CTR 2013 Planning

[Done]

Yeah, I know the 705 isn't the best but its what I have to use so I'm going with it. I plan on turning it on only when I need it.

Sounds like a good plan. Truth is that you probably won't need to turn it on much (or even at all) if you keep your eyes peeled for the CT markers.

[Matt]

Interesting conversation came up today. Toby will like this one. I was telling a buddy, who completed the CT ride on his own in 2011, that Tarryall is the official route this year. In 2011 there was also construction happening on Tarryall when he road through that area. He was told that he could not ride his bike through a 5 mile construction zone. Therefore, the pilot car driver put his bike in the back of their truck and drove him through. Considering that the construction zone is ~9 miles this year, could they do that again? A 9 mile break will sound really nice at that point.

JoeyD..., I will be in town Friday eve and would be up for a Sat. early eve get together. Let us know if anything is decided on.

[Foster]

What is the terrain like on the CTR? Choosing tires right now and I am wondering is something like the conti x-king or the geax aka would be enough for the climbs?  Curious what others are running.

-EF

[Stefan_G]

Interesting conversation came up today. Toby will like this one. I was telling a buddy, who completed the CT ride on his own in 2011, that Tarryall is the official route this year. In 2011 there was also construction happening on Tarryall when he road through that area. He was told that he could not ride his bike through a 5 mile construction zone. Therefore, the pilot car driver put his bike in the back of their truck and drove him through. Considering that the construction zone is ~9 miles this year, could they do that again? A 9 mile break will sound really nice at that point.

I personally contacted the Foreman of the project, and he told me that bikes would be allowed as long as they are escorted by the Pilot vehicle.  But, in the end, ya gotta do what they allow. This would certainly be an exception to the no-motor-vehicle rule.  Ride through it if you can, but don't at the expense of breaking the law and ruining it for the other riders!

[Matt Schiff]

What is the terrain like on the CTR? Choosing tires right now and I am wondering is something like the conti x-king or the geax aka would be enough for the climbs?  Curious what others are running.

-EF

I know people use the aka on the rear and the x-king is good front or rear. I like the maxxis ikons front and rear

[Done]

Interesting conversation came up today. Toby will like this one. I was telling a buddy, who completed the CT ride on his own in 2011, that Tarryall is the official route this year. In 2011 there was also construction happening on Tarryall when he road through that area. He was told that he could not ride his bike through a 5 mile construction zone. Therefore, the pilot car driver put his bike in the back of their truck and drove him through. Considering that the construction zone is ~9 miles this year, could they do that again? A 9 mile break will sound really nice at that point.

One of the CTR rules is "don't break the law." So if the man wants you to get in the pilot car, get in the pilot car.

As far as my thoughts on the "Do. It. Yourself." ethics, I think that it's more important to abide by the law. While riding in a car isn't what the CTR is all about, we all need to comply with the law if we expect these sorts of events to continue. I'd be bummed if I had to ride in a pilot car--but I wouldn't let it prevent me from finishing in good style.

[Matt Schiff]

I personally contacted the Foreman of the project, and he told me that bikes would be allowed as long as they are escorted by the Pilot vehicle.  But, in the end, ya gotta do what they allow. This would certainly be an exception to the no-motor-vehicle rule.  Ride through it if you can, but don't at the expense of breaking the law and ruining it for the other riders!

I've had to ride in the back of a pickup when the detour is long enough. The word escort can mean many things.

I guess you could say if you come through during the day and have to wait and it's hot, then you deserve a free 9 mile ride.

[Foster]

I know people use the aka on the rear and the x-king is good front or rear. I like the maxxis ikons front and rear

Thanks man, that's all I needed to know.  See ya at the start.

actually one more thing...is a 2.4 in the front a good idea?  Just wondering how the decants are and if having a little more tire would be better for fast speeds.

[joeydurango]

Big, tough tires, Eric.  The CT's not as prickly/slashy as the AZT, but still not always kind to tires... I'm personally running Maxxis Ardent 2.4 front, Maxxis Ignitor 2.1 rear, EXO sidewall on both.  Keep the pressurized air on the inside!

[THE LONG RANGER]

Took a most hilarious fall today at White Ranch, outside Golden. Hope me knee stops not working, soon. Some random q's for all you with far more experience than I:

* Falls: What's up with my legs (calves especially) cramping up right after a fall? I almost never get cramps any other time. I find myself unable to get out of whatever discombobulation I'm in, as my muscles are freaking the F out. More painful than the fall. May be simply a potassium/electrolyte problem, as it's hot out here on the Front Range, but this isn't after 6 hours of riding or anything.

* Gloves. I'm still battling with some Median Nerve problems - any glove recommendations, that seem to protect this area? I'm almost wondering if the problem isn't stemming from MTB riding, but rather, marching band cymbal crashing!  My cymbal straps dig right into the meat of my uh, lower thumb area. And, I've just outed myself as a huge band geek. Kinda.

But still, it's affecting my riding - I only wrap my thumb around my 'bars when absolutely necessary - thankfully my grip from climbing (bouldering) this winter is a little crazy. Been working on changing up the flipper angle of my Ergons - feels better slightly raised. Thinking it may be time to move to the bar endlets model they have, to just get another position for my poor hands. I can cause pain in that median nerve area just by holding onto the attachment point of my brakes/shifters - the nuts dig into my palm and hit whatever sensitive area I have.

* Anyone willing to indulge in  some more out-there eating strategies? I was thinking it prudent to have a Emergency Stash of something exceptionally calorie dense (and as light, or at least as space-economical as possible), such as really good Olive Oil, and perhaps more to drizzle on things. I could see Clif Bars w/Olive Oil being a thing! I don't think I could stomach any more peanut butter this year. Nutella sometimes makes my teeth hurt in depressingly worryingly ways. Smashed down potato chips may be the rock star of my ride.

[JosiahM]

I have had the cramps after falls.  I think a large part of it is neurological.  if you get nervous or scared, your muscles tense up and can cause craps if they are already fatigued.  My guess is salt would probably help... something I'm always deficient in... and stretching of course
I'm also curious on what people do for food.  I can't seem to find anything with enough calories that fits in a small enough space that I still want to eat after it has been in my bag for more than a day.... funny how biking can make you somehow disgusted by food choice/purchase you made the day before.

[joeydurango]

RE: food - I just assume I'm not going to want to eat anything I've got along.  But I eat anyway, cause I have to or I'll be done for... I'm super-skinny and have zero reserves.  MUST. EAT. NOW (ALWAYS).

Also, final details on start morning breakfast:  Carver Brewing Company will be open by 2:15/2:30am for breakfast for us race folk.  Owner Mike Hurst will be there in person to get us rolling, mostly because no staff want to work that early/late!  There will be a nominal charge for breakfast, which I think is more than fair... after all, no one else will be open to serve us that early.  I will definitely be eating breakfast there, and if I'm not at the shop after 2:30am, you can find me across the street...

[Done]

Took a most hilarious fall today at White Ranch, outside Golden. Hope me knee stops not working, soon. Some random q's for all you with far more experience than I:

* Falls: What's up with my legs (calves especially) cramping up right after a fall?

* Gloves.

* Anyone willing to indulge in  some more out-there eating strategies?

Falls: Yep, I've had cramping after a crash. Seems to happen more when I'm overtrained or tired. I suspect that it has more to do with too much adrenalin combined with exhausted muscles than anything related to electrolytes,

Gloves: I use Ergons with built-in bar ends. When I'm on the bar-ends, my hands are happier.

Eating: Chocolate croissants smashed flat are AWESOME. Get them at pretty much any cafe or supermarket. Lots of calories, easy to eat, and very tasty. Lara Bars are good too. Powerbars seem to give me lots of energy--but getting one down can sometimes seem like a duel with a vomit-encrusted python.

[Couloirman]

I could live for days just eating vanilla honey stinger waffles with Justin's maple almond butter packets. Two waffles with a packet of almond butter between them is the most amazing trail sandwich I have ever had, and a very respectable 520 calories. Gotta have lots of pop tarts on the trail too.

[Mini Bear]

Muscles: +1 to everything above
Gloves: Look for cheapy gloves that have a fully padded palm. A lot of newer and/or more expensive gloves tend to have gel patches, ulnar nerve this-and-that, super-duper latest whatever. A good ol' cheap and/or old style glove usually has a generous, fully-padded palm. Think old-school crochet backed gloves and the like.
Food: Tortillas are actually pretty fantastic for a finicky gut. They pack a decent calorie wallop; 120-140 cal/oz, pack flat (obviously) and you can spread other things on them to boost the calories. Or you could always do as the winter ultra racers do and pack a stick of butter as emergency calories. Might not be in stick form too long, but then you can just eat it like a powergel.

[Foster]

Went with the Geax AKA TNT 2.2 in the rear and the Conti X-King 2.4 UST in the front.  Good grippy setup for all the steep climbs and descents.  They should hold up the entire ride. 

[mtnbound]

Trackleaders only shows 24 riders (4 of which are ITT, so only 20 for GD) for the CTR, with only a week to go.  Is the list just not updated or is the number of riders down this year?  Of course, there are always last minute racers.

Just another reminder - Please DONATE to the Colorado Trail Foundation!  It is extremely important to this race since they maintain the CT.  If you donated, please post that on this forum.  And when you donate, please mention in the comment section something to the effect that you mountain bike the CT or are doing the CTR so they know mountain bikers are supporting their organization.  The CTF stood up for mtbers in the last fight over trail access on the CT so we need to support them. 

[Done]

The CTF stood up for mtbers in the last fight over trail access on the CT so we need to support them.

Yes! Their board could have caved to the pressure to restrict MTB access, but they stood up and unanimously and advocated on our behalf. Great group, and absolutely worth of a few bucks. I sent them $100 this year.

[jackinmd]

I had to bail on the whole thing due to a work meltdown  . I'd been looking forward to this for 6 months, but I guess I'd rather come back to gainful employment than a proverbial smoking hole in the ground. Ah well, there's always next year I guess. Maybe I'll just quit and do the triple crown. 

Good luck to you all! I'll be watching the blue dots and can't wait to hear how it is in reverse!

BTW I contributed to the CTF also. From the small bits of the CT that I rode on the Bailey Hundo it is a phenomenal trail and I really want to ride the whole thing one day!

[jakomait]

RE: food - I just assume I'm not going to want to eat anything I've got along.  But I eat anyway, cause I have to or I'll be done for... I'm super-skinny and have zero reserves.  MUST. EAT. NOW (ALWAYS).

Also, final details on start morning breakfast:  Carver Brewing Company will be open by 2:15/2:30am for breakfast for us race folk.  Owner Mike Hurst will be there in person to get us rolling, mostly because no staff want to work that early/late!  There will be a nominal charge for breakfast, which I think is more than fair... after all, no one else will be open to serve us that early.  I will definitely be eating breakfast there, and if I'm not at the shop after 2:30am, you can find me across the street...

Joey!  Awesome for Carver to open crazy early for us but unfortunately I plan on sleeping till 3:55am before the start!