2011 CTR Planning

[bartspedden]

Unfortunately I have the bad habit of breaking bikes    so I a pack few extra items:

• Shoe Cleat and 2 bolts
• derailleur cable
• hanger

NOAA is calling for a low of 54 Friday night in Bailey with only a 20% chance of rain, so you should have a pretty decent first night.  Careful out there on 285 with weekend traffic.  I'm not sure what others are doing, but I'm slapping a red blinky light on the back for all road sections, even if during the day.  While the rest of us are sitting around waiting for Monday to come you're gonna be out there enjoying the mountains!  

[Mr.Pink]

If you are riding a single speed you better bring a few extra links of chain.If you break it ,you can't shorten it.

[steve_UK]

I'll be wearing mitts for riding. However, do people carry full finger gloves as well? Or does it not really get cold enough to need them.

[DanHickstein]

Bart, good call on the light - I just put the crazy-bright blinky light on there.

Pink, extra links are going in the bag for sure.

Steve, I think that warm gloves are a very good idea. In Colorado, summer storms routinely bring 45 degree temperatures, wind, and rain to the high country. I'm not bringing the full-on skiing gloves, but I'm packing some that are almost as warm.

[anth]

Just wanted to say a quick thanks to everyone on the site who has given tips/suggestions/advice for the CTR and bikepacking in general! I decided a bit ago to pull the plug on my race attempt this year (due to feeling too unprepared experience and equipment-wise for my liking) so I won't be at the trailhead next Monday. I'll definitely see you out there in 2012! Good luck to everyone next week, be safe, and have fun!

Cheers
anthony

[saferider]

I would definitely recommend some warm (preferably waterproof gloves!  My hands got very cold and wet with regular full finger gloves on several occasions last year.

[bartspedden]

Just wanted to say a quick thanks to everyone on the site who has given tips/suggestions/advice for the CTR and bikepacking in general! I decided a bit ago to pull the plug on my race attempt this year (due to feeling too unprepared experience and equipment-wise for my liking) so I won't be at the trailhead next Monday. I'll definitely see you out there in 2012! Good luck to everyone next week, be safe, and have fun!

Cheers
anthony

Anth,  Sorry to here that your adventure is cut short.  There is another option though! If you can find some friends/family to help, you can just ride the trail with support.  I did this in 2009 and it was one of the best adventures of my life!  Knowing that at the end of a segment that there's a vehicle waiting there with food/clothes/people is a huge boost to morale.  It's not a race anymore when you just ride it, it's a damn cool vacation.  There's a lot of magic out there in the mountains.  Forget about the race and just go have fun!

[steve_UK]

Thanks for the glove advice - warm gloves packed!
Next questions:
Am I right in thinking there are no resupply options between Hot Springs and Silverton.
In case of mechanical problems, bike shops in Breckenridge, Leadville, Buena Vista and Silverton?

[Done]

Thanks for the glove advice - warm gloves packed!
Next questions:
Am I right in thinking there are no resupply options between Hot Springs and Silverton.
In case of mechanical problems, bike shops in Breckenridge, Leadville, Buena Vista and Silverton?

Yep, no resupply options between Mt. Princeton HS and Silverton. Also, there isn't a bike shop in Silverton--at least the last time that I was there.

[bartspedden]

Additionally Frisco is a little bit off the trail, but they also have a bike shop. Copper Mountain rents bikes, so they might be able to provide some help if needed. And if something were to happen after BV and before Fooses Creek you could make your way into Salida.

[steve_UK]

Thanks for the quick answers. We're sitting here planning with maps all laid out! My next question, when reaching the wilderness boundary sections we're assuming there'll be a very obvious 'no biking' sign, BUT are the bike detours then marked?   Or are we then onto maps/gps info to ensure we don't stray back into wilderness or go off-route?  Thanks (again!)
Steve

[bartspedden]

Last year none of the detours were marked. I doubt any will be marked this year either.

Here's a pic of the no biking signs for wilderness areas;



Here's another one too:



I can't believe you guys are making your way out here for this race!  Pretty amazing  

[Done]

Thanks for the quick answers. We're sitting here planning with maps all laid out! My next question, when reaching the wilderness boundary sections we're assuming there'll be a very obvious 'no biking' sign, BUT are the bike detours then marked?   Or are we then onto maps/gps info to ensure we don't stray back into wilderness or go off-route?  Thanks (again!)
Steve

Yes, wilderness areas are marked. But you absolutely do not want to depend on those signs to re-direct you, since many of the detours  begin a long way before the actual wilderness boundaries. In other words, by the time you see a wilderness sign, you're already off route.

There are NO signs marking any detours--you'll need to follow your maps/ques/GPS/etc.

[Zach]

use the mileages and road names at http://www.climbingdreams.net/ctr/.  Detours aren't marked, but its tough to get lost if you have an odometer, and maybe preview some maps so you have a general sense of direction out there.

[jryter]

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.

I was one of the guys trying to hang with B-man.....I came up just after him on Cinnamon. What an awesome day! The trail is very well marked and pretty. Good water like you said on second half. One in our group was over optimistic that every pass was Stoney pass. We passed MANY false Stoney passes. Don't let it get to you after the 20th pass you go over after Coney and still another pass to go over.

And I was happy the sheep dogs were nice. Maybe we can ride it in the day and sun again??

[bartspedden]

As far as water is concerned, there's also a high alpine lake where the sheep graze.  If the weather permits, maybe a good place to cool the feet! Last time I was there I was playing hide-and-seek with a lightening storm.  It tricked me and I got caught out on one of those exposed passes.

[pro_out]

Thanks for the glove advice - warm gloves packed!
Next questions:
Am I right in thinking there are no resupply options between Hot Springs and Silverton.
In case of mechanical problems, bike shops in Breckenridge, Leadville, Buena Vista and Silverton?

Steve, here are a couple more backup options as for food/resupply between PHS and Silverton. At Hwy 50 1 mile east down hill is Monarch Spur RV Campground with a general store. The best shower I've ever had in my life was at this campground. At Hwy 50 3 mile west up hill there is a pretty good restaurant, can't remember the name. At Hwy 149(smulligan) north to Lake San Cristobal approx 7.3 miles there is Highlander RV with limited food, also on the Lake is a motel/retreat that I've heard serves food. At Hwy 149(smulligan) 10 miles north is Lake City with all resupply and a bike shop - Lake City Bicycles Inc open sometimes,and by appointment sometimes. Sometimes off-route it better than doing without.  Disclaimer- I has been 3 years since I have been to any of these places. Hopefully you will not need these, but they are there.

Tony V  SS-T

[BL]

I am driving from MN to CO to be a spectator for this race...I CAN'T WAIT!!!!
Go CTR riders go!!

[Done]

I am driving from MN to CO to be a spectator for this race...I CAN'T WAIT!!!!
Go CTR riders go!!

Just remember to honor the slow guys too if you're out on the course. In last year's race, spectators handed out goodies to CTR racers--but only to the fast guys. It was rather demoralizing to miss the cupcake stand. And it really sucked to come across the pile of trash that at one time held cool drinks enjoyed by the faster riders!

Personally, I think that ALL "trail magic" should be banned, aside from Apple (who has snacks for EVERYONE)!

[timroz]

I am driving from MN to CO to be a spectator for this race...I CAN'T WAIT!!!!
Go CTR riders go!!

That's just plain wierd.