CTR 2013 Planning

[Gimmearaise]

very cool!

[tlideen]

For those of you that have raced te CTR how much water you you have on you and the bike at one time to make sure you wouldn't run out between the few fuel stops? Never done the route but and very curious about the logistics about the event. Thanks!

[tlideen]

Sorry for the typos. Dang phone typing...

[joeydurango]

I was always more than fine with two bottles and a single 100-oz bladder... this year will drop one of the bottles, so about 125-oz of capacity altogether.  Of course, your mileage may vary.  I don't need to drink very much compared to a lot of people I ride with.

[Woodland]

Same for me: 100oz bladder and one bottle (find another place to put the bottle other than under the down tube - nasty)

[Done]

For those of you that have raced te CTR how much water you you have on you and the bike at one time to make sure you wouldn't run out between the few fuel stops? Never done the route but and very curious about the logistics about the event. Thanks!

There are indeed only a few "fuel" stops. If you were to depend exclusively on them for water, you'd probably need to carry five gallons at once! Fortunately, there is LOTS of water on the CTR. Streams rivers, and springs abound, so can you fill up pretty much whenever need to.

There are a few of drier spots, though. Tank 7 through Sargent's Mesa is one. The second is the high ridges of Indian Peaks, the Cape of Good Hope, etc. The third is Spring Creek to Cataract. Buy a copies of the Colorado Trail Foundation's guidebook and Databook, and you'll be all set. They have extremely detailed information about water.

I carry a 100 oz bladder and a bottle. But I only use the bottle as a scoop to get water from the smaller springs--and as a possible backup in case my bladder pops.

[tlideen]

thanks guys! with that being said do you guys bring tablets for water or a filter? obviously the tablets are lighter but just curious what you guys like to use on the CTR.

[Done]

thanks guys! with that being said do you guys bring tablets for water or a filter? obviously the tablets are lighter but just curious what you guys like to use on the CTR.

People use filters, tablets, iodine, bleach, Steripens, nothing, etc. depending on their personal preferences. I use Aquamira drops.

[Couloirman]

Any good trip reports of someone doing the ride in reverse from Durango to Denver? I haven't been able to find any TRs of the whole reverse ride, so if anyone can point me in the right direction it would be much appreciated to help up the excitement level.

[mtnbound]

Check out the trip reports on this site.  There are at least a couple of trip reports doing the CT from Durango to Denver.

[joeydurango]

I carry drops for backup purposes but use an MSR Hyperflow filter.  Small, light, reliable - I like it.

[mdulieu]

What hydration pack, H2O filter & lights are recommended for the CTR?

[Shirey]

Shoes, what to use...

I am mostly curious (for now) about shoe choice. I've always ridden with a hard Specialized MTB shoe. I've never even tried one of the softer, more HAB friendly types. I've heard there can be annoying performance drawbacks for choosing that type of shoe though.

But I also can't imagine HAB-ing 100 or so miles in my hard MTB shoe.

Any insights or recommendations for a good CTR shoe are much appreciated.

[Gimmearaise]

Pearl izumi alp series is what I uses, the alp enduros.

[Done]

Any insights or recommendations for a good CTR shoe are much appreciated.

As gimmearaise noted, various models of Pearl Izumu X-Alps are very popular. I've used an older version of Shimano's Mountain Touring shoes for my last three efforts, and I really like them. A little stiffer than the X-Alps, but still very hikeable. http://www.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/shoe_test.html#mens/mtb/4/SH-MT33L

[Matt Schiff]

What hydration pack, H2O filter & lights are recommended for the CTR?

Give us more info about what you're looking for in each. There is a range of equipment that proves to be successful on the CTR.

Hydration pack? do you mean backpack with room for a bladder. I used the Osprey Talon 22 last year. This year I'll use something different.

Waterfilter. I used the MSR hyperfilter last year. I've had tons of problems with the micropore cartridge. This year I'll just use drops/pills.

Lights. Last year I had a BD Ikon. This year a Fenix flashlight or two.

You can be very successful with just about anything. The best equipment comes from having experience and knowing exactly what you want out of it. Then you just do your own shopping/research to find the product that matches those demands.

[mdulieu]

Matt thx for the info & what made you decide not to use the Talon 22 this year?  What problems were you having with the filter?

I am trying to figure out the balance of having what I need and not feeling like I'm wearing a brick on my back like last year on the divide!

I'm looking for reliable lights that won't stop working in the rain;)

[Marshal]

Shoes, what to use...

I am mostly curious (for now) about shoe choice. I've always ridden with a hard Specialized MTB shoe. I've never even tried one of the softer, more HAB friendly types. I've heard there can be annoying performance drawbacks for choosing that type of shoe though.

But I also can't imagine HAB-ing 100 or so miles in my hard MTB shoe.

Any insights or recommendations for a good CTR shoe are much appreciated.

Every time this question comes up I recommend people check out Mavic Pulses.

Why do I like these shoes so much?

Lighter than most (all?) hike-a-bike cycling shoes.  Not quite as stiff/efficient as a true full blown carbon sole race shoe --but whereas a hike-a-bike is sort of 60% cycle /40% hike, the Pulse is more like 80% cycle /20% hike—but the Pulse’s soft sticky tread material offers almost as good as traction as a hike-a-bike style shoe. 

Also the old school basic 3 sticky strap design is durable, easily adjustable for swollen feet or thicker/thinner socks, like a pair of wp gore-tex and finally 3 straps are super fast on/off for empting out that irritating pebble etc.

They are well vented in the toe box and at night they dry out pretty fast (I usually slip out the footbeds [I run Specialized/green footbeds with extra arch] to aid in drying)

I have used Pulses (on my 3rd set) for everyday riding and have run them on the TDR, AZT - including the Grand Canyon hike (minus the cleats) and the CTR.

And perhaps very important to some is price( best bang for the buck imo)
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=ie7&q=mavic+pulse+mtb+shoes&rls=com.microsoft:en-US:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7LENP_enUS506#q=mavic+pulse+mtb+shoes&rls=com.microsoft:en-US:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7LENP_enUS506&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=r-CFUYi0H-2byAGUyIHgBg&ved=0CC8Qsxg&bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&bvm=bv.45960087,d.aWc&fp=782b94d8ba1b83c1&biw=1366&bih=599

Of course with any style shoe--all possible benefits are meaningless if they don’t fit your feet well…….

[Couloirman]

Check out the trip reports on this site.  There are at least a couple of trip reports doing the CT from Durango to Denver.

I've searched all of them and can't find one...

[Gimmearaise]

http://www.bikepacking.net/category/tripreports/