Grand Loop 2009

[DaveH]

The snow at columbine is dissappearing fast, it almost makes me think a May 22 date could be doable.  It all depends on weather the next few weeks.  Sure sounds like a race is taking shape.  Maybe I'll join yins.

I think the genre has developed to the collective conciousness stage...we don't need to establish official dates anymore, just routes

[wookieone]

Ok so I am almost certain for the May 29th thru the 31rst ish, if anyone wants to join......most likely go the way of Koski traverse, not Bedrock, but who knows, started planning and man I am excited!!! Jefe

[adman]

Hi from southern colorado, yeh, there are a few of us who are interested in this years grand loop. please keep us posted.

[DaveC]

Well, if everyone else it doing it.....

Any thought of starting earlier than 8pm, so as to make it easier to get up into the mountains before the heat?

[ScottM]

Well, if everyone else it doing it.....

I think there's a slight difference between big talking on a forum and lining up, but, otherwise, momentum is building.

Any thought of starting earlier than 8pm, so as to make it easier to get up into the mountains before the heat?

Ride faster??

I'd be open to talks of a different start time, or perhaps course direction (backwards!!!)....

[frejwilk]

Ride faster??

Exactly!

I remember that tradition suggests riding over to Loma from the Tabaguache trailhead. I think leaving at 6:00PM. Makes an actual loop and allows some afternoon GJ heat for those who need it.

[wookieone]

Oh So Fun, good to hear folks getting excited, I am also toying with the idea of starting from GJ earlier to get higher in the La Sals before daybreak, if possible, but not for sures. As far as backwards goes, I hadn't thought about that too hard, would go the traditional route unless there were others pushing for a route reversal, $%#t I am down with just about anything I suppose. Still trying to stick with the Friday May 29th as a start date, hmmmm, any other ideas, I really can't wait, well i can but mymind is already out there looking for the route searching for the next water.....

[DaveC]

I suppose the actual weather on the 29th (I'm in firm for that date, works perfectly for me) will make a big difference, but I don't wonder if frying on the pavement a bit wouldn't be worth giving us mortals a better chance of making it up the shandies before the reflector oven kicks in.  For me, 8-9 hours to Dewey is the absolute fastest I can expect to go in this context.

[Chad B]

The 29th would work for me also....I vote for a 2:45am start time.

[wookieone]

Hey my thoughts were start a bit early and have a better chance of making it into the La Sals before as someone put it the "solar oven" hits high, but really I am open, good to hear others are in.....Jefe

[DaveC]

Jefe,
What time frame were you thinking?  I had in mind starting up Mary's at 5pmish.

Good lord this things takes over one's mind fast.  Good thing I got new bushings for the new shock today, no way in hell I'm riding this on the Karate Monkey.

[DaveH]

Columbine will be dry later today.  OK, snowless at least.  I previously said 2 weeks after Columbine clears the Tab should be good to go.  I'm completely retracting that now.  It looks like snowpack just 2 weeks ago was pretty deep.  In '07 I did the first attempt 2 weeks after Columbine cleared and was met with 10' of snow on the Tab.  2 weeks later is was dry.

Bottom line is I think May 29 stands as the best start date, at least from a snowpack perspective. 

I'm starting to get semi-serious about starting with y'all, even built up a FS SS concept bike for the ride... http://2-epic.com/?p=711

On start times:  a 5pm Mary's start means leaving the Tab TH at 3pm.  That's a lot of afternoon heat exposure.  I guess it's a pick your poison deal.  You don't want to park at Mary's and have to ride there from GJ post event - and you sure don't want to park at the Tab TH either!!!  We should all just park in front of MCs place and start from there.

[Stefan_G]

Dang, you guys are starting to get me excited too!  And I even said that I'd never ride that loop again.     Good thing I don't have enough time-off to vacation in Hawaii and ride both the GL and the CTR, otherwise I might be eating my words...  I'm actually kinda jealous, but I'm looking forward to how it all plays out.

Man, Scott's idea of riding it backwards is super intriguing - I wonder if the Tabeguache Trail sand-surfing bits beyond Dominguez CG are more rideable than the shandies on the Koko?  And parts of the Paradox would definitely be more ridable backwards.  Well, and other parts not.  Anyway, I never thought of riding it backwards, although I had mulled over starting at Whitewater or Dewey or Bedrock...

As far as parking, I parked at Sherman or Sherwood park in GJ the year Dave's truck got broken into, and when I returned, I had a bright orange abandoned vehicle notice on my truck.  Fortunately, it wasn't broken into, but I can't imagine a better sign on a vehicle inviting thieves to come have a look.

[mogulfix]

Rode from Delta today up sawmill mesa rd (fs501) up to Dillard Mesa  and fs rd 504 about 30 miles before I hit any snow. there was patchy  snow on the road a little heavier in the trees. looking toward columbine pass it looks like it was deeper. so far this year the snow is melting a lot faster with all the dust storms we've had this spring.

[JimL]

Well, here's my update:

From the current arguments, I'm still not convinced about deviating from starting at 6pm at the Tab TH in GJ.  The 29th seems like a done deal.

Very excited here also.  Been doing my homework on the maps and I'll also attempt the Koski Traverse route.

So what are the best options for parking, besides pulling up to a random location and putting mikec's bizniz card on the dash by the vin#?  Is lacemine really in the 'Event Parking' business?   

I'll also be willing to help others with any transportation issues.

[dkirk]

Hey everyone,
Fun to see the talking and planning going on. As far as where to park, I was lucky in 07 with no abandoned car ticket when I parked by the park. Last year, I stayed at the motel 6. If you sign a waiver you can leave the car there without any hassles and no extra charge. The cost of the room was less than the ticket I'm sure! Anyway, hope that helps.

Later, Dave Kirk

[Stefan_G]

Maybe I just parked in the wrong place at the park.  It was only a notice, so no charge, but they tow if you don't move your vehicle within 7 days I think.

[krefs]

I'm jealous of all you guys doing it at the end of the month.  I was seriously considering the 22nd, but I think with bigger fish to fry just a few weeks later, I'm going to have to force myself to pass up on the GL this spring.  Next year...or perhaps in the fall?

[DaveH]

The fall would be great for the GL (I think?).  However, you'll be too smoked from Trans Utah so fugetaboutit.

Plesko, what's your gut tell ya?  In or out?

I'm in for May 29.  I think MCs years of thinkering on the best launch time can't be improved upon, I'd prefer a 6pm Tab TH start.  Backwards is certainly interesting...the hardest part about that is timing the KT section.  It pretty much has to be at night to survive those temps.

So for myself, traditional start time, traditional direction, SS, Koski traverse.

There's enough change in the last 2 to make it interesting.   

[Marshal]

Had to work in GJ this week and snuck in a quick early morning ride/loop from the Divide road gate (closed to general traffic till May 30) up to the Dominguez/Tabeguache turn off, then down the Tab to Dominguez creek/parking area and back to my van.  Anyway, from what I saw at the highest elevations I think the snow will be long long gone by the 29th.

Note to any who want to do a tour with a unusual start date………… I might have to be back through the GJ area about the 22nd/23rd and might use a couple of vacation days and give the GL a shot starting on the 23rd or 24th…….if I do I will start from a hotel in Fruita (that will solve the parking issue), will be going my usual slow pace and following the older route so as to eat some ice cream in Bedrock