CTR 2012 Race Discussion

[NedCOJo]

If you don't find a ride (sorry I can't offer), look up rtd-denver.com and specifically the GS bus. It has a somewhat limited schedule, but you can put a fully assembled bike on front or underneath. It won't get you to the start, but much closer.

Can anyone give me a lift to the start on Friday morning? Im happy to pay cash if youre going that way already! Shoot me a message if you can help me out. Im staying in Boulder and dont want to add that many extra miles to my trip-- Im already a long enough shot to finish as is, I need all the help I can get!

If not, are there any shuttles in the area that would ride me with my fully assembled bike anywhere close to the start? Everything Ive found so far says my bike has to be boxed or they wont take me.

Thanks

[Lee Zard]

Couloirman: If you can get a bus into downtown Denver, you could catch the C or D line of the Light Rail.  Take the train (you can stand with your bike at the front or rear of each train car) south to the end of the line at the Mineral Station.  At this point you're about 10-miles from the start of the CT at Waterton Canyon.  From the Mineral Station, head west a short distance and get on the South Platte River bike path at Mary Carter Greenway, which is adjacent to train parking lots on the northwest side; follow the path south into Chatfield State Park.  Bike to the west entrance, which is on Wadsworth Boulevard.  Head south on Wadsworth to Waterton and the CT.  The Waterton exit off Wadsworth is well signed.  Have a good ride.

[TruthRider]

Couloirman - what time are you thinking of starting?  I live in Boulder and could potentially give you a ride to Waterton Friday am.  I work in Denver, so the earlier the better.

[joeydurango]

Woke up in the middle of the night last night to the full moon streaming in the window.  Got up and walked around a bit - it was so light out!  I can't believe we did it on a new moon last year... the full moon is the only way to go.  Sections 22/23 on a clear moonlit night would be amazing.  Come to think of it, I might just have to go do those alone on the next full moon...

[edemtbs]

Sections 22/23 on a clear moonlit night would be amazing.

Definitely.

Ed

[gdillon]

Couloirman- I, too can give you a ride to the start if you can make it to Denver via bus.

Gabe

[Couloirman]

You guys are amazing. I got a rental car from DIA but am dropping it off in Denver so I'll be in the city lOoks like. I'm happy to buy a big ass breakfast and throw down cash for the ride guys-- thanks so much!!!!

[Carney]

Sections 22/23 on a clear moonlit night would be amazing.  

I don't know if anybody else saw them last year, but all those sheep herds on 22/23 would be pretty trippy to run into a 2am on a full moon!

[Joliver]

I don't know if anybody else saw them last year, but all those sheep herds on 22/23 would be pretty trippy to run into a 2am on a full moon!

Yep, I was thinking the same thing.  I saw those guys in the middle of the night, too, which was pretty freaky, as I had no idea where I was at that time. 

[joeydurango]

Saw the sheep in the middle of the day.  But, at about midnight, in a rainstorm before Clear Creek, I heard something big move suddenly behind some brush and my lights just picked out six giant pairs of eyes glowing back at me.  In my delirious state at the time I freaked out for a second before I realized they were just cows...

[edemtbs]

In my delirious state at the time I freaked out for a second before I realized they were just cows...

Glowing cow eyes in the dark. Had that happen during the KTR once. Freaky.

We ran into the sheep on the CT near Spring Creek Pass back in early July. The sheepdog was watchful but very well behaved.

Ed

[mtbcast]

Calls: Brad Fuller called in from Copper. Chris Neumann called in from Leadville. Other than having his shoe bitten by a marmot he’s good! Wesley Handy called in from Leadville. Anthony Arena called in from Leadville. He reports good weather yesterday up until he got near town. And Mark Caminiti called in from Copper Mountain.

[mtbcast]

More calls: Nick Patzer called in from Leadville. Trading bonks with Christina Nacos but otherwise okay. And Barry Ritchey called in from Leadville.

[TruthRider]

I ran into the sheep and sheepherder mid-morning last year.  My brother was riding with me at the time, and my bro lives in Peru and speaks fluent Spanish and Quechua.  Imagine the Bolivian herder's surprise when my bro started rapping with him first in Spanish, then Quechuan - the ancient language of the Andes that almost zero gringos speak.

It was freaking awesome.

[edemtbs]

Ethan's gone underground. And now he's back, ahead of Jefe by a bit 

Where in the heck is Dan Miller-Lionberg going? Never mind, must have been a Spot tracking glitch. Looks to be back on track.

Ed

[atpham]

Hi everyone, I have a friend in this race, Raul Henao. The last time I heard from him is on Monday night (07/30) when he got to a small town after 50+ miles of riding, I'm not familiar with the trail segments. I have not heard anything from him ever since and got a little bit worry. I'm at home from Texas and don't know how to track him down since he's not on SPOT or the MTBcast. My friend wears a blue jersey with Opsis Architecture in front and his bike is a GREEN Santa Cruz. Has anyone spot him? His plan is to get to Leadville sometime today. I hope he's OK along with other racers. Thank you very much.

[Mrs. Jakomait]

Jesse camped where he did because last year he did not eat enough in BV, and the segment going up after crossing HW 50 (Foses) is his least favorite, last I knew, so he did not want to make the same mistake and blow up on foses and then have to camp out waiting for his stomach and system to un-bonk. It really looks like he has learned from past mistakes, and putting it together.   He is probably just chilling and waiting for the next downhill, little known about Jesse is he entered the sport as a DH racer many many years ago.  I don't know what the DH is like based on where they are right now, but I'm sure Jesse will enjoy it.

Go Fred Hankinson!  He's one of Jesse's riding parter's and his wife is an avid cyclist too, all around good guy that can hammer!

I haven't seen Jesse move from near Angel of Shavano Camground in nearly an hour.  It appears only Ethan is going up Fooses at night in the rain?

[peteshoe]

Atpham, I saw Raul at the restaurant in bailey he likely called you from Monday night. He was going to ride up the road to camp with a friend(another racer). He was tired but hadn't lost his appetite as he killed a burger(always a good sign).  He seemed in good shape mentally too. I am sure he is having the ride of his life out there. I wish I had more info for you.

[jnordby]

Apologies in advance for the "stale" update, but just now back in front of a computer to do so.    I was at the intersection of the Colorado Trail and Miner's Creek road where it ends, Tuesday Morning 31-Aug around 8:30-9am.  I was up in the area with Family, rode up from Frisco to get some Colorado Trail time, and bumped into the race - forgot it started over the weekend.    Saw the following riders - and a brief update where I could remember.

Jordon Carr and Becky Sears were on the hike sections, some bike, about .5 mile above the dead end of Miner's Creek Road. They were talkative and making super good time. 

Les Handie was right at the Miner's Creek sign at the end of the road. he was looking pretty good.

Bill Shand was just below Les, had just stopped for water, smiling and in good shape.

Mike Prochaska was taking a break .1 mile below bill at some water.  He commented he was "backing off and pacing himself".  His bike showed the effects of the mud/water these folks endured on Monday. By the looks of where Mike is now, he is doing fine.

Chris Kampsnider was below  Mike .1 mile, and was happy for the sunshine. In really good spirits and smiling.

Toby Gadd was the last I saw. He had a pulley seize up on his rear derailleur, .1 mile below Mike.  We spoke for a bit, of course I offered him a pulley off my bike (heck I was coasting to Frisco), and of course he gratefully said nope.  His plan was to hike over the top of Wheeler and down to Copper before the bike shops closed to get a pulley there - didn't want to re-climb what he just did!  He was in a good mood about it and was taking it all in stride. 

Thats the update, from memory on the names and then looking them up on trackleaders just now. Apologies if I butchered something. Good job out there folks,
Jon.

[joeydurango]

Ethan is so closely paralleling Owen's 2010 record pace... this is getting exciting.  Hopefully he'll push through 22/23 tonight or early in the morning.