To all those that have called, emailed, and PM'ed me about this: Please, stop. I'm truly glad that the race captured your imagination and made you suffer and see god and all that. It was a great race. But my involvement in it has come to an end.
No amount of pleas, offers to build a website, offers to have your SO police the course, offers to register a domain name, offers to provide coffee and donuts at the start, etc... will make any difference.
I enjoyed the race for the few years I ran it, but I'm now happily moving on to other things.
Here's an idea: if you want the race to happen, organize it. That's all it takes, mostly.
If talking involves doing prerides on the course after Xmas, the part that isn't covered in snow that is, then yes. A veteran of last year told me last week that he "highly" recommends recon. Sounds like some folks got a we bit confunded this spring.
Yes, that's "legal". I really don't think it's that necessary for the KTR though. Study the map well, and maybe just program up a few intersections should be more than enough.
Yes, that's "legal". I really don't think it's that necessary for the KTR though. Study the map well, and maybe just program up a few intersections should be more than enough.
Going to be down there riding KTR the week before your guys race as part of a multisport holiday with my wife. Planning on doing it in 2 or 3 chunks, depending on fitness by the time spring rolls around. Anyway, anyone have an idea on the condition of Onion Creek Road leading up to Fisher Valley? I'm thinking of that being one of our campsites, but am uncertain as to the condition of the road.
Anyway, regardless, good luck with your race. I'm thinking that if my time down there goes well this spring, then maybe you'll see me back for the solo self-supported race in 2008.
Anyway, anyone have an idea on the condition of Onion Creek Road leading up to Fisher Valley? I'm thinking of that being one of our campsites, but am uncertain as to the condition of the road.
QUOTE]
I've seen passenger cars make it up Onion Creek. Several stream crossings (actually more like a dozen). I would not try it in a Mini, but my Subaru could make it.
To all those that have called, emailed, and PM'ed me about this: Please, stop. I'm truly glad that the race captured your imagination and made you suffer and see god and all that. It was a great race. But my involvement in it has come to an end.
No amount of pleas, offers to build a website, offers to have your SO police the course, offers to register a domain name, offers to provide coffee and donuts at the start, etc... will make any difference.
I enjoyed the race for the few years I ran it, but I'm now happily moving on to other things.
Here's an idea: if you want the race to happen, organize it. That's all it takes, mostly.
I am curious to all that have posted here, everyone on this thread says May 4th with the full moon. But the new web blog site for the race states May 19th as THE start date... So which is it???
The 19th is just after the new moon ie no moon light!!! at least the 4th has a Waning Gibbous moon... what gives??
I am curious to all that have posted here, everyone on this thread says May 4th with the full moon. But the new web blog site for the race states May 19th as THE start date... So which is it???
The 19th is just after the new moon ie no moon light!!! at least the 4th has a Waning Gibbous moon... what gives??
I proposed the first date to get things rolling based on the moon and what would fit my racing schedule. Since I did not really want to organize it more than a date and a start time, one of the other members took charge and changed the date due to potential snow issues. It looks like the "official" date is the later date. Ed pointed you in right direction. I'll probably be out on the trail the original weekend working out my gear, might bivy to ensure I have everything dialed in or I just may ride straight through.
Ok thanks guys I apprechiate the help That is unfortunately the same weekend as my daughters birthday so no go for me this year hopefully next year!! Thanks!!
Thanks Jeff for digging this thread up, as I couldn't find it the other day when looking.
Soloracer, thanks for the feedback on Onion Creek road, I expect we'll have little trouble in our AWD Element -- that thing has done wonders for us so far.
Now onto the topic at hand... does anyone have a 29er tire they recommend for Kokopelli? I just mounted 2.1 Ignitors to my "good set" of wheels but figure I'll need something with a bit more float for Kokopelli, Porcupine, and Slickrock. Any recommendations from those who have 29'd it before? I'm looking for suggestions in the 2.2 to 2.35 range. Thanks!
I ride a rigid SS, and I'll be using Weirwolf's front and rear. I've used a Nano out back, but the added comfort, traction, and float is more valuable than the slightly reduced rolling resistance.
For water, I'll likely start with a gallon on the back and two bottles, then refill at the river and again when necessary in the mountains. Conditions dependent. I don't mind iodine and thus do not own a filter.
Lots of food. The usual: bloks, candy, dried critter.
If the weather is "good," extra clothing should not be excessive.
Gotta get a good light.
What gear? Seems like the lowest I can have to not be spun out through Rabbit and Westwater, or maybe go tall and just hike fast on the climbs. Hmmmm.....
I have a feeling I may be making a trip up to preride, though pulling an Ed and doing it onsight has appeal. I've ridden basically none of the course!
No filters, takes way too long. Tablets are an option. If I remember right, Jon and most of the top finishers carried all they needed. But that was years past, this year, different monster. Desert at night, mountains by day. Me? I think I'll just carry some beers.
Hello y';all, hoping to ride this thing and was wondering if there will be any post ride thing going on and anyone have an idea to get folks back to the trailhead? A car pool would be a great idea, just throwing that out there. As far as the race goes i hope to have enough water to make it to Fischer creek, but can make an early call at westwater. I rode it in the Grand Loop last year and needed alot of water but this should be a bit easier i hope. Looking forward to it see y';all there. Jefe
Jim, Yes, but you've got competition experience here. I'd recommend others make sure they've used this in training prior to the event!
Dave, Do you plan to drink CO river water with just tablets? I think Fisher Creek would be OK, but CO water seems a bit 'thick' for that.
I carried a lot of water last year. Over 300oz. I did drink it all, but my pack was so heavy at the start that I couldn't breathe well. I'm rethinking this for 2007. I think the top five finishers last year were about as varied as you can get in terms of gear and water used. Some filtered, some carried all, some needed more than others, ultralight, fully equipped, etc...
It's definitely important to figure out what works for the individual. Jon Brown may race well on limited water, but obviously knows what he's doing. Most others would be quickly lying dehydrated on the side of the trail if they tried to race on that amount. I think a quick look through some of the reports from last years race illustrates what caused most people issues...
I am still debating my water strategy for the Fruita-->Moab direction. Last year I carried enough to get to Westwater. I refilled there, and still ran out before I finished. Rabbit Valley and beyond was wilting.
I am thinking that this year I want to be a bit better lit for the desert. More light could mean more speed on those rabbit filled double tracks and dirt roads. Not that I will be hammering, but some nice throw should help things move along
Goes without saying what's best for one is not best for………….
Among the many many options you could:
Carry all you need (seems some what counter productive to me unless you can safely get by on less than 200 oz) Call this the hard hard core racer option, better know what you are doing and carry some tablets for backup!
Start light on liquid, ride fast and enjoy the cool night air and stop at Westwater. No filter needed here but Westwater is off course a bit and you still have the main/hot part of the day in front of you.
Start med on liquid and just tablet-fast, (yuk yuk on the silt, but some did this last yr and lived to tell the tale) or filter+tablet-slow, from the silty Colorado River at Cisco Landing (or do it just a bit farther on at the ST that goes right next to the river at about mile 65)
Start med/full and tablet+filter at about ½ way point at Dewey Bridge (I am thinking of doing this option as I would then start the hot long climb with semi-cool fluid to drink and if needed get in a quick soak to chill down my legs in the river while I filter)
Note: Fisher Creek crosses the trail about mile 109, creek runs strong and clear and you could just tablet (better tablet as there are cows in the area) the water here. However there is no reason to stop here if you still have a bottle or two left, unless you just need the cool water/break as its mostly down hill, there IS one major but non-tech climb left.
IMO, If it's a cooler day I do think many of the hard core racer types will try to make it at least to Fisher Creek and if needed do a fast light (1 maybe 2 bottle) quick tablet-only fill.
Enjoy
½ the fun of this event is trying to figure out the best personal water strategy and much of what we learned last yr from the Moab--Loma does not apply this yr for Loma--Moab
In all seriousness, that sort of thing just doesn't bug me. Back in the day, waaay in the middle of nowhere in Escalante country, friends and I were reduced to filtering from a 10' by 2" pool. Even filtered and sitting overnight, the water remained fully silted, the image of chocolate milk. Tasted fine, especially if you didn't look.
Some can't stand silt, others can't stand iodine. I can't stand the arm workout of filtering, it tends to give my arms unneeded bulk that just slows me down. So I don't use them.
Jim, Adam, and the rest who actually know what they're talking about make good points. I'll likely carry "a lot" but not a full bore load, and see when I need to refill.
As for apres-race plans, I have a wonderful SO who has agreed to be shuttle driver. I'm also hoping to convince her to make a pizza run to keep the finish area well supplied. No agoraphobia inducing restaurant experiences this time, eh Ed?
Jim, Adam, and the rest who actually know what they're talking about make good points. I'll likely carry "a lot" but not a full bore load, and see when I need to refill.
As for apres-race plans, I have a wonderful SO who has agreed to be shuttle driver. I'm also hoping to convince her to make a pizza run to keep the finish area well supplied. No agoraphobia inducing restaurant experiences this time, eh Ed?
Woo-hoo! I'll be pre-riding this weekend if anyone is out there. Loma to Dewey Bridge with a couple of friends. Dewey Bridge to Moab pre-ride tentatively set for Apr 21 or 22.
LOL, I don't like crowds when I'm feeling good Dave! When I'm wasted, hungry and cranky after a long ride, well I get pretty ornery waiting for food!!!
KTR post-ride plans/logisitics have not been made yet.
Similar to Fred's experience, I carried 300 ozs. on my back + water bottles last year and I won't do that again this year even if it does mean I will partake of silty CO river H2O. I'm kind of like you Dave, I used to drink out of lakes, streams, muddly puddles, whatever it all worked ok. Nowadays it seems like people freak if you lick a dew-dampened aspen leaf! Dave Harris had a nice lead last year until he had to filter and had problems with the filter - lost something like 20 minutes and Jon B passed him. Jon had an amazing ride and did it on very little fuel/water - be careful emulating him.
This year will be much different with the course being reversed. I am looking forward to an entirely new challenge.
Ya gotta bring what works for you Jeff and only you can really decide that. Plus your goals play into it too. Want to finish? Be conservative. Willing to risk a DNF? Go light and hope it works out for you. There's plenty of info on what you're up against here and in the old threads. It's a long race and dehydration has been the downfall of many at KTR but there is water around and you just have to decide how you want to play the game and how fast you're really going to go <gulp>.
I'll most likely be of the light water strategy with tablets or UV for dewey bridge or fisher creek but it's going to be weather dependent. I certainly won't haul more than 180 oz on my back and it will likely be only 90oz plus maybe a bottle or two. After the Rim Ride I decided that 180oz was about all the water weight I want to carry in the pack I'll be using at KTR.
Tires will probably be 2.1 racing ralphs with lotsa sealant. Been working well for me the majority of the time.
Post race my wife will be shuttling with the Element. She already ditched another ride to be here for me so I'm pretty sure she'll be up for whatever I need. We'll be happy to accomodate other racers post race as we're able. Looking quite forward to it!
Even though the KT course is a bit more straighforward than the Rim Ride course and will be marked with the carsonite KT markers, it will not have nice blue ribbons at key intersections and some KT signs may be red-necked into oblivion. Could be a very tough challenge pulling an "Ed"!
Even though the KT course is a bit more straighforward than the Rim Ride course and will be marked with the carsonite KT markers, it will not have nice blue ribbons at key intersections and some KT signs may be red-necked into oblivion. Could be a very tough challenge pulling an "Ed"!
Agreed. Ask Dejay Birtch about this. Many others have missed key turns (including some who should know better!). That said, the trail is pretty easy to follow. As always, I recommend those Latitude 40 maps. Grand Junction, and Moab East being the two needed here.
I may see you out there this weekend Ed. If I'm riding that area it will probably be late Friday through mid day Saturday heading east. Are you planning one day or two? Camping along the course? See you maybe,
Fred - we'll keep an eye out for you. We're starting Sat. early in Loma and heading west to Dewey, planning to complete late Sat. We should be crossing paths.
Ed
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