CTR 2013 Route Change Poll (US-285 vs. Tarryall)

[krefs]

I'd vote for Tarryall because I absolutely love that dirt road on the east side of the Wilderness, but since I'm most likely not racing the CT this year, my vote probably should not carry much weight.

[DaNM]

I vote yes for Tarryall. there are a few good pit stops on that route, it will be painful.

[GrizzlyAdam]

I'm hesitant to vote. I'll be a CTR rookie 2013, so I have no experience either way. I think Jefe is on to something though. Maybe eliminate 285 when the CTR starts in Denver again, and then leave it out for good after that. But either way, I'll be in Durango on 7/21/13.

[TruthRider]

I voted Tarryall.  CTR 2011 vet.   Not riding 2013;  planning on 2014.

Two things: First, I vote Tarryall because I haven't done it, and because it seems like it's way more in line with the CTR ethos.  Also, I don't think the Comparable Times issue matters so much, given the NB switch for this year.   Hopefully, switching to Tarryall both directions will be permanent and allow for comp times going forward.

Second, I don't quite get the doom and gloom re:  Hwy 285.  Yes, it's a big highway with mad trucks zooming by ... but there is a pretty good shoulder.  Some of these comments make it sound as though it will be the only pavement you ride all year.  If that's truly the case, hats off to you.  I hate pavement and avoid it whenever possible ... but still manage to log a number of miles on it through sheer necessity.  Just don't want to have the rookies thinking that they're going to be routed onto I-70 or the autobahn with a three inch shoulder - definitely not the case.

[Done]

Some of these comments make it sound as though it will be the only pavement you ride all year.  If that's truly the case, hats off to you.  I hate pavement and avoid it whenever possible ... but still manage to log a number of miles on it through sheer necessity.  Just don't want to have the rookies thinking that they're going to be routed onto I-70 or the autobahn with a three inch shoulder - definitely not the case.

There is indeed a shoulder for part of 285. But there are also long sections with only a few of inches of pavement beyond the white line. Traffic often goes 60-70 MPH. Some of the corners are pretty sharp. Combined with trucks and RV's passing in visibility-obscuring heavy rain, it's pretty scary. For slower guys, it's often approaching dusk, which further reduces visibility.

Like you, I ride some pavement. None of it anything like 285 though. Obviously everyone has their own thoughts on how safe it is to ride 285, but I'd prefer to stay away from it. It's just not worth the risk, especially when there's a better alternative.

[sherpaxc]

I've ridden both. They both suck. 285 sucked less to me. When I come back to ride it again next summer I will ride 285.

[Done]

They both suck.

Yeah, that's a common sentiment. I really hope that the Bailey Trails Project succeeds. http://www.baileytrails.org/ Sounds like they are making headway with getting the organization put together--but that it's going to be a long haul before they actually start cutting trails. Imagine riding singletrack from Bailey to Kenosha someday!

[Couloirman]

I am doing an ITT but dont care about my time, i just want to finish. I voted 285 for speed and ease of riding it downhill going northbound, but i will probably do whatever the group consensus is, because Tarryall does seem more in line with what the race is all about. Unless im too tired and afraid i wont be able to finish when i get there, in which case i will just coast down 285 all the way to the diner in Bailey

[Done]

Not to be a dick about it, but if people are voting for 285 because it's "easier," then they should probably re-think their reasons for competing in the CTR.

The CTR is hard, hard, hard. Really hard. That's the point, right? Tarryall might make it a little harder--which is a good thing.

HTFU, eh?

[mikepro]

Crack the whip TG!  I voted Tarryall, for sure.  I came out/down from the state of WA last year under-trained and under-prepped and got my a$$ handed to me on the CTR (it was still worth it).  I plan to be give it another go in 2014, as an ITT or GD, either way.  I haven't looked at the gpx files that Stefan provided with the original post, but I'm guessing Tarryall is the CT guide book detour route, or close to it, where the detour goes South of the CT in this area and rejoins near Kenosha Pass (whereas Bailey/285 is predominantly North of the CT in this section/stretch). Regardless, more dirt + more remote + more challenging resupply + longer = MORE BETTER.  So much more in line with the kind of experience and adventure and challenge I'm looking for in these races.

My one experience on 285 was during last year's CTR ... I timed it to hit the narrowest shoulder section in the driving rain, and then when the shoulder widened on up the pass the sun came out for an hour or so.  I did not like the Russian Roulette feeling of the no-shoulder to narrow-shoulder while being passed by a semi-truck or RV in the driving rain (how much is the driver paying attention in that split second?), and would gladly "trade up" for long/hot/remote/sandy detour instead.  And the Bailey re-supply for me was just a stop at one of (or the only?) gas stations for a gatorade, some candy, and a muffin.  Basically, I don't have the impression that resupply in Bailey is critical and/or necessary.

[Done]

Crack the whip TG!  I voted Tarryall, for sure.  I came out/down from the state of WA last year under-trained and under-prepped and got my a$$ handed to me on the CTR (it was still worth it).

For me, one of the wonderful things about starting the CTR is knowing that failure is a likely outcome. There's a reason why half of the field doesn't make it: The line between success and failure is very, very thin. Seemingly minor decisions (such as whether to pack a spare derailleur pulley, or how much to sleep, or whether your butt hurts more than your commitment), can make all the difference. The first time that I finished the CTR, I dreamed for weeks that I was still racing. When I failed the following year, I wasn't even slightly surprised. When I finished again last year, I practically had to pinch myself. If the outcome was certain, the journey would be less full.

If there were a way to add 100 miles to the CTR, I'd vote for it. More mountains. More dirt. More sunsets and sunrises. More rain. More sweat. More sun. More discovery. More questions. More views. More breaths. More ptarmigans and demons and marmots. More, more, more, more!  

[jryter]

Coming down would be easy like others said....You're on a mt bike you could ride on the dirt next to the highway if you were really freaked out. But with Tarryall you get to ride over TWO Stoney passes! One above Silverton also. So my vote is....... Definitely.......for....285 maybe....

I don't know if someone can best Jefe's time but it would be a shame not to be able for someone to get the chance.

Hope I can do it again this year either way!
Jarral

[Matt Schiff]

I don't know if someone can best Jefe's time but it would be a shame not to be able for someone to get the chance.

For me, a different direction means a different race so I'm not worried about time comparisons among years.

[gdillon]

I voted Tarryall but am only 25% likely to race this year. It makes sense for northbound because of the potential dark factor.

[mtnbound]

Just curious - is there any re-supply option at all on (or near) the Tarryall route? Gas station/commercial fishing hut/camping/rv area w/convenience store/etc?

[THE LONG RANGER]

Just curious - is there any re-supply option at all on (or near) the Tarryall route? Gas station/commercial fishing hut/camping/rv area w/convenience store/etc?

Nothing in that area to really speak about, just good views of the Lost Creek Wilderness, some campsites, some ranches and a lot of burn area!

[pro_out]

But there again, one could say HTFU and do it SS, rigid, fixie.........

[Done]

But there again, one could say HTFU and do it SS, rigid, fixie.........

One could. And some do.

I'm looking forward to your demonstration, on Tarryall.

[pro_out]

I promise you, there will be no demonstration from me. 

[Marshal]

Just curious - is there any re-supply option at all on (or near) the Tarryall route? Gas station/commercial fishing hut/camping/rv area w/convenience store/etc?

2 resupply options I know of- limited hrs & selection