CTR 2013 Planning

[sanjuanrider]

Since the CTR ends at Waterton Canyon Trailhead this year has anyone noticed that the canyon is closed from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise? The gates don't close but brings an interesting twist into the race.

[joeydurango]

My experience - watching the race closely a few times, talking to lots of folks who have done it, racing it myself - is that to a large degree, how quickly you finish the race depends less on how fast you go, and more on how little you sleep.  I'd qualify that by saying that of course the top-placing folks are probably going faster than those bringing up the rear - but within your "group" speeds are remarkably consistent.  In 2011 Kevin won, and I placed 11th (eighth if you discount all the detour/trail closure shenanigans that year), about a day apart.  Afterwards we figured that we had virtually the same average speed.  Kevin just slept less than I did.

All this is to say that this isn't a speed race, so bike choice isn't dependent on the "normal" factors.  If you ride rigid well and you enjoy it, go for it.  If you're a full-suspension fiend, go for it.  If you like SS, go for it!  Everyone will have slightly different criteria through which they make their choice.  I ride mostly SS, but in 2011 went 1x9 because I knew I'd be walking enough on the trail and didn't want to walk any more than I had to.  This year I'm probably going full-sus - not because I'm looking for precious seconds on descents, but because I think sitting down over more rough stuff will save significant energy over the course of 4-5 days.  Let's just say that with the exception of a few descents you're never going to be pinning it, ever - just slogging away, slow and steady.  Traditional "performance" benefits just don't matter that much in this thing, to my mind.  Of course, YMMV, and I'm sure someone will disagree with me entirely!

SanJuanRider, didn't know about Waterton.  I wonder how literal they are about "closed".  Unless there's an impassable gate or a guard it's not as if we can't ride out...

[Stefan_G]

Including fully rigid?

Yup.  Chris Plesko, 2008.  I think there have been others too.

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.

Darn good thing it's free, eh?  

[THE LONG RANGER]

Since the CTR ends at Waterton Canyon Trailhead this year has anyone noticed that the canyon is closed from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise? The gates don't close but brings an interesting twist into the race.

I've been stopped by a Person of Authority in a truck about that, about a hour after sunset. We played dumb as we honestly didn't know.  We were going into Waterton, instead of out of and we told them our destination was the CT, not an out-n-back (which it was).

For real though, what-a-ya-gonna-do?  There's obviously no "closing time" on the CT - and no can honestly "stop" you from leaving it and go into Waterton. There's also no sign at the actual CT singletrack trailhead that says Waterton Canyon closes 1/2 hour after sundown. I... don't think. The only sign (which is easily missed) is near the parking lot.

[THE LONG RANGER]

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.

It's been done fully rigid and single - if that's what you'd like to do, you can do it. My hands sort of hurt thinking about it, so I'd suggest getting some nice plush tires. I've done (precious few) parts on a single speed CrossCheck with CX tires - basically from Waterton to Bailey (and 285, uuuuughh), loaded with bags, etc. It's certainly not impossible. I'm sure I walked more sections than if I had a more manageable bike, but whatever. Welcome to single speed!

[DanHickstein]

Including fully rigid? 

I've done the CTR the past two years on a fully rigid steel single speed 29er (flat pedals too!). There are spots where I take it a little easier on the downhill since I don't have suspension, but rigid bikes climb great and I reckon the CTR is more about climbing than descending. I think that my desire to sleep 7 to 9 hours per night played a much larger role in slowing me down than the lack of suspension. I didn't have any problems with my hands, but I always wore gloves for the descents to avoid blisters and did a lot of riding before the race which helped get the hands in shape. The singlespeed actually helps avoid the sore butt since it forces you to ride standing about 50% of the time. I'm planning on riding again this year and intend to stick with the same bike - it works great!

[TruthRider]

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.

My main memory of the route is the climbing.  I figured out after I finished that a very, very small percentage of my 9d14h was spent descending.  I can't find the spreadsheet, but I remember that in terms of minutes, it was something less than 10% of the time.   Literally.

I remember telling everyone afterwards:  "You climb for 90 minutes and descend for 5.   Then climb for 3 hours and descend for 23 minutes.   Then ride flat or climb for 2 hours, to get to a big 2 hour climb ... Repeat for 9 days."

I can't imagine doing it on a fully rigid steed ... but a hardtail seems like it would have more pros than cons.

However, everyone here who is saying that the bike is almost irrelevant are completely accurate.  For 2014 (can't this year), I certainly intend to spend a LOT less time beforehand worrying about my gear and a LOT more time finding ways to suffer and suffer some more ... just to create 1% or so of the suffering on the route.

[Gimmearaise]

I would have to agree with Dan and TrutRider. I mostly remember the climbs, and that is the main reason I will be on my Stumpy HT 29er this year. Last year I biked the CT on my Trek Fuel ex 9.8 it was great but pro pedal only does so much!

[Done]

[...]it's amazing what this "free" race costs.

Maintaining the trail isn't free, so don't forget to throw the Colorado Trail Foundation a few bucks.
http://www.coloradotrail.org/contribute.html

[Johnny_mtb]

So the fastest time I could find for SW-NE is 7d10h38m - Dan Hickstein (Rode Dgo --> Den).
Any faster times? Do you guys think the Eastbound direction will be faster or slower?

[joeydurango]

I'd guess that times CAN be consistent with NE->SW.  No real elevation difference, and there are huge climbs, hike-a-bikes, and slogging sections going either direction.  If anything I'd think Durango>Denver could be faster, just because you get the long, unsupplied section out of the way while you're relatively fresh.

How fast times actually end up being this year, I suspect, depends highly on who shows up... I'm shooting for under five days - 15 hours faster than last time - but no sub-four-no-sleep insanity for me. I'll leave that to Jefe, Ethan, and Jesse to sort out. 

[Gimmearaise]

After riding the CTR last year my smallest and ring finger had some numbness. I realized the aggressive/race position I used put too much weight on my hands over the course of 5 days. I'm about 95% better but obviously want this to be a memory. Does anyone who has had this type of hand trouble - ulnar neuropathy, handlebar palsy - have some good exercises or tips for healing they recommend? I haven't found much luck searching the net.

I had the same thing then I changed to Ergon Grips. I don't know any tip to fix the persistent Issue however!

I just took a look at your blog from last years CTR. That video you put up is depressing. Have you decided if your giving it a go again this year???

[Matt Schiff]

Depressing? That doesn't look like fun to you? I never threw up, but I felt so sick, especially at that point in time. I was so far bonked but I just couldn't eat. That was the lowest point of the trip for me because it was only about 1pm but the weather was crappy and I hadn't felt good all day. As much as I wanted to be racing, I wanted to make sure I finished. I slept and layed around until 8:30pm. After that I felt good for the last 2.5 days with just a few hours of sleep. Usually I can eat whatever I want when riding at a slow pace, but I became quite sensitive to some foods and had to figure it out along the ride. I was 100% committed to riding the CTR next year within 10 hours of finishing. I've been writing down the things I'll change and what I'll keep the same and will post that pretty soon since that's where my mind is at right now. And for grips, I was using Ergons. I've read that sometimes the nerve problem is in the elbow as well as the hand and wrist.

[fotooutdoors]

Toby, I notice that on your 2012 packing list, you have a calories cue sheet and a food cue sheet.  Care to elaborate on what the difference between these two are?  As a cheapskate, I have historically used only grocery stores (or carried all my food from the beginning for 2-day trips), so I am trying to sort out the food thing.

[Done]

Toby, I notice that on your 2012 packing list, you have a calories cue sheet and a food cue sheet.  Care to elaborate on what the difference between these two are?  As a cheapskate, I have historically used only grocery stores (or carried all my food from the beginning for 2-day trips), so I am trying to sort out the food thing.

One listed all of the calories that for each day, and where I'd get them (grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, etc.). The other listed foods that I commonly eat, and how many calories they contain.

[Gimmearaise]

Depressing? That doesn't look like fun to you? I never threw up, but I felt so sick, especially at that point in time. I was so far bonked but I just couldn't eat. That was the lowest point of the trip for me because it was only about 1pm but the weather was crappy and I hadn't felt good all day. As much as I wanted to be racing, I wanted to make sure I finished. I slept and layed around until 8:30pm. After that I felt good for the last 2.5 days with just a few hours of sleep. Usually I can eat whatever I want when riding at a slow pace, but I became quite sensitive to some foods and had to figure it out along the ride. I was 100% committed to riding the CTR next year within 10 hours of finishing. I've been writing down the things I'll change and what I'll keep the same and will post that pretty soon since that's where my mind is at right now. And for grips, I was using Ergons. I've read that sometimes the nerve problem is in the elbow as well as the hand and wrist.

To me I viewed your video as depressing yes! however that's what the CTR is all about, lots of ups and downs. I asked cause you recorded a very impressive time and was curious if you were going at it again, I'm glad you are!

Also Toby: are you racing this year?

[Done]

Also Toby: are you racing this year?

Yep!

[Matt Schiff]

To me I viewed your video as depressing yes! however that's what the CTR is all about, lots of ups and downs. I asked cause you recorded a very impressive time and was curious if you were going at it again, I'm glad you are!

I love the planning, which can involve many tough decisions like down coat or no down coat, and then you get to go out and buy the gear cause you need it. I also end a ride like that and being the competitive type know I can do better. I know without feeling nauseous I can go much faster, but that's easier said than done. Are you doing the ride?

[mikepro]

I've read that sometimes the nerve problem is in the elbow as well as the hand and wrist.

One personal opinion/theory of mine is that nerve prob in fingers is related to flexibility (or lack thereof) in the shoulders.  Related to this thought, I find that wearing a backpack while riding makes my fingertips go numb much quicker than without a backpack.  Although, first and foremost, from my experience, the more upright position on bike (by just a few degrees) the better for hands.  Even though I fitted to my 29er HT, I'm more stretched out than on my 26"HT, and get way more nerve issues in fingertips from the 29er (always the ring finger tips on both hands).  After several years of trying this and that, I'm in the market for a slightly smaller frame 29er.  Along with doing various shoulder opening stretches and poses - similar to getting the damn hip flexors and IT bands in the legs to loosen up and be flexible after so much life spent in the saddle.

[Gimmearaise]

Are you doing the ride?

Yes sir, I will be there! Super excited!