CTR 2012 Planning

[Boney]

http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=37&products_id=51

These have worked well for me and I'd recommend them to anyone who can stomach the price tag. Otherwise I think there are some less expensive options on sites that sell motorcycle gear, but I can't remember where I've seen them.

[anth]

Thanks for the suggestion, these were one of the only options I'd seen. I wouldn't mind the $$ but I've seen mixed reviews on durability and don't want them to fall apart after 1 trip.

[nepbug]

Hey all!

So first, starting to get excited for July 30th with the weather warming up here in CO!

I've been making some final-ish gear decisions and there's one thing I can't seem to come to a conclusion on, even with the tons of info online here: gloves. Right now I'm planning on my normal riding gloves + warm windproof fleece. I'd love to find just a gore-tex or event shell to throw over them if it pours but can't seem to find any. I understand nothing will keep your hands dry forever but what do folks usually plan on for their hands in the rain up high? Right now I'm thinking I'll either go bare-handed and keep my gloves dry in my pack if it's warm enough or go with the fleece as the windproof membrane keeps the rain out for a little while. Suggestions?

cheers
anthony

I'm testing out Glacier Gloves right now.  I got last year's model and I'm using some smartwool liners to help with internal moisture control.

I'll carry some fingerless gloves separately.

So far I've done a 5 hour ride in 40-50 degree weather with some very light rain and snow and they excelled.  This morning's commute got down to upper 30's and things were great, but I did start to notice that cold can make its way through at that temp.  I need to be able to give them a good test on some days hovering around freezing and some wetter days before I commit to them.

One thing that I know I don't like about the gloves, no nose-wipe area.

[anth]

I like the idea of the glacier gloves, especially as I tend not to get cold hands (I usually ice climb in the winter here in CO with fleece!).

I also toyed with the idea of buying some gore-tex fabric and sewing simple overmitts. They would be pretty crude but cheap and would at least last for the race. That requires access to a sewing machine however......Anyone have any experience with gluing fabric vs sewing?

[nepbug]

I like the idea of the glacier gloves, especially as I tend not to get cold hands (I usually ice climb in the winter here in CO with fleece!).

I also toyed with the idea of buying some gore-tex fabric and sewing simple overmitts. They would be pretty crude but cheap and would at least last for the race. That requires access to a sewing machine however......Anyone have any experience with gluing fabric vs sewing?

Well since you're in Boulder you can try out the Glacier Gloves pretty cheaply.  I picked up my pair at Excel Sports and they had them on sale for about $18 after tax.

[jivnjt]

Does anyone have a specific preference on sleeping bag temperature rating?  I know it stays cold in the mountains so I would guess 40 degrees is close to average.  And then you are so smoked you will probably get cold rather easily.  But I don't want to carry a winter bag that weighs 5lbs.

Also do you like bags that have outer coatings for moisture?  What about all the claims of some down drying faster than others?  I don't see how it will dry real well once it gets shoved in a compression bag.  I am trying to wade through the marketing hype.

It might be simpler if some veterans chime in on their favorite bags and why.

[JReeves]

I'll be packing a Western Mountaineering Summerlite, which is rated at 32 degrees.  It's a popular bag for bikepacking, and I've read of a few others using this same bag.  It weighs only 1lb 3oz and compresses incredibly small.  I know that the rating limit is on the low end of the comfort level, so I will have a down jacket and other clothing to layer should it dip down to the low 30's.  As far as drying, when people mention fast drying, they are usually referring to taking it out of the stuff sack during lunch or a break and letting it air out in the sun.  Down will dry really quick in the high and dry air of Colorado. 

[Done]

Does anyone have a specific preference on sleeping bag temperature rating?  I know it stays cold in the mountains so I would guess 40 degrees is close to average.  And then you are so smoked you will probably get cold rather easily.  But I don't want to carry a winter bag that weighs 5lbs.

Also do you like bags that have outer coatings for moisture?  What about all the claims of some down drying faster than others?  I don't see how it will dry real well once it gets shoved in a compression bag.  I am trying to wade through the marketing hype.

It might be simpler if some veterans chime in on their favorite bags and why.

I carry a 40-degree GoLite ultra-light 800-fill down bag (no special coatings, just the basics but no zipper or hood), Marmot bivy bag, and Theremarest ProLite pad. Not the lightest combo, but certainly not the heaviest either. It's very warm and safe, especially combined with the light down jacket that I also carry. Down does dry pretty quickly at altitude--any overnight condensation is usually gone after about ten minutes of sunshine above 10,000 feet. If it was an especially wet night, I just throw out my bag for a moment while I eat lunch, dash into the bushes, etc.

[fastmtnbiker33w]

I got a 30 deg Montbell that's just over 1 pound in the long length.  I use the neo-pro air thermarest.  Now my debate is to go with a bivy or my nemo gogo.  There's not much difference in weight between the two as my bivy is DIY Tyvek.  Much of my choice may depend on the forecast.  I was glad to have the extra warmth on the AZT as it helped me sleep much better.

Other concerns for me are clothing.  I know I'll carry my montbell UL down jacket and my PI rain jacket, but I don't have any rain pants that I've committed to.  I have in hand a pair of the Shower's Pass club pants that zip off into knickers, but they are more than twice as heavy as a pair of XL PI pants that don't have nearly as many features.  I think I'm going to try to find a pair of ultralight rain pants and carry my leg warmers.  Wearing an XL sucks for the weight and the bulk.

[joeydurango]

I used (and use) a 32* Mountain Hardware UltraLamina bag.  Packs small, doesn't break the bank, isn't down so that if it's wet it's still warm.  I was careful to keep it as dry as possible as I didn't plan on spending time hanging out waiting for things to dry in the sun.  I don't wear any down layers or anything while sleeping, and I'm skinny so I get cold easily.  I like the bag, no complaints.  I did pack it up damp a few times and never got cold out there, even while camping in the cold rain after five + hours of riding in the rain after dark.  Only one thing I can say - stay as dry as possible at all times.  It will help in the long run.  Good rain gear is a must!  (Your feet, though, WILL get wet.)

[jivnjt]

Thanks for the quick feedback.  I will take a look at those and await more responses to get a consensus.  Ultimately I want function and the best deal I can find!

Seems like people are pretty hot on the Gore rain gear.  I noticed it here (http://salsacycles.com/culture/kurt_refsniders_2011_tour_divide_setup/) and some other forum posts.

[dgjessee]

In my experience, rain pants and biking just dont mix. Personally I'd rather have a wet/warm layer to ride in if it's raining and carry something more multipurpose like a dry lightweight base layer deep in my gear. It may just be me but I find no matter how cycle-oriented the rain pants are they get knackered up in my sprockets or just drive me crazy with lack of mobility/breathability.

[Done]

Seems like people are pretty hot on the Gore rain gear.

Yep, I've got a Gore Paclite jacket, and it's been great. My rainpants are cheapo ones from Nashbar, and they work remarkably well. I use some old-school pant-leg straps to keep them out of the gears.

[joeydurango]

Chop those rain pants off at mid-calf and you'll be dry and snag-free.  Your feet are going to get wet anyway...

[fastmtnbiker33w]

Worked for me.

[DanHickstein]

Hey Boney, do those Mountain Laurel Rain Mitts stand up to much time on the handlebars? They look awesome, but looking at the weight, I'd assume that they would wear through pretty quickly.

To add to the raingear discussion, I used the Arc'teryx Paclight jacket and pants. They were incredible, but I think this was largely due to the fact that I bought them just before the race and the water repellant finish was still brand new. The pants have a stiff section of fabric on the inside of the ankle that keeps them from getting too tangled in the chain.

For sleeping gear, I used an old 40-degree GoLite sleeping bag - it seemed just about right but I did throw it in the drier in Silverton as it had gotten a bit soggy and deflated. I also used a GoLite tarp-tent thing. I like tarps a lot better than bivy sacks, but I did have to spend a little time finding good places to set it up when it was raining.

[Yogi the Barry]

Downloading Stefan's GPX file from here
http://www.climbingdreams.net/ctr/
works for me too, but Toby's GPX file from here
http://tobygadd.blogspot.com/2012/01/colorado-trail-race-gpsgpx-tracks-and.html
does not show up with elevation data...
-B

Worked for me.

[Done]

I don't use Topofusion a whole lot, but I think that you need to right-click on the track, then click "Correct elevation using DEM." My tracks just have lat/long, no elevation data.

Edit: FYI, not including elevation data in a track doesn't present any sort of problem. I let the software that I'm using calculate the profile, depending on the map that the track is layered on top of. Once a track in plugged into your GPS, it's just a line to follow--which only requires lat/long.

[Yogi the Barry]

Toby,
Thanks, that worked. You actually right-click on the track in the file selection pane, select properties, and then click "Correct Elevation Using DEM." Takes about a minute to crunch your track with 10K points. I was wanting elevation profiles for shorter segment queue sheets.
Thx agian,
-B

I don't use Topofusion a whole lot, but I think that you need to right-click on the track, then click "Correct elevation using DEM." My tracks just have lat/long, no elevation data.

Edit: FYI, not including elevation data in a track doesn't present any sort of problem. I let the software that I'm using calculate the profile, depending on the map that the track is layered on top of. Once a track in plugged into your GPS, it's just a line to follow--which only requires lat/long.

[Done]

Toby,
Thanks, that worked. You actually right-click on the track in the file selection pane, select properties, and then click "Correct Elevation Using DEM." Takes about a minute to crunch your track with 10K points. I was wanting elevation profiles for shorter segment queue sheets.
Thx agian,
-B

Thanks for posting the proper way to make it work in Topofusion! It would be interesting to see how different the profiles are with different maps.