GLR Recon

All the goods are in:  racks, waterproof panniers, packs, hydration systems, lightweight bivy gear, GPS, maps.  Now, how does all this stuff a) fit on a bike, and b) work?

Time to find out!

The middle section of the Grand Loop Race is the Paradox trail.  Getting maps for this has been more than challenging.  An email request to COPMOBA was returned 3 weeks later with a suggestion of joining the organization and requesting the map pack - with another 2-3 week turnaround time.  I don't mind supporting MTB trail advocacy groups (and joined up), but the delays...are like getting a passport.

Fortunately, I'm resourceful and google ferrets out the goods.  Using this map as a guide and the BLM section descriptions, I've mapped out a GPS route in NG Topo!

Here's my version:

Hmmm...I think I see discrepancies already...

This weekend is Paradox recon weekend.  Hard to tell where the mudline will be...if I'm lucky and can get to the 8000' mark I'll be able to check out the Glencoe bench area - one of the routefinding toughies of the Paradox.  The Paradox goes through some awesome river canyons at the lower elevations, should be the perfect time of the season for those.   It'll be much nicer now than in June!

Oh, and an added bonus:  the camera lives.  Pics to follow.

Anyone wanna join in the fun?

Published Thursday, March 29, 2007 7:17 AM by Dave

Comments

# @ Thursday, March 29, 2007 9:58 AM

Let's see what i can throw together. Let you know soon.

plesko

# @ Thursday, March 29, 2007 10:03 AM

Dang, four weekends in a row in the desert - should I? What day, Saturday or Sunday or are you planning an overnighter? I'm tempted.

Chris we could ride share.

With snow falling here yet again....

Ed

edemtbs

# @ Thursday, March 29, 2007 10:16 AM

Well Ed of course you should! Weekends are for the working man ya know.

The general plan is to start in or near Bedrock noonish Saturday. Saturday go west as far as possible, camp back down low. Sun east as far as possible. I'm hoping to get to the Glencoe bench area, but that's likely pushing it, especially if they got any snow (it looks dry at 8k near DGO)...return the easiest way possible, prolly the nucla-delta rd. Sun will include some sketchy routefinding stuff, steep caca and all that.

Oh I can't wait.

Chris, you know you can!

Dave

# @ Thursday, March 29, 2007 6:47 PM

See you sat.... lets see what the 500 mile legs can do...

i'll bring a topo if i can get one at rei just in case i gotta bail....

Feeling alittle tired this eve but could be the two tours and beers i "had " to do this eve

;)

Dave Nice

SlowerThenSnot

# @ Friday, March 30, 2007 6:26 AM

No need for the 500 mile legs - 200 tops. You might bring an ice ax though, looking outside right now...

Ask Chris to print some extra maps - I sent him some big image files last night.

Dave

# @ Friday, March 30, 2007 6:40 AM

I'll print those maps out today at work. Hopefully the color printer doesn't give me the finger.

I'm all packed and feeling snappy right now. Could be the SBux for breakfast though. The pack weighs less than 14lbs with a full load of water and there is nothing extra on the bike except 1 water bottle cage and a small handlebar bag for some easy to reach food, MP1, maps, GPS etc.

plesko

# @ Friday, March 30, 2007 7:49 AM

What's SBux? Doesn't sound edible.

A full GLR/KTR load of water weighs well over 14 lbs all by itself...so you need to at least double your water. Maybe triple, depending on what you're calling a full load.

Water is about 8 lbs/gallon and I went through about 3 of them at KTR and was wishing for 4.

2-3 inches new snow here this am. Looking at region radar it seems localized...but we could be looking at a plan B out there this weekend.

Dave

# @ Friday, March 30, 2007 10:03 AM

Well full load was in reference to this weekend. 90oz in my pack and 28oz in a bottle. That's roughly a gallon at a time between collecting more. You planning on hauling 2-3 gallons at a time for GLR? Is water that far between places to refill out there?

For KTR I might haul more water at the start but I won't be hauling so much food or camping gear.

I hauled 175oz at the start of the Rim Ride and had probably 75oz or more left still at the end.

We'll see what happens with the snow. Hopefully it won't be bad but if so we'll deal.

plesko