2016 CTR Planning

[iambarnard]

I'm in. In-between projects, riding strong, crashed and burned last year (Foose's Creek) during an ITT, can't stay away. Planning on spending the next two weeks up there on technical single track at elevation. Good luck to all!

[tlane3of6]

Excited to join the Grande Depart this year.  I'm still trying to wrap my head around the lack of resupply options from Buena Vista to Silverton.  I usually don't wear a backpack but don't see any way to load that much food on the bike.   I've picked up on some hints of a trail angel named Apple but can't find any details.  Is this on purpose to prevent including any 'angel' help in planning?  Any other suggestions?

Thanks, Tom

[mandivided]

Hi Tom,
I'm getting pretty excited myself. I've left a good bit of 'surge capacity' in my bags for that stretch. I have a Sea-to-Summit 20L backpack that stores about the size of a pingpong ball that I might toss in the handlebar bag just in-case. I think it's called the ultra-sil if you're looking through their product line. Straps aren't padded so i'd probably move clothes/light stuff to it and stuff the bike bags with hard/heavy things.

Apple is mentioned/posts in just about every planning thread for the CTR, I think there's even an 'angel Apple' thread in this subforum. He's also the spot on the trackleaders replays where 95% of the riders take a break in the backcountry ;-). I made it a point to know where he is, just like I made it a point to know where to look for water in certain areas, but I never 'plan' on using angels/magic as a resupply. Surprise is a wonderful flavor enhancer.

See you at Waterton.

-Donald

[Beardog]

FYI - we do ride right by Princeton Hot Springs after climbing Cottonwood Pass and rejoin CT - about 25 from BV and they make a great breakfast.
Thanks for info on the Stagestop - much better then riding down to Jefferson store and back up the 4 mile climb to Kenosha Pass.

[ScottM]

Just a tracking note.   Roster was loaded last night:

http://trackleaders.com/ctr16

Sign up is here:

http://trackleaders.com/ctr-signup

I'm (s)camped 0.5 miles from the CT near Twin Lakes.  The trail around here is riding soooooo good!

[tlane3of6]

Donald,
Thanks for the reply.  I've now figured out where Apple is but will plan as if he isn't there.  Good advice on using a light weight backpack for that stretch.
See you next week, Tom

[Stefan_G]

A sad note, and a reminder to all participating in the CTR to send a generous donation to the Colorado Trail Foundation. Gudy was a visionary.

http://www.durangoherald.com/article/20160715/NEWS01/160719706/Gudy-Gaskill-%E2%80%98Mother-of-the-Colorado-Trail%E2%80%99-dies-at-89

[Yogi the Barry]

Yeah, planning on any angels or Apple to help goes totally against the self-supported spirit of this race. Relying on angels, Apple, friends or family makes it the 'CT tour', not the CTR [race]. Nothing wrong with that, just don't call it the CTR. In past years, I've witnessed CTR competitors get calls from friends, giving them intel on trail angel stashes and even a rider who had his girlfriend meet him so he could jettison gear for the final push from Silverton to Dango. Some people just don't get it...
I can only confirm what's already been posted in previous planning threads from previous years [lots of valuable info if you do your research], but in addition to the restaurant, at the oasis of Mount Princeton Hot Springs, there's a little convenience store. Hot Springs bathhouse is also a nice place to take a quick shower.
Also, right as you cross US-50 and head up Fooses, you will go within one mile of Monarch Spur campground, which might also offer one last marginal [they don't have much, but they do have Klondike bars] opportunity to restock before the big push to Silverton... The only other resupply option before Silverton, and it's a painful elevation loss and then regain to get back on course, is Lake City.

Excited to join the Grande Depart this year.  I'm still trying to wrap my head around the lack of resupply options from Buena Vista to Silverton.  I usually don't wear a backpack but don't see any way to load that much food on the bike.   I've picked up on some hints of a trail angel named Apple but can't find any details.  Is this on purpose to prevent including any 'angel' help in planning?  Any other suggestions?
...I've now figured out where Apple is but will plan as if he isn't there.  ...
See you next week, Tom

[Johnny_mtb]

FWIW Apple was not on any biking section of the trail last year. There was an angel just outside of Princeton Hot Springs that probably helped a few that were 'counting' on Apple. Pack for the entire route and race the race as it was designed. Good luck all and maybe I'll see you again next year as I have not been on the bike enough this year.

[Woodland]

FYI - we do ride right by Princeton Hot Springs after climbing Cottonwood Pass and rejoin CT - about 25 from BV and they make a great breakfast. 

But they can take FOREVER - be warned

[Woodland]

I'm (s)camped 0.5 miles from the CT near Twin Lakes.  The trail around here is riding soooooo good!

And now it is about to finally get wet with the late arrival of Mr. Monsoon 

[Yogi the Barry]

Hush! Don't utter the "M" word.  

I've seen worse. Now you made me look...

6-10 day...
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/610day/610prcp.new.gif
8-14 day...
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/814day/814prcp.new.gif
3-4 week...
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/WK34/gifs/WK34prcp.gif

But who knows if those computer models will match reality.

And now it is about to finally get wet with the late arrival of Mr. Monsoon  

[hikeabike]

We've made it this far, it is not going to start now!

[Yogi the Barry]

Re: Weather
Yes, I am a weather geek. Per the Forecast Discussion out of Grand Junction NOAA:

"Friday through Monday: By Friday, the low over the Pacific
Northwest will eject a stronger disturbance across the northern
Rockies, which turns the flow from southwest to westerly and
breaks down the ridge of high pressure over the Plains that is
allowing deeper moisture to be drawn up into the region. PW values
decrease to 0.5 inches across portions of NE Utah and NW Colorado.
The high center will reposition itself westward with drier air
moving into the Great Basin. This all leads to a downturn in storm
activity towards the coming weekend into next week. Enough
moisture will still linger south of I-70 and along the divide with
PW values of 0.75 inches or better for afternoon convection mainly
over higher terrain, although some storms could drift or form over
valleys late in the day."

[Adam Alphabet]

Re: Weather
Yes, I am a weather geek. Per the Forecast Discussion out of Grand Junction NOAA:

"Friday through Monday: By Friday, the low over the Pacific
Northwest will eject a stronger disturbance across the northern
Rockies, which turns the flow from southwest to westerly and
breaks down the ridge of high pressure over the Plains that is
allowing deeper moisture to be drawn up into the region. PW values
decrease to 0.5 inches across portions of NE Utah and NW Colorado.
The high center will reposition itself westward with drier air
moving into the Great Basin. This all leads to a downturn in storm
activity towards the coming weekend into next week. Enough
moisture will still linger south of I-70 and along the divide with
PW values of 0.75 inches or better for afternoon convection mainly
over higher terrain, although some storms could drift or form over
valleys late in the day."

So in lay persons terms this means....?

[Yogi the Barry]

The monsoon is flowing this week and [about 2/3rds thru the paragraph... "This all leads to a downturn in storm
activity towards the coming weekend into next week."

So in lay persons terms this means....?

[Woodland]

A sad note, and a reminder to all participating in the CTR to send a generous donation to the Colorado Trail Foundation. Gudy was a visionary.

What a woman! Here is another good article about her - she didn't sit still for long.
http://www.denverpost.com/2016/07/18/mother-of-the-colorado-trail-gudy-gaskill-dies-at-89/

I will always remember sitting on her bench just above Junction Creek around 1am after 3 years of trying to ride that trail, gazing at the stars and the lights of Durango - and having a 'chat' with Gudy, telling her how damn impressed I was with her trail and the work she must have done to put it all together. I didn't realize at the time how much else she accomplished in her life.

If you get there this year, take a moment and sit on her bench and thank her.

[Bob Loblaw]

Donation made. Sitting at work is so hard this week. Ready to get out there.

[jherget]

Would anyone happen to know if it is legal/acceptable to leave a vehicle at the waterton canyon trailhead overnight?
For a week?

[Woodland]

Hush! Don't utter the "M" word. 

Ha, sorry Barry - but I've done my fair share of time huddled under a tree in the dark listening to the heavens trying to pound me into the ground!

It's only fair that us spectators get a good show. 

I'm just fooling. You know all too well how it goes. You get every kind of weather in the span of one day out there, and you just can't count on any forecast - or worry about it. Get your kit straight, get your head in the right place, and remember what's really important (that somehow or another you get to go ride your bike for a week in the mtns of Colorado - we are so lucky) and let the weather gods do what they will - but don't let that be what stops you.

I wish to hell I was joining ya'll. Be safe.