CTR 2013 Planning

[Matt Schiff]

I know in planning for the CTR last year I wanted to get everything right and asked for advice. Now after having done it, the answers that come to mind are the ones you don't think are helpful such as, it doesn't matter what bike you use, use whatever you're more comfortable on or would have more fun on. Which bike do you more enjoy taking for a walk?

I would want a pretty good granny gear.
I would want a light bike.
I'd want good tires. For some, this is lightweightish Maxxis Ikon. For others, 2.4 Ardents.
Make sure whatever bike you take has been overhauled and tuned by a skilled mechanic.

[cjdunn]

Thanks Matt. 

As low tech and cheap as it is I really like the KM frame.  It is a nice "Safety scissors" blue color too.   I put a RockShox Recon Silver TK fork on the KM but fully loaded there was so much fork flex while I was pedaling standing up that the front tire would rub.  Still trying to figure that out.

Unfortunately a light bike isn't in my budget, but then again I wouldn't know the difference.  Definitely tires are something I pay attention to here in AZ where sidewall cuts are really common.  I was running a Racing Ralph in the front and Ikon in the rear both of them with the EXO or EVO or whatever each company calls their sidewall protection.  I cut the RR on the Kaibab loop but the Ikon is going strong.  I also cut a brand new Ardent 2.25 the first time I rode it.  Still trying to figure out the front tire I guess.   

[Matt Schiff]

It seems like you're leaning toward the KM. Certainly less to go wrong without rear suspension. That's what I like to ride. Wheels flex a little but I wouldn't think the fork would flex enough for the tire to rub. Is the wheel dished properly, or is it just rubbing on one side? As for tires, I run the Ikons. I need to buy a new set and this year they have a 2.35. I would like more squish for comfort but I race on 2.2. My set has over 1000 miles of racing miles plus more training miles so hopefully they're made to the same specs this year!

[JosiahM]

Chris,
how's it going. It was good riding with you out on the kaibab.
you mean the suspension has too much cushion and allows the harness or whatever is tied to the handlebars hit the tire?  you need to set the air pressure in the fork with extra pressure to compensate for the weight up front directly over that wheel.  I'm sure someone has a more scientific approach to this, but I just put enough air in the shocks so I don't rub the tire on the bags when I hit a mid sized dip or bump.

[cjdunn]

Josiah,

It was great meeting and riding with you guys up there too.  I was impressed with your rental bike effort. 

The issue was the tire rubbing on the inside of the fork.  That was with a 2.2 tire.  It only happened when the bike was loaded and I was standing but it was pretty bad.  I just rebuilt the fork and got a better tighter skewer so hopefully it is better.  I think that Recon Silver is a pretty mediocre fork but I got it practically free so I figured I try it.  You'd be surprised to see how much forks flex this way.  Since this happened I've been checking other forks and they all are pretty twisty.  I just stand in front of the bike holding the wheel between my legs and turn the bars.  Makes me want to get a Lefty fork. 

Getting back to my original question...  I just put down the cash for the parts to make my Monkey into a 3X10.  I'm getting more financially committed to this CTR thing all the time. I'm still searching for a more packable sleeping bag, some HAB capable shoes and a few other items.  What dry bag were you using on your harness on the Kaibab ride?  Are you ding the CTR this year too?

[JosiahM]

I was using a Sea to Summit eVent Compression Dry Sack size medium. if I can find a bivy/sleeping bag that will pack slightly smaller, I would like to put them into a 10L stuff sack just to increase the clearance to the tire on whatever rent bike I use on the ctr (j/k on the rent bike.. maybe).
yeah I'm planning to do CTR (assuming my quad injury I got last weekend on a road bike ride goes away).. probably a saturday afternoon start to help me get to silverton on sunday before everything there closes.
are you planning to use the 3x10 as a 3x10 or 2x10 with bash guard? there isn't too much need for anything bigger than 32 up front IMO.

[cjdunn]

I hope you make it.  I am cleverly avoiding injury by not riding at all.  Only one ride since the Kaibab.  I'm taking Mark's quote seriously, "When we quit we quit hard."  That goes with my strict "No training policy."

I was planning on just leaving it as a 3X10.  I would have gone with 2X10 but from what people say (Mark) I'll want as low a granny as possible.  

I like the Sat. afternoon start idea.  I thought about just doing it as an ITT starting several days early.  Then I might have company as everybody passes me.

[JosiahM]

yeah you want to leave the granny... but might consider dropping the huge ring to throw a 32t(or whatever ur middle ring will be) bash guard on there. just a thought.  you can keep the big ring for other events and just throw the guard on there for CT and such because you will never need a 40+ ring up front except for 20 minutes going down 285 if we go that route.  would give more clearance and help avoid the rookie marks and chain ring tattoos I know you like so much

[Matt Schiff]

You'd be surprised to see how much forks flex this way.  Since this happened I've been checking other forks and they all are pretty twisty.  I just stand in front of the bike holding the wheel between my legs and turn the bars.  Makes me want to get a Lefty fork. 

To me, that's not your fork, that's your wheel. With your thumbs pressing against the outside fork just below the stanchion, grab the wheel and pull it toward your thumbs. I can move my stan's crest almost a centimeter if I try.

[cjdunn]

The wheel flexes a little but I can clearly see the fork legs twisting significantly.  The Fox fork (with the same exact wheel on it) on another bike flexes about 1/2 as much.

[Couloirman]

I just picked up a new Garmin etrex 30. Anyone have a good rec for the best handlebar mount for these? Also, I want to load a Colorado topo on there for before my ride-- does anyone have experience with the maps from abovethetimber? (http://abovethetimber.com/index.php/gps-maps/states/colorado) Is it too much detail for such a tiny screen?

[JosiahM]

this bike mount works great for the etrex if you zip tie it to the stem http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-010-11023-00-Colorado-Oregon-Series/dp/B0012MI7QE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1371567979&sr=8-2

[Done]

Is it too much detail for such a tiny screen?

I've never bothered to load background maps. With such a small screen, maps just seem to add a mess of clutter. A nice clean line is easy to follow, even at night.

[Couloirman]

New databook is in stock! Get it while it's hot:

http://www.shop.coloradotrail.org/Colorado-Trail-Databook-5th-Edition-DATABOOK5.htm

[mtnbound]

New databook - Cool!!!  According to the link, the new databook now has the bike detours!!! - AWESOME!!!  That alone is worth the price of admission.  They also updated/corrected the elevation gains so they should all be accurate.

Just another reminder - Please donate to the CTF (and mention on the comment line that you are biking the CT).  There is no entry fee for the CTR yet you are using a trail that the CTF pays hard money and time to maintain.  Therefore, instead of paying an entry fee, donate to the CTF!!!!!

I encourage everyone who has donated to post that they have on this thread.  Several already have posted so let's keep it going and hear from more people!

[THE LONG RANGER]

Apologies - this thread is getting pretty long. Is there a group of rabble-rousers that are still thinking of starting at the same-time, same date at the East trail head in ~Littleton? Driving to Durango doesn't sound super fun, when the trail is ~20 miles away.

[Buttermilk]

Tribal pressure---just donated to the Foundation. Got the new Databook also. July 21st will be here in a blink!!

[ayayron]

Part of CT on fire near Bailey? http://www.dailycamera.com/news/ci_23494247/lime-gulch-fire-prompts-evacuations-jerfferson-county

[Done]

Part of CT on fire near Bailey? http://www.dailycamera.com/news/ci_23494247/lime-gulch-fire-prompts-evacuations-jerfferson-county

Yep, the Colorado Trail Foundation just put out a notice. Bummer.

[T.Ray]

There's also one burning near the CT at Twin Lakes.I went by it twice today,lots of authorities watching it,and a few helicopters moving about.