2011 CTR Planning

[gdillon]

Yea, the 12 lbs was a little high, and the final pack out is closer to 9 lbs.  This includes some heavy stuff like fresh/dried fruit (consumed quickly), Mike n' Ikes (only 100 cal/oz), and cashews (160 cal/oz).  Finally, those awesome recovery protein powders are coming in at 150 cal/oz. and I'm carrying 7 days worth of those.

I think I'm carrying too much food, but the variety makes up for it.  Recently found combos:  1..Mountain High Strawberry Granola poured over a Pop Tart (1200 calorie breakfast)-- thanks to Joe B. for that one, as well as precooked bacon-- much easier to get down than jerky.  2.  Those bread stick cheese things-- thanks to Mark C. for that one that don't need refrigeration, combined with salami bits on a bagel.  And 3. A NUUN Kola with vanilla Hammer Gel chaser-- it's like a vanilla Coke!

Before I forget, what will the 1 800 call in number be for MTBCast? 

[bartspedden]

Went up and over the ten mile range this weekend. Had 3 small snow fields on the east side of wheeler pass.  And there was only one patch of snow left on the west side at the avalanche path (maybe 2/3's of the way down).  One thing to note about the avalanche path this year... one of the avy's this year whipped out some trees and covered the CT. A path has been cut with chain saws to open the CT back up and there's "debris" left that covers the remaining snow.  So basically what happens is that the pine needles, etc. cover the snow and you don't realize you're about to go over snow until your tires sinks... I just jumped off my bike and walked the 30 yards, no big deal.  It's ride-able, but I just didn't feel like risking it as I had already smashed my rear derailuer and was single-speeding out.  Things are melting quickly, so this patch might be gone in two weeks.

Getting stoked!

[pro_out]

For those of you familiar with the the Junction Creek Trailhead, how safe would you consider it for parking during the CTR? Any ideas for parking in Durango? Any fee for parking at the   J C TH?
                                                                 Thanks, Tony V

[joeydurango]

As someone who rides through the Junction Creek trailhead at least a time or two per week, I'd not leave a car there for 5-10 days.  I'd say it's plenty safe, but it is a small lot, and on the weekends the number of cars there is overwhelming.  No charge to park, but I'm not positive whether there's a time limit on parking there.  Might do some research with the Forest Service (I believe the TH is on FS land, but could be wrong there).

In Durango proper there are plenty of quiet residential streets where I figure a car would be fine for a week, unless some nosy resident called the police.  Even then, not sure if there is a statute as far as parking duration.  The further away from Main Ave, the better.

[trailrider11]

Durango has a lot for parking that charges 15 $ for extended stay.

[tlideen]

what single speed gear is most common?

[DanHickstein]

I'll be using a 32x22 on a 29er. The sections of the CT that I've ridden are generally pretty steep.

[timroz]

what single speed gear is most common?

Good hiking shoes.

[pro_out]

I'll be 32 X 21 ON 26''   The 3 mythical gears of single speed.  High gear is seated, middle gear is standing and low gear is pushing/pulling/or dragging.

[Kris Broekaert]

Is it still possible to see the CTR 2010 livetracker somewhere?
Especially the leaderboard with split times was useful to plan the trip.

[gregclimbs]

yes, here: http://trackleaders.com/ctr10

although the best way to access it is in topofusion with the replay mode...

g

[steve_UK]

Does anyone have any recommendations for bike friendly accommodation in Durango? (Cheaper would be better).

[pro_out]

Does anyone have any recommendations for bike friendly accommodation in Durango? (Cheaper would be better).

might try here  http://www.durangohometownhostel.com/home

[jeffkerkove]

Stayed at the Travelodge while in Durango for the Durango Dirty Century.  It was the least expensive hotel/motel we could find in Durango.  It is nice enough and within walking distance of a grocery store and some dining options.

The hostel is nice....if that is your thing.

http://www.travelodge.com/Travelodge/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=09441

[pro_out]

I know the cairns on Cataract Ridge start approx 2 miles west of Cataract Gulch, but how far do they continue? All the way to Stoney Point? Guess my real ? is, when could a Durango starter expect them to start?

[steve_UK]

Thanks for the accommodation options guys.

[DaveH]

I know the cairns on Cataract Ridge start approx 2 miles west of Cataract Gulch, but how far do they continue? All the way to Stoney Point? Guess my real ? is, when could a Durango starter expect them to start?

They start not far beyond Stony pass.  Not to worry though, the trail is easy enough to follow, especially with GPS.  For the most part the trail is well defined and good riding, at least if you've got any power at 13k'.  There are short sections with little trail to no trail but those huge cairns can be seen for miles. 

I just rode 22/23 with LW as a 2 dayer (loop via cinnamon), it's in perfect shape, flowers absolutely unbelievable right now.  If you are lucky enuf to hit it in daylight and good weather you'll carry a smile all the way to Denver.

We were passed on Cinnamon by Brian Smith and friends who did the same loop as a ~ 11 hour day ride.  Freaks!  I still can't breath over 10k' LOL.

FYI - there is very little *good* water on seg 22. In the traditional direction, the first good water source is about a mile past Coney summit.  There is a small creek before you leave the trees, but it currently has about 1000 sheep grazing on it.  The sheepherder was coming down as we were going up and he told us in a thick accent "sheep, no problem!" several times.  There's no shortage of water on 23.  I look forward to reports of the fun factor of climbing stony pass, that is one steep road! 

[DanHickstein]

My girlfriend has graciously offered to pick me up in Durango on the weekend of the 6th/7th. To give myself a better chance of actually reaching Durango by the 7th, I'm going to get a head start of the rest of the pack and leave Denver on Saturday, the 30th, probably in the evening to beat the heat. I'm looking forward to meeting some of you guys as you whiz past me!

I found these forums really helpful for deciding which gear to bring, so I'll post a quick list of the gear that I'll be bringing for the journey. I've gone with a singlespeed for durability (and to avoid sitting down to much), flat pedals to make hiking more enjoyable, and a mid-weight camping setup that should keep me reasonably comfortable should I have to wait out a storm.

Bike: Salsa El Mariachi, steel singlespeed. Special features: Niner carbon fork (super light), Stan's Flow rims (super strong), Bontrager tubeless tires, flat pedals, 32x22 gear ratio.
Bags: Revelate Designs seatbag for food + tarp-tent, Relevate Sling + drybag on handlebars for sleeping bag and pad, Osprey Talon 22 backpack for camelback (3 liter) and clothes, 2x20 Oz water bottles on bike.
Sleeping gear: GoLite Shangri-La 1 tarp-tent, GoLite 40-degree down sleeping bag, super-thin (uncomfortable) thermarest pad.
Lights: All AA/AAA battery powered. Two on the bars and a black diamond headlamp on the helmet.
Other: MSR water filter, Garmin Vista GPS, rain jacket + pants, fleece, long underwear, 2 pairs of socks.

Here's a picture of myself and the setup (without the bar-bag):

P1010905 by danhickstein, on Flickr

I've been doing some training rides along the CT near Breckenridge and Kenosha Pass in the past few weeks and conditions look pretty good. There is slightly more mud than usual and the mosquitoes have reached Minnesota levels in some spots, but the snowpack seems to be at it's usual late-summer condition and the riding is great!

See you on the trail!
Dan

[bartspedden]

Good luck out there Dan!

I'm sure you just forgot to put it on there, but I didn't see any bike repair stuff.  What are you bringing?

[DanHickstein]

Thanks Bart!

My repair kit consists of:
Two tubes + pump + tire leavers + "tire boot" sticky things for mending sidewalls
Multi-tool w/chain tool
Pocket knife
Duct tape + zip ties + 5 minute epoxy
Chain links
Extra chainring bolts
Chain lube

I'm considering bringing an extra spoke or two, but I very rarely break spokes. Anything in your repair kit that I don't have?