2011 CTR Planning

[sherpaxc]

I gotta roll into Absolute Bikes this morning.  My front brake caliper is kaput! 

[bartspedden]

Is everyone ready for some fun!

[Done]

Is everyone ready for some fun!

Last year, ignorance was bliss. Starting up a climb, I didn't know how steep it would become or how thin the air would be at the top--so I didn't worry about it. Setting a goal for the day by drawing a dot on the map was abstract and easy, but I had no idea what riding 80 miles to get there would feel like--so I didn't work about it. Having no idea if I could actually haul my carcass to Durango, I simply figured that I'd better just keep rolling--and I didn't worry about it.

This year, I'm stronger, more experienced, and better equipped. But I still feel like a newbie in so many ways, struggling with doubts and fears. But I'm happy with that, as it means that I still have much to learn. I'm looking forward to riding my bike through the beautiful Colorado mountains, and meeting some great people along the way. It's going to be an adventure, and I'll be ready for it to begin on Monday morning!

[DanHickstein]

Where the heck is that photo from? I was told that the trail looked like this all the way to Durango :



and that there were refreshing water-crossings whenever the weather was too hot:



(taken a few weeks ago on the Kenosha to Georgia section)

[bartspedden]

That picture is "someplace" south of marshall mesa.  Some folks hate this section, but I loved it! So friggin technical that it took a complete mind/body/soul effort for me to get through.  I think the endorphins may of taken a really painful section and turned it into something really fun!

 

[DaveH]

I recognize that rubbly bit of trail as segment 16, where I firmly planted my head at 2AM last year.  The best sunrise of the ride was shortly thereafter, where the cloud line was at about 10.5k and I was at about 10.7k - looking down at the tops of clouds and a sea of mountain tops.  That was also where Jefe blazed by claiming he had found his mojo, and indeed he did.  The same Jefe that I see on the current startlist on trackleaders!  Given his TD ride, that comes as a surprise...but not really

[Done]

That picture is "someplace" south of marshall mesa.  Some folks hate this section, but I loved it! So friggin technical that it took a complete mind/body/soul effort for me to get through.  I think the endorphins may of taken a really painful section and turned it into something really fun!

I'm with you on that, Bart. I didn't mind Sargent's Mesa. Maybe I hit it during an "up cycle" or something. I'm curious to see what I think about it this year!

[bartspedden]

Nice Dave! Funny how a little picture can bring you right back on the trail? I can't wait for some Colorado sunrises!  I still remember my very first mountain top experience where I was looking down on the clouds.  I was 16. It was winter. And I was climbing Algonquin Peak in the Adirondacks with some friends.  The morning started off so cloud the snot was freezing my nose.  By the time we made it to tree line the wind was just slamming into us so hard we could barely walk with our snow shoes on.  So ducked behind a cairn, dug a little pit, swapped for some crampons, added a layer of clothes, and started scraping our way to the summit. 16 years old, in some serious weather, and this totally amazing cloudscape below us!  What a treat!  Thanks for bring back some good memories Dave.  Can't wait to make some more next week!

I hear you Toby! Just because I liked it while riding it sure doesn't mean I'm gonna like while racing it.  My goal is to keep the emotions in check and just love every minute that I can!

Does anyone know if the TD and CTR have ever been done in the same year by one person?

[DaveH]

Does anyone know if the TD and CTR have ever been done in the same year by one person?

Mr TD himself, Matthew Lee did it in '07.  I think that was the first year for CTR?  I seem to recall Fred Wilkinson racing every race under the sun that year too - AZT 300, TD, CTR and maybe more.  He promptly started Paradox Pizza in Moab after that run...

[bartspedden]

Wow! What can I say? That seems soooo tough! I seem to need some real downtime to recover from any major effort. Once, after a thwarted attempt on aconcagua I slept and drank yerba for a good week before acknowledging that the world was still spinning.  These guys are pretty inspiring!

[KPut]

Good luck to all of those racing this year.  I'll be watching the spots and the message board.  Have a good ride and be safe. 

KPut

[Shaggy]

Very excited to get going now! Pretty much set but on question spring to mind: what's the availability of CR123 batteries like in in gas stations/stocking up points?

[ScottM]

Hey everyone,

Check the trackleaders roster:

http://trackleaders.com/ctr

If you signed up for tracking and do not see your name, please let me know:  smorris@topofusion.com

It's a very big group this year.  Very excite!  

[elobeck]

Oh boy. Lotso starters is pretty exciting, but that singletrack at the start is tight. Um, I better start training for the "holeshot" lol, unless, of course, we start in Sedalia.

[bartspedden]

Wow, that is  a lot of racers! Who knew people like to suffer this much?  Seems like this race alone might be keeping revelate designs pretty busy!

[elobeck]

Anyone have a good link for weather forecast for next week? I.e. is the monsoonal faucet fully open or is dominant high pressure going to keep that flow at bay? I'm tryingto figure it out from the NOAA maps....

Erik

[Done]

Hey Erik, I've been trying to figure out the same thing. Weather.com makes it look a bit dicey out there next week. Maybe not a constant downpour, but certainly wet. Timing on the big passes to avoid lightening will probably be important.

[DaveH]

Anyone have a good link for weather forecast for next week? I.e. is the monsoonal faucet fully open or is dominant high pressure going to keep that flow at bay? I'm tryingto figure it out from the NOAA maps....

I like these maps for broad brush trends:  http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/forecasts/

This gives a better look at day by day trends and probabilities:  http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/wfo/sectors/gjt.php#tabs

It looks similar to last year.  Aug in the mountains, always exciting

[steve_UK]

I remember reading somewhere that there are a couple of sections that don't have water. Can anyone tell me which these are and where the last reliable water stop for each is.
I'm sure this question has already been answered, but I've just trawled through and must have missed it. Thanks.

[Done]

I remember reading somewhere that there are a couple of sections that don't have water. Can anyone tell me which these are and where the last reliable water stop for each is.
I'm sure this question has already been answered, but I've just trawled through and must have missed it. Thanks.

Hey Steve, do you have a copy of the Colorado Trail Data Book? If not, get one ASAP--it's an awesome resource that addresses water issues, among others.

As far as water goes, there are indeed a few drier spots. Probably less of an issue than in prior years do to all the extra snow we had this year. Sargent's Mesa is one (get water at Tank 7 creek). Coney's in another (get water at Spring Creek CG). The high stuff above Durango is also a bit thin in spots.