2013 Colorado Trail Race Prep

Ok, I guess there is a pretty big race coming up on Sunday morning, big for my standards and its time to start talking preparation.  It has been a very interesting bike season for me. In short, the spring offered early biking which helped prepare for the Arizona Trail Race, Kokopelli Trail Race, and Gunnison Growler. Then summer arrived, with only one race in the books since then with Salidas Big Friggin Loop. In between all that was the opportunity to ride for Griggs Orthopedics, Crested Buttes premier cycling team. One of my goals this bike season was to be apart of something, be on a team, experience support, and ride with sponsors on my back. I feel like I have an opportunity and more drive to cycle for a cause. I'm young, and this is an experience I could not pass up.

Since Salidas Big Friggin Loop cycling took a back seat to "life." In June I accepted a job as the accounts manager for a super cool PR firm in Seattle that works with outdoor brands, and hopefully bike brands soon. The best part....I work from home. Bottom line, with two jobs, roughly 70 hours of work a week and a summer full of fun its time to get my butt back on the saddle......for a very long time.

Thats what the Colorado Trail Race is for. To be honest, I have been avoiding the preparation, but now that I'm talking about it more and more it is getting me excited. July 21st at 4:00am a few other nut cases and I will set off on a 500+ mile journey from Durango to Denver to experience the best that Colorado has to offer. Now as far as my preparation goes, I have not had much time, so I'm going to keep it very similar to the Arizona Trail Race. I learned a lot in Arizona and my system seemed to work well, but there is always room for improvement. Still with these improvements, I have plans for next year when I have more funding to support them.

I have a goal in mind as far as a finish time, but I would rather not do any jinxing. I do however want want to finish in under a week, not get rained on (like that will happen), and push my self harder then ever. It is more of a mental challenge then anything, and I need to make sure I stay as positive as possible.

Here is my 2013 Colorado Trail Race gear list

Revelate Design Front Bag:

• Sleeping Bag 25 Degree Big Agnes
• Arm/Knee warmers
• Lightweight down jacket
• Buff
• Smart Wool cap
• Important Items that need to stay dry (when need be)

Nuclear Sunrise Stitchworks Saddle Bag

• Big Agnes Clearview pad
• Marmot bivy sac
• Rain pants
• Rain jacket
• Long johns
• Long sleeve thermal
• Long sleeve t-shirt
• Extra pair of socks
• Warm Gloves
• Spot Device in mesh pocket. (thanks Dave, finally a good place for my spot)

Revelate Design frame Bag

• Food (Start with 14,000 calories, just incase something happens and I cant get to Silverton.)
• Dried Fruit
• Peanut butter
• Honey stinger waffles
• Trail Mix
• Apple (one to start)
• Jerky
• And some other food that looks good when I head to city market on Saturday. 
• Aquamira tablets (water Purification)
• Replacement Lenses (clear/lowlight)
• First Aid Kit
• Shoe covers (small toe caps)
• PI ear warmers
• Spare tube
• CTR Databook
• Maps
• Cue sheet

Revelate Design Gas Tank

• Emergen-C
• Trail Mix
• Cliff Bars
• Cliff Gu's/shots
• Cliff Protein Bars 
• Aclimate
• Snickers

Revelate Design Jerry Can

• Batteries
• I-pod and headphones
• Chapstick
• Sun screen.
• Arnica gel
• Organic pain cream/chamois butter 

Camelbak Octane

• 2L bladder
• Pump and Co2
• Repair Kit
• Tape Stick
• Athletic
• Duck
• electrical
• industrial thread
• Shifter cable
• Zip Ties
• Park boots
• Extra Stans Sealant
• Break pads
• Multi Tool
• Small Knife
• Small towel
• Super glue
• Squirt Lube (2 small bottles)

On Bike Bars

• Garmin Etrex 30
• Cat Eye bike computer
• Fenix LD20 mounted

On Me

• PI P.R.O. bibs
• Pearl Izumi base shirt
• PI Elite Jersey (Griggs Ortho)
• Smart Wool Socks
• Giro DND bike gloves
• Pearl Izumi Alp Enduro Shoes
• Giro Aeon Helmet with Fenix LD20 mounted
• Pearl Izumi under cap
• Smith Eco shades
• Hope and confidence
• And a dash of luck

If you are bored at work, or just chilling on the couch after work go to this link: http://trackleaders.com/ctr13

Here you will be able to fine my little blue dot and watch my progress.

I really would like to thank my support team, even though you will not be able to support me. I can not thank Rhett Griggs, and the whole Griggs Orthopedic team enough for giving me the opportunity to join an amazing team with amazing people. It means the world to me and I'm so excited to represent team GO. I want to keep this brief but big thanks to, Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) for the support and the awesome trails on the mountain. I cant believe the trail system upgrades. I was blown away on Wednesday with the Pinnacle series. To be able to have a cross country race and a downhill race at the same time is a dream come true. Huge props to the trail crew and the whole team at CBMR. Also a big thanks to Acli-Mate, Stans No Tubes, Rudy Project, Squirt, Sram, Rock & Roll Sports, The Alpineer, Pikes Builders, The beautiful The Elk Mountain Lodge, Chucks Glass, High Mountain Builders, and the Go To Guide. This would not be possible with out all the support for some fantastic people, much love.