Unfortunately, I woke up this morning hoping that the little “blue dots” would be viewable today and they’re not. So it looks like the SPOT server is still down. However, I did find a website that is transmitting daily(?) internet “pod casts” of the event.

If you go here and look for the MTB Pod Cast Episode CTR08 Day 1.  At the bottom of the CTR Day 1 section there will be an arrow for “play”.  Click on the arrow and listen to the update, its pretty much like recorded radio on the internet.

Have a good day everyone.
Thanks,
CJB

I got a call around 7pm (TX time) from Travis’ wife, Katie. She was not necessarily doing too well. She called to get some advice and talk to someone who was familiar with what Travis has been doing (and will be going through). She said that he got off to a slow start (which is what I had expected). The temperature in Denver was in the 90’s and Travis does not do well in the heat. For the passed week he has been feeling “flat” and has not had the best rest. She said at the 5 hr mark today he was in low spirits. He had run out of water, was legitimately (mildly)dehydrated and talking a little “crazy talk”. He commented to her that it was already tougher than he had expected.

During this time she was having dinner with his family a few hours down from the start and his family was fairly concerned about his endeavor(and also worried about her camping solo for 8 days). This was weighing heavy on Katie and she wanted to just get some of these things off her chest. She said she was going to drive down to Buena Vista, which is about 3 days into the race for Travis, where she would wait for him to come thru. I encouraged her to be positive and upbeat and let me know if she finds out anything new on they’re end.

Nobody said this was going to be easy……
CJB

AND THEY’RE OFF!

Earlier today at 12:04pm mountain time 23 racers started the Colorado Trail Race (CTR). A close friend of mine and True Fab singlespeed owner, Travis Butler, was one of those lined up at the start.  Today has been riveting as we have been able to follow most all of the racer’s via a GPS tracking device called SPOT.

The CTR event is a race that runs the entire length of the CO trail from Denver to Durango.  It is basically a self supported time trial.  The racers will carry everything they need for the entire event, only stopping in the towns along the way to refuel and get supplies.  Travis called me last night to let me know that the guy he was staying with Chris Plesko has his entire “gear” down to 20lbs.  Travis’ own gear was down to 28lbs; he felt pretty good about being so close in weight.

The winner from last year, I believe, finished in around 5 days even.  Travis was shooting for an 8 day race which would put him down for about 65 miles per day.  Did I mention that Travis will be riding a rigid singlespeed for the CTR?!

Please come on over to the CTR Leaderboard set up over on the other page of the HH Community section of our website.  You will need to refresh the browser in order to update the new locations of the racers. You can also view the leaderboard in “hybrid” mode which will allow you to see some of the topo relief on the map. – http://www.hammerheadbikes.com/leaderboard/

Pray for Travis and the other racer’s safe travels.
Thanks,
Cody

PS- you can also follow some of the forum dialog about the race over in our forum
http://www.hammerheadbikes.com/forum/index.php?topic=201.0