CTR 2013 Planning

[markphx]

Really?  I would never, ever ride the CTR again on any other saddle.  The ability to sit down - and I mean full weight on the seat without hesitation or doing the scoootch around looking for a non bruised part of my ass -  and take weight off the legs, feet, and hands is super important to me. 

I'll keep that in mind. The Selle Anatomica Titanico NSX is def. my go-to saddle for everything and it treated me like a king on last year's TD - I'd def. NOT want to do that race on anything else, ever.

Damn you guys and your saddle suggestions! I just took a substantial hit on a Selle Anatomica Titanico NSX (and some Saddle Sauce) for a CT speedy tour I've got coming up in a few weeks.

Maybe on my next trip, I'll bring a loaner Rocket V or Fizik, plus my Titanico and do some comparisons.

I used a Rocket V when I rode the CT last year and I experienced extreme chaffing and a fair amount of bruising. However, I was running an Osprey pack and a terrible pair of Novara baggies. As for a Fizik saddle, I believe JosiahM can chime in on his experience with that bad boy on a Stagecoach 400 tour we did in December '12.

[JosiahM]

As for a Fizik saddle, I believe JosiahM can chime in on his experience with that bad boy on a Stagecoach 400 tour we did in December '12.

I have a Fizik tri saddle saddle on my tri bike and love it.  On a mountain bike however, the fizik tundra as not a saddle. it is a meat tenderizer.

[joeydurango]

Taking saddle recommendations from other folks is kind of like taking food recommendations... what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another.  I just don't recommend saddles anymore.  In the shop, I can tell people what works for me - but unless they have an idea what type of saddle shape works for them (flat, wide, narrow, with a "pocket", firm, soft, etc.), I won't even hazard a guess.  It's all personal preference.  Hence the "I can't believe that works for you!", etc., etc.

[THE LONG RANGER]

Taking saddle recommendations from other folks is kind of like taking food recommendations... what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another.

Too true. I just got a bag o' saddles from the local bike shop, taking full advantage of their demo program. Since they're all going on big trips for the 4th of July weekend, when I asked them, "When y'all want these back?", they replied, "Next... next week?" Love those guys/gals.

Saddle prefs. even change seasonally - I usually lose about 10-15lbs between winter and summer. All makes a difference.

[krefs]

I ask about the runtime because on mtbr or some other site there were some pretty bad reviews because the light was lasting like 1/3 of the advertised time.

Matt, I used two BT20s with 18650 batteries on a time trial of the AZT300 a couple months ago. The run time on low and medium was within 30 min of what Fenix advertises. If folks claim on MTBR to be getting 1/3 the run time, it's because they are using the CR123 batteries most likely. A pair of the 18650 batteries (3.7v each) has >2x the run time of 4 CR123 cells (3.0v each).

[Matt Schiff]

Good to know. I knew the 18650s lasted longer and the runtimes advertised were achieved using those but I didn't think they lasted that much longer. Satisfied with the light?

[krefs]

I really do like the light. I honestly wouldn't recommend it if you planned to use CR123s, but with the rechargeable 18650s, I think its one of the best lights on the market for multi-day singletrack racing unless you're willing to spend $600+.

[Couloirman]

I really do like the light. I honestly wouldn't recommend it if you planned to use CR123s, but with the rechargeable 18650s, I think its one of the best lights on the market for multi-day singletrack racing unless you're willing to spend $600+.

But how do you plan on recharging along the way? Also, what is this $600ish dollar light you speak of that would be better for multi days, for curiosities sake...

[mtnbound]

I just discovered that Fenix discontinued the PD32 UE and, coming out July 5 with the PD35, which is to replace the PD32 UE.

http://shaologear.com/products/fenix-pd35

It does look better than the PD32 UE.  I like the 170 lumen mode that runs for 7:45 hours on one set of batteries - not shabby (assuming it actually has such runtime in real world use).  That is a good setting for the CTR, particularly since it also has other modes if you need it - 10, 45, 170, 450 and even goes up to 850 lumen (for short periods of time).  It weighs 2.6 oz (not including batteries). 

[THE LONG RANGER]

Hmm, interesting, looks like you're right - the 18650's last quite a bit longer for a few reasons. Maybe it makes sense to start with a pair of those, and have 4/8 CR123a's to use afterwards. Double you wanna bring a wall charger, although there is this,

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?342760-Review-of-Measurement-on-ML-102-Charger

For you dynamo hub lovers - I need to build up my own dyno hub! Not a bad idea: charge in the day, and at night, have a dyno light + a battery powered light. Vroom vroom!

I think being frugal with the use of the light in general is not the worst way to go. I loved the light doing the downhill at night into Breck. Totally worth bringing it along, but def. unneeded on the uphills right before.

[Couloirman]

Hmm, interesting, looks like you're right - the 18650's last quite a bit longer for a few reasons. Maybe it makes sense to start with a pair of those, and have 4/8 CR123a's to use afterwards. Double you wanna bring a wall charger, although there is this,

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?342760-Review-of-Measurement-on-ML-102-Charger

That seems like a great idea. Maybe run rechargeables and carry the 2 battery charger like the one you pictured ( http://www.fasttech.com/products/1421/10001919/1283100-miller-ml202-smart-chargerusb-power-pack-for-18650 ) with an external battery like this (http://www.amazon.com/NewTrent-Travelpak-External-Battery-Built-In/dp/B00BFOU3F2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1372824421&sr=8-2&keywords=new+trent+travelpak). That battery pack could probably keep your flashlights, iphone, digital cameras, etc... going the whole race.

[krefs]

But how do you plan on recharging along the way? Also, what is this $600ish dollar light you speak of that would be better for multi days, for curiosities sake...

I can get 2 nights of summer riding (with 1-2 hours of sleep each night) out of the BT20 running on low, so an extra pair or two of batteries is all that would be necessary for 4-6 nights. The really fancy (and expensive) lights to which I was referring are made by Lupine. If I had $1000 sitting around and couldn't spend it on anything else, I might buy a Lupine Betty, but even then, I probably couldn't justify it. Oof.

[Matt Schiff]

I just discovered that Fenix discontinued the PD32 UE and, coming out July 5 with the PD35, which is to replace the PD32 UE.

http://shaologear.com/products/fenix-pd35

It does look better than the PD32 UE.  I like the 170 lumen mode that runs for 7:45 hours on one set of batteries - not shabby (assuming it actually has such runtime in real world use).  That is a good setting for the CTR, particularly since it also has other modes if you need it - 10, 45, 170, 450 and even goes up to 850 lumen (for short periods of time).  It weighs 2.6 oz (not including batteries). 

runtimes are with the 18650 I'm pretty sure. The Pd 32 UE also has a somewhat neutral tint and is very floody. I don't know how the new light compares in those respects. the pd 35 has the new xml L2 emitter (20% more lumens for same power).  Always more factors to consider than just lumens.

[Couloirman]

Any idea when the new GPS file is getting uploaded? I won't have easy access to a computer after Saturday and was hoping to upload the final track before I head out, but I am sure I can manage with the old one and the databook. Thanks for all the hard work on it either way!

[Stefan_G]

Any idea when the new GPS file is getting uploaded? I won't have easy access to a computer after Saturday and was hoping to upload the final track before I head out, but I am sure I can manage with the old one and the databook. Thanks for all the hard work on it either way!

GPX files posted.

http://climbingdreams.net/ctr/#gps

Toby wanted to add new Waypoints to the file, so that is the only foreseeable update other than any reroutes. The track itself will not change, so everyone should be fine with this version.

[THE LONG RANGER]

Make sure to change up the text on the site, as it says you're still using the 285 Detour.

[Stefan_G]

Make sure to change up the text on the site, as it says you're still using the 285 Detour.

Thanks for the catch.  Fixed it.

[franzr]

I'll be running a dynohub (have used in the past and love it) and here's my take: I'll have a tiny headlamp to help on HAB and small uphills where the hub-powered light is just too dim. I'd carry this anyway for setting up camp/etc. For downhills the hub-powered light is plenty bright for me. Charging a second light during the day seems unnecessary--additional weight, and makes it hard to charge your GPS during the day (in my experience charging two battery powered items concurrently is dodgy at mtn bike speeds).

Getting psyched!!!

Ryan Franz

[GrizzlyAdam]

For this year (and probably in the future) the Leadville Bypass will be the official route. Since this is already on a CT detour, leaving the detour to detour further into Leadville, and then rejoining the detour later on instead of backtracking will be allowed. I hope this doesn't cause too much confusion, and I'm guessing that only a few folks will actually skip Leadville in any case.

Can I get a few more details on this? We ride through (or just near?) Leadville via a Wilderness detour, but there is another (optional) route that misses the town? Also, with Tarryall a part of the route now, does that make Leadville the last resupply before the finish?

Sorry for being thick. I'm trying to wrap my head around as much of the geography as I can, which is a little daunting for an out-of-Stater.

[pharmvet]

The trail passes just by a convenience store at the base of Copper Mountain ski resort which is last relatively close resupply before Waterton.  Hours are somewhat limited so that is something to be aware of.  There are rumors of food options on Tarryall but none seem reliable.