 Topic Name: grand loop
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on: January 11, 2011, 05:11:28 PM
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warofattrition
Posts: 17
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« on: January 11, 2011, 05:11:28 PM » |
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who out there has an idea of a grand loop start? we can all go out ITT at different times in the spring, but it is nice to have some comraderie at least at the start.
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Topic Name: grand loop
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Reply #1 on: January 11, 2011, 08:18:37 PM
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ScottM
bikepacking.net admin
Location: Wherever the GeoPro is parked.
Posts: 2863
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« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2011, 08:18:37 PM » |
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warofattrition, how fitting. No GL for me, but I'd love to see a mutual start date develop. Trackleaders will provide a tracker once again...
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Topic Name: grand loop
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Reply #2 on: January 12, 2011, 11:27:49 AM
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wookieone
Location: Gunnison, Colorado
Posts: 310
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« Reply #2 on: January 12, 2011, 11:27:49 AM » |
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I am aiming at a TD attempt, but if that falls thru the old Grand Loop might be my consulation. We shall see, Jefe
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Topic Name: grand loop
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Reply #3 on: January 12, 2011, 06:06:18 PM
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warofattrition
Posts: 17
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« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2011, 06:06:18 PM » |
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the temps in may are average 78/46 at night...not bad for the desert...what months have most itt's been done? the kokopelli in june is brutally hot...is anyone else interested in a little mass start?
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Topic Name: grand loop
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Reply #4 on: January 12, 2011, 07:47:18 PM
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Marshal
Location: Colorado
Posts: 951
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« Reply #4 on: January 12, 2011, 07:47:18 PM » |
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Maybe, I have other plans, but still, maybe........
However, to be honest if I attempt it again, a May nighttime start using the much more attractive "DH" start/finish location is calling me more than the traditional location/time
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Topic Name: grand loop
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Reply #5 on: January 13, 2011, 06:56:46 AM
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JimL
Location: Michigan
Posts: 77
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« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2011, 06:56:46 AM » |
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What's the definition of insanity again?  I'm also a maybe. It's in my tentative slew of suffering but probably more as an ITT from a non-traditional start time/location. Possibly a little further up the road from the "DH" spot. 'Course like the weather, that can and probably will change on a whim. Jim |
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Topic Name: grand loop
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Reply #6 on: January 13, 2011, 12:11:43 PM
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DaveH
Moderator
Posts: 975
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« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2011, 12:11:43 PM » |
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the temps in may are average 78/46 at night...not bad for the desert...what months have most itt's been done? the kokopelli in june is brutally hot...is anyone else interested in a little mass start?
MC - who more or less lives on the route and for several years rode and promoted the GL - thought the best time to start was ~ June 1, 6PM in GJ. Generally speaking that has proved to be about as good a date as can be set in advance. The real kicker is being able to get over the Unc - it holds snow into early June after a wet winter or cool spring. Doing an ITT affords one some latitude on date and start location choices. In '09 everyone started at different times, went in different directions, and used different start locations! A common start time & location has advantages but it is going to be a job of herding cats  |
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Topic Name: grand loop
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Reply #7 on: January 13, 2011, 07:40:08 PM
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ScottM
bikepacking.net admin
Location: Wherever the GeoPro is parked.
Posts: 2863
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« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2011, 07:40:08 PM » |
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Doing an ITT affords one some latitude on date and start location choices. In '09 everyone started at different times, went in different directions, and used different start locations!
But one thing united us all -- suffering. |
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Topic Name: grand loop
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Reply #8 on: January 14, 2011, 02:14:12 PM
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krefs
Location: Prescott, AZ
Posts: 492
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« Reply #8 on: January 14, 2011, 02:14:12 PM » |
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I would like to give it another go next year. If I do so, it'll be in September, and hopefully not during a week of record-high temps like my failed attempt this past year.
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Topic Name: grand loop
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Reply #9 on: January 14, 2011, 04:04:51 PM
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Stefan_G
Posts: 453
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« Reply #9 on: January 14, 2011, 04:04:51 PM » |
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I know I said never again last time I rode it, but...
Well, you all know how the story goes with these things.
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“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.”
-- frequently (mis)attributed to Thomas Jefferson
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Topic Name: grand loop
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Reply #10 on: January 24, 2011, 02:09:35 PM
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Stefan_G
Posts: 453
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« Reply #10 on: January 24, 2011, 02:09:35 PM » |
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Hey Scott-
Can you post up that Paradox reroute map again sometime?
Thanks!
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“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.”
-- frequently (mis)attributed to Thomas Jefferson
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Topic Name: grand loop
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Reply #11 on: January 24, 2011, 03:37:57 PM
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Topic Name: grand loop
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Reply #12 on: January 24, 2011, 04:04:16 PM
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ScottM
bikepacking.net admin
Location: Wherever the GeoPro is parked.
Posts: 2863
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« Reply #12 on: January 24, 2011, 04:04:16 PM » |
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Thanks for the assist Dan. Sorry we lost a day in the conversation due to the server issues. More direct link to the map: http://www.copmoba.org/docs/ParadoxTrailReroute2011.pdfMore singletrack = more better, IMHO.  |
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Topic Name: grand loop
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Reply #13 on: April 22, 2011, 04:01:36 PM
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JimL
Location: Michigan
Posts: 77
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« Reply #13 on: April 22, 2011, 04:01:36 PM » |
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Tradition ticks in six weeks.
The SWE graph is looking good (below avg for this time of year) and without a spring storm, a mid/late May attempt might go? That's my aim and I'll definitely await a window of fair weather in that time frame.
Anyone else still mulling this over? Or been out to scout the new section near Nucla?
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Topic Name: grand loop
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Reply #14 on: April 22, 2011, 06:48:30 PM
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ScottM
bikepacking.net admin
Location: Wherever the GeoPro is parked.
Posts: 2863
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« Reply #14 on: April 22, 2011, 06:48:30 PM » |
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Good for you Jim. I want to see you conquer this beast.
No plans for me, but wanted to say that the new Nucla section won't be done for several years. I can check for any updates from Paul Koski, but esp. this year I'd say it's the same old story -- stick with the original route and ignore the grumpy property owner for the short distance he claims to own a public road.
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Topic Name: grand loop
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Reply #15 on: May 09, 2011, 09:00:27 PM
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DaNM
Posts: 122
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« Reply #15 on: May 09, 2011, 09:00:27 PM » |
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I could use a 2nd opinion on the snotel link http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/cgibin/snotel/snotelday2.pl?site=409&station=08l02s&state=co&report=depth Out of convenience I may start in Dewey. JimL if you want to join a fellow michigander I will PM you w/ my #. Sounds like you wanted to start there. Should be a relaxing place to start/end. And it makes it a LOT easier. Starting in GJ really makes this loop harder. If one starts in Dewey they get supply twice there+GJ late in the ride. I`m 8 weeks out from a broken collarbone and that pack will be lighter. Any start other than GJ deserves an asterisk. Some day I`ll give this a traditional run, that would be a real beehotch. |
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Topic Name: grand loop
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Reply #16 on: May 09, 2011, 10:36:22 PM
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krefs
Location: Prescott, AZ
Posts: 492
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« Reply #16 on: May 09, 2011, 10:36:22 PM » |
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Despite how good the SNOTEL graph looks at first glance, based on what I saw in 2008, 3-4 weeks are probably required from the time the snow depth at Columbine Pass hits zero to when the singletrack at the top is mostly free of snow. Anyone else with observations of this, feel free to chime in. I think DaveH gave it a go in mid-May in 2007 and got shut down by deep snow up high, and 2 weeks later he tried again and smoked the thing without any snow problems...that year Columbine Pass melted out on April 29 according to the SNOTEL data.
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Topic Name: grand loop
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Reply #17 on: May 10, 2011, 11:43:00 AM
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JimL
Location: Michigan
Posts: 77
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« Reply #17 on: May 10, 2011, 11:43:00 AM » |
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From the looks of things on my end (obviously, ymmv), the Unc is looking like mid June before the coast is clear.
DanNM, I'd be all up for a group start but like the conundrum of herding cats goes, everyone is of their own devices with regards to what is passable or not. That said, I'm looking at starting from Westwater and hoping to ride, not walk, the Pool Creek section.
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Topic Name: grand loop
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Reply #18 on: May 10, 2011, 01:13:17 PM
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DaveH
Moderator
Posts: 975
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« Reply #18 on: May 10, 2011, 01:13:17 PM » |
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Ditto what Kurt said. That gauge at columbine is in a meadow as I recall (rode right by it in the referred to attempt), and also about 600' lower elevation than the route highpoint. Those 600' make a huge difference, especially on north facing slopes in deep wooded areas. As for a Dewey start being easier - unless you know this for a fact that may prove to be a poor assumption. When you get to GJ you will be DONE regardless of where you start. Heat tolerance tends to get worse, not better over several days of exposure. |
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Topic Name: grand loop
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Reply #19 on: May 11, 2011, 08:45:50 AM
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DaNM
Posts: 122
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« Reply #19 on: May 11, 2011, 08:45:50 AM » |
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"As for a Dewey start being easier - unless you know this for a fact that may prove to be a poor assumption. When you get to GJ you will be DONE regardless of where you start. Heat tolerance tends to get worse, not better over several days of exposure."
Thats more to think about. From a heat standpoint you are probably right, it could be a killer finish. Speedsters apparently leave GJ at 6pm and be up Beaver Mesa by 10 the next morning, then coast into to Bedrock for a quick soda-pop and nap, I`m slow and will be stuck out in the heat anyways.
From a supply standpoint starting at Dewey has essentially three major supply points. Begin/end and GJ.
A daunting task is lugging food for 4 days out of Grand Disfunction. An alternative start takes that factor out and needs to be noted.
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