When I read the part about the construction delays on the website, it indicated that the (up to) 40 minute delays (May 28 to Aug 30) was 7 days a week but the part right before that mentions a complete road closure on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 am to 4pm (I think it means that the road will be closed 3 days a week during those times for the entire duration of the construction project, including during the CTR - please correct me if I misread it).  Unless I read that wrong, that means for the CTR starting on Sunday, anyone trying to finish in 3-5 days will hit a closed road (at least if they hit it from 10 am to 4 pm).

I wove bright orange cord in spokes, wheel and thru frame and tied a knot.  I brought the orange cord for general purposes (like duct tape, a bit of rope is always useful) so it wasn't extra weight.  Don't know if the bright orange cord kept people away or attracted attention!  Of course, a knife would cut thru it in no time.  I like a couple of suggestions here and next time will  shift a few times and then drop the chain to make an awkward get-a-way.  And the Spot will remain on to track any b@@t@rd that takes my bike!  Still, the best idea is to put it next to a window so you can see it from inside.  If that is not possible, then I constantly went outside to check on it (not ideal but best I could come up with).

Check out the trip reports on this site.  There are at least a couple of trip reports doing the CT from Durango to Denver.

Those B@@t@rds!  What type of bike/color?  Will keep a look out for it up in Ft Collins.

Sean, wow, great pics! Makes me drool for awesome backcountry singletrack. Can't make it this year but hope to next year.

Way to go Rebecca!!!

I have had limited use of a Spot, but I didn't have any problems.  I strapped it to the top of my seatbag (Revelate - it has loops on the top to strap it on) so it was pretty flat and unobstructed.  I also have a FS, though I don't know if that has any effect on it. 

I have wondered, when such electronics take a beating when strapped to components w/o suspension (i.e. if you strap to seatbag on a hardtail), if that affects performance.

I use the pole that tarptent sells separately on their website.  I have seen others post about making their own poles but I am not crafty enough to do that. That pole has worked well enough, though in a heavy storm with high winds, it bends a bit but not enough to concern me.  You can go w/o a pole, using a stick but I am not a big fan of that since you have to spend time looking for a stick each night that won't snap and is the right size.  You can also go w/o a pole if you guy it out and tie it to a tree (assuming a tree is available and nearby to where you want to setup).  

I tie the pole separately to my bike (tent goes in bag in the handlebar sling).  It folds down into 3 pieces.  I tie one end of the collapsed pole just below the stem and slide it down the top tube and under the velcro to the feedbag - works well and doesn't move at all.  You can kind of see the orange cord that I used to tie it below the stem in the attached pic.

Just curious - is there any re-supply option at all on (or near) the Tarryall route? Gas station/commercial fishing hut/camping/rv area w/convenience store/etc?

I like the tarptent Contrail - $200, 1 1/2 lbs, takes less than 2 minutes to set up, packs pretty small, includes bug net and bathtub floor.  Of course, the type of shelter you need depends on how much you want to spend, what you need it for, weight, etc. 

Don't know anything about the SD Light Year Solo but $100 for a worthy shelter sounds good to me.  Good luck with it!

Based on Matt's post, I would amend my prior post re publicly making a list of CTF donors to add that "contributing" would include volunteering for the CTF (trail days or otherwise) so there is no distinguishing between financial and service contributions on the list.  Contributing either way is all good.

BTW, many non-profits publicly list their donors for multiple reasons - it encourages others to donate, it publicly thanks the donors and it promotes the non-profit.  I think that the CTR (though it is not a non-profit organization) would help the CTF (which is a non-profit organization) by making a list which would do these things.  Just my two cents.

I am not riding in CTR 2013 (but plan on it in 2014) but perhaps one way to increase "tribal" or "peer" pressure is to list somewhere on this site (and/or on the official CTR site) a list of all riders for that year that have contributed.  In other words, request that everyone who donates to post on this site so it is public and then to add that name to the list (screen names are OK too).  It should not be mentioned how much that rider has donated since everyone has different financial circumstances and even $10 is still helpful (and tax deductible too!). 

Besides, if we get enough people listed, I think it will make everyone "feel good" about it and the CTF may take notice too. Maybe even speak the names of all who donated at the start of each CTR as a way of thanking them (of course, we all need to thank Stefan too for his incredible (and thankless) efforts!!).

I would agree that requiring a donation is problematic from a NFS perspective and I wouldn't want to endanger the CTR.  However, we should all strongly encourage everyone to donate since it is the lifeline of the CTR.  They keep the trail clear and in good condition.  The CTF advocated for bike packers on the proposed new section of trail (which I think is unusual since it is mainly a backpacking organization) and I think they will continue to promote multi-use.  The CTF deserves our support and we should actively encourage all riders to contribute.  I have donated and will donate again to keep this organization going.  I will also try to do trail work, though that will have to wait until next year.  While donations may have been lackluster in the past, I think with more emphasis, greater participation will come.   

I voted for Tarryall but am not doing CTR this year (so you may discount my vote).  Last year, 285 sucked for me.  It was raining hard and visibility was poor for me (glasses were covered w/water and couldn't see anything) and the traffic.  I was very concerned about getting hit by a car/truck, getting knocked/forced off of the road or wiping out.  Of course, going NB and downhill on 285, it may be easier for everyone though flying downhill in a rainstorm at night (if you that is when you get there) seems scary to me.

Anyway, I plan on doing CTR 2014 (which I hope is SB) but 285 v. Tarryall for next year is a conversation for another day. 

The new CT Databook does revise the elevation gain on Segments 11 and 23.  The correct (as stated in the new version) elevation gain for Segment 11 is 2,910 ft and for Segment 23 it's 3,515 ft.  Please support the CT Foundation - it is a great foundation and supports keeping the CT open to mountain bikes!

Thanks for all of the great ideas!  I see some good options, though CCB's seems the cheapest with the least effort - I'll try that one out first and see how long the plastic bags and rubber bands last.  I guess I was over-thinking it too!

Grizzly Adam, Thanks! I (and I am sure others) would like to hear about your experience with the light.  I have a light setup but it's not great so I am always looking for something better for backpacking.  I don't know about others, but for me, a good light is one that has 150-250 lumen (I don't need/want to blast down singletrack at night so I think 150+ lumen is enough), solidly lasts at that level (before dropping off) for at least 6-8 hours (8-10 hrs would be better), is waterproof, reasonably light (4-6 oz), uses easily replaceable batteries and can be attached to the bar or helmet.

I don't have a way to test lights either, just a "hey, this light seems dimmer than an hour ago" - very professional, I know!  Perhaps you could keep one of your PD32s with fresh batteries and, while using the other one, occasionally pull the fresh one out and do an eyeball comparison of the brightness.  I figure the eyeball test is worth somethings since, when you are night riding, when it dims enough that you notice, that is the time when it matters.

I carry a water bottle on the cage attached to the bottom (underneath) of down tube.  The water bottle gets real nasty, particularly on wet, muddy sections and when going thru livestock areas, such that I hate to drink from it (I have been just unscrewing the top and drinking it that way, though some crud usually falls into the water anyway while screwing/unscrewing).

I was thinking about how to resolve this issue and, so far, my idea is to cover the top end of the water bottle with a stuff sack.  My current water bottles have an indent that circles the bottle about one to two inches from the top (not sure if the indent it to make it easier to grasp or is primarily for looks).  I was thinking of getting a small stuff sack, wrapping it upside down around the top of the water bottle and cinch it around the indent and then tying/wrapping the small cord that remains around the bottle cage.  I would think this would protect the nipple of the bottle and keep it clean, while making sure the stuff sack doesn't fly off.  I would think that is light, cheap and shouldn't add too much time to take it on/off.  It does require me to stop riding in order to drink but that is OK.  I usually drink while riding from the camelback and the water bottle holds drink supplements so I don't drink from it that often, usually when I am taking a break.

Any thoughts on this potential setup? Haven't tried it yet but plan on this spring.  Any suggestions for alternatives? Thanks!

Grizzly Adam, I am curious if you would run a test sometime and see how the long the PD32 light actually lasts at either setting (the 135 or 340)(their website says 135 lumen for 8hr 15 min and 340 lumen at 2hr 30 min), before dropping off in brightness.  Is it regulated?

I have noticed that light manufacturer's seem to grossly exaggerate the battery life of their lights (I know that battery life is subject to lots of factors but it doesn't seem like any come close to their representations, or they exaggerate the battery life without disclosing that the brightness fades considerably after X hours/minutes so, yes it last XX hours but the lumen/brightness dropped off measurably after X hrs). Even lights that claim they are regulated will sometimes have their brightness drop off well before the light shuts off.  The PD32 seems like a good light but, for backpacking, I find it is useful to know how good battery life is at a fixed lumen before the brightness or lumen drops off.  Thanks!! 

Matt, you're right. They discontinued it.  The ld-22 looks similar, though. 

Anyone know how long that one lasts using lithium or regular AAs on high (real life testing, not the manufacturer's "claim")? 

Also, I agree that for racing/long distance bikepacking, AAs are much better (whether lithium or regular) since you can easily find AAs at grocery stores and gas stations while CR 123s are harder to find.  Plus, as Yagi notes, interchangeability is a big benefit.  You already carry extra batteries, why carry extra types of batteries?  I limit carrying batteries to AA and AAA, which run all electronics, lights, etc. (except for phone) and am working to limit it to just AAs.