2014 CTR Discussion

[tomis916]

Picture of Matt after 3 days of riding (I hope).  Still smiling.

[Matt Schiff]

That is me and if it is the moment I'm thinking of, it's about 9 in the morning and I've only got 5 hours to go, and I just hit a caffeine gel. I also let myself sleep in. If that's not the moment then I don't know why the hell I look so happy.

Thanks for the photo.

Curious to hear why others come back to suffer after doing it once.

[tomis916]

That was the moment.

[joeydurango]

I've done it twice and will do it again simply because it makes me feel more alive.  The good, the bad, the crushing lows, the amazing highs - I've not found any other way to experience such a wide range of human-ness.  The CTR is a beautiful journey through amazing places - but even more so, it's a journey through the internal wilderness.

[Done]

What Joey said!

[JosiahM]

I think CTR is a love/hate relationship for everyone.
If you didn't feel crushed/defeated/suffering throughout the ride, then it wouldn't be such an overwhelming sense of relief/accomplishment/joy when you finish it.
anything worth doing isn't easy(or so we tell ourselves every year when we come back for more)

[Yogi the Barry]

Re: Tarryall vs. Bailey Difference
I'm answering my own question I asked a few pages back. After running thru the GPX files in TopoFusion, the additional mileage and climbing of the Tarryall detour vs. the Bailey/285 course is approximately:
48.6 miles and 5400'.
Kenosha Pass is now a distant 115.5 miles from the start and requires ~19,000' of climbing. But who's counting...

[PhotoJB]

The second reason does not apply to me at all. I do not love being out there every minute. The first two days are tough but you still feel like a real person. After that it’s just brutal and there are only moments that I truly enjoy.

I haven't raced the CTR (hope to this year after my TDR dreams were dashed) but I have done plenty of really painful outdoor adventure. I can point you towards the fun meter:

Type 1 fun is pure joy. Like flying around a roller coaster, jumping out of a plane or even enjoying a coffee with an ocean view.

Type 2 fun doesn't seem like fun until it's over. It's like a bike race or moving to a new home. It sucks to get there, but you grow as a person, reflect on the journey and realized you wouldn't have it any other way. This is often the best type of fun over time, and the most memorable.

Type 3 fun is just like type 2 fun, except without the joyous post-activity reflection. This is when it's just struggle and no lasting reward. His is where you are tempted to hit the little red button on the spot, cause you just might not make it any other way.

I'd say if you are considering lining up for the CTR again, then you've been exploring some truly challenging type-2 fun out on the course. Embrace it and ride hard!


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[Woodland]

I've done it twice and will do it again simply because it makes me feel more alive.  The good, the bad, the crushing lows, the amazing highs - I've not found any other way to experience such a wide range of human-ness.  The CTR is a beautiful journey through amazing places - but even more so, it's a journey through the internal wilderness.

Should change your username to joeywordsmith! You nailed it!

I remember in my first attempt in 2012 feeling so depressed on the tenmile - seriously on the verge of throwing my bike off the mtn - at my pathetic performance on that HAB...and then a short two hours later feeling this absurd joy just pouring out of me as I was rolling out of Copper on that feathery singletrack - bunny hopping over little bumps, and whopping and hollering like an 8 year old.

Or the time last year when I rolled into BV after 70 miles on a kevlar replacement spoke (fiber fix) to find a bike shop that either wasn't closed or couldn't help and being so proud of myself for 1: installing the replacement since it required a fair amount of jimmy-rigging since my hubs had slots instead of holes for the spokes, and 2: at riding so far on it and getting to a shop that could help. And then as the tech has the tire halfway off the rim realizing he doesn't have the right spokes for the job and that feeling of pride and accomplishment and raw excitement and - the buzz from the Dale's Pale they gave me - just vanishes in despair and anxiety!

Yeah, that's what brings me back. Also, the unknowns - there is so much you can't anticipate when you set off. There is nothing to compare to that feeling you have on Day 1.

[joeydurango]

Ha - thanks!

[Yogi the Barry]

Matt,
The CDC is aware of this deadly virus. The pattern of the virus, seeming to be dormant or gone from the system and then errupting back into a raging infection, is typical of it's insidious nature. The probability of a cure being developed [in your lifetime] is slim and medical prognosis is grim...
Good luck,
-Barry

A couple of days ago, June 6th to be exact, I experienced the first desire to once again compete on the CTR this year. To my dismay, that is not something I wanted to feel....snippage...

[Gimmearaise]

Curious to hear why others come back to suffer after doing it once.

The Pain and suffering, The beauty, The night riding, The lighting when I'm above tree line, Colorado climbs, the feeling of self accomplishment, Bikepacking, The Colorado trail, the pizza at the end....Wow this got me a bit stoked! cant wait to see friends in Denver!

[Yogi the Barry]

Speakin' of pizza... When you bike thru BV, check out Eddyline [the actual brewery], which is in the SW corner block of Main and US24, right where we turn west to climb out of town. In 2012, I stopped there five minutes before the heavens started dumping. I enjoyed an entire pizza and a pint of Red Chile Porter, while waiting out a thunderstorm. However, I made a big mistake by going grocery shopping, immediately afterwards with a full belly, and NOT buying enough food. I headed out, bound for Silverton, at least 4000 calories short. Do the math, on paper with a pencil if you have to, and don't let your eyes fool you into thinking that pile of food in your cart is enough.

...the pizza at the end....

[Woodland]

While we're speaking of BV, there is new (at least last year it was) bike shop in town called Boneshaker Cycles. This is a great, full-service shop, and Davin a part-owner helped me out big time last year. He's one of those lucky ones who left the corporate world to open his dream shop, so helping out cyclists in need is top on his list (I left his shop last year with a wheel from his own bike so I could carry on since he didn't have any inventory yet (granted it relegated me from the race)). Make sure to stop in, it is right on the route...north side of Main St east of US-24.

http://boneshakerbv.com/

[Yogi the Barry]

Re: Bike Shops in BV
Good to know and Boneshaker stays open relatively late [7pm]. I will more than likely drop into The Trailhead, also a bike shop, where they sell bulk denatured stove alcohol. However, Trailhead closes at 6PM. T-head is about a half-dozen blocks north of Main on US-24, east side. Or perhaps I'll hit 'em both, because there's no law against spending too much time in good bike shops.
http://www.thetrailheadco.com/store/pc/home.asp

While we're speaking of BV, there is new (at least last year it was) bike shop in town called Boneshaker Cycles. This is a great, full-service shop...
   http://boneshakerbv.com/

[danwiz]

while there are several bike shops to choose from along the Denver front range with close proximity to the Waterton/CT start 4-6 come to mind.  BikeSource is one of them--I'm dan and I do the accessory buying for all locations.  I've never done the CTR but have become completely sucked in by the CTR experience and all that take part in it.  It is undeniably amazing.  We do have some Revelate Bags in stock, tons of nutrition, accessories and a massive service department for last minute tweaks.  There are two BS locations that are within about 10 miles of the start.  If I can be of any help to any of you out there, please message me through this site.  I ride the CT pretty regularly, live and work pretty close by......Maybe someday I bite the bullet and do this.  but for now I am more than willing to lend whatever help I can.  Revelate bags availability look pretty thin at the big distributor, but there is Bedrock Bags in Durango-I think and Oveja Negra in Salida.  Most of you probably already have your gear in hand but its always nice to have another resource.  If there is stuff you'd like to order and have here, I might be able to make that happen..Before you know it August 10th will be here.....

[naturenurturesme]

So, I sadly had to scratch from my TDR attempt due to some funky work circumstances. I'm now sussing out if I can make it the CTR instead. I have a few questions to get started.

1. It sounds like it's 60 miles from the airport to the trailhead. Is there any way to get a free ride out there? Tough when I am coming in from out of town and can only arrive the day before the departure. I doubt I can afford the riding time to get from Denver to the start. How are others getting this figured?

2. Aiming for a 6 (mandatory day finish. Will there be lots of people headed back to Denver? Yup, this is another "can I cross my fingers and find a drive" question.

3. What is the average rider riding? Am I gonna survive riding a fully rigid Surly Krampus or are most people favoring FS on this singletrack heavy route?

I rode fully rigid last year with a krampus up front and a 2.2 on the rear.  How well do you flow on techy trails?  Do you want to still enjoy riding rigid post CTR?  I finished and felt good about my race but it sucked the fun out of riding rigid.  I plan to race this year and shave hopefully a day off my time.  I have a front shock now and may choose gears this time around.  Another point, I rode with no camelbak, just bike bags and on a rigid I would advise you to do the same.  Hello to Brady, Pete and Todd I had a great time with all of you last year.

[nepbug]

It was a nice evening and morning to ride the CT.


First time bikepacking and rolling straight into work for me.  I think I'll hit the showers at lunch time.

[mountainjah]

Anyone hip to the deal here?

[aaron w]

What?  2 different cyclists this week told me that they enjoyed riding that section last fall.  Was on my list of new rides to do this year.  I'd like to know more....