CTR 2012 Race Discussion

[Done]

Shawn is almost there. Hugely impressive to watch over the last 10 days.

He has a detailed look at the equipment and food aspect of the attempt on his blog.

http://www.shawnforry.com./Margin_Walker...A_Hikers_Chronicles/Blog/Blog.html

Toby, I know you have semi seriously talked about a true unsupported class for CTR etc.. we might all have to reconsider what a
real bike packing adventure looks like.

Great fun either way.

Thanks for the link!

[AZTtripper]

I bet, with a light enough bike, you could go faster on a no-detour route with a bike, even when hiking with it strapped to your back (in Wilderness areas, etc), than without. I don't really know if it would be kosher to try,

37 lbs of food to start!!

Pretty interesting read on his food selections and gear.

Back in the day I used to think I wanted to do the full AZT and, before I was clued in, carry thru the Wilderness sections. I can see how this works for the hiker on the CT, not having to go out of his way to resupply should save a lot of time. But for a biker could you carry the bike and all of the food to stay out of towns. And if you use the bike to ride in and out for food your burning up a bunch of time.

[spoke537]

In case you didn't know...

Jill is back on the CTR.  Started this morning at 0200. 

http://trackleaders.com/ctri.php?name=Jill_Hueckman_2

...now you know.

-Les

[timroz]

Pretty hard to get off the trail right there.  There's a CT sign about every 50 feet until you cross that road on the descent after the pass.

[Done]

I hope that Jill's OK. As Tim points out, that would be an unusual place to get lost. But it's also an odd place to bail--although it does drop some elevation very quickly.

[DanHickstein]

It looks like she bailed to Jefferson after an impressive 17-hour push to Georgia Pass. If she was having bike problems, coasting into Breck seems like the more logical option. If I zoom in enough, it seems that she's hanging out at the Jefferson gas-station/market. They do have about 50 flavors of fudge there...

[fastmtnbiker33w]

Bike problems again???!!!  That poor girl.  Put her on a single speed.  They're hella more fun and cheap too. 

[Woodland]

Maybe she realized she wasn't on record pace and just called it - she was clearly gunning for a record (notice the finish time scrawled on her top tube bag?!)

[fastmtnbiker33w]

That's disappointing.  That's a lot of incredible trail....record or no record.  And the pace set on the first days should be no indicator of record pace or not.  I was way behind Eszter's record pace for the first two days but ended up with a time that was 7 hours faster.

[Done]

Whatever the reason for Jill's decision to bail, I hope that she's OK. When she took the "quick" way down, I was worried that she might have been having problems with altitude--or something similarly serious.

Kind of funny how much speculation something like this generates. So far, we've got: 1) Accidentally off-route. 2) Altitude or medical issues. 3) Bike problems. 4) Drivetrain problems. 5) Off record pace.

Hopefully she's post something soon!

[Jilleo]

From Jill's Facebook page: "Freak crash on a descent between Kenosha and Georgia Pass has me sitting here with ice on my left foot and a disappointed heart. Pushed through the pain by limping up to a bailout near the top of Georgia. Continuing on another 400 miles would have only furthered the injury and slowed me more and more. Looking to next year....."

[Done]

From Jill's Facebook page: "Freak crash on a descent between Kenosha and Georgia Pass has me sitting here with ice on my left foot and a disappointed heart. Pushed through the pain by limping up to a bailout near the top of Georgia. Continuing on another 400 miles would have only furthered the injury and slowed me more and more. Looking to next year....."

Thanks Jill.

Bummer. I had to bail from the CTR in 2011 for a similar reason. A good reminder that finishing the CTR requires a healthy dose of good luck in addition to everything else.

[fastmtnbiker33w]

Bummer.  That sucks.

[mb]

Aaaah! Jill, that's a bummer but a smart decision of course. There are tons of us rooting for you, and we'll be there to cheer you on next year too.

Mike 

[Adam Alphabet]

That's a major bummer. I met Jill at Carver's in Durango after I finished my CT tour. She was super stoked on getting her ride started and gunning for 5 days 3 hours. Heal up and best of luck next next year Jill, I'll be pulling for you.

[mtnbound]

For the last several days, I had been thinking about how incredible (for some) to add another dimension to this race to make it as an out and back- Denver to Durango and back to Denver (but make it a separate race - maybe CTRX2).  It would reduce problems with those looking for ways back to Denver when the race is over.  Plus, for those of us in the back that never see the leaders after the start, it would be cool to see them on their way back, kind of like the Leadville 100 (but not!).  It certainly would make planning much more complex.

From what I have read, the ride back to Denver is very different.  People have already been riding it from Durango to Denver so why not make it both ways?  I just read some one posted the same idea for the TD and I had already been thinking of that for the CTR so I decided to throw it out there.  I am working late on a Friday so I may not be sane right now

[fastmtnbiker33w]

Why not make it go north and back through the upper part of the state?  A full loop!  One year you could ride it clockwise, the next counter clockwise. There's gotta be a way to connect something up like that.

......and since it's not an "official" race anyway, why not just do it like that?  I'm sure Stefan wouldn't mind adding another finishing category to his blog page. 

[Walkurtalk]

My account of the raw experience of being human in the midst of failure. I really don't fear anything except going through life doing nothing and being nothing. Thus, I will be back stronger next year with more experience and more time in the saddle. As bummed as I am, the tough times define me as much as the good times. It's called life. Whether bitter or sweet---don't be afraid to taste it.


http://allthingsepicwithjill.blogspot.com/2012/09/ctr-itt-2012.html?spref=fb

[joeydurango]

Sorry things didn't work out for you this year.  If I may, though, a friendly suggestion:  Break the record first, talk about it later.  We all fail at some point or another, but it hurts a lot less if you haven't made it seem as if you've already walked your talk.

[tetontodd]

Very wise words Joey! Sometimes we have to fail to succeed, it makes you more hungry the next time!
I know that was my case this year, I just wasnt hungry enough to getrdone>and believe you me you need all you can muster out there on the CTR. Unless your Cat Morrison>> Good job again Cat!