got a little extra lift!

[sanjuanrider]

I rode the Indian Creek Trail 800 "bypass" on Sunday. Nice trail. It starts with a 1-2 mile single-track climb, but then opens up to longer sections of double-track. After the short climb at the start, it's mostly gentle downhill for 10+ miles. With a little patience, we can all get a spread out a bit before things get tighter again.

Watch out for some of those drainage dips/waterbars (mountains?)--they are HUGE, and the last few are the biggest. I was riding pretty conservatively, and I still got a little extra lift!

I rode the same section a couple of weeks ago but if I'm not mistaken we will only be riding the West Section of the trail which is all single track and not the East section that you might be referring to.   The East section of #800 would have a lot of room for spreading out but the actual reroute (West) is all single track from the trailhead (located near the horse corrals) without much room for passing.  It won't matter to me either way since I will be starting at the end of the pack and probably staying at that location.  The official Colorado Trail re-route shows the west end section of #800 to be the detour.

[Done]

Oops, you're right. I actually rode both sides of the loop, but I figured that east side made more sense so I just mistakenly assumed that was what we are going to ride. The west side will certainly be bottleneck city!

[sanjuanrider]

I think your right.  If the race starts from the Indian Creek Trailhead and goes straight into the West loop then it will be a lot of bumber bikes for a while.  I am hoping they start the race at the Rampart Range parking lot (about 1/4 mile up the paved road).  I think that lot is free as compared to the Indian Creek lot which is a $5 usage fee.  The Rampart Range lot would be a quick downhill ride to the trail head but would allow a few minutes for people to space out on the pavement.

The East 800 route would allow for people to spread out and is a blast but would add some addtional miles and elevation gain right away.  With close to 500 miles and 60,000 verticle I don't know if that matters anyway. 

[Done]

Yep, the Indian Creek Trailhead is $5/day for parking (and there was a guy there enforcing it on Sunday). I suppose people could choose to park at either lot since they are only 1/4 mile apart? Any thoughts on which lot is safer, or if there's even a difference? I'm getting dropped off, but other people may want to consider this.

I suspect that the Colorado Trail Foundation chose the west leg for the construction detour because it has more hiker-friendly singletrack. But the east leg, with its wider double-track sections, seems like a better route to launch a gaggle of mountain bikers. Agreed the the miles and vertical feet are too small to be of much significance!

Either way works for me though. I won't exactly be jockeying for the pole position!

[KO]

Just did a not so quick trip of Seg 22 & 23 Coney/Cataract.  Started 8 am on Monday and finished 6pm Tuesday. Came in with worst biking shape of my life and the altitude kicked my ass big time.  Tons of hike-a-bike, but gave plenty of time to enjoy the amazing scenery up here.  Hats off to you guys.