CTR 2012 Planning

[tridennisr]

I just updated my CTR GPS track file. Thanks to Nick Patzer, the starting section through Waterton Canyon is now generated from on-the-ground data--just like every other section.

Please read all the entire blog post before downloading and using this track--there's some important stuff in there that will help you get the most out of the waypoints, etc.

http://tobygadd.blogspot.com/2012/01/colorado-trail-race-gpsgpx-tracks-and.html

Looks great Toby! Thanks!

[spoke537]

I'm planning on a 2-3 day trip ride next weekend, and thinking I may start at Waterton Canyon. Can anyone recommend a safe place to leave my car? I'm a little concerned leaving it at the trailhead may invite thieves or vandals.

Your car will be fine at the Waterton Canyon Trailhead.  Huge lot, lots of people constantly coming and going.  Many cars left there overnight.  Have fun.

-Les

[JReeves]

Just wanted to follow up with the shoe topic brought up on page 10...  So I ordered some of the Pearl Izumi X-alp Enduro III's two weeks ago.

I got them from Amazon two days later.  They appeared to be pretty sturdy, if not bulky.  They are definitely very "plasticy" feeling, and the straps feel pretty cheap. I put them on and wore them around the house for a few hours with no discomfort.  Then I set out for a ride in them... Within two minutes of pedaling up a pretty steep hill I turned around and headed back to the truck to put on another set of shoes... They were simply sloppy feeling... I didn't expect them to be stiff, but these things noodled around the pedals and my foot was sliding around inside despite the straps being cinched as tight as I could get them...
Got home and cleaned them, and boxed them back up for returns.  That same night I did some more browsing and settled on giving the Mavic Alpine's a try, as I love my Mavic road shoes, and my Razors...  Got them through Jenson USA.

Just got them in the mail yesterday just in time for my afternoon ride.  Mounted some cleats into them and slipped them on.  Right away they felt great.  The tread is aggressive and wide, so as to avoid rolling you ankle, but low in profile, so they're not bulky feeling.  Managed to ride a familiar 15 mile loop faster than I ever have, and had absolutely no discomfort.  They didn't need to be re-tightened, nor was walking in them a chore.  So far I'm 100% sold on them.  I'm planning on wearing them for an 8hr race this Saturday, so that will be the true test, as will the one steep climb which will turn to hike a bike by hour 5 or so...

[TobyGadd]

My CTR shoes are a little "sloppy" too when I'm out for short rides. But after my feet swell a bit, they firm right up!

[JReeves]

I hear that!  I took that into consideration, and have some room to "grow" in these Mavics, and the laces offer a ton of adjustment which is nice and simple!
Just a few little loose ends to tie up and I'm good to go... Still not finalized on tire choice...  Was planning on running some big Ardent 2.4's front and rear, but after putting a little lighter and faster rolling tire(Maxxis Ikon) on the singlespeed yesterday and really feeling how much of a difference that made, I'm wondering if the 2.4's are overkill???  Although they're darn near bulletproof, and smooth out the trail when dropped to 20psi, I'm not sure if they're right for the terrain having never ridden it.  What have the rest of you settled on for tires?(29er.)

[riverfever]

Ardent 2.4 front and rear for me.

I would definitely run that 2.4 up front. You can get by with something not as wide in the back but I really like that tire out here. 

[rover67]

Ardent 2.4 front and rear for me.

I would definitely run that 2.4 up front. You can get by with something not as wide in the back but I really like that tire out here. 

I ran ardent 2.4's last year and loved them. Tubeless at a normal pressure to start (like 26) then it was at like less than 20 at the end. I liked them a lot and had no flats.  Nice knowing I had beefy tires when I was tired and riding all kinds of sloppy on gnarly shit.

[JReeves]

Great to hear... I used them a few weeks ago with my rigid fork and about 20 pounds of gear on the bike and had no problems with them on some really unfriendly bike trails.  So I'm sold on them...  Thanks for the reaffirmation of their performance for the CTR specifically... 
Got my Guidebook and Databook in the mail yesterday!!!  Let the homework continue...

[miaphillips]

Tires...I've ridden and raced religiously on Schwalbe Racing Ralphs Snake Skin tubeless for the last 3 years.  This includes Leadville, Breckenridge and Gunnison and some of the CT.  My problems have been very few and far between.  IMHO...best tires ever!

[bartspedden]

just an fyi - looks like the conoco at copper has had some changes. I stopped by last friday night around 8pm and it was closed. From what I could tell the businesses were very different too. The space that was a convenient store looks to be a restaurant now.  Since it was closed I couldn't really tell if the store had just relocated or not.  I'll try to get up there when it's open to find out more.

[mnmtb]

just an fyi - looks like the conoco at copper has had some changes. I stopped by last friday night around 8pm and it was closed. From what I could tell the businesses were very different too. The space that was a convenient store looks to be a restaurant now.  Since it was closed I couldn't really tell if the store had just relocated or not.  I'll try to get up there when it's open to find out more.

This is not especially good news.  It is such a convenient stop/minor resupply point.

[Yogi the Barry]

Re: Copper
How much of the base at Copper is open in the summer? [The "base," as in the central ski area location where there are lots of shops and restaurants open in the winter.] 5-6 years ago I was up at Copper for a summer MINI in the Mountains car rally and more shops/restaurants were open than I expected, but this might have been because hundreds of people were staying there for this organized event.

[riverfever]

I just rode over 10 Mile the other day from Breck to Copper and the gas station convenient store was open and stocked. Closes at 7 on weekdays.

[bartspedden]

I just rode over 10 Mile the other day from Breck to Copper and the gas station convenient store was open and stocked. Closes at 7 on weekdays.

Awesome, so the convenient store just moved to the other side of the building?

[Joliver]

Awesome, so the convenient store just moved to the other side of the building?

I was in there on Monday, and the convenience store was still located on the same side of the building.

[tridennisr]

I was there last weekend and rode from Avalanche TH to highway 50. I then got a ride to Kenosha pass and rode Seg 6 to Gold Hill trail head. I camped one night near hwy 50. It didnt take long to realize I needed to lose some gear weight off my bike. I did carry a tarp tent, and have been thiking about dropping that from the gear list and just sliding my bag and sleep pad inside an emergency Bivvy to sleep. My biggest concern is mosquito's driving me nut's while I try to sleep. What have some of you done to deal with this? Or is it something you just have to deal with if you don't pitch a tent?

Thanks!

Dennis

[Flounder]

I think your choice of bivvy bag can be a help with the bugs. I use the MSR bivvy. It has a bug net at the opening. The only downside to that bivvy is the fact it doesn't have a complete seal at the opening. It relies on overlapping fabric to provide storm proofness, which you can imagine isn't entirely storm proof.

[Flounder]

Stove or no stove, that is the question.

How man of you are stove users on the CTR? I have always used a stove on my bikepack trips and feel warm meals and fluids have a transformative effect on a weary body. I use an Optimus Crux stove and a tiny Ti tea kettle. Probably less than 400 grams with one small fuel can.

Who else packs a stove?

[joeydurango]

I personally don't use a stove on any bikepacking trips.  I guess a Trangia or something doesn't weigh much, though... I just like to keep it simple.

I do, however, use one of Shires' TarpTents.  Too many mosquitos in the San Juans for a sil-tarp, and I get claustrophobic in a bivy...

Bottom line is use whatever you're comfortable with.  That's what will keep you going!

[Joliver]

Stove or no stove, that is the question.

How man of you are stove users on the CTR? I have always used a stove on my bikepack trips and feel warm meals and fluids have a transformative effect on a weary body. I use an Optimus Crux stove and a tiny Ti tea kettle. Probably less than 400 grams with one small fuel can.

Who else packs a stove?

I have never used one, but I seem to recall Shawn Gregory using one during last year's CTR.  I'm not sure what model it was.