dogboydan

CTR 2009
Colorado Trail Race 2009
Here are some details about our trip and some photos -

Day 1
Waterton Canyon to Kenosha Pass

Happy start

Stephan has put race together - He did a great job.
About 70% of the racers had Osprey packs the Talon series. What a great pack! Nick and Dan both used a Talon 33 pack and loved it.
Dan used Eddie’s Alaskan made seat pack and gas tank bag - that was bomber too - Thanks Eddie.
We got on the trail about 6 am at first light - happy to roll with the pack.

Nick and Dan had maybe brought too much food? We had stuffed our huge packs.

It was great Paul and Eddie rode out with us to just before the south plate river. The turned around before the 21 switch backs down to river. It was great to have our friends with us.
We did see one of the racers going the wrong way going back for his GPS and his camera Brian Taylor. Hope you found them Brian.
Cross the river and climb thru Buffalo Creek area that burned years ago. Lucky it was early in the day and not too hot.

We rode for ever and ever then we hit the dirt road to Bailey - there was some down hill and some mild ups that we walked because we had been on the bike for more than 8 hours. Later we talked with Marshal and he saw our foot prints in the dirt when he walked too. He said that gave him some comfort. Marshal crashed out last year and used the 911 function on his Spot tracker. We met Marshal in Bailey at restaurant stop.

We continued up to Kenosha pass on Highway 285. We walked up 285 on some parts Dan was so tired. We arrived at Kenosha pass and met Kevin from San Diego - he seemed to be suffering from altitude sickness. We got water at the campground (the host was friendly) and continued about .5 miles to camp. Dan set up his tent and was asleep in 15 minutes. Wow was Dan tired! That was 14 hours of riding. You can get to sleep so fast when you are that tired.

Day 2
Kenosha Pass to Komoko pass
When we got down off Kenosha pass to 1^st water Dave Nice was there making coffee.
Dave Nice - we think this guy is a legend - he has ridden his bike to 24 hours of Moab competed solo and rode home. Wow this guy is tough! In the CTR he was riding a FIXED GEAR ridged bike.

So Dave asked us if we wanted some Whiskey - “NO?” we replied - then he tells us that it was his 29^th birthday so we did drink with him. The he pulls a glass bottle of KNOB creek whiskey out. Yes he has a heavy bottle of whiskey with him (maybe the bottle was 750mL IT WAS BIG AND HEAVY!) and a smile on his face. So he cracked it open and we drank with him. Dave is a great guy - Happy Birthday.

We continued over Georgia pass - down the back side and grinded and grinded and grinded until it started to rain as we were nearing Copper Mt. We pulled into the gas station Quiznos for subs and the rain came in hard - we were inside and what perfect timing - inside for the rain. It seemed like the start of our good luck.

With full stomachs and candy bars in our pack we climbed up to Komoko pass. It was just a beautiful ride. Paul and Eddie rode up the pass behind us and caught up to us before we made camp. The stayed near us and it was so cool to have our friends to cheer us on. We had a happy night sleep with our friends around.

We were able to wash our cloths in the creek and dry them by the fire that night - our stink had begun and the washing did help out.

We were able to call in with a cell phone that night.

Day 3
Komoko pass to North of Buena Vista
Rode / Hike a Bike over Komoko pass - Eddie and Paul came with us - cool to have your buddies around.
We all had smiles on - Life is good!
Crossing the flats of the top of Komoko pass we met Marshal - he was eating some Tuna fish and was in high sprits - it was nice to see him again.
Our 4 man group rolled down to Camp Hale for a snack. Eddie and Paul turned off to ride thru the town of Red Cliff the over Vail pass back to Eddie’s car. Thanks guys for the company.

We continued south to Leadville - it seemed far and there was some climbing - this section would be a great day ride but some of it is a grid with a large pack on.

We got into Leadville - At the Safeway we saw a racer named Tom we re-supplied, Dan had a postal drop ate in a Bar and washed the bikes at a car wash. On the way to the car wash we saw Tom and Max and we yelled we are going to the car wash - so they followed us to the car wash and the guys stopped with us but did not need the car wash so they continued out of town. It was kind of funny there were with us at the car wash asking what are we doing here - “We are cleaning our bikes” Nick and Dan said. They said bye and were off.

We rolled out of town. As we crossed HWY 24 there was trail magic. Some trail angle left a large container of food for hikers for free taking. It had cookies, potato chips and other junk food in it. We did not take any but it was nice to see. As we continued down a fire road we wound up catching Alex on some fire road - he did not know we were behind him. We almost caught up to him but we stopped for a water re-supply. Some one left a gallon jug of water out for hikers and bikers THANKS. But Alex did not stop.

Made camp at a creek crossing. As we made water to drink Karl, an ex-pro rode racer came by on his huge single speed bike. He was in great sprits and seemed strong. He rolled on. We think Marshal passed us as we sat by our fire. He had night lights on - we yelled his name but he did not stop. That night Nick said some animal came and poked it nose into his tent. We did not see it. Maybe it was a coyote?

Day 4
North of Buena Vista to Mt. Princeton Hot Spring

We rode and rode around Twin lakes - it was exposed and we rode some more. We climbed and dropped then the road into Buena Vista. Ate a late breakfast on the north end of town. Dan’s 2^nd postal drop package - it took almost an hour to get the his gear situated. A stop at the grocery store for some candy and ice cream then out of town.

Rode the black top to Cotton Wood Hot Springs then the trail south to Mt. Princeton Hot Springs. As we finished the last climb Dan asked Nick how far from the Hot Springs are we. Nick said it was about 2 miles. Dan thinks 2 miles of up hill road - NOPE we just rode down right to the springs NICE. We got a room, soaked in the hot springs ate a sweet steak dinner, Nick got a mail drop and we called in to MTB cast. A great night sleep - it was nice that we could bring the bikes into the room.

Day 5
Mt. Princeton Hot Spring to Monarch Crest

We packed for the long haul days - full packs of food.

The climb out of Mt Princeton is HIKE A BIKE and it was hot. We completed the climb then we got some relief with a light shower of rain. It was strange rain on and off jacket on and off about 10 times. But it felt good to cool the day off. Our 1^st gear issue came Dan’s bike computer stopped working so no more mileage record - oh well we will just keep riding. We crossed Hwy 50 and up Fooses creek trail. As we plodded along the trail gets steeper and steeper Dan knew there was camping (a flat dry spot) near the top be we were getting nervous then there it was - more good vibes from the trail. It was the same spot that Eddie camped in last year in the CTR2. By this time Dan ring finger on his left hand has started to get numb - strange.

this picture below is CTR3 night 5

Picture below is CTR2 Eddie and Chris

Day 6
Monarch Crest to Lake Baldy

HIKE A BIKE up to monarch crest and roll along nice and quick.

We happened to see a group of people and it turns out that they were the Osprey company people out on a test ride for some new packs and Greg the owner of the Golden Bike Shop where Dan got his bike. They were happy to see us using the Osprey Talon 33 pack - they took pictures. Thanks to Adam (Golden Bike Shop Manager) and gang at Golden Bike Shop for Dan’s Jet 9 bike. It is great! Dan’s down hilling has greatly improved with the 29er format and the bike worked great the whole ride. The Golden Bike Shop a great store.

HIKE A BIKE up and around the next section Sergeants Mesa it was just loose and hard to ride or walk. It was a long section without water so we camped at Lake Baldy about .5 down hill off the trail. It was just beautiful. We met some locals that were camping without tents, just improvised shelters - one was a male model in NY City for a while - nice guys - just hiking the Colorado wilderness. We seemed so high tech compared to these guys but we all we having a good time.

By this time Dan’s right arm started hurting in the arm pit - why I do not know it seemed from the heavy pack. It was the start of a series of moving pain thought his body. If you ride enough it will hurt. His finger was still numb so he removed his wedding band for the duration of the ride.

Day 7
Baldy Lake to Beyond Swatch on NN14

We rode the finish of Sergeants Mesa and down to the road were we met the trail angle “Apple” he had food for free for thru hikers and the bikers. He was so cool to us. He was an Electrical Engineer for IBM now retired - he made a system that covertly measured our speed on the trail about a half mile before his camp and warned him that we were coming. Our speed was 17 MPH. He said the fastest he has seen was 24 MPH. It was on a flat section of trail. Sodas, Potato chips, cookies…. So good. We also purchased some freeze dried meals from him - Apple knew just where to be to help out the hikers. He is a great guy. Thanks Apple. He said he gives a lot of hikers a ride to town when they need it.

We rolled on after about 90 min with Apple. Rolling trails, fire roads, small canyons and open fields into Swatch. Or major long detour around the not allowed sections of wilderness area.

We cruised along the dirt roads KK14 and NN14 for ever it seemed. We could see for miles and it seemed to never end. We found a well to get water and kept moving and moving until about dark. Our normal routine by now seemed to be riding by about 9:30 to 10 am and stop after 7pm to camp. So we camped on the side of the road in a hunting spot. It was a cold night and the coyotes were howling but we had no problems.

Day 8
Beyond Swatch on NN14 to Cabin on near Lake City

Back on the NN14 dirt road. It was long and long. Over Los Pinon pass then down then Up another pass over 11,000 feet. Wow we had to walk some of this dirt road it was so long on the bike.

At this point we were spent and low on food. So we took a right and down towards Lake City. This is off the 2009 race route.

The 2009 race route goes over 13,200 feet in the cataract section that we heard was just too much HIKE A BIKE for us at this time. The 2008 race route went down near Lake City and over Cinnamon pass at 12,600 feet with no HIKE A BIKE.

This change of course seem to get a lot of racers out or the race - it was a crux part of the race. Maybe we scratched out of the race but we think it turned into “GET TO DURANGO” and not get there as fast as we can.

We speed down HWY 149 towards Lake City - it dropped maybe 2000+ feet. - no way were we going to ride back up that we down hilled it for 20 + min. Passing the stop for Lake City we went up the Canyon towards Cinnamon pass thinking we might make it up and over. Seeing a camp store we stop in and just about clean them out of candy and sodas - Nick drank 3 cokes - that boy is a coke a cola drinking machine. We called in to MTB Cast with the change of course - Dan did in his tired state - does not ever remember what he said. Back on the bikes Dan was dragging behind badly. Nick spots a place that rents Cabins and has showers. “Dan do you want a cabin for the night?” --- “YES!”

When were in the camp store renting the place Dan wonders around the store in a dazed massively bonked state. It takes Nick to wake Dan out of his walking coma.

We buy tons of food and eat like kings that night - shower and a bed - oh so nice.

Day 9
Cabin on near Lake City to above Molas Pass

Ride over Cinnamon pass - it seemed for ever. Each time we turned the corner it was farther and farther away until the final stretch of exposed above tree line jeep road. Over the pass and down to Silverton - it was long down hill on the jeep road.

Silverton - mail drop and food. Dan got some letter from home - it was a great encouragement to hear from loved ones THANKS. Where is the post office - we rode around the whole town 2x looking for it. It seemed so silly to have such a small town and not be able to find the post office.

We met Alex and his wife. He finished the day before. He was supportive and it was cool to get real trail info from him. So post office and then food. We stumbled around town for more time looking for a place that we could see our bikes from our table to eat in. No luck. So the place we picked allowed us to bring them in. No way would we allow these bikes to get stolen. We ordered Potato skins, Large Pizza, hamburger fries, beers, and sodas wow that was a lot of food. We ate the majority of it and packed up some pizza for later.

On the way out of town we stocked up on more candy and goodies then up Molas pass. 7 miles of road climbing. Nick was so happy with the 2 beers he drank - whooping and hollering, was he drunk on 2 beers? That is one crazy boy.

Finally off the road on back on the CT after days! About 6 miles of single track and it is time to camp. We look and look for the ideal place then Nick spots a sweet camp site with metal chairs. Yes chairs in the middle of the wilderness - Score! It was flat and dry so sweet.

Day 10
Above Molas Pass to along fire road 564

Great trail high altitude riding. Over Bolam pass.
Last water for 20 miles - we filled up It was just miles and miles. The trail starts for follow the contour of the mountain - oh this is a nice change from the up and down every peak and valley. However it is on the right side of the valley and if you fall off the trail to the left you will go down a long way. This is what happened to Marshal last year. Dan was slow in this section - when in doubt chicken out and boy Dan did some chickening out. The view were spectacular and the ride cruised along a ledge of the mountain valley for ever it seemed. Dan just was chasing the stronger Nick for ever.

Once out of the valley we paralleled fire road 564 - a little route finding and we were off.

Mile after mile we made camp on the side of the road - nothing too special. Our normal routine after 7pm look for flat ground that is under or around pine trees so it will be dry with we hope a fire ring. We wanted to set-up camp before the sun set. And it seemed that each camp we had the morning sun was blocked by trees so we slept in until the sun hit our tents and warmed us up. This would some times mean that we did not get riding until 10 am - oh well lets call this the CTR Colorado Trail RIDE and make sure we get to Durango.

Day 11
along fire road 564 to Durango

Off down the trail next to the fire road. A little climbing a little x-country and a little down Mile after mile.

One of the fast section on the down hill had some whoops (jumps) Nick leading started to show boat (not normal for him) by jumping the whoops and the third whoop there was some horse poop in the trail and he landed in a fresh pile of it. Splash all over his bike, including his water bottles. Now this was a bad thing - no water for 15+ miles no water to wash the bike with. No more showboating for Nick. It was a shitty problem but we pressed on. The trail continued down and got fun and fast mildly technical and oh so sweet.

Coming to the final pass Kennebec the trail got more steep and technical with more and more consequences. We HIKE A BIKE up switch backs and down massive rock piles on knife ridges. Nothing scary if you are walking but if you rode you could go for quite a fall off the trail - maybe a 200+ foot drop. Up and down several peaks it was getting slow and hard we were tired. Hiked and road, hiked and road, hiked and road. Finally dropped down to Taylor lake and made some H2O that was about an hour over due maybe more. Rode over Kennebec pass and down our last main decent. Crossing a scree field Dan rear tire got a ¾” cut in the side wall Pop and it was flat. This was our second mechanical issue and the only flat of the trip. 10 minutes and we had a boot and new tube in the tire we were off. The decent lasted for such a long time. Dan’s hands were screaming to stop - the weight of the pack and squeezing the breaks for so long was taking its toll on them.

Finally we dropped into a valley and a climb started. According to our maps it would be a short simple climb. Well it was not. We spent hours walking our bikes (Dan dragging behind the stronger Nick) out of this canyon it seemed like it would never end, but it did then there was about 50 minutes of some of the best down hilling on the whole ride into Durango - it was fast and fun. Nick was leading and a cow ran out in front of him, he almost hit it. His eyes were wide open. Then we hit the lower parking lot and the end of the CT for us at 6:45 pm. We just hit the blacktop and saw Leslie cruising up the road in the Sequoia - cooler full of cold Pepsis - so good.

Had a night in Durango and drive home.

We both think we will never do that again.

11 days is too long for a race/ride and our tan lines and tired legs show we were out there for a long time.

Dan still has a numb finger, a hurt left ankle possible Achilles Tendonitis, and some weird pain right arm - it will get better if he stays off the bike for a few days and uses some shoes other than the SIDI riding cleats. For now Dan is icing the ankle and will stay off of it.

We made it from Denver to Durango in under 11 days and some do it in under 5 days. Wow in order to that so fast you really need to be committed to racing and not focused on enjoying the trail (lot of night riding)- we think that is just too much for us and we are pleased with our results and do not need to do it again.

Congratulations to all the racers - just to enter this event is impressive and to finish is simply amazing.

In all it was a great experience one we will remember for ever.

Aug 2 2009 6am mountian time the race starts in waterton canyon in the Denver area.
Race goes to Durango about 500 miles away. Read about in the links below.

Next race
Colorado Trail race July 28th
here are some notes on this race

See where Dan is now
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=02nFpqOEId5fKYnqA0crYd4m0Av9NC2NM
Note my spot tracker device is called "lowergear7"

Link tracks all racers in the CTR
http://www.trackleaders.com/ctr

Dan_Joseph on MTBcast
http://mtbcast.com/wordpress/dan_joseph/

A discussion forum about the CTR
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=219730

Link is of a racer talking last year on the trail
Search YouTube for lots of videos like this one

If you want to mail Dan something.
Send it to 1 of 3 places address like this
Places and the earliest I will show up there
Leadville Tues Aug 4 zip code 80461
Buena Vista Wed Aug 5 zip code 81211
Silverton Sat Aug 8 zip code 81433

General deliver
ATTN Dan Joseph
Buena vista Colorado 81211
If not picked up by Aug 20 2009 please retun to sender.

Dan getting ready for the race in full gear at home.

Messages from the Stefan Griebel who is the race originizer and Joe Polk who does MTBcast.

As a follow-up:

Each of you will have a page at MTBCast.com and your audio will be available there if you call in, so I encourage you to do so if you like. If you wish to send a pic and a blurb about yourself I can post it there as well. For those of you I know and have pics for I'm putting that up.
If you wish to share this with your friends and family the URL format for your page is as follows:

http://mtbcast.com/wordpress/first_last

So for Jeff Oatley, for example, it is: http://mtbcast.com/wordpress/jeff_oatley/

There will be links back from TrackLeaders.com as well so there should be no shortage of ways for folks to follow you on the maps and the audio. Good luck, Everyone! And be safe!

Joe

On Jul 30, 2009, at 4:10 PM, Stefan Griebel wrote:

Hey everyone-

This is a final informational email, then I'll see ya Sunday morning. Hope you are as excited as me!

1.) Pre-race meetings. We'll go over the course, the rules, hand out SPOTs, and answer any questions people have.
Friday, 5:30pm @ Vine Street Pub (17th & Vine) in Denver
Saturday, 5:00pm @ Chipotle (28th St.) in Boulder

2.) SPOT trackers
If you are borrowing a SPOT, please bring 2 Lithium AAs to the race start for your SPOT unit! Very Important!!!

3.) Mid-race check-ins:
If you are carrying a SPOT, you don't need to check-in. The leaderboard is here: http://www.trackleaders.com/ctr

However, you are welcome to call in if you like. Joe Polk from MTBCast has a Toll-Free # and will be posting podcasts online. If you don't have a SPOT, please check in at a minimum from Copper, B.V., and Silverton. The toll-free # is: 1-888-866-4491.

Optionally, Chuckyb has set up a twitter acct for checking in via txt messages as well. Send your twitter name to cbray123@gmail.com, and Chuck will 'follow' all of you (via bikepkr2) .
Please review the course changes for '09 once again. Riding (and/or hiking!) the *entire* CTR route is mandatory to be considered a finisher of the race. I'll be at the start by 5:15am or 5:30am to hand out SPOTs and do any last minute Q&A for those of you that can't make the pre-race meetings.

Cheers,
Stefan

Bike-N-Shoot