CTR 2013 Planning

[Done]

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.

Sidewall durability shouldn't be overlooked on the CTR. There's some especially sharp volcanic stuff in the San Juans. Like most equipment, you'll need to decide whether the increased risk of bailing due to gear failure outweighs the satisfaction of finishing more slowly with reliable gear.

I rode the CTR last year with a Continental X-King on the rear, and a Mountain King II on the front (ProTection versions). The Mountain King gave me some extra security on the wetter/muddier days. Both tires were new at the start, and pretty trashed by the end. In 2010, I rode with Continental Mountain Kings (original versions, with ProTection), and they were pretty trashed by the end, too.

I'll probably ride with the same setup this year, X-King in the rear and MK II on the front. If it looks like a low-rain year, I might put X-Kings on both wheels.

[Couloirman]

Just got the email about the new databook. They will likely be taking orders June 20th, but who knows when it would ship by. My money is on it not being out in time, but, well, I hope I am wrong!

Sidewall durability shouldn't be overlooked on the CTR. There's some especially sharp volcanic stuff in the San Juans. Like most equipment, you'll need to decide whether the increased risk of bailing due to gear failure outweighs the satisfaction of finishing more slowly with reliable gear.

I rode the CTR last year with a Continental X-King on the rear, and a Mountain King II on the front (ProTection versions). The Mountain King gave me some extra security on the wetter/muddier days. Both tires were new at the start, and pretty trashed by the end. In 2010, I rode with Continental Mountain Kings (original versions, with ProTection), and they were pretty trashed by the end, too.

I'll probably ride with the same setup this year, X-King in the rear and MK II on the front. If it looks like a low-rain year, I might put X-Kings on both wheels.

Thanks for your info. I was thinking the MKII as well. Just ordered a new set. Love new tires

[Yogi the Barry]

Toby,
Re: X-Kings
Wondering if you had problems getting the X-Kings to seal? My experience, mounting them [29 x 2.2 Protections] up a week before a 12-hr race [Dawn 'til Dusk - Gallup, NM - Awesome course, BTW!], is that they are slow to seal. Tire on the rear took 3 days to seal enough where it wasn't losing more than 1-psi per hour of riding. Being the day before the race and having little to zero faith in the tires, I unmounted the front tire [still losing 10-15 psi a day] and put on a 2.3 Ground Control [Control casing], which held air better, before I even put in Stan's, than the X-King did with 4oz of Stan's. The beads seal fine, but it's the sidewalls that didn't seal. The leaks are located at the base of the Protection grid squares. What's strange is you can faintly spot the leaks with soapy water, but they don't ooze sealant, like most sidewall holes would. FYI, my two were made in Germany, which supposedly don't have this problem. Seems to be many angry folks having similar issues, but this issue supposedly went away with the German made [not Taiwan] versions...

Edit, to add what I ran last year on my Ibis - front = 26 x 2.25 Nobby Nic Snakeskin, rear = 26 x 2.25 Racing Ralph Snakeskin. Ralph was about 80% gone, Nic about 50% worn.

...I rode the CTR last year with a Continental X-King on the rear, and a Mountain King II on the front (ProTection versions). ... If it looks like a low-rain year, I might put X-Kings on both wheels.

[Done]

Toby,
Re: X-Kings
Wondering if you had problems getting the X-Kings to seal?

I had to leave them on their sides for a day or two to get the sidewalls sealed. Slosh the Stans around every hour or so, then let them sit on a trash can so that they stay level. After that, they haven't leaked at all. I've run X-Kings twice on Kokopelli's too, and never had a problem. German versions with ProTection.

[Yogi the Barry]

They, at least one of the two, now rank as the hardest tire to ever seal up on my list. This tire replaced IRC Mythos-II [cheap tire that's been made for probably 20-years] as the hardest to seal. Even the Mythos would seal in a day or so, although the sidewalls always oozed sealant thru dozens and dozens of weepers. I don't trust tires that take longer than a day or two to seal. All the non-UST Schwalbe and Specialized tires I've run will seal in a couple hours or almost immediately. The [near] perfect semi-affordable tire? I'm waiting for Ground Controls to be offered in the Armadillo casing for 29ers. If I win the lottery, SnakeSkin Schwalbes... -B

I had to leave them on their sides for a day or two to get the sidewalls sealed. Slosh the Stans around every hour or so, then let them sit on a trash can so that they stay level. After that, they haven't leaked at all. I've run X-Kings twice on Kokopelli's too, and never had a problem. German versions with ProTection.

[Matt]

Hey ya'll. Just wanted to let you know we did a little recon trip this weekend. We were attempting to ride the Tarryall detour from Kenosha Pass. I have never ridden the Tarryall detour, but I had assumed it would be easier to find than it was. In particular, forest service road 211.  We totally missed it. I am almost positive it was not marked, so we are going to head back up there this Sunday (6/2/13) w/o bikepacking gear and re-ride the detour. Anyway, we ended up in Lake George...we drank a 6 pack of Coors Light on the front bench of the grocery store before we made it home! Tasted so good!

Also, we got behind a water truck that was spraying the road. It was not going to let us by. If it had been 90 degrees it would have been a gawdsend, but it was only 50 degrees so we elected to wait it out until some cars came by. There was def a lot of construction happening!!

Also, there is a fire station on the east side of the detour near the town of Tarryall. It had a water spigot. FYI!

I posted a pic on my blog if you want to get a good visual of the FSR 211 turn. I pulled it off of Google.  I'll confirm the road after this coming weekend!
http://thectr.blogspot.com

Looking fw'd to being out there with you, as my family calls me/us, crazy people!

[elobeck]

so 'lil confused...is Tarryall the way this year? Or is it still pending a decision?

Erik

[Done]

so 'lil confused...is Tarryall the way this year? Or is it still pending a decision?

Erik

After taking a vote, Stefan decided to include the Tarryall detour in the official route. But then he caught wind of some extensive road work taking place this summer, so he was going to call the construction company to see whether it would affect the CTR. Once he knows more, he'll let everyone know.

Once this gets sorted out, I'll update my GPX if necessary.

So hang in there, lots of time yet!

[elobeck]

After taking a vote, Stefan decided to include the Tarryall detour in the official route. But then he caught wind of some extensive road work taking place this summer, so he was going to call the construction company to see whether it would affect the CTR. Once he knows more, he'll let everyone know.

Once this gets sorted out, I'll update my GPX if necessary.

So hang in there, lots of time yet!

Thx Toby,..yes, I know lot's of time, just had a rare moment of quiet and idle time (I have a three year old), and wanted to do some research, might not happen again until night before the CTR.....

[tlideen]

what rain jacket do you guys have the best luck with during the CTR? something light weight and breathable but that can take the abuse if needed?

[Matt Schiff]

I've had good luck with gore-tex paclite, very waterproof, good with moisture management, fairly light. You definitely want a hood. Baggy enough to fit over your layers so the bottom of your fleece isn't getting soaked. Lots of good brands out there so there isn't a jacket that everyone flocks to as far as I know. I'm a fan of Marmot. I also think Marmots membrain strata is a good material and I'll put it to the test this year. Most brands have their proprietary fabric but check the ratings to make sure they're close to what gore-tex can offer.

[T.Ray]

Camp USA makes some really good technical light weight gear.Pretty much all I use.

[bncrshr77]

I've got an eVENT jacket from REI.  So far I've had great luck with it.  Like Matt Schiff said there are tons of great jackets out there now so it all depends of what fits you and the weight you're willing to carry.  My rain jacket is one place I will not skimp on.  If you're soaked in the mountains your most likely freezing and that will ruin a good time for sure!

[Matt Schiff]

Camp USA makes some really good technical light weight gear.Pretty much all I use.

I haven't tried Camp but have worried they were lightweight but didn't have fabric that performed as well as others. You've been satisfied with how waterproof/breathable it is?

[T.Ray]

I haven't tried Camp but have worried they were lightweight but didn't have fabric that performed as well as others. You've been satisfied with how waterproof/breathable it is?

Hey Matt!
I really like Camp, super light weight and performs awesome,and it packs up to the size of your fist,if that.

[Yogi the Barry]

I've got the previous generation Double Century. Showers Pass, link below, makes many other models. Double Cent is just simple coated fabric, lightweight and has large zippered vents. IMHO, pit/torso vents do the majority of the work in getting rid of moisture. To be honest, if it's raining and you are biking, you are wet inside and out. If it's not raining, zippered jacket vents enough to stay warm and dry [in the Rockies]. IMHO-II, a hood is not necessary. Simple and ultralight shower cap works just as good. And when your shower cap gets pulled off by a tree limb, whip out your stylish and multi-functional City Market plastic bag as a replacement.
http://www.showerspass.com

what rain jacket do you guys have the best luck with during the CTR? something light weight and breathable but that can take the abuse if needed?

[Matt]

Finished riding the Tarryall detour yesterday (didn't miss the turn this time, but did not notice any sign indicating FSR211...FYI). Anyway, not hard, not easy, not really fun, not boring though. I certainly gained a new perspective on how big the Hayman fire was though! Wow! Somewhat indifferent on the detour overall. Finishing is the focus.
http://app.strava.com/activities/57919186

Curious, perhaps this has been broached before. Stefan, would it be worth the time to ask the Forest Service to see if they could temporarily allow mountain bikes through the Lost Creek Wilderness? Just an idea.

Also, in my earlier post I mentioned the water spigot at the fire station near the town of Tarryall...well it is locked so dont count on getting water there.

[fotooutdoors]

I'm pretty sure the forest service can't temporarily allow bikes in a wilderness area because it is a congressional designation.

[Shirey]

Maybe too early to start arranging a ride, but.....

If I can get a lift from Denver to Durango with someone, I will pay for all gas and spring for a motel Saturday afternoon so we can try to grab a little rest before it starts.

Feel free to PM me if you have an extra spot for myself and bike and gear.

Thanks,

- Scott

[Done]

For anyone who's thinking of riding or racing the Colorado Trial this summer, be sure to check out this official Colorado Trail Foundation presentation. REI is hosting it, and it's free. Come meet other riders and racers, share some excitement, etc.!

June 19th, Westminster REI, 7:30 to 9:00.

http://www.rei.com/event/50715/session/70691/06302013