CTR 2013 Planning

[Couloirman]

^^^  I know there's a trip report section and I've searched it. Try searching CTR, Colorado Trail, Durango, etc....., none of the trips that come up are in reverse. It's all good, I don't 'need' to read one I just was curious if anyone knew of an especially well written one to check out.

[Gimmearaise]

Yeah there's is not much...
http://www.bikepacking.net/tripreports/colorado-trail-20102011/
Scroll down to The middle of the post where it says 2011.

[Johnny_mtb]

Do you guys bring bike locks? Just adding up my equipment and would hate to see it grow legs and find a new home.

[Matt Schiff]

Do you guys bring bike locks? Just adding up my equipment and would hate to see it grow legs and find a new home.

I think about my bike disappearing even after being exhausted and delirious but only while buying food in town. I think your only worries are at a larger supermarket where you're a bit farther away from your bike. I don't bring a lock.

[Matt Schiff]

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 first used that MSR filter on a bike tour. It lasted a couple of weeks and then got hard to pump. MSR said the backflow instructions may not have been followed correctly and the filter got airlocked. They sent a new filter cartridge and I started the CTR with the new one. I then restudied the directions, was sure I was following them correctly, and then the same thing happened again. The other issue is the filter can't freeze or it will burst the microtubes. As for the backpack, it is comfortable, so much so that I packed it with a ton of shit. I'm trying to go lighter so I don't need a pack that big. The talon 22 seems more like 28 or 30 litres when compared to other 20-22 litre packs.

[Done]

Do you guys bring bike locks? Just adding up my equipment and would hate to see it grow legs and find a new home.

I carry a small luggage lock. It doesn't offer much protection, but probably enough to deter someone from just casually riding away with my bike when I'm in a store.

[mikepro]

I carry a small luggage lock. It doesn't offer much protection, but probably enough to deter someone from just casually riding away with my bike when I'm in a store.

Or, you'll ask a fellow racer to watch your bike, like I did for you last summer at the BV City Market or whatever grocery that is .

Before you showed up, I was done shopping, and I'd stuck my bike in the grocery cart foyer, wedged off to the side.  Other places, I leave it by the front window.  I did not bring a lock, neither TD nor CTR. It doesn't make the cut in my gear list.

[Done]

Or, you'll ask a fellow racer to watch your bike, like I did for you last summer at the BV City Market or whatever grocery that is .

Yep, that is the best approach. Thanks for that. I did the same for another guy who showed up as I was packing up. In 2010, there were 3-4 of us who took turns watching bikes and shopping.

Alas, there are times when nobody else is around. I've only used my lock twice in three years--but I was glad that I had it.

[Norb]

And in the event.....hopefully your SPOT is ON and then you have a chance at recovery. You can then retrieve your bike and punch the culprit in the throat.   

Or call the police.

[jakomait]

It's not a lock but I clip my helmet strap to my tire/fork and click my shifter a whole bunch.  if someone tries to do a grab an run on my bike it will atleast be a clumsy getaway.  Then again I only hit up gas stations for a few minutes and keep the bike against the glass in full view.

[T.Ray]

I put a fake rubber snake around the seat post and drape It over the seat.Funny when you come out of a store and someone is poking it with a stick.A little humor on the trail is always good.

[timroz]

By the time I got to hwy 114 I was hoping someone would steal my bike...

When I toured it last year my wife and I just strapped helmets, backpacks, and gear straps through the wheels and frames and the closest fence made it into a junk show.  But that works best with 2 or more bikes and packs.  We never left them unguarded in any of the populated areas.  Again - easier with 2 people.

I think a bike could disappear fast in BV, Copper, Leadville.  Not exactly sleepy little mountain towns anymore.

[mtnbound]

I wove bright orange cord in spokes, wheel and thru frame and tied a knot.  I brought the orange cord for general purposes (like duct tape, a bit of rope is always useful) so it wasn't extra weight.  Don't know if the bright orange cord kept people away or attracted attention!  Of course, a knife would cut thru it in no time.  I like a couple of suggestions here and next time will  shift a few times and then drop the chain to make an awkward get-a-way.  And the Spot will remain on to track any b@@t@rd that takes my bike!  Still, the best idea is to put it next to a window so you can see it from inside.  If that is not possible, then I constantly went outside to check on it (not ideal but best I could come up with).

[Troybuilt]

So Im planning on riding the CTR this year but Im not planning on riding with a spot. Does this mean my name wont be on the finishers list? That is ... assuming I finish.

[JosiahM]

can anyone in colorado comment on snow conditions in the breckenridge area and what it is expected to be like in mid june?
some of my family will be vacationing in breckenridge in mid june and I was curious before I commit to joining them for a weekend if the trails would be snowed in still or if they would be rideable.
thanks

[Stefan_G]

So Im planning on riding the CTR this year but Im not planning on riding with a spot. Does this mean my name wont be on the finishers list? That is ... assuming I finish.

Your name will absolutely be on the finish list if you finish!  It is your responsibility to supply me with your finish time though so I can include you in the results.

The CTR is self-timed and based on the honor system, however, if you plan on contesting the W or CR, another method of course verification (e.g. GPX track or private SPOT data) is highly advised.

[Shirey]

can anyone in colorado comment on snow conditions in the breckenridge area and what it is expected to be like in mid june?

I live in Frisco, and I think this summer is going to be more like 2011, rather than 2012 when you could already ride almost everything. Even though the snowpack is not as great as 2011, the melt-out around Summit County has really just begun in the last week.

I log all my activities, and in summer 2011 I was still having to go over to Clear Creek County to ride in the mountains as late as June 25th. My first rides to 11,000' were the last week of June. I remember that some creative snow-removal techniques were needed in the days leading up to the Firecracker 50 on the 4th of July.

I do think it is likely to thaw a bit earlier up high than 2011 because there's just not as deep a base now as then, but right now its still tough to say how much of the network will be open by Mid-June.

The lower elevation stuff between Breck and Keystone (Colorado Trail / Blair Witch / Reds / Soda Creek) is likely to be ready and is still a lot of fun riding up to about 10,000'. The Peaks Trail and Gold Hill of the Colorado Trail will probably be ready. The kindof fun Peninsula trails in Frisco are almost good to go right now, so they'll be fine.

I'm not sure about the super fun Colorado Trail sections of Westridge and Georgia Pass though.

So there will be stuff to ride, but maybe not gigantic loops that go up into the alpine.

[JosiahM]

thanks for the reply, Ski_Loveland.

[Couloirman]

It's time for me to get some new tires. What are you all using on the CTR? I am thinking of just getting another set of 2.25" tubeless Ardent's since they have never let me down, but I wonder how much lighter/faster I could go without sacrificing too much durability.

[Gimmearaise]

It's time for me to get some new tires. What are you all using on the CTR? I am thinking of just getting another set of 2.25" tubeless Ardent's since they have never let me down, but I wonder how much lighter/faster I could go without sacrificing too much durability.

I love the Icons especially on the roads. I might get a Ardent up front and test it out for the summer. maybe go with an ardent/icon combo!