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  Topic Name: 2017 CTR Race Discussion on: July 23, 2017, 05:40:52 PM
ScottM
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« on: July 23, 2017, 05:40:52 PM »

Time to get a thread going for this year's race.

Essentials first.

Race site:  http://www.climbingdreams.net/ctr/

Tracker: http://trackleaders.com/ctr17

------------

The party got started at 4am from Velorution.  Right now Kurt Refsnider leads it, and is coasting down to Silverton with a comfortable buffer for resupply.

Chris Plesko follows in second.  Chris has been training hard and focusing on a 'sub-4' CTR for the season.  Good chance he has the lightest bike/kit out there.

Nick Gould is a wildcard, he's pretty darn quick but has not successfully engaged his tracker as of yet.

I just got the unfortunate news that Amanda Demler crashed, breaking a nose and ribs.  She turned around and made it back to Durango.

Mark Caminiti seems to have decided his body wasn't ready after a hard effort in Tour Divide.  He's heading for the Rico side.

We're all cheering on John Schilling, who is plugging away on Indian Trail Ridge.  He reported hail and rain by midday, so conditions have not been ideal.  Remember that there is a 'Radar' layer in the "Map Layers" drawer on the tracker.

I'll try to head back for some more updates, but this is shaping up to be a really fun year to follow.  Thanks to Stefan for getting this beast off the ground yet again.

Discuss!
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  Topic Name: 2017 CTR Race Discussion Reply #1 on: July 23, 2017, 05:59:41 PM
Matt Schiff


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« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2017, 05:59:41 PM »

I imagine the weather was anywhere from inconvenient to downright brutal today. Driving outside of Durango today the wipers had to be in fast mode and there was flooding everywhere. While I was out hiking, the trail turned into a river. This probably has caused at least a few to miss the store closing. I'm curious to see who will stock up at the gas station and press on and who was carrying enough food from Durango.
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  Topic Name: 2017 CTR Race Discussion Reply #2 on: July 23, 2017, 07:10:09 PM
geekonabike


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« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2017, 07:10:09 PM »

I think the grocery in Sliverton closes at 7pm. Time to head over to Blair Street Hostel. Cuz you likely need to resupply before this next stretch.
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  Topic Name: 2017 CTR Race Discussion Reply #3 on: July 23, 2017, 08:04:54 PM
dream4est


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« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2017, 08:04:54 PM »

Good luck to everyone out there I had to bail I have some issues with hand and neck post TD and the rain made the trail too much for me in my less than 100% state. I still had a great year with finishes in TD and Azt300.
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  Topic Name: 2017 CTR Race Discussion Reply #4 on: July 23, 2017, 09:11:37 PM
Adam Alphabet


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« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2017, 09:11:37 PM »

Stay safe, stay smart, stay steady out there friends. Best of luck. Hoping Amanda a speedy recovery!
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  Topic Name: 2017 CTR Race Discussion Reply #5 on: July 23, 2017, 10:26:33 PM
Gimmearaise


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« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2017, 10:26:33 PM »

Hello, Kurt?
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  Topic Name: 2017 CTR Race Discussion Reply #6 on: July 24, 2017, 05:45:46 AM
mtbcast


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« Reply #6 on: July 24, 2017, 05:45:46 AM »

#CTR17 Garrett Alexander and Justin DuBois called in overnight from Silverton!

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/ctr17/
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  Topic Name: 2017 CTR Race Discussion Reply #7 on: July 24, 2017, 06:56:44 AM
jakomait


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« Reply #7 on: July 24, 2017, 06:56:44 AM »

Hello, Kurt?

Yeah, he is leaving us all in suspense riding in stealth mode!  Hopefully his Spot sorts itself out today.
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  Topic Name: 2017 CTR Race Discussion Reply #8 on: July 24, 2017, 07:31:26 AM
Stefan_G


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« Reply #8 on: July 24, 2017, 07:31:26 AM »

CTR 2017 started out on a beautiful morning with around 60 leaving from Velorution at 3:58am.


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  Topic Name: 2017 CTR Race Discussion Reply #9 on: July 24, 2017, 07:38:59 AM
Stefan_G


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« Reply #9 on: July 24, 2017, 07:38:59 AM »

I rolled out with the group, taking some time at the trailhead to chat with Marni Plesko, who was there with their two boys. Then I headed up to Kennebec with the group, trying (and failing) to catch just about anyone! I believe this is Jenna Walker cruising up the trail before the drop into Junction Creek.


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  Topic Name: 2017 CTR Race Discussion Reply #10 on: July 24, 2017, 07:42:41 AM
Stefan_G


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« Reply #10 on: July 24, 2017, 07:42:41 AM »

Jenna came by as Pat Adrian was showing off his mechanical. He destroyed his granny gear cog on his cassette and jacked up his chain too! As it was only 10-15 miles in, I encouraged him to go get it fixed and restart; he will REALLY want his granny gear for the CTR!


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  Topic Name: 2017 CTR Race Discussion Reply #11 on: July 24, 2017, 07:45:57 AM
Stefan_G


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« Reply #11 on: July 24, 2017, 07:45:57 AM »

The last 10 or so riders pushing up Sliderock Mountain to Kennebec Pass, about to be treated to some serious wildflowers and a water resupply. This was around 10:30am, clouds building but no rain coming yet.


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  Topic Name: 2017 CTR Race Discussion Reply #12 on: July 24, 2017, 08:00:34 AM
Stefan_G


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« Reply #12 on: July 24, 2017, 08:00:34 AM »

After Kennebec, I bailed down Bear Creek to Dolores. The rain started around 1pm, and these are the typical trail conditions the racers will be having. The ground is saturated with lots of standing water every 500' or so.


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  Topic Name: 2017 CTR Race Discussion Reply #13 on: July 24, 2017, 09:01:04 AM
ScottM
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« Reply #13 on: July 24, 2017, 09:01:04 AM »

Maybe someone can lend Kurt a new spot in BV or somewhere along the route.  Looks like he was a little ways off Jesse's record pace before it went out.

Just got a text from him -- he's out.  His knee flared up (an injury from descending Mt. Shavano last year with me) after months of being pretty good.  Too bad as he said his legs felt good.

Jason Hanson from AZ also scratched, along with Todd S.  Both cited altitude.  CTR is a tough cookie to tackle coming from out-of-state, for certain.

Having said that, our current men's leader is a rookie from VA.  He seems to have turned it on after Silverton, passing Plesko while he was taking a catnap up high.

Forecast is calling for 90% chance rain in Silverton, which means, 100% on the CT near it (!).
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  Topic Name: 2017 CTR Race Discussion Reply #14 on: July 24, 2017, 09:13:11 AM
Stefan_G


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« Reply #14 on: July 24, 2017, 09:13:11 AM »

Having said that, our current men's leader is a rookie from VA.  He seems to have turned it on after Silverton, passing Plesko while he was taking a catnap up high.


A rookie to the CTR, but not the CT; Jonathan had the supported thru-hiking record on the CT in 2006 at 8d13h! http://fastestknowntime.proboards.com/thread/10/colorado-trail He's no stranger to the CT, or to suffering.
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“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.”
  -- frequently (mis)attributed to Thomas Jefferson

  Topic Name: 2017 CTR Race Discussion Reply #15 on: July 24, 2017, 09:44:33 AM
AZLobo


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« Reply #15 on: July 24, 2017, 09:44:33 AM »

Jonathan is also the Long Trail (Vermont) supported FKT and a Barkley and Hardrock finisher.
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  Topic Name: 2017 CTR Race Discussion Reply #16 on: July 24, 2017, 10:25:28 AM
jakomait


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« Reply #16 on: July 24, 2017, 10:25:28 AM »

Just got a text from him -- he's out. 

Super bummer but probably the better decision in the long run.  I guess I can stop refreshing my screen every 30 seconds trying to find him!
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  Topic Name: 2017 CTR Race Discussion Reply #17 on: July 24, 2017, 10:44:46 AM
nepbug


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« Reply #17 on: July 24, 2017, 10:44:46 AM »

Wow, looks like it was a soggy start.  This could shape up to be a very interesting race this year.  I'm pulling for Plesko to pull out the victory to keep the Colorado-resident winner streak alive.  If Basham pulls off the victory, then he'll be the first non-Coloradoan to win.  Of course, it's CTR, so there are so many variables that it could still be somebody else entirely, but it's always fun to speculate.

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  Topic Name: 2017 CTR Race Discussion Reply #18 on: July 24, 2017, 11:01:22 AM
jakomait


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« Reply #18 on: July 24, 2017, 11:01:22 AM »

Wow, looks like it was a soggy start.  This could shape up to be a very interesting race this year.  I'm pulling for Plesko to pull out the victory to keep the Colorado-resident winner streak alive.  If Basham pulls off the victory, then he'll be the first non-Coloradoan to win.  Of course, it's CTR, so there are so many variables that it could still be somebody else entirely, but it's always fun to speculate.

I'm really curious to watch how Plesko's SS setup influences his splits.  The top two guys are legit and there are still a few folks not far behind their wake but the clock isn't being kind to them.  Based on their current progress and forecast, it's going to be heroic for anyone to beat 5 days to Waterton let alone the sub 4 day target several of the folks were training hard for.  It's not for a lack of effort but Stefan's last two pictures make my heart sink when covering ground is your only objective!
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  Topic Name: 2017 CTR Race Discussion Reply #19 on: July 24, 2017, 11:06:15 AM
MrsPivvay


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« Reply #19 on: July 24, 2017, 11:06:15 AM »

Oh no, not Kurt!  I'm so so sorry to hear that!  I know Chris was really excited to be riding with Kurt when he saw his name on the tracker. I truly think he's going to be really sad to hear that he's out. And what an amazing start to the race he put in! Wow! 

Chris is feeling really bummed at the likelihood of the sub-4 finish being out of reach this year. He worked really hard with that as his focus and I'm trying to keep him focused on racing the best race he has in him and being happy with that. What's he's managing to do on his rigid single speed is amazing to me...but I guess I'm a little biased Wink
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