CTR 2012 Race Discussion

[joeydurango]

Hell, if I pushed a 911 button every time I felt I was in any sort of danger, I wouldn't have finished many of the sweetest adventures I've ever done.  I don't carry a SPOT or other device normally so it's a moot point.

Seriously though, that would be a great way to shut down all underground racing - have our incidence of S&R calls skyrocket.  "Need help" is different from "could use help".

PS - not tying this into any particular situations, recent or otherwise.  Totally a general comment...

[Done]

and by in large, I don't think it's a discussion of integrity or moral.

Yeah, you're probably right. While there have been a few instances of people willfully cheating over the years, I think that the majority of "infractions" are really the result of a failure to fully absorb the ethos of the sport (not an easy task, I think that we can all agree). Then there are the gray areas, where people simply have different interpretations of broad principles. I'm less worried about the cheaters (nail 'em and move on) than I am about general cluelessness and relaxed interpretations of the rules. From what I've seen over the past couple of years, ultra-racing ethics have gotten softer. Used to be that the CTR didn't have coolers stashed along the route. Used to be that people didn't log into BlueDot and track each other. Used to be that  new racers defaulted to NOT accepting trail magic. In a sport founded by a few individuals breaking new ground by rejecting almost all forms of support, I irks me to see so many racers taking such casual approaches. If the sport is going to evolve, I'd much rather see it become more restrictive and challenging, not less so.

Just for the record, I haven't done anything about those who I saw "dabbling in the dark side." And I won't, because I don't think that any of them were truly trying to cheat the system. I tried to educate a couple of people along the way, but that's it. While I didn't like some of what I saw, I'm not out to hang anyone except the truly corrupt a-holes--of which I didn't see any this year. Of the many good and fun people that I crossed paths with, I only got weird vibes from one person. Lots and lots of great people made for a great race!

[Done]

What I would like to talk about is the safety issue, rescue and "when to push the button"

I've got a few buddies in S&R, and all of them really like Spots. The "search" part is usually the toughest and most dangerous part of their jobs because it requires them to check potentially unknown/unsafe areas, and with the clock running, factors like weather, time of day, etc. add to the risk. But with a Spot, they get the precise location, which allows them to plan and time their rescues far better--essentially eliminating the whole high-risk search component. They do roll their eyes when they are called for minor issues, but in balance they're willing to accept a few Yuppie 911 calls in return for the other benefits.

But that's just what my buddies have said. Start throwing the expense of helicopters and the like into the mix, and opinions might change...

[Matt Schiff]

Exciting to track Kurts progress out there. Years ago when asking my fellow construction worker about sky diving he said once you do it you'll sell your soul to get back up there. Since then I've resisted that temptation but days before beginning the 2012 mass start I predicted to some friends this experience would be like that. It has certainly consumed my thoughts and basing my life schedule around the various ultra events seems temping.

[dream4est]

Matt you might as well give in to it. TD, AZT, Georgia, Stagecoach. They are calling.

[Matt Schiff]

but how do people with jobs do this. Does no one else have jobs either? I quit my bike mechanic job in late May in California to take two months to play and transition back to CO but after the CTR it has been serious look for work time. Who gets to take June off except for academics?

[dream4est]

but how do people with jobs do this. Does no one else have jobs either? I quit my bike mechanic job in late May in California to take two months to play and transition back to CO but after the CTR it has been serious look for work time. Who gets to take June off except for academics?

Some people here have great regular jobs with seasonal vacations, like teachers.
Others own their own business and have flexibility.
Some get lucky I am sure being students or trust fund adrenaline junkies.
Some have jobs with great vacation time due to seniority.
Some have jobs with flexibility designed into them- like a certain lawyer I know.

Those with not so great regular jobs that have no paid vacation have it hardest. But they can work like hell, maybe do 2 jobs between races, and there is a way sometimes. Maybe work with tips in resort towns in this instance is best- as time off is possible as is condensed earnings.

Of the six categories above, I fall into #2. But I sacrifice by literally buying nothing for the last year, only owning one bike and being cheap. I have met/heard discussed at least one person at the races from each category.

[joeydurango]

I am still trying to figure #2 out... Maybe in 2013. 

[Woodland]

but how do people with jobs do this. Does no one else have jobs either? I quit my bike mechanic job in late May in California to take two months to play and transition back to CO but after the CTR it has been serious look for work time. Who gets to take June off except for academics?

Try throwing a couple little kids in the mix 

[aaron w]

I don't like this talk of completely unsupported endurance racing.  My favorite part of racing is sharing a meal in a restaurant with other racers.  Take that away and all that's left is a bunch of bike riding!

[Matt Schiff]

yup, most people want at least the option of hanging out with others or else they'd just ride ITT. But the unsupported just seem like another option you could do, not the way its gonna be.

[mikepro]

Unsupported CTR, and you have to clean the entire route! No dabs! Feet can't touch ground during forward progress.  And with one eye closed breathing through nose only.

[Matt Schiff]

Anyone got an info on Kurt? Looks like he took a 12 hour stop in Buena Vista? Seems unplanned after a 3-4 hour "nap" the first night. I don't know  him so I have no idea of his intentions/pace for this race/ride.

[Stefan_G]

Anyone got an info on Kurt? Looks like he took a 12 hour stop in Buena Vista? Seems unplanned after a 3-4 hour "nap" the first night. I don't know  him so I have no idea of his intentions/pace for this race/ride.

Looks like he's enjoying himself, as planned.  He said he just wanted to see the whole trail and was aiming for a leisurely (amazing what qualifies as "leisurely" for some people) 6 day finish.  I'd say he's right on track for 5.5-6 days at his current pace.

[Done]

Unsupported CTR, and you have to clean the entire route! No dabs! Feet can't touch ground during forward progress.  And with one eye closed breathing through nose only.

Isn't that how Jefe did it?

[surfsled]

Great comments and pics.. Just got back from another 'vacation' at the World Pinball Championships Aug. 9-12 (PAPA) in Pittsburgh, unfortunately I didnt do well.. prob. lack of sleep and focus after the CTR.
I rode mostly alone from monday night to sunday afternoon (pretty much all week). I didn't flat or have a mechanicals until Molas pass when I thought my brake pads went out because my back brake lost its power.. I figured out later that it was the 'heat' of the day making the brake oil less vicous? The brake worked fine in the cool of the night and mornings.
Everyday started with a little shivering and then mostly fun and great memories. I think I was the only one to push the whole night (friday) thru to the Silverton in the full moon (I didn't see anyone elses' lights). I rode up Coney with Pickett-Heaps only to get left in his dust then seeing him (found one from him later) laying (resting on the side of the trail somewhere near the walk down?) in the full moon. He caught up to me in the morning right before Stoney Pass and showed me his hematoma and scrapes on his hip. I told him he would be ok and the Tour de France riders crash like that all the time and he would be ok to keep riding  . My highlight from that night was mr. Owl who sat on each trail post coming down from Coney waiting for me and allowed me to get about 2 feet away from him and look him straight in his eyes then fly off only to see him again down the trail at the next post about 2 feet away again this happened about 5x!! . He was probably using my light to spot his prey more easlily. Never been that close to a bird of prey.
Reading everyone elses' post who was trying to finish the race at the end... I think I was in the same boat with sleep deprivation.. I started seeing things in the trail and lost my balance near the start of  Hotel Draw (near 10:30pm) and had to lay down for a few hours. I had a nice finish with 3 ITT racers on Sunday afternoon and a great conversation with Ezster riding the road back into Durango (she was on her road bike). Great to meet Kurt Sandiforth who caught a ride with me back to Denver where I dropped him off at DIA after boxing his bike up at my home in Breckenridge.
Great race!! no one really knows how truly hard this race is until they attempt it or finish.   
Jeff Rank                   

[riverfever]

Jeff...Kurt and I rode about 8 miles into 22 and stayed at a grove of trees where there was a marsh nearby and several other campers. I thought I saw you come into that area and leave pretty quickly. We were chillin out and going through gear and got moving at about 9:30. We rode through the night as well (awesome full moon) and made it into Silverton at about noon probably. Saw lights in front of us now and again (at least I think we did). Maybe that was you. That's where my problems with hallucinations started. Great to ride with you for the bit that I did.

-Chris 

[the tortoise]

Kind of an interesting read: http://kristinandjerry.name/cmru/rescue_info/National%20Park%20Service/Dead%20Man%20Walking%20-%20Search%20And%20Rescue%20In%20US%20National%20Parks%20-%20Heggie.pdf

Although the stats come from National Parks where there is little or no mountain biking allowed, it shows that bicycling (probably mostly road biking) ranks very low on the percentage of rescues. I tried searching for backcountry mtb rescues but didn't have much luck.
BUT those dang hikers seem to be a real problem! Ha ha!

[surfsled]

Chris
I stopped to refill water in the willows near treeline (took my gps with me cuz you can get lost in those willows just trying to find the water then back to your bike)
Yeah great night with the full moon! incredible experience!
Hope to see you around
Jeff

[riverfever]

I know exactly where you're talking about. I could hear the water but I damn sure wasn't going in there. There was a hole in the marshy area before that (that you rode right above). A backpacker was chattin' us up and told me it was all good. I went down there and it was allllllll moss. I filtered a bladder but was not happy about it. I was hoping we'd catch you but you were obviously on a mission.