I'm most likely in for SB ITT this year and will be doing the Tarryall detour with resupply (if needed), off Kenosha into Jefferson.  Tarryall just seems to be more in the ethos of the whole ride and, if doing it makes the resupply more challenging, so be it.  Heck, the resupply from BV to Silverton is pretty challenging and we accept that as a matter of course.

As far as NB goes, boy I'm not sure riding 285 in low-light conditions would be a good deal, even if it's only for 45 minutes, especially if sleep-deprived.  BTW, many of the resupply options in Bailey or Jefferson are not all night operations so keep that in mind for planning purposes.

I kind of consider the CT from Waterton to Breck as "frontcountry" and the rest more "backcountry".  Amping up the challenge of the "frontcountry" section would always seem like a good choice, IMHO.

I too apologize if my posts have taken a "do whatever you want to do" attitude as well.  I can appreciate the need for a set of rules and for adherence to those when racing.

I guess I just don't see much ambiguity in the rules.

http://www.climbingdreams.net/ctr/ctr_rules.html

And it seems that we are introducing much more grey than intended.

If I wonder whether or not, then I won't.  If another does or does not, not my problem.  Ultimately, you're the only one who has to live in your head.

I still remember an email Stefan sent out the year I rode the CTR where he said for us first-timers, you only get to do this (be a novice) once, do it right.  Definitely stuck with me during the ride.

IMO, unless I am contesting in the top 3 racers (never for me), I am only "racing" myself.  To many of the leader types, the pace I ride would be quite laid back and more like a tour than a race.  Does that mean it's not an epic challenge for me?  I can assure you that I still find plenty of challenge on the course.  Do I care that my pace is a tour for some?  Nah, just as long as I get to Junction Creek before my buddy!  

The reality is that we all receive some degree of support out there.  To be honest, getting a bike shop to work on your bike, supply a part, etc., whether you call ahead or not, is receiving support.  Is it available to everyone?  Sure, but only if you get there when they are open, you have the money to pay for it, etc.  I don't know much about the Vendee Globe, but if you were riding across Antarctica or Outback, you couldn't just pull up at the closest bike shop for a repair or grocery store for resupply.  You would truly have to be self-sufficient, anticipating every possible issue/dilemma you may face and have the skills to address them yourself.  

Calling home to receive emotional "support" from my wife or daughter is yet another example.  Does that make me ride faster than I would otherwise or slower?  Hard to say.  I could argue either way on that one!  By receiving that support, does that make my "race" any less or, more pertinent to the current discussion, make someone else's "race" any less?  I would argue not but that's my decision to make.  Do we stipulate that phone calls can only be made from pay phones, telegraph, Morse code, smoke signals?  Where is the line?

And speaking of technology, I mean, come on, GPS units that beep as soon as you deviate from the track?  Frankly, we are riding a signed trail through the Colorado backcountry on pieces of technology (e.g., full suspension, carbon fiber frames) wearing pieces of technology (e.g., iPods, GPSs, SPOTs) that would appear truly alien to people from another time period.  Heck, even to people in this time period!

It seems like this argument is akin to how many angels can fit on a pinhead and unlikely to result in a definitive answer, other than the current rules.  Then, how to police (yikes!) those participating gets even more ridiculous.  It's becoming more of a "Are you a true believer?" and "If so, prove it!?" thing.  Let's be honest, this is a wholly created, self-imposed "adventure" that any one of us can take or leave at any moment.  None of us need to do this to eat tomorrow.    

Do I love bikepacking and the ultra racing format?  Definitely, and I'm sure we all do.  But arguing about minutiae and building these into unassailable bastions from which we launch attacks against each other is quixotic and much ado about nothing.  In fact, this discussion is very much like those had between religious types (e.g., Allah, God, Buddha, Yahweh, etc.)  The risk is that we try to legislate "epic" and, in so doing, destroy the very reasons we all go out there.  To push ourselves (as individuals) and our bikes  , enjoy a beautiful trail through some amazing country, meet some cool people, and score some sweet sponsorships afterwards  

Keep the rules simple.  Enjoy yourself.  Sleep.  Eat.  Ride.  More! (repeat)

On the Appalachian Trail, the maxim is "Hike your own hike"

I guess it's simply the addition of "race" to the Colorado Trail that engenders this kind of intense discussion.  IMO, the rules, as stated on CTR website, are pretty simple.  My personal feeling is that if I wondered if what I was intending could result in a DQ, then I probably shouldn't do it.

Ultimately, everyone will make their own decisions out there based on a variety of inputs.  No one can be there to police or monitor those decisions and, frankly, given the exact same circumstances, we might all come up with a different answer.

Keeping the rules simple and straightforward seems like the best plan.  To modify the maxim above, "Ride your own ride".  At the end of the trail, only you will know or frankly care if you lived up to the standard.

Personally, I feel that the more I think about this stuff, the more I realize I should be riding more instead! 

Way to go Jefe!  

Awesome ride, getting it done in < 4 days!  Amazing!  

Props to Ethan and Jesse too!  Incredible effort by all three of you.

Best of luck to all the other riders out there, tearing it up!  Keep on rolling towards Durango.

Re: lights,

I really like the Fenix LD20 and LD10 with lithium AA batteries.  They also take alkaline which is fine when all you have access to is a roadside gas station (almost daily on the CT, other than BV - Silverton).  Lithiums last a long time, when you use the lower settings, and I find the LD20 to be more than adequate all by itself as a helmet light.  The LD10 is usually a backup option. 

I've seen too many widowmakers (head high trees across the trail) to not slow down when riding at night, especially on long downs (think Lead side of Kokomo Pass) and reconcile my ride to safety over speed. 

I think rechargeable lights are not really that useful on the trail, unless you are planning on staying in hotel rooms and, even then, it depends on how to recharge the lights.  I would rather carry the weight of batteries than a recharging cord, but YMMV.

Princeton EOSs seem popular as well.  When my friend and I did CTR in 2010, we asked ourselves how much night riding we were planning on doing and carried lights appropriately.  Considering our first goal was to finish and carry less weight, we actually didn't carry any lights (except for camp light which could have been used in a tight spot) then, assuming, rightly, that we would be sleeping at night and not need lights.  All depends on what kind of ride will be riding.

J

Alex,

Looking forward to following your ride.  Tear it up out there!

Jason

Hey guys,

Just got back from a 9 day bikepacking trip.  First three days were from Waterton to Leadville on CT.  Trail was perfectly clear, though very dry and soft.  Be ready for water management as many of the smaller streams were not flowing.  Heat was a real problem as well, so keep up with those frozen burritos (i.e., lots of salt)!  Small snowfield on back side of Searle but that is probably already gone by now.

Last 6 days was a loop in the Tincup/TaylorPark/Gunnison that incorporated some of the CT north-bound, from La Garita detour to Chalk Creek TH.  Amazingly Sargent's Mesa was just as hard coming the other direction.  Hmm, imagine that!

No Apple at Lujan Pass TH!  Has anyone heard anything about him?  I hope he is OK.  Kind of bummed not to see him but hopeful we were just early.

Water was a concern but all the regular sources were flowing well.  Got water out of Baldy Lake and Tank Seven was flowing well, at that time.  Sargent's is always a bit of a challenge for water but you just got to get through the rocks!  It was good seeing it from the other direction, definitely not easier, but good. 

Saw some Tour Dividers on Marshall Pass road (we took a detour down Marshall Pass road to Sargent's for breakfast, then back up Old Monarch Pass road to the Crest and Fooses).  Ice cream at Monarch Pass store, then down off Fooses Creek.  Brutal but fast.  Good water at Angel of Shavano CG, then ripped it all the way back to truck at Chalk Creek TH.

No issues with fires, though could smell smoke outside Lead.  Forests are tinder dry and I would not be surprised as the summer moves along that there are issues. 

I would definitely consider doing the ride ITT this year instead of waiting for official race start.  The trail is already clear (didn't ride South San Juans, but can only imagine they are clear already too with our lack of snowfall) and the water sources are only getting thinner.

No CTR for me this year but am hoping to do it NoBo next year.  Hope springs eternal!

Lastly, consider supporting Colorado Trail Foundation.  They work hard to keep the trail clear and rolling for all of us.  Segment 12 is going to be a real chore to get cleared (300 blowdowns in 2 miles of trail!), not to mention all the other regular maintenance they do and we get the benefit of.  If you don't think it's important, ride CT in spring and enjoy the winter's effects!  Climbing down off the soapbox now.   

Have a great ride, 2012 CTRers!  Looking forward to following you guys! 

What a great effort from everyone.  This is awesome to watch and be a part of, even remotely.  My friend and I are seriously considering attempting this beast next year. 

Congratulations to all the finishers and keep rolling to all those still on the trail.

Way to go Owen!  What an amazing ride!  Hope to see some pictures and/or a trip report, you know, after a bit of a rest!  

It looks like Jason Shelman might be off the trail.  Looks like he has been frustrated javascript:void(0); either looking for the trail or looking for an escape route.  I hope he is OK. 

What a great place to learn and apply some good information.

My name is Jason.  I have been biking since I was a kid (I'm 38 now), but only recently took up bikepacking.  Previously I was into ultralight backpacking and this has translated well into bikepacking. 

I am not a Colorado native, but have lived here for about 12 years.  A friend and I recently did our first multi-day trip on the Colorado Trail, from Kenosha Pass to Hwy 50 then returned on the GDMBR.  What a great trip!!  Whetted both of our appetites for more rides. 

There is so much good information on this website.  Thank you everyone for sharing your knowledge and experience.  Looking forward to many long rides to come.  Long Live Long Rides!!