2016 CTR Planning

[nepbug]

If anyone wants to relive the 2015 race a little or get a little more insight, I've finally completed some sort of write-up on my race.  It's pretty brief, I tried to be efficient.

http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/ultra-racing/ctr-2015-race-discussion/msg80285/#msg80285

[Britt]

Hello, my name is Britt. I am planning and training for CTR in 2017. What's a realistic goal/finish time if I plan on sleeping at night 5hrs? Thank you for any suggestions and help.

[Bob Loblaw]

Hey Britt,
It's hard to estimate that without knowing how fast you move when you're awake. You can look at past CTR results on trackleaders.com to see how much different people slept and how long it took them to finish.

[Woodland]

Hello, my name is Britt. I am planning and training for CTR in 2017. What's a realistic goal/finish time if I plan on sleeping at night 5hrs? Thank you for any suggestions and help.

If you average 5mph and ride 16 hrs every day (sleep 5, other stuff 3), you'll do it in 6.875 days. It's just math. You'll probably average less than 5mph...or maybe more, who knows. I rounded total mileage up to 550...fyi

[J_wowzer]

Britt,
I would agree with woodland and say 6.5 days is pretty realistic. There are obviously countless variables that will affect your time. Being your first attempt I would recommend simply riding as hard as possible. Shooting to sleep 5 hours a night is a great idea, but I think it's more important to listen to the mind and body. You may find five hours is just not necessary or you may find 5 hours just won't cut it. You really don't know how you will react until you try. Keep the mind right the body always follows.

[Trhoppe]

Anyone going backwards (Durango to Denver)? I live in Denver, so really like the idea of getting shuttled out to Durango and then being able to not have a time limit/person meeting me on the ride home. Planning on 5-7 days depending on how the nights go.

Speaking of shuttle, how have you guys gotten to the start/from the end in previous years? Anyone services run a Denver to Durango shuttle or anything like that?

[KO]

Interesting read: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_29517124/vail:-woman-attacked-by-ranchers-dogs-receives-1-million-settlement#disqus_thread , http://articles.latimes.com/2009/nov/27/nation/la-na-sheepdog-attack27-2009nov27

Took over  7 years but looks like they finally settled.

I remember my first attempt at bikepacking the CT in 2009 .  After the descent from Kokomo Pass we rode through a huge flock of sheep and as we approached the bunkers at Camp Hale I remember then that I kept thinking to myself we're gonna be approached by some sheep dogs any second now.   Kinda crazy now when I think back and realize that this must've been the same flock of sheep in the aticle and now I know why we never encountered any dogs guarding the sheep.  Well that year we ended up bailing the CT after segment 17 due to a mechanical.

Next year we tried to continue finish the CT starting at Spring Creek Pass.  Fifteen minutes after we started we came across the flock of sheep that roams that area and but this time we did encounter two Pyrenees.  One of them just laid on the ground and watched us while the other came aggressively at us.  I put my bike between me and the dog and kept backing up the fire road for a few minutes until we were far enough away from the sheep then he backed off.  That was a close call.  

I finally rode the whole CT in 2012 and did the CTR in 2014 before bailing at Twin Lakes due to knee and achilles pain and didn't see any sheep either time.  Anyways, be careful out there during the race and I hope to be toeing the line again this year with you fellas.
                          

[T.Ray]

Anyone going backwards (Durango to Denver)? I live in Denver, so really like the idea of getting shuttled out to Durango and then being able to not have a time limit/person meeting me on the ride home. Planning on 5-7 days depending on how the nights go.

Speaking of shuttle, how have you guys gotten to the start/from the end in previous years? Anyone services run a Denver to Durango shuttle or anything like that?

I've been thinking of heading that way also.Live in Denver and it would make it a lot easier to arrive in Denver.I'll keep you posted.I would  have my girlfriend drive me down(98lb Rottweiler also for the ride:-)If I do your more than welcome to jump in.I have an SUV,so plenty of room.I'll have my plans wrapped up by end of May.

[Trhoppe]

I've been thinking of heading that way also.Live in Denver and it would make it a lot easier to arrive in Denver.I'll keep you posted.I would  have my girlfriend drive me down(98lb Rottweiler also for the ride:-)If I do your more than welcome to jump in.I have an SUV,so plenty of room.I'll have my plans wrapped up by end of May.

Awesome! Let me know what ends up happening. Sounds like we should ride together in Denver some too.

Had some long conference calls today so been noodling. If something like splitting a ride like this with someone going doesn't work out, I think renting a car is going to be easiest for me. Looked at some sites and a one way, one day rental from Denver to Durango is going to be $90 including taxes, for a hatchback like a Focus. $90 is easier than talking the wife into 12-14 hours of driving my dumbass back and forth Even better if someone else wants to come and split.

[Robzilla_Killa]

Awesome! Let me know what ends up happening. Sounds like we should ride together in Denver some too.

Had some long conference calls today so been noodling. If something like splitting a ride like this with someone going doesn't work out, I think renting a car is going to be easiest for me. Looked at some sites and a one way, one day rental from Denver to Durango is going to be $90 including taxes, for a hatchback like a Focus. $90 is easier than talking the wife into 12-14 hours of driving my dumbass back and forth Even better if someone else wants to come and split.

My plan as of now is to leave my car at a friends house in Durango and then somehow get up to Denver.  I understand you don't know me at all but thought I would throw this idea out there....I could drive someones car back up to Denver the day before the race and then that way you wouldn't have to rent or have wife/girlfriend drive to Durango.  Just a thought. I know we are a ways out still but I thought I would throw it out there.

[Trhoppe]

That sounds like a pretty awesome plan. I work remotely, so could drive down to Durango on Thursday afternoon and work all day from a coffee shop on Friday as you drive my car back to Denver. I've got a Subaru WRX hatch with a double bike rack, so it could fit 3 people/bikes.

Let's talk when it goes closer. Best idea so far IMO

[nepbug]

A quick note to all you CT enthusiasts.  You can set your smile.amazon.com charity to the Colorado Trail Foundation.  I didn't realize this at first, but have since changed it to CTF.  Every little bit helps, 0.5% of your eligible purchases will get donated to CTF without any additional cost to you.

Don't let this make you decide to not send in a donation, just feel good that you are helping out even that much more.

[drchristiansen]

Hey everyone, I'm looking for good gloves for the CTR. They need to come in women's sizes and preferably as waterproof and warm as possible without being too bulky. Any recommendations would be awesome. Thanks!

[Yogi the Barry]

RE: Gloves - I probably have four pairs of bike gloves in rotation, but my favorite summer glove is a cheap pair of fingerless Performance gloves. For long/endurance rides, they just seem to give me less numbness issues than the PI gel and other gloves I have. To manage my hand issues, it's as much about the grip as the glove. I use Ritchey foam grips, which can be sanded to better conform to what your hands need and they are very light. When it rains, which it will probably do during the CTR, I remove and stash the fingerless gloves, to keep them dry, and put on Mountain Laurel Designs [MLD] mittens [linked below], which weight a scant 40 grams. For cold [not raining] mornings, I wear the MLD mittens over the fingerless gloves. Can you tell I'm a weight-weenie? I just hate carrying a pair of dedicated cold weather/winter gloves...
http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=37&products_id=51

Hey everyone, I'm looking for good gloves for the CTR. They need to come in women's sizes and preferably as waterproof and warm as possible without being too bulky. Any recommendations would be awesome. Thanks!

[Woodland]

Hey everyone, I'm looking for good gloves for the CTR. They need to come in women's sizes and preferably as waterproof and warm as possible without being too bulky. Any recommendations would be awesome. Thanks!

Endura Full Monty - not sure on Women's sizing...

[nepbug]

I've been using Glacier Gloves for a few years now, love them.  Still sad I lost my last pair near Tarryall reservoir when I stopped in middle of the night to lube my chain and forgot to pick them up.  Oh well, I'll get a new pair.

http://www.bikerumor.com/2011/12/09/initial-review-glacier-outdoor-perfect-curve-winter-glove/

[Adam Alphabet]

I went with my normal Fox riding gloves for the day and my trusty defeet wool duragloves as a warm glove with a pair of UL cuben fiber 1 finger/3 finger lobster shell mitts that I made (that I didn't use on the race).

[Mikebike]

I am interested in how one navigates the CTR.  I did the TDR 2015 and simply followed my official gps file provided by the organizers.  I used the paper maps for resupply planning.  I am assuming there is an official route that can be downloaded to the gps.  Most likely I'll use eTrex 20x.  I would appreciate feedback as I am planning on lining up this July in Denver with you fine folks.

[dream4est]

I am interested in how one navigates the CTR.  I did the TDR 2015 and simply followed my official gps file provided by the organizers.  I used the paper maps for resupply planning.  I am assuming there is an official route that can be downloaded to the gps.  Most likely I'll use eTrex 20x.  I would appreciate feedback as I am planning on lining up this July in Denver with you fine folks.

Hey Ironman whats up? Just like TD there is a track on the CTR website. Its solid and follows the route 100%. See you in July at Waterton I am hoping to get a seventh CTR finish as my 2016 season is looking like a maybe at the Grand Loop and the CTR. Dixie 200 looks nice I would like that one too.

Mark

[Mikebike]

Thanks Mark.  One more question...I guess there is plenty of water along the way?  I'm thinking I can get along fine with tabs only.  Cheers!