I guess I've really been writing this for myself so I can come back here, relive this, and refresh my memories of this stuff once they start to fade. However, on the chance that somebody else is reading this and considering The CT ride here's my advice for what it's worth. Do it - BUT - this one should not be your first bikepacking trek. Even if you are in touring mode and know what you're doing, this can be a monster ride physically and mentally. I would schedule extra time, a rest day, know where you'll be able to get a motel room and keep a couple thousand calories of food on hand at all times. Do not even think about putting yourself on a 4 or 5 day schedule unless you've done this before and/or are an elite rider with extensive experience and are willing to accept the risk of riding extreme exposure at night when weak and hallucinating a long way from any kind of help.
One of the things I regret not doing on this ride was taking the time to photograph the people we met along the ride. There was our fellow bikepacker Reid from Durango, the three dog girl, the alpaca couple, the horsepacking man from Missouri, the day rider from Denver and others. I also had a momentary encounter with Jesse Jakomait and he gave me words of encouragement as we passed. Wow, a whole new level of respect for the people racing this trail.
Would I do it again? I am undecided about that. There's a lot of hike-a-bike. Maybe in the other direction. The first time Jesse Jakomait rode this route he vowed he would never come back. Then, this year on his 5th attempt he set the course record. I think it's unlikely I'll be back as a thru rider because there are so many other routes out there I have not yet done, and I'm closing on 60.
One of the things I regret not doing on this ride was taking the time to photograph the people we met along the ride. There was our fellow bikepacker Reid from Durango, the three dog girl, the alpaca couple, the horsepacking man from Missouri, the day rider from Denver and others. I also had a momentary encounter with Jesse Jakomait and he gave me words of encouragement as we passed. Wow, a whole new level of respect for the people racing this trail.
Would I do it again? I am undecided about that. There's a lot of hike-a-bike. Maybe in the other direction. The first time Jesse Jakomait rode this route he vowed he would never come back. Then, this year on his 5th attempt he set the course record. I think it's unlikely I'll be back as a thru rider because there are so many other routes out there I have not yet done, and I'm closing on 60.
By the end I was schooled by the CT & mother nature and acutely aware of my own human frailties. I had to fallback on civilization; car rentals, motels and restaurants to get to my goal, but that's OK. I rode and walked hundreds of kilometers of the CT. I ate and slept on the CT. There was a little blood, lots of sweat, and a few tears. I did it all with my son and we still ride together. I'm proud that I can say that.
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