Pro-Tip
A big part of setting up an Itinerary is knowing what’s available and how difficult something is. Do you due diligence and collect all the information you can.
For more information on the Colorado Trail visit our CT Resource page. »
Resupplying on the Colorado Trail is fairly easy. Food is readily available throughout the entire Colorado Trail (CT). With the exception of one area. Finding water shouldn’t be an issue as there’s very few dry sections. Logistically speaking the Colorado Trail Race (CTR) is probably the easiest of the three trails in the Triple Crown of Bikepacking (Arizona Trail, Tour Divide and Colorado Trail). That didn’t stop me from making this Colorado Trail Resupply Guide, to make your life even easier.
Despite being the easiest trail to resupply and find water on, you should still set up an Itinerary before you go. Having more information available will only increase your odds of finishing. Don’t let your lack of planning be the reason you don’t reach the finish line.
My options for resupplying on the CT came from the Atlas Guides/Guthook app and the Colorado Trail Data Book. You can also try the Bikepacking.net’s forum. There is also a Facebook page for the CTR. Here in this Colorado Trail Resupply Guide you’ll find everything I learned and more to help you plan your own race/tour of the CTR.
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The race is on August 14th, 2022. It will start at Waterton Canyon (SW Denver) at 4 am.
In regards to Resupplying, the toughest stretch is between Silverton and Mt. Princeton Hot Springs. It’s a distance of around 181 miles without an on trail resupply option. There are six optional off trail resupply located in the 181 miles where one could resupply but all but one involve many extra miles and thousands of feet of elevation loss. For those touring who don’t want to carry tons of food these might be the only option.
The resources below is based off the race GPX and every effort was made to accurately determine mileage. The mileage, what’s available and any other information should be used at your own risk. These should be paired with your own research.
The below maps are meant to compliment our Planning Aids, and help riders plan their resupply before they leave and while on trail. You can also use them as GPX back ups on your phone.
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:
One package including our two most popular planning aids.
One package including all of our planning aids.
Available in both SOBO and NOBO versions and ONLY in US Standard 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!
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:
Town List includes:
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 US Standard units.
Data Sheet – $25 + Tax (CO only)
Example of Data Sheet
Example of Town List
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.
Quickly find the total mileage between any two POI along the route.
Quickly find the total elevation gain between any two POI along the route.
The Mileage and Elevation Gain Charts are ONLY available as part of the Big Bundle.
Example of Mileage Chart
Example of Elevation Gain Chart
To the right you’ll find a Mileage Difference chart. The Google link will be take you to the chart, as well as a Gear List, Bike Shop List, Planning Checklist, Itinerary, Mail Drop Planner, and Food Planner. This is a free resource with basic information. For more detailed information for better planning and execution of your ride checkout our Colorado Trail Race Planning Aids. They are very detailed and have the most information of any guide available. Best of luck!
This spreed sheet is available on Google Docs, Please go to “Edit”, then select, ” Copy”. When pasting use Control(Command) – Shift – Paste or it won’t work. You’ll have to adjust column sizes. Then make all the changes you like! Happy planning and trails.
Water sources along the CTR are not hard to find. With this in mind I have not made a water report like I did for the AZT. My capacity for the Colorado Trail Race was 3.5 liters. I had a 3 liter Platypus Hoser and one 20 oz cycling bottle (which I lost very early on). Use your head and keep tabs on your levels and you should be fine, it’s rare you’ll go very long without water. For more on water carrying and filtration options checkout the gear section of this guide.
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.
***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!
Covers: bikes, suspension, tires & wheels, drivetrain, and Components.
Covers: navigation planning, camping, logistic/travel, clothes, and more.
Whether you’re racing or just touring the CTR you should at least have a rudimentary itinerary. You don’t need to stick to it, but the simple act of making it will help you familiarize yourself with the route. Having an itinerary is a good way to stay focused and also remind you of what your goal is.
In the accompanying “Bikepacking, pre-trip considerations” post, there’s more details on Itineraries. Covering a wide array of subjects like making a plan, gear, to health and personal considerations, and dealing with electronics.
Both the Colorado Trail Foundation and the Climbingdreams website are good reference points.
Below you’ll see an example. There’s a link to make a copy. This link also will supply you with Gear Lists, Planning Checklist, Mail Drop Sheet, and Food Planner.
This spreed sheet is available on Google Docs, Please go to “Edit”, then select, ” Copy”. When pasting use Control(Command) – Shift – Paste or it won’t work. You’ll have to adjust column sizes. Then make all the changes you like! Happy planning and trails.
A big part of setting up an Itinerary is knowing what’s available and how difficult something is. Do you due diligence and collect all the information you can.
SUPPORT THE COLORADO TRAIL FOUNDATION
The Colorado Trail Foundation are the acting stewards of the trail and help manage/maintain it. Because of them and their members you have this amazing trail to ride. Please consider donating or joining a work crew, so they may continue their amazing work
Everything you need to plan a bikepacking trip on the CTR.
Your ultimate bikepacking guide to the CTR.
A detailed look at what I used on the CTR, what worked and what didn’t.
In depth look at what I would bring for gear and why, if I rode the CTR again.
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