CTR Southbound!

[Mini Bear]

Hey everyone! I know the official start for the CTR this year is northbound (Durango-Denver), but I'm just putting it out there for a separate southbound group going off on the same day, same time as the northbound riders. Logistics only really work for me to go southbound this year (my first time) and I love the camaraderie that this race seems to inspire and didn't want to miss out on that. I thought anyone interested could use this thread as a 'letter of intent' so to speak for a group going out from Denver.

So, for anyone else that wants to start at Waterton Canyon on July 21st at 4am... I'm doin' it. Who's with me?

-Chris E.
Denver, CO

[cmn529]

I'm planning on riding southbound but on July 29th.  I would love to know there were others leaving around then.

chrissy

[mikedeber]

I'm planning on a Southbound journey also, although, not exactly sure of my dates quite yet.

I have a few excuses as to why I wanna venture north to south:

Being my first time out on most of the trail it seems less daunting from a planning perspective.  Pretty much all of the beta/research I come across including guide books, TR's, blogs and such describe going in that direction.  Trying to decipher all the landmarks and key points of the ride in reverse make my brain spin a bit.

It will be really rad to cross paths with other racers going in the opposite direction.  I imagine a majority of the people who are riding this year will go northbound so it should provide for plenty of cool conversations/interactions.

Lastly, I really like the idea of starting in the city and finishing in Durango.  I would imagine that could be kind of a moot point to people who have done the ride before, but for a CTR greenhorn such as myself, a Durango finish sounds very inviting.  That town is a great place to lounge around for a day or two afterwards and float around in the river.

[Shirey]

All along I've intended on Southbound and a 4am, 7/21 start for pretty much all the same reasons MikeDeber mentioned.

I still think that is the plan, but I've been thinking about one cool thing that might persuade me to go Northbound.

Starting in Durango would give you a decent idea of the weather forecast for the Cataract / Coney segment. Even if the forecast is for horrendous thunderstorms, at least that would be pretty handy knowledge to have at the start and you could plan your trip up there accordingly. If by some stroke of luck the forecast is for high-pressure and blue skies, I think you can be reasonably certain that would still be the case  when you get there the next day.

If I head Southbound, then there's no sense in even looking out that far and making any actual plans for crossing that segment based on the weather forecast. By the time I get there I'm sure the situation will have changed and I'll just have to assess the weather at that time.

[THE LONG RANGER]

I'll resurrect this thread, and say I may have some interest, in going SB, at the same time/date as the official NB route, this year. If anyone else is there as well, more the merrier.

[Shirey]

I changed my plan to Northbound.

I'll resurrect this thread, and say I may have some interest, in going SB, at the same time/date as the official NB route, this year. If anyone else is there as well, more the merrier.

[ScottM]

Just a note that regardless of direction or start time/date, being a part of Trackleader's CTR tracker is an option.  ITTs get yellow dots, we'll probably do cyan for people going southbound but starting at the 'grand depart' time.  There are options for this in the signup form (linked by Stefan in the CTR thread).

I am, at the moment, still considering northbound, soundbound and/or ITT.  

[THE LONG RANGER]

Hoping to get out on the trail for some recon, starting SB - and see where my form is, but I think the fire between Segment 2+3 is still going on. Hope that gets contained by next week - easy to workaround, regardless. Plan is to make it to Breck by the first night, but I'm not sure how doable that is (probably pretty doable). Have to check out on prev. times. My instinct says I'm in good shape and a little hungry for a finish!

My hope is all these fires will be contained when the race goes on. I give that a pretty big chance, as well

[Woodland]

Dude, if you can make it to Breck in one day with the Tarryall detour, well than you are my hero. 

[THE LONG RANGER]

Dude, if you can make it to Breck in one day with the Tarryall detour, well than you are my hero. 

Barf! Yeah, that would be a bit. Was the consensus to include it, this year? I thought it was going to sway to a, "no", as there's going to be construction on it all summer.

But, thinking if I get a 4:00am start from the southern terminus, I should be able to get some good ground towards Breck. Need to get to Camp Hale by late afternoon on the second day to pick up a ride.

[mikedeber]

I'm still rolling southbound, who else is?  Anyone want to split a one-way rental car with me?  I'm planning on getting into Durango about noon on Sat.