CTR 2014 - Race Discussion

[tomis916]

So I'm confused - Karlos seems to think he was racing in the CTR, yet he was taking handouts and riding with friends from the start. And only now at this point - after his detour - does he seem to think he wouldn't be considered a finisher...but would still be considered a CT finisher?

Are people thinking they can just use the CTR tracker as a way to track their thru ride (another ITT'r took US-285 instead of Tarryall and was for a fact 'not racing' - according to his bike shop employer)? Is that acceptable? Is it just me that has questioned Karlos' 'ITT' from the start?

I don't want to take away from his effort - I am just questioning his entry into this race.

I enjoyed the call-in from Dominic as a contrast.  I'm staying in town, but not in my place or any friends place.

[ea82abuser]

For any of Bryan's friends wondering how he is doing..... he is highly motivated and killing it!

I came here for this

[KO]

My spot died in Leadville last night but I am officially out as of 1:30 pm at Twin Lakes. The new cleats for my Crank Bros pedals I put on right before the race were limiting my knee movement and causing me right knee pain.  The pain started slowly about halfway through segment 3 and got progressively worsened along with an achilles pain I've never felt before. 

By the end of day two I was able to walk fine but couldn't even pedal on flag sections anymore.   Day three I was starting to take Advil and thought I would take it a bit easier and just hike a bike everything and coast downhill and hope my knee would feel better.  By the end of the day I was able to finally pedal again.  Then this morning my achilles started hurting again and the advil didn't helped so I called it quits because I didn't want  to permanently damage my knee and achilles and I had lost so much time already on days two and three due to the pain. 

[mtbcast]

So I'm confused - Karlos seems to think he was racing in the CTR, yet he was taking handouts and riding with friends from the start. And only now at this point - after his detour - does he seem to think he wouldn't be considered a finisher...but would still be considered a CT finisher?

Are people thinking they can just use the CTR tracker as a way to track their thru ride (another ITT'r took US-285 instead of Tarryall and was for a fact 'not racing' - according to his bike shop employer)? Is that acceptable? Is it just me that has questioned Karlos' 'ITT' from the start?

I don't want to take away from his effort - I am just questioning his entry into this race.

Yeah I didn't know who he was riding with or if they were just along for the ride or someone he met here. While he realizes the off-route is a definite DQ I don't know about the other. I don't think Karlos would do anything devious but sometimes you make a choice out there and realize what this means officially and just push on with that knowledge and accept it.

FWIW, for the show I just move ahead. I don't pull calls when people DQ simply because I want to be neutral and I think that is ultimately between them and the rule-bearer, if you will. But like everyone else I think the more racers that adhere to the rules, resist making choices that deviate, and decide to backtrack on mis-routes the better. Everyone makes that choice for themselves, though.

[mtbcast]

Aug 14 Episode – CTR14 True Ups! Neil Beltchenko came in first in the Colorado Trail Race 2014 and we have some audio from the finish, Richie Mattson and Jim Reed make it to BV, and ITT Karlos Bernart acknowledges his mis-route.

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/podcasts/

[nanath]

Can't believe how good Neil looked and sounded at the finish. I was expecting him to be haggard and delirious, but no, big grin, great energy.  Amazing.  I'm also really enjoying Richie's call-ins.  He sounds so happy to be out there and so appreciative of the magic that's come his way---the trail angel breakfast, the smelly hotel rooms.  Nothing seems to get him down and he's riding his race, at his pace.  I'll be cheering for him all the way to the finish.  Go, Minnesota Man!

[Platform Power]

Dominic reporting in: heading up Monarch pass yesterday with major left knee pain after getting a room at the comfort inn in salida. Thought about our conversations on overuse injuries and remembering my 2012 CTR, I pedalled through some major pain in that last section where Neil was near blackhawk....my 37 year old body was at 7 days, but I can relate. My plan wasn't to come into salida and take a near 2 day recovery, but it is the only way I see myself being able to continue. As a fan of this race, I respect riders who overcome mechanicals, other various delays...we all have to battle physical wear and tear and potential injury. I am trying my best to heal and recover to a point where I can go back out on that beautiful trail and join the others. Following all rules strictly, at the start in Denver I actually forgot my REI flash backpack, and had to borrow my amazing and beautiful girlfriend's peacock school bag. I will continue on with this peacock backpack. Many people have complimented me on how it matches the rest of my outfit. I also bought an additonal merino wool base layer bottom and extra socks, I ate 4 cheeseburgers and a shake at sonic in an effort to get some healing going, I will head back up the pass soon and try to find my flow on that magical trail. PS: picking up trash on the trail when you can is the best trail magic!

[Done]

I love your style, Dominic! Best CTR post ever. Good luck with the rest of the race.

[mtnbound]

Congrats to Neil on an incredible ride!!  Get some rest and hope your knee heals quickly!  Love to hear a race report.

Best of luck to all those still out on the course.  It has been a mean and nasty one this year. Out of the 44 Grand Depart starters, it looks like only about 17 are still on course to be CTR finishes (counting Tim and Christian though their course deviation will likely DQ them from the CTR but they should still be CT finishers).

[nanath]

Way to go, Dominic!  A reminder that the CTR isn't just about speed, but about good judgement as well.  Hope your knee settles down and gets you all the way to the finish.  It has been a brutal race this year, but so exciting!

[nanath]

Does this year's CTR have a higher percentage of scratches than previous editions?  Seems like it, but I haven't done the math (numbers are not my friends).

[joeydurango]

It seems to me that there are more first-timers this year, and less vets - so perhaps that could explain what appears to be a pretty high attrition rate.  I haven't done the research here, just speculation based on a hunch...

[nanath]

Sounds reasonable to me.  I hope this year's scratched rookies come back as veterans next year.  Experience is so helpful in the CTR. 

[mtbcast]

CTR14: Aaron Boatman called in from Silverton. The call is a little muffled but he is apparently going to have to make up time off route to ensure he gets back to work.

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/ctr14/

[mtnbound]

This year definitely has a much higher attrition rate.  Just based on a quick review of trackleaders and looking at finishers listed on the CTR bible website, the numbers are as follows (not responsible for poor reading or counting skills  )

2011:
43 Finished
41 Scratched (note that trackleaders does not show the results in the same manner in 2011 as in 2012, 2013 and 2014 (Scott has done a great job updating the site) so it is harder to compare, at least without taking more time, which I don't feel like )
(48% finish)

2012:
63 GD starters
31 GD finishers (49% finish)

28 ITT starters
12 ITT finishers (42% finish)

91 Total Starters
43 Total Finishers (47% finish)

24 Vets
40 Rookies

2013:
64 GD starters
48 GD finishers (75% finish)

14 ITT starters
7   ITT finishers (50% finish)

78 Total Starters
55 Total Finishers (70% finish)

29 Vets
49 Rookies

2014:
45 GD Starters
13 GD Finishers (including Tim & Christian)(29% finish)

11 ITT starters
1 ITT finishers (9% finish)

56 Total Starters
14 Total Finishers (25% finish)

23 Vets
33 Rookies

It looks like every year, the finishing rate has slowly gotten higher, typically around 50% but peaked in 2013 at 70%.  Not sure why it looks like the finishing rate this year will be 1/4.  The number of rookies this year, as a percentage of total, is actually slightly lower this year so that doesn't look to be the reason.  Of course, the CTR is a monster and this year took its toll. However, if you average 2013 and 2014, the finishing average is still 51% (about the historical average, though statistically speaking, the sample size is too small) so you can make whatever you want out of it.

[joeydurango]

Okay, someone's good with numbers!  Now I want to see how many of the vets in this year's race have finished before, contrasted with attempts, compared to previous years vets...

Seriously, who knows? it sure isn't as if the CT has never dished up bad weather and such before.  Maybe the older the CTR gets, the more the word gets out, and the broader (and thus, less pre-qualified as the type to finish) the starting field personality diversity gets.

[mtnbound]

Joey,  I'll get right on that calculation!    

Prior to this year, I thought that the finishing rate going higher each year was due to more vets, better info from this site (gear lists, training tips, equipment tips, etc.), better bikepacking gear being made and available to the masses, and Toby's GPS track (which helped racers from getting off track, as well as using it to track water stops, etc.).  While I still think this is true, perhaps more racers this year didn't take the CTR as seriously as they should (perhaps due to all this info and the number of finishers last year, some might have thought it wasn't hard).  Anyway, this is all speculation.  There will never be a way to find out so it is really just internet fodder for everyone to post their half cocked opinions (just like me ). 

All I can say is I respect all CTR finishers as well as those that attempt it cause I know (at least to some degree) how f'ng hard it is!  Never underestimate the CTR!!!!   

[boatmana]

Had to call it quits today after hitting Silverton.  Couldn't make my 6 day rookie run goal. Dam day job is getting in the way of my fun time. But I guess I need one for the other.  Thanks everyone for riding with me especially Scott, Dave, and Garrett.  This route is brutally tough.  Achilles' tendons both sound like rice crispies. Other than that I feel great.  Til next time.

[joeydurango]

...Anyway, this is all speculation... Never underestimate the CTR!!!!   

Yep.  I've started twice, finished twice, but that doesn't mean I'm super chill about starting on #3.  I'll be nervous and hyper-aware of the ever-present possibilities for failure whenever that happens...

Aaron, sorry to hear the job kept you from finishing it up!  Looked like you were moving along out there - I'll look forward to hearing some stories in the shop!

[Woodland]

Significantly higher percentage of finishers in 2013 - the first year the route was flipped.

Maybe next time I should start in Durango