2011 CTR Planning

[sherpaxc]

Thanks dude, I'll ping you in a bit.  As far as flexibility goes, I know that all too well.  I have gone to do a big loop twice now and both times have had to change the route due to unexpected events.  That's just part of it (which I enjoy). 

[Done]

Thanks dude, I'll ping you in a bit.  As far as flexibility goes, I know that all too well.  I have gone to do a big loop twice now and both times have had to change the route due to unexpected events.  That's just part of it (which I enjoy).  

Yeah, it's a big part of the fun for me too. It's fun having a purpose out there (to finish quickly!), and then figuring out how to make it happen somewhat on the fly!

[Done]

A couple of people have asked to see my camping locations for 2010, so I posted a profile to my blog:
http://tobygadd.blogspot.com/2011/03/colorado-trail-race-profile.html

Edit: Sorry for the link, but the image is pretty wide, and it won't display very well in this forum.

[Done]

A few people have asked me about maps, waypoints, and GPS tracks. Here's what I did last year. It worked well, so I'll do it again this year.

Steps:
1.   I loaded all of the waypoints from Bear Creek Survey (BCS) into Topo! (National Geographic’s mapping software). I also loaded Stefan’s track.
2.   In Topo!, I deleted BCS waypoints that were irrelevant due to detours, etc. I also added some of my own.
3.   Then I converted the Topo! file into something that Mapsource (Garmin’s mapping software) understands, using GPSBabel.
4.   I then used Mapsource to load the tracks and waypoints into my Vista HCx GPS unit.

The net result is that I have an awesome track to follow on my GPS, and all of the waypoints match the Colorado Trail Foundation's Data Book. I printed maps out of Topo! at several different levels, so I can also verify waypoints on the maps. I also printed the wilderness bypass instructions directly on the maps.

As an aside, you can probably do the same thing using TopoFusion, but I owned Topo! for about ten years before TopoFusion came out. Maybe someday I’ll buy TopoFusion—it looks like a great program and will obviously save some steps because it seems to have superior GPS connectivity. There’s no doubt that I would have bought TopoFusion, and not Topo!, had it been available!

I rode 95% of the trail using just my GPS and a printed profile. But I figured that the maps might be very helpful if my GPS failed. I did use the maps on the Cataract section, just to find out where I was, and when I was going to get to Silverton (it was night, and raining hard)! I also thought the maps might come in useful if I needed to bail to the nearest highway or hospital, but fortunately I didn't need too.

Edit: I posted some images of what the maps ended up looking like on my blog:
http://tobygadd.blogspot.com/2011/03/colorado-trail-race-navigation.html

[Emily]

Oh yeah, are there any other spots that were missed in the previous post?  

There is a bar in Copper that is open late, and you get get simple stuff like a burger and fries--and a beer!

there are vending machines in the stairways of the main condo complex at Copper too, if everything else is closed.

[Done]

there are vending machines in the stairways of the main condo complex at Copper too, if everything else is closed.

That's AWESOME information, Emily. Thank you!

[trailrider11]

How many calories would you say you packed to start the race and also when you resupplied?

[Done]

How many calories would you say you packed to start the race and also when you resupplied?

Before the race started, I planned all sorts of food and calorie options--and even went so far as to make a spreadsheet to bring with me. But I ended up throwing it all away and figuring out when I needed along the way. In general, tried to adhere to the commonly-held belief that most people can only digest about 200-300 calories per hour. You'll probably need to do some testing to figure out what works for you.

[sherpaxc]

I would agree with Toby.  Everyone is different.  When going on multi day's all I want to know is how far it is to the next resupply.  If it's 2 days, then I just add up all the meals I would normally eat and buy that plus snacks.  Obviously meals means different things to different people. 
For example.  I plan on bringing a Subway/Quiznos or whatever sandwich with me on the first day and eat that for lunch.  I plan on making it to Bailey before/during dinner.  I'll carry some extra calories just in case something happens and I don't make it, but not a whole lot.  That, with some snickers bars or trail mix and beef jerkey will always do me good!  Then reavaluate from there.

[Done]

Good news: The Colorado Trail Foundation just released the 8th edition of the Colorado Trail Guidebook! Don't delay, order today:
http://www.shop.coloradotrail.org/NEW-Official-CT-Guidebook-8th-Edition-GUIDE8.htm

[gdillon]

What re-supply is available in Bailey or 285/Shawnee area? I see that there is a Conoco gas station in Bailey. Mainly looking for convience store type.

The burgers at the Knotty Pine were good.  Also, they serve an espresso shake that's pretty hard to pass up.

How many calories would you say you packed to start the race and also when you resupplied?

It took me 10 hours to get to Bailey, but I also packed the kitchen sink so to speak (and I'm slow).  That said, you could start with as little as 2500 calories (or less) if you want to roll into Bailey empty.  I had a special attachment to my "special" foods (shot blocks, gels, powders, etc) so I carried lots of extras.  When I quit 4 days in I still had some food (3/4 lb worth) in my bag.  This time around I will be going with less "sport" food.  It's amazing how good some things look at the gas station after a long day that you would never consider any other day.

[trailrider11]

So fella's, does anybody here run tubeless tires?
If so, are they worth it to have on the CTR or do you see the CT as less of a rough, thorny trail compared to others?
I have been thinking about going tubeless but I'm not sure yet because it is not a necessity.
Also, what is the Avg temperature temperature you guys faced on the CTR last year, including accents in the 12,000ft region?(When you were close to summits)
I have ridden my bike in the teens most mornings lately (such a cold early spring) and with a 1 tshirt, my patagonia long sleeve, and columbia thermal fleece I am able to ward off the cold for mile 10 mile trek, but it is very chilly.

[bartspedden]

The CT has parts that are smooth, but it also has significant sections that are long extended rock gardens too. I run tubeless and don't have any problems. Clearly, you can run tubes without any problems. For my style of riding tubeless was a huge break through; better climbing traction, better cornering, less flats.

Here's a smooth section:


Here's a rough section:


Here's a moderate section:



Temps vary from year to year, but morning temps tend to be in the 30s and 40s while highs can get into the upper 80s. I would bring warm clothes on some pre race training missions and see what works for you. I tend to be a little chilly in the morning so I like a little extra to start off with but shed it once the sun comes out.

[trailrider11]

Thanks Bart, the pictures helped a lot!
I might run tubeless but right now a new crankset and front deraillur are calling!
What are some frequent issues you guys run into with your bikes?
I have had my new bike for 1 month, a cannondale flash 29er and have broken the front deraillur once and just today on my 30 mile training run,on a perfect bike path, bent the left crankarm so that it rubs on the left chainstay!
Are these reasonable problems? Because I am not to happy with my setup now, i haven't even been on our trails yet here! 
What crankset do you guys recommend for bikepacking in general, as this seems to be a pivotal part for me to maintain?

[sherpaxc]

Maybe give the Shimano SLX version a try?  I run it on my SS and it's stiff and quite durable.  Inexpensive too.  I'd HIGHLY recommend a Stans tubeless set-up.  Highly.

[sanjuanrider]

I ran tubless on the CTR last year and was pleased with them.  I had 2 flats during the entire trip but I carried an extra tube for that situation then pulled the tube out in towns that I could find a compressor at (Bailey and Silverton).  I've run tubes in the past and will stick with tubeless (especially for the Colorado Trail) from now on.

[Mountaindavis]

I run tubeless all the time and will run this trail tubeless (with a spare tube as back up).  SLX cranks are vary tough and reasonably light--I recommend them.

[bartspedden]

I don't think I've ever broken a front derailleur, and I'm certain I've never bent a crank, not even after 3 season of DH racing! What parts were they? I used XT without any issues for 4 years, just normal replacement of BB bearings. I'd love to hear what happened with the crank.  I've seen some pretty huge wrecks downhilling with bikes tumbling down the mountain through trees and rcoks and almost never see any bent cranks! I just ordered the e13 single speed cranks, hopefully they will be as good as the XTs.

There's plenty of stories of ripped sidewalls, broken chains, and broken rear derailleurs. I've also seen racers have issues with various parts rattling loose, think brakes, etc.  Wearing through brake pads is pretty easy to do if it's wet a lot.  Personally, I'm a bit anal about preping my bike and making sure it's as good as I can get it with the resources I have. And then on the trail I do my best to clean off the suspension and knock off any dirt/mud that I can. Once that's done I clean the chain and lube it.  It only take a couple minutes and I like to do it while it's still light and I have a little energy/motivation.

[Done]

Tubeless or tubes will work fine on the CTR. My cousin Dylan and I finished the CTR with tubes and Continental Mountain Kings last year, and neither of us had even one flat. Neither setup will prevent you from getting to Durango, so ride what you prefer. I figure that tubeless is good when there are lots of prickly things around, and tubes are fine for less aggressive riding--so I'm going to ride Kokopelli's this spring tubeless, but will probably take tubes again for the CTR.

As for the cranks, I'm as puzzled as Bart. How did you bend a crank by riding on pavement? Are you sure that they aren't loose, or perhaps the spacers are set incorrectly?

[trailrider11]

Well guys it seems the bike shop here has no idea how this happened and has never seen it happen before. They said it would be a few days to fix but didnt exactly tell me what it was. I am thinking it may have been an issue with the spacers or the bearings inside, the left crankarm was not bent though. With all this happening to my new bike, i have become somewhat paranoid and afraid to ride it too much. Its funny to say but after the front deraillur cable failing the first week and noticing the shock cap was missing on my lefty, plus this, i am wondering who the hell assembled my bike! They are even trying to figure out who assembled it!
However, with all of these issues, i have read up and have watched numerous videos on bike installation and maintinence and feel more comfortable with working on my bike now without taking it in the shop for adjusting. I will let you guys know the prognosis this Saturday when i get it back.
On the other hand, i may or may not get tubeless, only riding the trails here will i be able to make a good judgment. With hearing your advice though Toby and Bart i feel more comfortable with tubes on the CTR but not on the trails in California from what i have heard.
One more thing, a question for tonight would be: how many hours did you guys sleep on the trail last year? I am already planning a schedule.