2014 CSTR Planning

[ayayron]

52 days till go time, haven't seen any chatter about this race yet. Sean, is the updated gpx posted on the website?

How are the drought conditions up there? Keeping fingers crossed for no fires this year!

[Sean Allan]

Aaron,
The GPX on the site is close enough for you to get acquainted with and do all of your planning. I have to change one little wee section of new trail from last year, but it's literally only a mile or so and there's' really no other way to go, but I want to get it right. I feel like I should ride it, but I could just draw it in if needed. The bridge is still closed at the bottom of the North Fork of the Middle Fork of the American River and will be for the foreseeable future, but it should be a fairly easy wet crossing.

Conditions are fine up here, flowers are still blooming and the grass is still green. I did an overnighter last weekend and pushed through a bunch of snow so it's not quite as dry as everyone thinks. It will be certainly drier in a month and a half, but I think all the water sources should be reliable and the trails should be in good shape still.

Looking forward to it. Hopefully we can get some interest going.

http://www.californiasierratrailrace.com/

[jackinmd]

I'm still in and super stoked for this!!

Is there going to be a Trackleaders page?

[Sean Allan]

I'm still in and super stoked for this!!

Is there going to be a Trackleaders page?

Cool, and yes.

[Sean Allan]

2014 track is up on the site at http://www.californiasierratrailrace.com/ Barring any acts of God this will be the track we ride.

Cues are good as well.

Contacted Matt and Scott about a Trackleaders page today so hopefully that will come about in the next week or so.

Western States 100( running race) is next weekend. I've got some friends doing the race so it will be interesting to see what they think of the fire damaged areas, keep in mind it's only a small percentage of the CSTR.

[Sean Allan]

Track leaders signup is active.

http://trackleaders.com/calsierra-signup

[ayayron]

I revived the signup sheet from last year if people want to put their names down. Sounds like only a couple people so far, hope we get more!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FIRNib5sD6oFWF8fro51ArJpyt5JtO1q2UVfRB7ZL9Y/edit?usp=sharing

[Sean Allan]

Aaron,
It looks like the doc is in view only mode?.

[ayayron]

Oops...now you should be able to edit.

[michael1]

Are bear canisters required at any point on the route? Are Ursacks ok?

Also, is this the correct route for this year? http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4063875

[Sean Allan]

I've never used anything for bears. As long as you're conscious of your surroundings and don't camp in the basin( which you really can't anyways) you should be fine. Other critters are likely your bigger problem and the Ursack will be fine for that.

That is not the correct track, it is off in the Tahoe City area I believe. This years track is up on the site. http://californiasierratrailrace.com/The_Route.php

[michael1]

Ok, I had another file that looked different, closer to ~430 miles, but I can't find it now. When I click on your link I get a text file. Is there any other way to have the file available so that it downloads like .gpx instead of .txt?

[Sean Allan]

Michael,
A gpx file is just a text file. Just copy and paste it into your program and you should be good to go. It's confusing, I know, I struggle with this type of stuff as well. Let me know if you still have trouble and we'll get it figured iut.

[tubeSSnapper]

Anyone know how to make the GPX file fit. My garmin e-trex can only handle 20 tracks of 500 points each. I loaded the CTR last year no problem and that was more miles of trail. The GPS aspect of this a PIA, but I know I need it.

[Sean Allan]

Jeremy,
I'll do a 10,000 point track and put it on the website tonight. That should solve your problem. If you have Topofusion you can simplify it that way to. I'll put it up regardless.

[ayayron]

Only 4 people signed up! C'mon people! This is a spectacular route Sean's cooked up, I hope more folks can make it.

Rode the Tahoe Rim Trail this past weekend, Heavenly over to Mr. Toad's. Awesome stretch of trail. So stoked for this. (Sean just saw your blog, looks like we just missed each other out there!)

[aaron w]

This route looks so good!  I had intended to race it last fall but got discouraged last minute with the fires and the  necessary course changes.  This years date doesn't work for me but I'm hoping I can tour the route in September.  I can't believe there aren't more people signed up.

[B_Bock]

It's a great route. Very challenging. I plan to ride an ITT later in the month. Unfortunately I can't make the group start. Good luck out there folks!

[tubeSSnapper]

Sean, Thanks for the 10,000 points version. It works perfectly and is already loaded onto my GPS.
I too was on the same piece of rim trail at that same time, gorgeous and fun.

[Sean Allan]

Glad you guys are checking out some of the route. Don't forget the lower sections of the course as well.

 Here is a video of a bit of the return leg to Foresthill, it includes the HAB up to Devils Thumb, the worst on the route, luckily it's less than two miles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39hMk-p_CG8

I'm not sure if Scott just hasn't updated it or not, but it looks like no one has signed up to the Trackleaders page. If no one wants to be tracked I'm not going to waste Scott's time in setting up the page, it is a business after all and we should respect that. If you are interested in being tracked, lets get signed up so I can have Scott complete the process.

I'm not going to be racing. I'm only 8 weeks out from knee surgery and racing on it is just really not a great idea right now. I really wanted to give it a go, but I really need to be smart about this, not my best trait. I'll be at the start and  hope to ride with you for the first few hours. Hopefully I can SPOT stalk you guys and get some pictures out on course.

The weather here has been warm, but not too hot. Let's hope that trend continues.