CTR 2013 Planning

[joeydurango]

The climb from Durango to the top of Indian Trail Ridge is difficult for sure.  Beyond that, though, much of the ride to Silverton is actually easier in this direction... Indian Trail Ridge itself, the Highline area, Blackhawk, Rolling Pass on down - all a little more flowy in the north/east direction.  As for Sections 22/23 (Coney/Cateract), jury's out on that one... I'll have to get up there and ride it backwards in June if the snowpack allows.  I already know Stony Pass will be incredibly difficult.

[Johnny_mtb]

Thanks for the replies. Looks like this direction will definitely give the advantage to those that can make Silverton by 7:45ish.
Anyone got room for an extra bikepacker from Denver to Durango for the start?
John

[jakomait]

4am start from town?  Rad!  Looking forward to a whole new experience the other way!

[kozman]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a better topo package than garmin basecamp?!  not really intuitive for looking at the course and planning distances, etc....thanks

[Buttermilk]

Topofusion. Get the pro version, the gold standard.

[kozman]

Topofusion. Get the pro version, the gold standard.

thanks!

[Buttermilk]

Also, get the GPX file that Toby Gadd created (the link is in his blog) and you're set for planning. You can reverse the track in topofusion for the Durango to Denver direction.

[Done]

Edit: I guess a track is a track and maybe it doesn't need to be flipped to follow it? I guess since I'm just using the track for reference.

Yep, there isn't any need to swap the direction of a track that's loaded into a GPS. The track is just a line that you visually follow, not a "route."

[Buttermilk]

Here is the most recent file that Toby created flipped for the Durango to Denver direction.

Hopefully saved you some time Toby (and hopefully the attachment worked).

I'm looking forward to the new direction!!

[Done]

Here is the most recent file that Toby created flipped for the Durango to Denver direction.

Hopefully saved you some time Toby (and hopefully the attachment worked).

I'm looking forward to the new direction!!

I'd prefer that people link to my blog for the GPX track rather than reposting it. It's important for folks to get all of the information that goes along with the file, such as the explanation of waypoint naming conventions, disclaimer, Bear Creek credits, etc. Thanks.

http://tobygadd.blogspot.com/2012/01/colorado-trail-race-gpsgpx-tracks-and.html

[Stefan_G]

Here is the most recent file that Toby created flipped for the Durango to Denver direction.

Hopefully saved you some time Toby (and hopefully the attachment worked).

I'm looking forward to the new direction!!

Toby, if it's OK with you, I can put this up on the CTR website too. With proper acknowledgements of course!

-Stefan

[Done]

Toby, if it's OK with you, I can put this up on the CTR website too. With proper acknowledgements of course!

-Stefan

Hi Stefan,

No problem, as long as it's got a link my blog. Credit to Bear Creek Survey and the Colorado Trail Foundation would be good, too.

[Buttermilk]

Understood and agreed. I removed the link.

Thanks for your work Toby. Stefan, glad you switched it up this year, should be fun!

[Done]

Edit: I just uploaded an updated ZIP file that contains a Durango-start 10,000-point track.

http://tobygadd.blogspot.com/2012/01/colorado-trail-race-gpsgpx-tracks-and.html

[fotooutdoors]

Tentatively throwing my hat in the ring for this summer, dependent on finances and grad school.  Now to decide whether to leave at the group start or ride Denver to Durango.  My thoughts are that Denver to Durango has the "getting more beautiful" thing going for it, plus it gives me a bit more time to adapt to high altitude than eastbound.  Downside is that getting back to Denver (especially if I need to do it quickly) is more difficult than arranging the trip to Durango for the start. 

I do love the idea of a 4am start if I do the group depart, though I am not one of those who could make it to Silverton before closing time, from seeing the route description.  That said, for health reasons, I can't sleep-deprive myself too much, so that may not be a huge disadvantage.  Look forward to obsessing...errr...learning more here over the next half a year.

[Shirey]

The CTR and Buying a New Bike:

So..... I've never had a super awesome bike. Over the last 15 years I've completely worn out two Specialized FSR's (not Stumpy's either) so I think both were about $2K. But I've been saving now for over a year and soon I'm going to go all the way and treat myself to a huge upgrade, probably carbon of some kind in the $6K-$7K range.

My problem is trying to decide between a super-light XC rig or one of these genre-blending trail bikes like the Pivot Mach 5.7C or the Yeti SB-66. For the general riding fun factor I'm leaning towards the trail bike, but then again, after several years of thought and preparation, I'm definitely going to ITT the CTR this year.

Any opinions on whether a 26-27lb semi-squishier ride would be too much bike for the CTR?

BTW, I'm planning my ITT to start at the same time as the mass start, but going Denver--> Durango in case any of you others have the same idea... might be fun to have our own little mini start.

Thanks!

[Done]

The CTR and Buying a New Bike:

So..... I've never had a super awesome bike. Over the last 15 years I've completely worn out two Specialized FSR's (not Stumpy's either) so I think both were about $2K. But I've been saving now for over a year and soon I'm going to go all the way and treat myself to a huge upgrade, probably carbon of some kind in the $6K-$7K range.

My problem is trying to decide between a super-light XC rig or one of these genre-blending trail bikes like the Pivot Mach 5.7C or the Yeti SB-66. For the general riding fun factor I'm leaning towards the trail bike, but then again, after several years of thought and preparation, I'm definitely going to ITT the CTR this year.

Any opinions on whether a 26-27lb semi-squishier ride would be too much bike for the CTR?

BTW, I'm planning my ITT to start at the same time as the mass start, but going Denver--> Durango in case any of you others have the same idea... might be fun to have our own little mini start.

Thanks!

I think that it's possible to finish the CTR on any bike that doesn't fall apart before the finish line. Hell, with enough spare parts, someone could probably get a Huffy from Denver to Durango.

But the question of whether you can do it QUICKLY is different. The heavier the bike, the harder the climbs. And there is a whole lot of climbing on the CTR! On the flip side, there's a whole lot of descending too--and there's no doubt in my mind that a FS bike is far faster and safer on the way down.

Maybe you could rent both types of bikes, and go ride a a couple of all-day portions of the Colorado Trail (or something with similar terrain)?

When I had to make a similar decision a couple of years ago, I bought a Cannondale RZ-120. Lots of suspension, but still reasonably light. It's a fun bike, and it has made me a faster rider, especially on the descents. But my goal isn't to win the CTR, but to ride it as quickly as I can, while still staying safe. Everyone out there has different objectives, and their bikes and gear choices reflect their priorities. Once you decide what kind of race you want, your bike choice will probably become more obvious.

[Shirey]

Thanks Toby... good advice.... and my goal is just to have fun and finish.... and push myself to do as well as I can but I am absolutely no threat to compete with the top guns. Just want to ride my best, have fun, and finish.

[joeydurango]

When Jefe, Ethan, and Jesse were in the shop last year after finishing I couldn't help but notice their bikes.  Two duallies, one hardtail.  Some carbon, some aluminum.  My friend Kevin Thomas won on a fairly basic singlespeed in 2011.  I rode my steel hardtail 1x9 in 2011.  For this year, I'm probably running my Devinci Atlas 1x10 - full-suspension, 120mm front, 110 rear, aluminum.

My point is that, as Toby said, you can finish the CTR on anything.  I personally think you can finish very quickly on almost anything.  This race really isn't about the bike.

Just to throw another option out there, Devinci is coming out with a carbon Atlas this year.  I'm waiting on one for the shop right now.  Not a huge carbon fan myself, but if you're into it, the new Atlas is worth a look.  They built something special with that bike...

[fotooutdoors]

My point is that, as Toby said, you can finish the CTR on anything.  I personally think you can finish very quickly on almost anything.  This race really isn't about the bike.

Including fully rigid?  That is what I have right now (Salsa Fargo 3X9 and On-One Inbred SS), and I am not fully sure that a fork is in the cards financially-it's amazing what this "free" race costs.