CTR 2013 Planning

[Matt Schiff]

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.

Thanks Mike. I try more shoulder/chest opening exercises. The biking position really pulls the arms forward. But adding a backpack also adds some weight to your upper body that you really feel descending and when you have to hit the brakes. I have noticed that more of the CTR riders are taking weight off their backs and putting it on the bike even though there is so much pushing. I've wondered on the reason for that.

[Done]

I have noticed that more of the CTR riders are taking weight off their backs and putting it on the bike even though there is so much pushing. I've wondered on the reason for that.

I figure that it's easier to push weight than it is to lift and carry it. When carrying something up a hill, your muscles not only need to move it, they also need to keep it elevated. Also, it takes upper body musculature to suspend a pack, while no energy is required to suspend it on a bike. This is the big reason that I was reluctant to switch from panniers until I could get my kit light enough that I didn't need to carry much in my pack.

[Shirey]

Welp, done deal, went with the carbon Yeti SB-66........ sure is gonna make the descending fun and I figure there's no way to remove the suck-factor out of 70,000' of ascent anyways.

[Done]

Welp, done deal, went with the carbon Yeti SB-66........ sure is gonna make the descending fun and I figure there's no way to remove the suck-factor out of 70,000' of ascent anyways.

Congrats. Looks like a fun bike. Anyone who manages to get ahead of you on a climb had better watch their back on the descent!

[Mini Bear]

Since sleep (quality/duration) seems to be the biggest determining factor for finishing time, I'm interested in what others are doing sleep/shelter-wise (besides the ones that simply skip sleep). Anyone skipped a sleeping bag and just gone with some downy pants and jacket? Skipped a sleeping pad? Skipped a shelter (bivy, tarp, tent) in favor of sleeping out in head-to-toe rain gear? Anything even more extreme? The sleeping habits and kits seem to be the hardest thing to get a handle on when trying to balance weight and warmth.  How light have people gone successfully for this particular event?

[Done]

Since sleep (quality/duration) seems to be the biggest determining factor for finishing time, I'm interested in what others are doing sleep/shelter-wise (besides the ones that simply skip sleep). Anyone skipped a sleeping bag and just gone with some downy pants and jacket? Skipped a sleeping pad? Skipped a shelter (bivy, tarp, tent) in favor of sleeping out in head-to-toe rain gear? Anything even more extreme? The sleeping habits and kits seem to be the hardest thing to get a handle on when trying to balance weight and warmth.  How light have people gone successfully for this particular event?

I've seen everything from raingear to tents. A lot really depends on your personal comfort levels and safety margin.

Personally, I take a Marmot Alpine bivy bag, a 800-fill down bag (rated to 40 degrees, no zipper), and a 1/2-length pad. I also a carry a lightweight down sweater, lightweight pile pullover, and lightweight long underwear. With that system, I can sleep absolutely anywhere--even at 13,000 feet in a snow storm (yes, it gets below freezing and can snow on the CTR). I'd rather not die of hypothermia should I crash hard and need to hang tight overnight.

[joeydurango]

I agree with Toby on this one.  Rather than sacrificing basic safety gear like warm sleep systems in the pursuit of time, I think everyone should be prepared to handle any weather possible.  After all, the idea is to get to the opposite end of the CT under your own power, not under your own power until something happens and you need S&R.  Obviously everyone's take on "basic safety gear" and "warm sleep systems" will be different.  Prepare for the reasonably-worst scenario you can imagine.

My friend Doug Johnson placed 2nd in 2009.  In 2010 he skipped the sleeping bag, trying to cut weight, and bailed before Copper, unable to keep warm through what ended up being a very rainy first day.

My personal kit is a Nemo bivy, 40* synthetic bag (I figure it's going to get wet at some point, making down non-insulative), and a very small windshield-sunshade reflective pad - less for padding, more for insulation.  And beyond full-on raingear I keep lightweight tights, a warm long-sleeve shirt, and a UL down vest handy.

[Couloirman]

Man med school scheduling is getting in my way of this ride! I get 6 weeks off, and can either take it from 6/17-7/29 or 9/16-11/04. Which do you think maximizes my chance of getting to ride the CT? I think mid september is kinda late and risking snowfall/colder temps (although thunderstorms might be less common), but I dont know if the trail will be melted out by the first week of July. If those were your two choices of vacations to take off and you had to choose now, think July is maximizing my chance of a dry trail and good weather so I can get this ride in during my vacation? Obviously there's no way of knowing, I just want to choose the one that I am most likely to be able to ride the CT during

[Done]

After all, the idea is to get to the opposite end of the CT under your own power, not under your own power until something happens and you need S&R.

Joey hits it out of the ballpark.

[Done]

Man med school scheduling is getting in my way of this ride! I get 6 weeks off, and can either take it from 6/17-7/29 or 9/16-11/04. Which do you think maximizes my chance of getting to ride the CT? I think mid september is kinda late and risking snowfall/colder temps, but I dont know if the trail will be melted out by the first week of July. If those were your two choices of vacations to take off and you had to choose now, think July is maximizing my chance of a dry trail and good weather so I can get this ride in during my vacation? Obviously there's no way of knowing, I just want to choose the one that I am most likely to be able to ride the CT during

Snowpack will determine whether July will be good or not. Some years it can be great, and other years it can suck. The tough part is that it's hard to tell how much snow is up there until very late in the winter. We've had years when the mountains were very dry until spring--and then the snowpack went up literally overnight.

If you can, waiting until April before making a final decision would probably be best.

[Couloirman]

Snowpack will determine whether July will be good or not. Some years it can be great, and other years it can suck. The tough part is that it's hard to tell how much snow is up there until very late in the winter. We've had years when the mountains were very dry until spring--and then the snowpack went up literally overnight.

If you can, waiting until April before making a final decision would probably be best.

Yeah I know it's totally up in the air, I have to choose by Monday though lol. I'm making my decision this weekend and hoping for the best weather wise. Just trying to maximize my chances based on how rideable the trail 'usually' is by those months.

[Done]

Yeah I know it's totally up in the air, I have to choose by Monday though lol. I'm making my decision this weekend and hoping for the best weather wise. Just trying to maximize my chances based on how rideable the trail 'usually' is by those months.

I'd probably go in July. You might have to walk in some snow up high, but the days and nights will be 10 degrees warmer. And you'll get a lot more daylight. Plus, any snow that you have to cross will be old and firm. September, while stunningly beautiful in Colorado, is colder and darker for sure. And stormier.

[dream4est]

Since sleep (quality/duration) seems to be the biggest determining factor for finishing time.....  How light have people gone successfully for this particular event?

I would say moving time vs. stopped time is a bigger factor than sleep quality/duration.

As far as light, IMO the people who have gone sans sleeping bag or pad or both are saving more volume than weight. And there are a few factors one should think of:

1. If it is your first time bikepacking in a huge race like the CTR, use a bag/bivy/tarp/pad or bag/tent/pad and forget optimizing weight/bulk.
2. If you have experience bikepack racing but no CTR I say carry a full sleep kit unless you are gunning for the win.
3. If you have CTR experience IMO one can do just fine without a bag or pad. But that means having a high threshhold for pain, suffering, cold, hard ground, etc. And it also means knowing the trail, to the point where all sleep spots are known, tricks for extra warmth, etc. And you still have to be self-sufficient like the others.

If you can sleep without a bag/pad at 12-13k in 30 degree temps with no fire you will know already. Bet on at least one night of sub-optimal camp like that.

[Couloirman]

I'd probably go in July. You might have to walk in some snow up high, but the days and nights will be 10 degrees warmer. And you'll get a lot more daylight. Plus, any snow that you have to cross will be old and firm. September, while stunningly beautiful in Colorado, is colder and darker for sure. And stormier.

Yeah for sure. I get to see my schedule tomorrow so my fingers are crossed!

[Couloirman]

Score! I have vacation from June 15th until August 5th. Anyone else going to get started on the trail before the 'official' start? I'm bummed I can't come out in August, I was really hoping to catch the Perseid meteor shower (August 10-13th) from the trail, but any ride is better than no ride at all! I want to give myself enough time for at least 14 days on the trail (no excuses to bail just because I run out of time) even though I'd like to finish in about 8 or 9 days ideally, so I will likely start riding July 15th give or take a few days, maybe even a few days earlier just so I don't feel rushed and stressed about making it back in time for rotations. I am POSITIVE that I will get passed by the top contenders since I am planning on a slow and steady pace.

I'm looking forward to a Durango start. 285 will be mostly downhill that way I also think a Durango to Denver race will decrease the likelihood of giving up partway through. If you're feeling crappy, it's hard to keep pushing to Durango knowing you are getting farther away from where you need to get back to eventually, and having the longest, most remote and committing sections yet to come in front of you. This way, even if you are on the fence about giving up, knowing that every step gets you closer, and not farther, away from civilization/your flight back home in time for work, will make it that much easier to keep pushing through the bad feelings. This is going to be awesome.

I learned so much by failing last year. You really need to experience a heavy pack to know how important a light one is. I am leaving so many things behing that I brought last year. I made a spreadsheet and am literally cutting off over 20 pounds off my setup. So yeah, I think it might go a little better this time around haha! No more DSLR, heavy lens, tripod, tent, jetboil, pump filter, and enough clothes to last me a month. Bare bones this time. Counting the days until the start.......

[GrizzlyAdam]

Hat ---> ring.

I'm excited. The CTR has been on my bucket list for a long time. The stars are finally aligning for 2013.

Thanks for so much detailed information in this thread. I've been able to waste loads of time at the office!

[TruthRider]

August 2011

[Couloirman]

^^^ Love the Ellsworth. Nice choice. Full suspension on the CTR makes my rear end happy!

[Done]

The Colorado Trail Foundation (http://www.coloradotrail.org/)has announced that a new version the the Colorado Trail Databook (http://www.shop.coloradotrail.org/Colorado-Trail-Databook-DATABOOK4.htm) will be available "early in the 2013 trail season."

Since the Databook uses the same waypoints that Jerry Brown (http://www.bearcreeksurvey.com/) has generously allowed me to include in my track file, I traded e-mails with him to see if there are any corresponding data changes. Jerry says that the only major change was to include the new co-located CT/CDT section--which doesn't affect the CTR anyway since it requires a wilderness detour. So other than a few minor mileage corrections, everything is the same.

For those new the CTR, the Databook is a terrific planning and on-trail resource. It'll help you find water, plan your climbs, etc. Buying a copy supports the the great folks who established the Colorado Trail and continue to maintain it. Buy a copy!

[Couloirman]

New edition-- nice! I also just want to throw out an idea some people might like to utilize like I did. I just used one of those super cheap "scan a book to a pdf" services on the interwebs so that I can 'carry' the full on official CT guidebook along with me on my iPhone (which adds no extra weight to my pack, unlike last year when I took all three books along with me lol). So don't just buy one copy, buy two so you can keep a paper version for your home reference and get one scanned to a pdf to keep with you on the trail on a mobile device should you need it. It cost me $3 to get it scanned-- they keep the book since it needs to be destroyed to scan it but it's worth it to lighten my pack by that much. In fact, I don't think I have ever paid less money to lower my pack weight more haha. I'll still carry the small databook with me, but it just adds another resource/camp reading material should you want it.

And don't share the file illegally-- the CTF needs our money more than we do!