Kokopelli's Trail Race?

[Done]

Hi pbasinger,

If you read back through this thread, and others, I think that you'll find that the BLM actually handed out ticket(s?), etc. in order to stop the KTR. They were effective--people no longer approach it as a large organized event like they did. So, the race really doesn't exist in the same capacity. Some people still ride together as informal group rides (which is legal), but if it goes beyond the BLM would likely shut it down again, which would be ugly. So no, the KTR isn't a real event any more, from what I understand. If this doesn't make sense, please contact people offline for a better explanation.

Cheers,
Toby

[pbasinger]

Zero for 3

[timroz]

Hi pbasinger,

If you read back through this thread

C'mon pbasinger, do some research!

Damn.

[donkey]

Clearly Pete doesn't know anything about unsupported racing.......

B

[Done]

I've lost track of my score, and I have no idea what Pete does and doesn't know.

But I do know that it's been made clear to me that people don't want to give the BLM reason to chase them around and hand out tickets. I'm just echoing that sentiment, because I think that it's accurate.

[Done]

2011 Update:

Due to a few e-mails that I've received that referenced this thread, I thought that I post a final (and very belated) update. Hopefully this will answer any future questions that this thread may generate.

In October of 2009, I contacted the BLM about a running a legal Kokopelli Trail race. Turns out that the requirements for a "legal" KTR are actually very limited and easy to address. In a nutshell, the BLM needs a little paperwork (which requires several months of lead time), an insurance policy (surprisingly cheap), and slight a detour around a few miles of trail outside of Fruita (mostly to facilitate parking at a more "hardened" area). I estimated that everything could be covered by about $30/rider, although I have forgotten the exact amount. The BLM guy that I spoke to seemed sincerely excited and supportive of the idea, and offered to personally help expedite paperwork, etc. For what it's worth, he also didn't seem eager to bust "stealth racers" as long as they kept a low profile.

In hindsight, I think that a lot of the vitriol expressed on this topic is fairly reflective of the tension that exists between land-use agencies and land users in general. Every member of the public feels that their use of public lands should be allowed because they are the "public." Miners, ranchers, hunters, hikers, birders, ATVers, mountain bikers, river runners, etc. all want to do their thing without any regulations or unwelcome intrusions from other users, and they get pretty bent when they are told that they can't. On the other side, those who manage public lands are under continual attack from pretty much every side, and it gets especially heated when one type of land use interferes with another. They end up circling the wagons and hiding behind their desks, which I think is pretty understandable (if annoying) considering the circumstances. In practical terms, this means that they generally fall back on the legal regulations that have been hammered out after years of turmoil. In the case of the KTR (in its current low-profile, DIY style), the event simply doesn't fit the regulations very well--so the managers don't know what to do with it, therefore they stick it into the best-fitting basket that seems relevant. In this case, that means treating it like a "regular" race, which is an imperfect fit. Then, of course, people get angry because they feel (not without just cause) that the rules are being applied unfairly--and everyone gets testy until the cows come home.

I sincerely hope that this post doesn't stir up any additional ire. Rather, I hope that it answers any questions for those who stumble across this thread in the future and wonder what happened when I contacted the BLM, and whether I am going to pursue starting a legal race. For the record, I'm not. A few very outspoken veterans of this sport have made it clear, on this forum and elsewhere, that they oppose any efforts to involve the BLM in the KTR. I decided to honor their expectations, and I wouldn't have even thought about this thread if it weren't for the occasional e-mail that I've received asking about it.

Cheers,
Toby

[DaveH]

Ah yes, your introduction thread to bikepacking.net.  Sweet memories eh?

It's actually pretty cool you did some homework on this.  I for one don't have anything against an organized, legitimate event on the Koko.  I love that route...miss it actually.  If making a legitimate event brings a similar experience to others well that's a good thing.  It will never be over-run with mountain bikers so why not?

[Done]

Ah yes, your introduction thread to bikepacking.net.  Sweet memories eh?

It's actually pretty cool you did some homework on this.  I for one don't have anything against an organized, legitimate event on the Koko.  I love that route...miss it actually.  If making a legitimate event brings a similar experience to others well that's a good thing.  It will never be over-run with mountain bikers so why not?

Hi Dave,

One of my favorite memories of the CTR last year was meeting you at the start. All the crap that we had previously exchanged simply evaporated, and what remained were two riders fired up to ride hard through the beautiful Colorado mountains. Stefan's photo captured the moment perfectly!

I'm going to attempt a quick through-ride of Kokopelli's Trail with a couple of buddies late this spring. I rode sections of the trail many years ago, so I'm looking forward to a familiar, yet new, experience out there!

As for the future of a legal KTR, I'd always be happy to help move the ball forward if vets (like you) want me to. Probably too late for 2011 (bureaucratic paperwork is SLOW), but maybe for 2012? I'll sit tight until a consensus is reached though.

[DaveH]

There is a special magic to this bicycle backcountry thing, for sure!  That is a great memory indeed.

[Marshal]

Ha, I call BS on your need for consensus

If you really want to step up and organize a sanctioned KTR event just do it.

I double dog dare ya.

[Done]

Ha, I call BS on your need for consensus

Marshall, I can't tell whether you are teasing or not.

Maybe consensus is the wrong word, as I wouldn't let one negative comment out of fifty squash the other forty-nine. But I wouldn't even consider organizing a BLM-sanctioned KTR without overwhelming positive feedback and support from vets. Even with support, I'm not sure that I want to be an organizer--I already spend too much time thinking about bikepacking!

So, are you teasing me or encouraging me?

[DaveH]

LOL these things are never either/or.  Can't you tell it's both?

[TruthRider]

I haven't even bikepacked yet - outside of three unintentional bivouacs over the years due to being caught out too late and getting lost - and I spend WAY too much time thinking about it!  Can't wait for Aug 1 ...

When reading through this thread from the beginning, I was surprised at the tone of the posts back then.  I've been following the CTR and TD threads for a couple of months now and am blown away by the friendly community here.

My wife seems a little nervous about this developing obsession of mine ...  I'm looking forward to meeting everyone in August if not before.

[JF-mtnbiker]

Well, If anyone gets together a through ride this spring, I would be interested. Race pace or not. I'll be looking for any excuse to ride out of the snow and mud before long.

[Done]

LOL these things are never either/or.  Can't you tell it's both?

[Marshal]

Marshall, I can't tell whether you are teasing or not.

Maybe consensus is the wrong word, as I wouldn't let one negative comment out of fifty squash the other forty-nine. But I wouldn't even consider organizing a BLM-sanctioned KTR without overwhelming positive feedback and support from vets. Even with support, I'm not sure that I want to be an organizer--I already spend too much time thinking about bikepacking!

So, are you teasing me or encouraging me?

It’s is a polite, light hearted but dead serious challenge.

No one is stopping you but yourself Toby.

[krefs]

I'm going to ride (err...TT?) the KT again this spring at some point, and I know Jeff Kerkove wants to ride it fast, too. I'm probably going to try to squeeze it in between other things, so I'm not sure how far in advance I'll be able to nail down a date. I'll try to make a little noise beforehand in case anyone else is interested in joining. I haven't checked, but there still might be an 'official' unofficial group ride this year again.

Also, there will be a sanctioned race on the KT this year. It's going to be an out and back rather than the whole thing, but it might be worth contacting that promoter to make sure there's no conflicts in future years. I think it's being put on by Gemini Adventures.

[tetontodd]

I'm on the radar for this! I've been thinking about this trail all winter! Keep me posted. Can you ride this route in early March?

[DaveH]

You can ride quite a bit of it in march, but the La Sals don't normally melt out before May 1 or later.

[krefs]

There's a very enjoyable alternate route that can be done to avoid the snowy La Sals by heading around the west side of Arches and then across the badlands to the north, climbing over Dome Plateau and hitting the KT near the NW end of the Yellowjacket section. I rode that late last March when the La Sals were covered in deep snow, and I loved it. It's roughly the same length as the normal KT but with far less climbing.  It would be a bit longer if you take a less direct way to avoid riding the highway out of Moab to get to the airport (either the Brand trails or winding west a ways before looping back to the airport on jeep roads).

One word of caution: DO NOT attempt this route if there's any chance of rain. You will find yourself mired in clay mud for miles upon miles.