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Colorado Trail Resource

This Colorado Trail Resource page contains everything you need to plan and execute a ride/race of the Colorado Trail.

At around 500 mile long the Colorado Trail is a non-motorized multi-use trail that starts on the in Denver and ends in Durango, Colorado The trail averages over 10,000′ and includes breath taking passes above tree line.

As it travels its 500 miles the CTR passes through six National Forests and six Wilderness areas. It also traverses five major river systems and eight of the states mountain ranges.

The entire trail is open to hikers and horses, while cyclist do have to reroute around wilderness areas. All users are greeted with spectacular views, big climbs, long descents, and an amazing experience.

Containing all of the One of Seven Project’s resources related to the Colorado Trail and more, this page is your one stop for planning a trip by bike to the CTR. Find out how to plan and resupply, find transportation, to bikepacking resources to help you pack, stay dry or warm, and other helpful tips.

If you’re looking to purchase one of the Project’s Planning Aids, you can find them in our store. The Data Sheet and Town List are your ultimate guides for everything CTR. Find distances, elevation gain/loss, resupply options, water, and more. Don’t forget out Mileage and Elevation Gain Charts as well.

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Resources

Everything you need to plan a bikepacking trip on the CTR.

 

Colorado Trail bikepacking Craig Fowler- Bikepacking lessons

Your ultimate bikepacking guide to the CTR.

MY GEAR LIST FROM THE CTR

A detailed look at what I used on the CTR, what worked and what didn’t.

IF I RODE… SERIES

In depth look at what I would bring for gear and why, if I rode the CTR again.

Face of the CTR - 2019

Colorado Trail Race Rider Survey

The Project conducts an ongoing rider survey to help new riders try to figure out what gear to use during the Colorado Trail Race. Undertaking a ride/adventure like the CTR can be very intimidating and the planning can be overwhelming. It’s our hope this survey will help new riders with their planning and execution of their CTR, as well as help ensure riders are more properly prepared for their adventure.

If you haven’t taken the CTR Rider Survey yet and would like to you can at the links below.

***Please pay attention to the examples for the questions where you have to type in your answer. If answers are not entered EXACTLY like the example I have to go in and correct them and it also throws off the results. Thanks in advance!

CTR Rider Survey Results Example

Covers: bikes, suspension, tires & wheels, drivetrain, and Components.

Covers: navigation planning, camping, logistic/travel, clothes, and more.

As an affiliate partner, One of Seven Project earns a commission for purchases made through any product, brand logo links, or banner ads on this page. Thanks for your support!

Checkout our bikepacking resource page for more planning help.

COLORADO TRAIL RACE PLANNING AIDS

Being that I’m also a Triple Crown thru-hiker I’m used to quality planning tools. After finishing the Bikepacking Triple Crown I realized bikepacking didn’t have quality planning tools available. The Project’s Planning Aids and Resources are our answer to this.

After 100’s of hours of research, 1000’s of keystrokes, more emails and phone calls than I can recall the One of Seven Project’s Colorado Trail Race Planning Aids are done. They’re the ultimate planning resources for the Colorado Trail Race. They contain everything you need to plan and execute your race/ride of the CTR. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in these then it’s probably in our Colorado Trail Resources.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • The race runs southbound/westbound on years ending in an even number and those planning aids have a BLUE band.
  • The race runs northbound/eastbound on years ending in an odd number and those planning aids have an RED band.
  • All planning aids are based off the 10k GPX file.

BUNDLES

Small Bundles:

Big Bundles:

One package including our two most popular planning aids.

  • Data Sheet
  • Town List

One package including all of our planning aids.

  • Data Sheet
  • Town List
  • Mileage Chart
  • Elevation Gain Chart

Available in both SOBO and NOBO versions and ONLY in imperial units.

Small Bundle – $40.00 + tax (CO only) *You save $10 when you bundle!

Big Bundle – $60.00 + tax (CO only) *You save $20 when you bundle!

DATA SHEETS / TOWN LISTS

Data Sheets:

Town Lists:

Gives you the most information of any planning aid.

Similar to the Data Sheet, with slightly less information, but displayed showing cumulative mileage and elevation gain.

Data Sheet includes:

  • Key POI.
  • Elevation / Pop of POI.
  • Mileage numbers.
  • Distance to next.
  • Elevation +/-.
  • Max & Min. elevation between POI.
  • Pavement sections.
  • Key water sources.
  • Shows bike shops.
  • Resupply options.
  • Important notes.
  • Elevation profile.
  • Finish Target Times.

Town List includes:

  • Key POI.
  • Mileage.
  • Distance on/off trail.
  • Important notes about POI.
  • Cumulative distances to up coming POI.
  • Elevation Gain to reach up coming POI.
  • Key water sources.
  • Shows bike shops.
  • Finish Target Times added.

All versions of the Town Lists are ONLY available as part of the Small or Big Bundles.

Available in both SOBO and NOBO versions and ONLY in imperial units.

Data Sheet – $25 + Tax (CO only)

Example of Data Sheet

Example of Town List

CTR, Data Sheet example- bikeepacking guide planning aids
CTR, Data Sheet example- bikeepacking guide planning aids

DATA SHEET and TOWN LIST DIFFERENCES

The Data Sheet has the most info. It gives the distance, elevation +/-, average grade, maximum and minimum elevations, pavement sections, references ACA maps, bike shops, resupply options, and has key notes between two POI. Example: A and B, then B to C, and so on.

The Town List gives cumulative distances between POI. Example: A to B, A to C, A to D. The next section would be B to C, B to D, B to E, and so on. The Town List has distance, elevation +/-, resupply options, bike shops and key notes.

The Town List helps with not having to do the math to figure out how far away things are if they’re not the next POI.

MILEAGE / ELEVATION GAIN CHARTS

Mileage Charts:

Elevation Gain Charts:

Quickly find the total mileage between any two POI along the route.

  • Shows bike shops.
  • Works for both directions.
  • Key water sources.

Quickly find the total elevation gain between any two POI along the route.

  • Shows bike shops.
  • Works for both directions.
  • Key water sources.

The Mileage and Elevation Gain Charts are ONLY available as part of the Big Bundle.

Example of Mileage Chart

Example of Elevation Gain Chart

CTR, Mileage Chart example- bikeepacking guide planning aids
CTR, Elevation Gain Chart example- bikeepacking guide planning aids

CHECKOUT ALL OUR GUIDES

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Tour Divide/Great Divide MTB Route Logo - tour divide guide Planning Aids
Colorado Trail Logo- One of Seven Project - colorado trail guide Planning Aids
Kokopelli Trail Logo - Kokopelli Trail Guide - Bikepacking
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Pemi Loop Logo - hiking - guides - HIKING GUIDES

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As an affiliate partner, One of Seven Project earns a commission for purchases made through any product, brand logo links, or banner ads on this page. Thanks for your support!