CTR 2013 Discussion

[Herb]

Aaron- Wow... Great video ! Such amazing scenery. The editing, music, and flow of the film were awesome. Thanks for another fantastic insight into this amazing race.

[franzr]

Aaron, you are responsible for me being late to work this morning. And for keeping my mind out on the trail, where it's been for the last two weeks--to the detriment of my normal responsibilities.

Great riding with you out there and thanks for capturing what it was all about. I will say, though, it makes the trail seem more smooth and effortless than I remember it:)

[JosiahM]

I will say, though, it makes the trail seem more smooth and effortless than I remember it:)

I agree... I was just trying to figure out where he found so much footage of rideable trail... I remember pushing way more than riding.  need more footage of that to be accurate.

[Shirey]

I remember pushing way more than riding.  need more footage of that to be accurate.

Give yourself another week Josiah.

Just like this video, the lows are fading and I can only really remember the amazing parts. I miss the trail already. Can't wait for next year.

[aaron w]

Wow, great video Aaron J!  I really enjoyed watching that. 

[jakomait]

Hey all, I made a video of my race this year. Check it out. Did my best to capture the magic. Appearances by Stefan Griebel, Pete Basinger, and Ryan Franz.

Great video Aaron!  Impressive to capture the alpine heaven, even more while in the race!

[mikedeber]

Yeah Aaron!  That brought me right back to seg 23!  Thanks

[mtnbound]

Aaron - WOW! That is an awesome video!!!!  Way to capture the beautiful scenery!  Would you be able to post that on youtube?

[Done]

Superb video, Aaron. No hype--just beautiful spaces and motion. Thank you!

[ayayron]

Thanks guys! Definitely fun reliving the race going through 5 hrs of footage...

I will say, though, it makes the trail seem more smooth and effortless than I remember it:)

Hah...there's some HAB in there! I will say I didn't really feel like filming as I was suffering up most of those climbs.  Hopefully this doesn't cause a bunch of people to show up next year thinking it's all downhill and smooth.

Aaron - WOW! That is an awesome video!!!!  Way to capture the beautiful scenery!  Would you be able to post that on youtube?

Already there:

2013 Colorado Trail Race

[nepbug]

Looks like Chrissy has reached Carson Saddle.  She seems to be moving well, as would be expected after a short day and 17 hours of rest yesterday waiting for the storms to pass.

[markphx]

Looks like Chrissy has reached Carson Saddle.  She seems to be moving well, as would be expected after a short day and 17 hours of rest yesterday waiting for the storms to pass.

Heck yeah! Looks like she's nearing the end of the pushfest that is Segment 23. That descent down from Stony is sure to bring a smile to her face.

Although I did not finish this year, I managed to make it through Segments 23/22. I felt like they were much more rideable and borderline enjoyable in the NoBo direction, aside from the "lovely" Jarosa Mesa hike-a-bike.

[nepbug]

Chrissy is over Stony Pass, now time for some descending and quick time to Silverton!

[nepbug]

Chrissy pushed to about 3:30 a.m. last night.  It appears she taking a rest and will finish up today.  She's approaching the Hermosa area of the trail which is a fun bit of trail, it will be more fun in the day.

55 miles to go, she's got to be able to taste the finish!

[CTF Director]

CTR riders, congrats and thanks from The Colorado Trail Foundation.  Hope and trust you had a great adventure on The Colorado Trail this year.  You are awesome ... we received donations from many of you this year.  Your support truly helps the CTF continue maintaining the trail (no small task, it takes involved volunteers and donors).  Improving the CT too, like the work our volunteers will start (hopefully next year) in creating new singletrack...can't wait.  Grateful for your "give back," we need it.  THANKS.

www.ColoradoTrail.org

[lizzieg]

Hey all, I made a video of my race this year. Check it out. Did my best to capture the magic. Appearances by Stefan Griebel, Pete Basinger, and Ryan Franz.

2013 Colorado Trail Race from Aaron Johnson on Vimeo

I am in tears. Yes, you captured the magic in a profound way. Watching I kept thinking of how it must be to be out there on the trail, the experiences that would keep drawing you back. This video helped me understand how bikepacking can become a way of life.

[THE LONG RANGER]

CTR riders, congrats and thanks from The Colorado Trail Foundation.  Hope and trust you had a great adventure on The Colorado Trail this year.  You are awesome ... we received donations from many of you this year.  Your support truly helps the CTF continue maintaining the trail (no small task, it takes involved volunteers and donors).  Improving the CT too, like the work our volunteers will start (hopefully next year) in creating new singletrack...can't wait.  Grateful for your "give back," we need it.  THANKS.

www.ColoradoTrail.org

Hurrah!

[nepbug]

Chrissy Nacos finishes at 10:50 p.m. on August 9th!!!

Congratulations Chrissy!

I look forward to the stories!

[mtbcast]

ITT Christina Nacos called in with her finish call!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/ctr13/

[cmn529]

A few thoughts from an ITT SoBo girl:

First, I'm so thrilled to have seen the whole trail (well, besides wilderness areas) and absolutely loved the beauty of Segments 22 & 23...but not the pushing.  Every one of you that has attempted this beast and even ridden a part of this trail has my utmost respect.

I think the 3.5 day adventure race a mere 12 days prior affected me at the beginning.  That, and that Tarryall detour that never seemed to end.    I was exhausted and demoralized and in my bivy by 9pm that night.  Very unlike me to not keep pushing onward but coupled with a caloric deficit I called it a day.  I craved the trail and all of this detour was a penalty box to me.

Rain, rain, rain...the first 5 days were perfect and I thought I had lucked out.  And then the rain started and never let up.  I was geared up with pants and jacket for the mountain storms but not for full days of rain on end.  Lesson learned and so thankful for that Segment 22 yurt!  I lost almost a full day but quitting was not an option to me so I gladly took the time penalty.  Met some cool thru-hikers that evening too.

Riding at night, or pushing, is typically not a problem.  However, during this CTR after the first few days I had chest pains, some pulmonary edema (prob from my exercise-induced asthma), and pretty severe leg swelling.  Except for the two nights I pushed into the morning, laying down seemed like the best option for finishing.  I hated that it cost me time but I do think I moved faster the next day because of the down time and I got to see most of the trail in the daylight.  Do any guys get the leg swelling issues?  I still have the sexy sausage legs.  I'm on top of electrolytes, so maybe just exertion with altitude?

Biggest issue was not eating enough calories.  I'm GF and try not to eat much 'race' food like gels.  I could feel how much stronger I was when I had a full meal but did not like to stop on the trail to take the time...other than bites of food while riding.  Do you take 15 min to occasionally stop and eat something more substantial?  I'm thinking maybe I should but the idea of slowing progress bugs me.  But barely moving because I'm depleted bugs me more...

It will take me some time to process this adventure and for the HAB amnesia to set in.  The completely solo ITT was the way to go for me with no outside influences, just me.  I didn't even use the iPod I brought!  I relished that time to myself and am wondering how I go back to work Monday...this will take some time.  I'm already craving the next adventure, whatever it will be.

Oh, and the cows near Leadville and Sargents always look up to watch a bike pass, like clockwork.

Thanks all, I love the support and community!
Chrissy Nacos

BTW- the video was amazing! I remember more HAB than that...the amnesia hasn't set in yet.  But you captured the beauty of the CT.