The CTR rules cover Trail Magic pretty well, but it is left a little open so that folks can enjoy a cold beverage gift or a hot dog or a treat from a stranger on the trail. That is Trail Magic!

The CTR would like to reiterate what is acceptable as a food gift on the trail. Trail Magic should be spontaneous(unplanned), it should be from strangers, it should never be asked for or begged for. It should Never Be A Resupply!!! Trail Magic is few bonus calories or a cold drink or a top off of water. If Trail Magic is the only reason you can make it over the next pass or to the next town, you are doing it wrong. CTR riders are asked to be prepared as part of Self Supported Riding, that includes bringing enough food or water to complete the mission. Most of us have limped into a town after hours without any food left in the bags, you suck it up and wait for things to open, or you carry on with limited food. This is not an opportunity for Trail Magic to save the day. Please Understand this statement.

There is a push among some of this group to get rid of Trail Magic completely from the CTR, make it black and white. Take Nothing from Anyone, only what you can purchase commercially. While this solves the problem of what is allowable, it feels a bit drastic and harsh. That is why the rule allows you to be human, to take a Coke and have a conversation, pretty sweet. The CTR would like to stay Human and not add more rules. That means all the riders need to grasp this concept to some degree or trail magic will no longer be allowed in the CTR.

Also this is a reminder of how to act and make decisions out there when faced with unknown and uncertainty. It is sometimes tricky to make the best choices out there when you are hungry, wacked out and very driven to finish and can’t remember the exact rules anyway, I know I get it. Remember you are just one leaf in the breeze, think about the whole group start following your footsteps, think of a thousand riders coming behind you and if they acted in the same way, would it be positive, would it be impactful? One rider getting assistance with food outside of commercial establishments is not big deal, but what if 5, 10, 15 more folks landed in town after hours and didn’t want to wait? CTR riders would quickly get a reputation as being unprepared and needy, this is not self supported behavior, and it is simply not acceptable going forth.

Keep it Self Supported out there, that is the bottom line. Move through the mountains in such a way that almost no one even notices you. Leave no Trace. Be Kind. These are more important to the CTR than speed or amazing performances, fast means nothing if done improperly. The continuity of this event depends on each and everyone of us and how we act out there.