2011 CTR Planning

[riverfever]

I was born and raised in St. Louis so I know how you feel. I just didn't want you to think that it wasn't going to get uncomfortable at times during the day.

[anth]

Another thing about high altitude sunny days out here......don't forget sunscreen and sunglasses!

[ETURK]

I think the majority of these posts are trying to balance the need to be thorough and the need to be efficient – but both can’t happen at the same time, which is why these posts go on, and on, and on. Don’t fool yourself with a silver bullet solution. Improvements or investments made in one area can create greater squeezes in another area.

If you are really racing (and by that I mean chasing Owen Murphy or going for sub 7 days) then you’re looking at efficient more so than thorough. If you’re main concern is finishing (should be everyone who is a first timers first attempt and first concern, even you so called sponsored racers) then your looking at being thorough.

Me personally, I am looking at being thorough and this means a bit more on the heavy side. I am bringing the tarp tent over the bevy. My rain gear will be complete, not ultra light. If I need to rest, I will rest. In this way overall performance will be dictated on my own mental and physical self, rather than by faulty gear and/or faulty application of it, because I intend to be “gear thorough”. That said, I am racing (at least to myself) and as days go by you become more “trail-hardened” and can then recognize what gear isn’t serving you (your carrying it but not likely to use it) and can then be left behind.

If you care to do the whole thing, start off thorough, then becoming more efficient as you become more trail hardened. Just don't fool yourself.

[anth]

Good advice here^ especially for those of us thinking of giving it a go for the first time this year! Completely agree that especially for those racing ourselves and trying to finish, leaving gear out because we think we can be faster without it is not always the smartest plan.

[bearcreek]

Water - It seems pretty easy until we cross Hwy 50 and start heading into the wasteland.

Coloradoans that live south of Hwy 50 do not consider it to be a wasteland.

[gdillon]

As far as bivy gear goes, does anyone go sans sleeping pad?

Just went out for an overnight sans pad.  Hated it.  The goal was to ride myself into exhaustion (start 7 pm Friday, end 2 am Saturday) and see how the ground felt.  While I did sleep soundly after removing every bit of debris and 2 hours of what I like to call "rotisserie  chicken", that meant sleeping from 4-7 a.m.

I also didn't bring a change of clothes, hated that too.  Nothing better than a dry set of long johns after pushing/riding the bike all day.  

I like the comment about being thorough.  Last year I threw in a 1 person tent and couldn't have been happier while sleeping.  However, I learned that packing up a wet tent at 5 am sure sucks, and it required a chunk of my day (30 minutes or so) to unpack and dry everything out.  I brought nearly 17 pounds worth of gear and in this last outing brought 11.5 pounds.  There is definitely a balance between those 2 numbers for me.

It's all about what works for you.

[bearcreek]

FYI - The newly revised (2010) National Geographic Map #141 ("Telluride, Silverton, Ouray, Lake City") correctly depicts the co-located CT and CDT along Cataract Ridge.   

[sherpaxc]

Ordering my Data book now as well as a contribution to the CTF.  Thanks for all the hard work ya'll put in.

[dream4est]

Looking to hit the Indian Creek to Bailey and back to the start Monday as a training ride. If anyone wants to join me let me know. I have my setup dialed in and ready to hit the dirt.

Mark C.

[TruthRider]

Mark C -

Thanks for the pic !  That looks like a tremendous amount of stuff on your front end; would you mind detailing everything that's loaded there?  I'm also curious - what are you sleeping with?  Is that a sleeping bag I see?  I just went on an overnighter Wednesday at White Ranch/Golden Gate State Park, and my sleeping bag/bivy combo is much bigger than what I see on yours.

Thanks,
CJ

[Yogi the Barry]

M,
Missed you by a week... I rode from Indian Creek to Bailey last Sunday. I was lucky and got dropped-off and picked-up to make it a one-way run. Started about 10:15 and got into Bailey about 5:20-ish. Rode at a fairly steady all-day-long pace. Only tough part was the last few miles. I somehow had it in my head [GPS in pack] that it was all downhill from the wilderness boundary to Bailey. That wee bit of climbing into Bailey messed with my head. Especially with an empty hydration bladder for the last 10 miles [why would I need water when it's downhill to Bailey?].
Right before the Conoco, in beautiful downtown Bailey, I spotted an internet cafe/coffee/ice-cream shop. The last description of the business is what caught my eye... and stomach. I leaned the bike against their sign and walked to the door. As I opened the door, a lady met me and said they were closed. She instantly read my major disappointment, was I drooling that heavily?, and offered to ask what I wanted. I replied, "a vanilla milk shake would be awesome." Long story short, I lucked out and she got a good tip. Next time I stop there, probably early PM in August of 2012, the visit will probably be to sample one of their caffeine concoctions...
My take on the first three segments.
S1-Walked more of the uphill stream-bed technicalities than I expected [riding a totally rigid bike].
S2-Wish all 'burn' area were that nice. Hot but scenic. How did I miss the lookout tower?
S3-Lots of foot and bike traffic. Nice and flowing, but the shooting ranges [plural] activity scared the ship out of me, even with the warning signage.
No problems [S1-S3] finding water to filter/nuke, if you plan ahead.
-B

Looking to hit the Indian Creek to Bailey and back to the start Monday as a training ride. ...snip...
Mark C.

[dream4est]

Mark C -

Thanks for the pic !  That looks like a tremendous amount of stuff on your front end; would you mind detailing everything that's loaded there?  I'm also curious - what are you sleeping with?  Is that a sleeping bag I see?  I just went on an overnighter Wednesday at White Ranch/Golden Gate State Park, and my sleeping bag/bivy combo is much bigger than what I see on yours.

Thanks,
CJ

Not really that much up front. A schwinn gas tank empty holding my drink tube (sitting on the top tube). That ties to the following:

A Novara handlebar bag on the stem w/:
rain pants
solar charger
sealskinz socks
3.5oz tarp and ti stakes

Attached to that up front is:
4oz blue foam pad from walmart cut down inside a s2s event bag
Rei Minimalist Bivy

It is actually a pretty light setup. 35.5lbs bike with no backpack. No sleeping bag though. just a 3.5oz Adventure Medical bivy inside a Rei bivy with pad and 2oz AM "groundsheet". Adding in my tarp and stakes the whole sleep kit is 1lb11oz. I made it the last 2 years with a similar setup but no tarp. I would not recommend it for everyone though- I resort to tricks and Les Stroud- style techniques to stay warm at times.

[dream4est]

Well I went out yesterday for a little training run. Indian Creek to about mile 38, back to the fire station on 126, and then roads back to the parking area on Rampart Range Rd. I had planned to bivy, but the style of trying to get back to the car and bivy if you cannot make it was nice too.

The trail was in good shape. No down trees, a little dry. Some new work in sections 2 and 3.

I learned a few things about my setup. No backpack worked for me well. Things did fall off the bike (tube, bivy) and things got shredded (stuff sack on downtube torn by big ring), and stuff needed repack (seatbag) but I guess that is typical on a first run with multiple items/bags dangling from the steed. I was able to ride everything I rode in 22x34 last year, but faster. I hike-a biked just a bit slower at first, then adjusted. Overall I like it as my back felt great. I ate way better than usual so I think no backpack is my new thing.

I worry about the all the weight on the bike crunching the gears into oblivion during the CTR. I might eliminate a few things and/or batman some more crap to the belt.

The FS 29er bike just rules the trail. Uphill traction in gobs and ate up the downhills. If I can get my 20t granny to clear with a little more dremeling it will be prefect.

Leila's pain cream works like magic on feet. I forgot my foot tape and started to get chafing on the left foot. I applied the cream and instant relief plus no more chafing. I might use it instead of little tape pieces from now on.

[Done]

Fort Collins CTR Meeting
Date: Monday, June 20th
Time: 7:30 PM
Place: Famous Dave's

A few of us are meeting at Famous Dave's in Fort Collins to chat about the CTR. Everyone and anyone is welcome, whether you are a grizzled veteran, fresh-faced rookie, or simply just curious about riding the Colorado Trail.

Please PM if you're coming, so that I can reserve a proper-sized table.

Cheers,
Toby

[bradh]

No sleeping bag though. just a 3.5oz Adventure Medical bivy inside a Rei bivy with pad and 2oz AM "groundsheet". Adding in my tarp and stakes the whole sleep kit is 1lb11oz. I made it the last 2 years with a similar setup but no tarp. I would not recommend it for everyone though- I resort to tricks and Les Stroud- style techniques to stay warm at times.

Don't you sweat inside the adventure Medical bivy?   I tried that or it might have been one of there blankets, as an extra layer over my light bag once and in the morning there was a large amount of condensation on the inside of the bivy. 

[gdillon]

Well I went out yesterday for a little training run. Indian Creek to about mile 38, back to the fire station on 126, and then roads back to the parking area on Rampart Range Rd. I had planned to bivy, but the style of trying to get back to the car and bivy if you cannot make it was nice too.

Did a similar run a couple of weeks ago, but only to mile 21, 7 pm-2 am.  Great fun playing with the lights.  My buddy got to experience a late night chain repair.  I hear you on the no pack, I have found a way to eliminate everything as well... that's a good comment on extra stress on the gears, hadn't thought about that.

There are 3 of us riding on June 24 for at least an overnighter, meeting at the Buffalo Creek work center parking lot at 5ish p.m.  Anyone is welcome.  Trying to get in more night riding... 

[trailrider11]

Well, i am certainly jealous of the riding atmosphere you guys have!Stuck here in Indiana for one more month, I am doing my best to be as prepared as possible. I am doing an all day slug in the country for atleast 90 miles maybe even up to 120 depending on route. Should be lots of fun though as it is my first ride above 60-70 miles. It should also be a test as to what my bum can take for 13-16 hours tomorrow.

Next week I am hoping to get some buddies out for a 4 day tour across Michigan and hopefully they can slug out 80 miles a day. This will give me some overnight experience i believe.

I hope to post my gear up soon and am getting geared up for the CTR and am geared up by the Tour Divide! 

[jeffkerkove]

Can't wait for Aug 1.  Just wish the snow would melt above 10,500 ft. 





All photos above taken west of Ft Collins in the Old Flowers area.

Streamline and refine 

[Done]

Can't wait for Aug 1.  Just wish the snow would melt above 10,500 ft. 

No kidding, on both counts! Well, in the unlikely event that not all the snow melts, maybe we can recruit Justin to break trail for us!

Nice looking setups, Mark and Jeff. I'm still fiddling around with my gear. I can probably go without panniers this year, but I'd need to carry a heavier pack--which I really don't want to do. I'm not carrying that much stuff, but my frame doesn't have room for a frame bag, so I need to put that stuff somewhere...

[elobeck]

Okay, navigation question. As a rookie unfamiliar with the CTR (for now, I may attempt a preride..darn work schedule) I was curious to know if people had success navigating the course with just the track loaded in a gps, if having waypoints with intersections and proximity alarm is key, or if the trail direction was fairly obvious. Sorry don't laugh...just getting into learning all I can about the route. What I have done:

Loaded Stefans track into GPS and Bear Creek survey waypoints. Whittling down BCS waypoints to the essential. Studying maps....making elev profiles for study.

Thoughts...?

Erik