Toby,
Re: X-Kings
Wondering if you had problems getting the X-Kings to seal?

I had to leave them on their sides for a day or two to get the sidewalls sealed. Slosh the Stans around every hour or so, then let them sit on a trash can so that they stay level. After that, they haven't leaked at all. I've run X-Kings twice on Kokopelli's too, and never had a problem. German versions with ProTection.

I'll try to get in touch with someone from Kirkland construction to see if the closure would affect bicycles the same as cars.

Thanks Stefan!

It's time for me to get some new tires. What are you all using on the CTR? I am thinking of just getting another set of 2.25" tubeless Ardent's since they have never let me down, but I wonder how much lighter/faster I could go without sacrificing too much durability.

Sidewall durability shouldn't be overlooked on the CTR. There's some especially sharp volcanic stuff in the San Juans. Like most equipment, you'll need to decide whether the increased risk of bailing due to gear failure outweighs the satisfaction of finishing more slowly with reliable gear.

I rode the CTR last year with a Continental X-King on the rear, and a Mountain King II on the front (ProTection versions). The Mountain King gave me some extra security on the wetter/muddier days. Both tires were new at the start, and pretty trashed by the end. In 2010, I rode with Continental Mountain Kings (original versions, with ProTection), and they were pretty trashed by the end, too.

I'll probably ride with the same setup this year, X-King in the rear and MK II on the front. If it looks like a low-rain year, I might put X-Kings on both wheels.

Yep, Joey nailed my favorite parts too. In general, it gets prettier the closer to Durango.

You ate your chain?

Yeah, but not before slathering it with my special extra-virgin olive oil & sun-dried chain lube. Amazing what tastes good after 400 miles!

hmm.... this could be interesting. Guy B is 40 minutes behind guy A. Guy A has to wait for 40 minutes because of the construction...Guy B catches up to Guy A right when they open the road again.

It's not the first time that road construction has caused delays on the CTR. In 2010, the road out of Silverton was being worked on, with long delays between pilot cars. While waiting, I took the opportunity to eat and lube my chain.

The server suffered a bad crash and it's been slow to get everything back.  Please be patient.   It'll be back.

Yeah! That's great news. Thanks for informing the ignorant masses.

I think the website went down or the owner lost interest in maintaining it when that "fixy rider" woman complained about being regulated.  I think they threw the towel in.

The timing wasn't likely right for Deanna's issue to have played a role.

and why does there need to be an organizer? seems like there is plenty of information floating about to go do what anybody wants to do and if there intention is for it to be public then Trackleaders can pick that end up if you so incline to hire them for there service. and if people want to leave on the same date then that will happen through these outlets.
am i missing something? what is it that people are looking for from an organizer that you can't figure out right now - through others and the archived material?
i don't think it matters at this point if the website goes stale and there is no one person to ask curious questions too. it will carry on just fine without.

It's pretty hard to argue that the TD hasn't benefited from an organizer. Matthew Lee has put a huge amount of time and energy into the TD. Everything from drafting and tweaking rules to posting last-minute fire and snow re-routes. The website was a fun resource for inspiration, results, etc. Matthew's generosity has inspired and enabled many people to undertake life-altering adventures.

The other big races also owe a lot to their respective organizers. Part of what they have done is to help address potential legal and access issues. Not by filling in reams of paperwork, but rather by directing participants to follow certain customs, maintaining positive relationships with agencies, etc. For example, Scott's leadership has helped the AZT navigate the Grand Canyon crossing in a way that works for everyone. Stefan maintains a positive relationship with the Colorado Trail Foundation. Subtle stuff--but highly effective at helping keep these events alive.

Maybe all of these races will one day become as secretive and underground as the KTR. To me, that would be a pity. I think that skillful and dedicated organizers can help prevent that from happening.

The GDMBR is the route, not a race.  The Great Divide Race is the GDR, which technically still exists and is/was run by Mike Curiak and Pete Basinger.  When Matthew campaigned (rather persistently) for inclusion of the Canadian section of the GDMBR, Mike pretty much told him if he didn't like it to go start his own race, which he did - the Tour Divide.

The first person to do a time trial of the ACA route was indeed Stamstad, but not as a race.  Mike Curiak also attempted a time trial before launching the GDR.

I think that we agree. Time-trails have, and continue to be, a part of the race. That's why JP's effort established a new record, even though it was a time trial. Likewise, Stamstad and Curiak both raced in the same style.

But all of this is pretty irrelevant, except for the question of what the future of the race should look like. It seems to me that if an organizer stops organizing, than someone else should be welcome to step up. This is already happening in many respects, in that the the Google doc sign-up wasn't established by Matthew. And the rules are now archived on the web--not maintained by Matthew. Finishes are no longer recorded by Matthew or anyone else--except for course records which now live on bikepacking.net.

All that I'm saying is that if Matthew Lee is finished, or if he remains publicly mute and abandons the website, then others will perpetuate the event--as is already occurring. Is that a bad thing?

The Tour Divide is still Mathew Lee's race, although anyone is welcome to start a new tour or race if they like.

Sort of. Matthew Lee actually took a then-current race, the GDMBR, and expanded it to include the Canadian section. The route was actually established by the Adventure Cycling Association, not by Mike or Matthew. Further, the first racer was actually Stamstad. In short, Matthew Lee is just the latest "owner" of a tradition--and probably not the last.

But I'm not saying that anyone should take anything away from Matthew Lee without his blessing. Rather, if he's done with the website and the like, there is a precedent (which Matthew reinforced himself) for someone to take it to the next level.

Or, you'll ask a fellow racer to watch your bike, like I did for you last summer at the BV City Market or whatever grocery that is .

Yep, that is the best approach. Thanks for that. I did the same for another guy who showed up as I was packing up. In 2010, there were 3-4 of us who took turns watching bikes and shopping.

Alas, there are times when nobody else is around. I've only used my lock twice in three years--but I was glad that I had it.

So what's the reason for no official TD website? Why is the URL / domain / name dead? I forget if I ever knew...

Also, I wonder why the site is still listed as the official contact on Wiki when it hasn't been active in 2 years now...

As far as I know, there has never been a public response to this question. Seems like the site went mostly silent around the last time that Matthew Lee raced the Tour Divide. He was the guy behind the race and the site, so the easy guess is that he just doesn't have time for it anymore. Understandable considering how much work it must have taken--and he's got kids, work, etc.

Maybe it's time for someone from the "next generation" to get something going. Qualifications would seem to include an intimate knowledge of the route, abundant time and energy, reasonable web skills, eagerness to work for free, a level head, and a thick skin. Lots of people probably have two or three of these these characteristics, but few have them all!

I've ridden it twice with Continental X-Kings (Protection version), set up tubeless with Stans. No flats either time.

Go with the fattest version that will fit on your bike. In dry conditions, there's SAND out there!

This is, unfortunately, pretty common. For most people, recovery seems to take a few months. After the CTR last year, I had a couple of numb toes for 3-4 months.

The first time I finished the CTR, my hands took a LONG time to recover--2-3 months. Changing my riding position (more upright with a shorter stem) and properly positioning my Ergons helped a lot last year. I still finished with a sore wrist and a little numbness in my pinkies, but in a couple of weeks I was back to normal.

The moral of the story: You will recover, slowly. Next time, work on your position and contact points so that it won't be so bad!

Hi all,
planning a relatively early Colorado trail mission. Most likely will have some long snowfield crossing at the high spots. has anybody come up with a shoe cover/or gator arrangement that worked well?
in the past I just slowly loose contact w/ my feet and recover/dry out on the other side.
I don't want to do this day after day or inflict it on my daughter who will be with me.
any ideas?

Depending on the material that your shoes are made out of, you could apply a heavy layer of Sno-Seal waterproofing or something similar: http://www.rei.com/category/4501302. Leather shoes would probably be best.

To keep the snow out of the tops of your shoes, you could try short gaiters like these: http://www.rei.com/product/847738/rei-trail-running-gaiter

Do you guys bring bike locks? Just adding up my equipment and would hate to see it grow legs and find a new home.

I carry a small luggage lock. It doesn't offer much protection, but probably enough to deter someone from just casually riding away with my bike when I'm in a store.

Any insights or recommendations for a good CTR shoe are much appreciated.

As gimmearaise noted, various models of Pearl Izumu X-Alps are very popular. I've used an older version of Shimano's Mountain Touring shoes for my last three efforts, and I really like them. A little stiffer than the X-Alps, but still very hikeable. http://www.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/shoe_test.html#mens/mtb/4/SH-MT33L

thanks guys! with that being said do you guys bring tablets for water or a filter? obviously the tablets are lighter but just curious what you guys like to use on the CTR.

People use filters, tablets, iodine, bleach, Steripens, nothing, etc. depending on their personal preferences. I use Aquamira drops.

Sorry, I'm still a bit confused - is official route no longer going right through Leadville?  I had thought Stefan said only the Tarryall portion was going to potentially change.

From the CTR website (http://www.climbingdreams.net/ctr/):

Holy Cross / Mount Massive Wilderness Detour - Head right on Halfmoon Creek Road, then right on Hwy-300.
Option 1: Bypass Leadville by going left on CR-5A straight up to US-24.
Option 2: Go into Leadville and back out on US-24.
Once on US-24 north of leadville, go left on FS-100, then right on Wurtz Ditch road and intersect segment 9.

So, for those who don't want to stop for delicious goodies in downtown Leadville, you can bypass all of the chaos and traffic.