CTR 2015 Race Discussion

[Majcolo]

You guys are getting pretty far along tying the hangman's knot on the hiker/dog/biker drama for not having heard the biker's side of it.

Doesn't matter if the rider was technically correct or not, unfortunately. If this hiker cared enough to track down Stefan and email him, it's a short step to be concerned that she might also email the CTF or relevant public lands administrators. These events won't benefit from that kind of attention or interference so it's a pretty clear responsibility for participants to go the extra mile to make nice with fellow trail users. I hope whoever that rider was steps up, gets the contact info from Stefan and cleans this mess up.

It may not be right or fair, but it is what it is.

[mtnbound]

Jeannie Dreyer is also tearing it up!  She looks like she will set a new women's record (that includes the Tarryal detour)!

[Majcolo]

I can't believe the speed in this year's race. Tough, fast people.

[Ian Dunlop]

Jesse is not human,
Jesse keep it going man, u'r rocking it making Canada Proud 
can't wait to hear the stories.

Cheers Ian Dunlop

[Majcolo]

Two days to Leadville...HFS.

[mountainjah]

First off, way to go everyone who's still out there...man, those ColoRADans are just something special!

Doesn't matter if the rider was technically correct or not, unfortunately. If this hiker cared enough to track down Stefan and email him, it's a short step to be concerned that she might also email the CTF or relevant public lands administrators. These events won't benefit from that kind of attention or interference so it's a pretty clear responsibility for participants to go the extra mile to make nice with fellow trail users. I hope whoever that rider was steps up, gets the contact info from Stefan and cleans this mess up.

It may not be right or fair, but it is what it is.

This is spot on...I was out on the trail Friday thru Monday and it's been incredibly busy with hikers and bikers in all directions from Molas to town. I personally was guiding an 11 pack and had another 10 pack in front of me. So yes, it could have been other, non CTR riders too. However, my clients also reported a mixed reception by racers..."The front guy was really cool and then there were some real assholes" was their feedback to me in camp.  And FWIW, these guys were excited to see the CTR athletes and yield the trail at a moments notice! So like Majcolo inferred, the tribe needs to own this shit!

When we race, we need to go out of our way to share pleasantries or at a minimum, be civil- this can be as simple as smiling and stepping aside- no words need to be spoken. no questions need to be answered. But to charge forward like you're in a sanctioned race, feeling like you have priority over others and ignoring the shared use ethic of the CT is a sure way to kill this event. or at least the grand depart....

EDIT- grammar lite

[RonDog]

Thought I'd wade in with my variant of the CT dog story. A couple year ago, I rode a loop with my son from Hesperus to Kennebec Pass to Lightner Cr. After bombing down from Kennebec and crossing the road, we stopped for a bite before dropping into Junction Cr proper. After a couple of minutes, three guys on Yetis went by. A couple minutes later, another 4 bikers passed. Before we had our sandwich down, twenty had passed and the last one said there were probably 50 more behind. I said we should get going or it might be a long day. Before we could get in line though about twenty more went by including someone on a yeti cross bike with skinny tires. What I didn't realize then was that it was a Yeti event with 200 riders. Not being the fastest, I was mostly worried about holding others up but it was really was the other way around. I just took one person to lose there line and everyone was off their bike trying to get around the stalled rider. Not a very fun decent into Junction Cr but I had lots of company for the walk up out of the canyon because no one could ride past the lineup. My point to the hiker, it could be worse and you might not have anyone to email. But as others have noted, it only take one bad apple and its irrelevant whether its the biker or hiker. Now back to the race.

[sanjuanrider]

Jeannie Dreyer is also tearing it up!  She looks like she will set a new women's record (that includes the Tarryal detour)!

She holds the "Freedom Challenge" record in S. Africa. I did a casual ride with her and her husband a few days before the CTR and she can really pedal up he hills easily. Very humble person - I would have never guessed she would be crushing the course this hard. Still many miles to go but she might make the women's record pending the multiple variables this course throws out to its riders!

[jaxtaz]

 A nice little branch clipped my pedal and tossed me over my handlebars. Thankfully my head broke the fall, and only walked away with a jacked up knee. Regardless, I pedaled 78 odd miles ( yes I wrecked first thing into Junction creek ) to Silverton with what felt like one good working leg, it was easy for me to quit once I looked at that climb out.
I will say that going 40 miles an hour down 550 into Silverton with my fatbike was a highlight for me. Hike a biking with any kinda impairment is miserable. You all have my respect, one of the craziest 3 days of my life. 
 Kevin H

[mtbcast]

July 28, 2015 - Colorado Trail Race '15 Day 3 True Ups!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/podcasts/

[krefs]

Hey all...I'm back in Durango, sadly no longer on my bike. I had to call it quits...my body seems to be telling me that too many little problems have been accumulating but not entirely healing. Hand pain had me dreading descents and now nerve pain in my back has me flinching even 36 hours after stopping. Oof. It sure was beautiful out there, though! And I'm a bit envious of everyone that's still out there cruising toward Denver.

[tanman1337]

Sometimes you can't ignore what the body/mind is telling you. Good ride Kurt!
-Tanner

[Shirey]

Jesse's splits @ Searle Pass and Tenmile were both between 3-4 hours ahead of his 2013 pace.

Can he go sub 4 days? Its gonna hurt and be sooooooo close.

Go Jesse Go!

[Majcolo]

@Majcolo

How is it that you know the gender of the hiker/letter writer that failed to keep their dog leashed?

I don't?

I must have made a subconscious inference based on language and tone of the email. What's the difference? The hiker's gender is irrelevant, their reaction is very relevant.

My concern is the continuation of the race and trail access in general.

Pretentious, pseudo-intellectual missing the point hair-splitting...out.

[danwiz]

Jesse's splits @ Searle Pass and Tenmile were both between 3-4 hours ahead of his 2013 pace.

Can he go sub 4 days? Its gonna hurt and be sooooooo close.

Go Jesse Go!

im sure lots of you knew of his pedigree, but i did not.  now it all makes sense as to just how badass of an athlete Jesse is.  His FB page had a small story about his CTR attempt this year. In that was some really notable accomplishments in early 2000.  I just had no idea.  Now i'm not surprised by what this guy is doing.  It really adds to the overall picture of him.....He and all the others that do this are amazing humans/athletes....

http://www.saultonline.com/2015/07/fifth-time-competing/

[samh]

Sorry to hear a few riders are dropping.  Y'all know what's best for you.  And thanks for letting us armchair cheerleaders cheer you on from afar.  We'll see you next year hopefully. 

And as for the hiker biker debate... well, it's not really a debate:

[drchristiansen]

If this hiker cared enough to track down Stefan and email him, it's a short step to be concerned that she might also email the CTF or relevant public lands administrators. These events won't benefit from that kind of attention or interference so it's a pretty clear responsibility for participants to go the extra mile to make nice with fellow trail users. I hope whoever that rider was steps up, gets the contact info from Stefan and cleans this mess up.

Agreed, it perceptions like this one that get bikes banned.

[Platform Power]

  mad props to Nick Patzer tackling the San Juans.....enjoy the ride to Denver 

[danwiz]

man oh man....what a great day and what a great view Jesse must be having at the top of Georgia Pass.....pedal damn it, pedal!!!!!

[Majcolo]

man oh man....what a great day and what a great view Jesse must be having at the top of Georgia Pass.....pedal damn it, pedal!!!!!

About 30 hours to finish from Georgia Pass to tie Jefe's record...holy crap those guys are fast. Their ability to deal with sleep dep amazes.