CTR 2011: Race Updates & Results

[THE LONG RANGER]

Chapeau Jefe! that was a good run.

[ScottM]

Ezster remains rock steady - and will need to remain so to stay in front of Cat who is ~ 6 hours back.  These girls are going to take it to the line...question is, will one of them finish 1st overall? 

Good question.  Eszter is moving into second right now... catching/passing Jesse.   

[ramstrong1]

Hey Stefan,

Thanks for the photos.  Cool to put faces to names - not to mention checking out everyone's bikes and setups. What an AWESOME event!

[lmc81224]

#5, left is Drew Holbrook, Crested Butte/Gunnison CO!

[Loudpawlz]

11, 1st rider on the left (rigid fork) Eric Cutlip.

[NedCOJo]

Looks like some not so fun storms E/SE of the Trail right now. Hope they stay away.

Way to bust a move TJ!  Dave says, "Yo! Allstar..."

[ScottM]

Looks like some not so fun storms E/SE of the Trail right now. Hope they stay away.

I just added an animated "radar loop" to the map layers.  I can't get it to keep looping, but it does give an idea of how things are developing.

Also, you'll no longer be sent to the plains when you accidentally click somewhere other than a dot while the radar is active.

Stopped raining in Salida for the moment, so I'm heading out!

[sf]

can Eszter be any more of a bad ass???

[yetibetinat]

can Eszter be any more of a bad ass???

--- no not really, she is JUST AMAZING.

[crrinco]

The first #14(probably meant 13) is Steve Lacey who did a great job making it out sick.

We are still routing on Kurt Ireland. " GO KURTIE GO, GO KUTIE GO "

[lrossi]

Jesse must be having mechanical or health problems to have slowed so much. I think he rides faster than that when sleeping.

Any information/rumors/conjecture?

[DaveH]

Wow.  I mean just WOW.  

I feel so bad for Jesse.  Whatever ails him has got to be too much to overcome.  He is throwing everything at this right now, his grit is inspirational.  He's at a  point of no return.  Beyond Silver Creek it is really committing.  The next services on route are in Silverton, umpteen mountain passes and one (3?) infamous CT segment from where he is.  He could bail to Lake City if forced to, but knowing what Segment 17 is like he surely won't go any further unless he knows he can go the distance.  I've been in his shoes and they fit like a damn bear trap.  Bailing from Lake City is no picnic for a compromised body.

If Jesse is indeed out, that means all of the pre-race male favorites are out.  That's just insane.

So the current position is

1.  KT, single speeder
2.  EH, 1st female
3.  Jesse
4.  GP, a roadie!
5-7 MN, ZG, JR (don't know if they are on gears or SS)
8-10 all single speeders! JF, AC, SG

I predict when all is said and done half of the top 10 will be either SS or female.

Zoooooooooooom!

[DaveH]

Jesse must be having mechanical or health problems to have slowed so much. I think he rides faster than that when sleeping.

Any information/rumors/conjecture?

Only conjecture - but I have raced with him for years.  He is showing all the signs of an illness.  He spent over 1.5 hours at the bathrooms at the top of Marshal pass - there was weather in the area, it could have been shelter, or perhaps he has the runs god forbid.  In any event, he keeps stopping for long periods and is moving slow when moving as far as I can tell.  Could be getting dehydrated or just something like what JK succumbed to. 

That he doesn't just take Marshal  pass road down and bail means he has a glimmer of hope and is willing to wait it out, maybe see some improvement to his condition and finish the beast out.  I've only seen him crack once, and that was a lap race so easy enough to just stop riding, this is different.  He knows what lies ahead...

It is really impressive to see him NOT bail under these conditions.

[Stefan_G]

It is really impressive to see him NOT bail under these conditions.

Man, bailing can be the hardest thing to do for someone in his position.  Even when all signs are pointing to that as the right decision, having invested so much in getting to where he is.  He's digging deep for sure - I just hope he doesn't dig so deep he can't get out.  He certainly has a ton of experience, especially with foul weather from last year's race, but being so exhausted and sleep-deprived can do funny things to your decision making sometimes.

Hang in there Jesse!

[galacticpilot]

This race is getting me stoked on endurance racing again. Last one I did was Montezuma's back in '06. These guys and gals are inspirational. Seems to me if Kevin Thomas can get to the base of the San Juan's by tonight (he's right now sitting at Cochetopa Pass), have a smooth ride into Silverton tomorrow (no easy task), he'll be set up very nicely to win this thing and get some rest in the process. He can pretty much ride his own race at this point.

Go Gooney Riders - Eszter and Chris Miller! The number one married couple so far as I can tell. 

[Double D]

@galacticpilot. me too! and i raced Montezuma's in '98 so you must be also "getting up there" in age. these riders and this event is incredibly inspirational, especially growing up on the Front Range and living in Durango for several years. just seeing friends on both ends of the route may be enough to make start training!

good luck everyone.

[Stefan_G]

I predict when all is said and done half of the top 10 will be either SS or female.

Indeed!  I've always thought a SS might actually be an advantage rather than a handicap in the CTR.  That is, perhaps, the biggest reason I haven't kept track in the results of how many gears people have on their bike.  Lighter weight for all that hiking, more reliable in the horrible weather, and a time-saver when you don't have to at least try and get more than 1 gear working when your shifters and dérailleurs are all mucked up.  Choosing a SS over gears is just another choice in the laundry list of what (and what not) to bring with you on the CTR.

Unfortunately, being female just isn't a choice for many of us...    Darn it!

[ssmbikeman]

 Jesse,

     All your Friends back here in Canada are pulling for you! hang in there, don't let the gorilla get you!

Matt
 

[DaveH]

Seems to me if Kevin Thomas can get to the base of the San Juan's by tonight (he's right now sitting at Cochetopa Pass), have a smooth ride into Silverton tomorrow (no easy task), he'll be set up very nicely to win this thing and get some rest in the process. He can pretty much ride his own race at this point.

I'll take that a step further - I think he's got a shot at Owen's seemingly unbeatable record time.  Kevin just wrapped out a very difficult section from hwy 50 to North Pass in under 12 hours.  That's about 4 hours faster than anyone did it last year.  He is not getting tired, I think he's picking it up. Amazing!  He will likely be a little over 3 hours behind record pace at Cochetopa park.  How strong he is in the San Jauns, and how gear limited he is on the big La Garita detour will be a couple big factors for him.  I don't know him, but based on is "flow" I'd say it's within his reach...if he is willing to bury himself.  And of course we all are when a record is on the line

Go Gooney Riders - Eszter and Chris Miller! The number one married couple so far as I can tell. 

Hells yea!  Go everyone!

[galacticpilot]

I'll take that a step further - I think he's got a shot at Owen's seemingly unbeatable record time.  Kevin just wrapped out a very difficult section from hwy 50 to North Pass in under 12 hours.  That's about 4 hours faster than anyone did it last year.  He is not getting tired, I think he's picking it up. Amazing!  He will likely be a little over 3 hours behind record pace at Cochetopa park.  How strong he is in the San Jauns, and how gear limited he is on the big La Garita detour will be a couple big factors for him.  I don't know him, but based on is "flow" I'd say it's within his reach...if he is willing to bury himself.  And of course we all are when a record is on the line
Hells yea!  Go everyone!

Indeed. I have to admit, It'd be really cool to see Eszter win this thing. You somehow kind of know she's not going to bonk...she fast, but she's also strong and steady. And well trained - girl was doing double sessions up Red Lady in Crested Butte all winter. I wouldn't rule it out by any means. She's not fast for a girl - she's just fast.