Brian,

I started with a time goal based on Hansen's splits from 2006.  48.5 hours running time =7mph avg. plus 1.5 hours downtime = 50 hours total.  I also extrapolated the individual splits on a percentage basis from Hansen's notes, time of day, expected current ets...  This was an educated guess.  As it turned out 50 hours would not have improved my position.  Dave and Ardie came loaded for bear.

Unlike the TWS or AuSable where there is 40 years of data to work from, estimating the MR340 wasn't easy.  West did peg his moderate 44 hour estimate.

I actually stayed on the 50 hour pace for a good bit of the race.  I turned to survival and defense mode when it became clear that the men's solo race for 3rd was you, Chuck and me.

As in NASCAR two boats move faster than one and Erin showed up at the right time to help me along.

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I can't seem to post my race-plan spreadsheet but I can can return email to you from TXpaddler@aol.com

LD

Lower Basin Location Bank Full Stage(ft) Flood Stage(ft) Current Stage(ft) Current Flow(cfs) Latest Forecast And More

Colorado River at Austin 16 24 8.02  4414 Forecast

Race Course:
Colorado River at Bastrop 14 23 8.17  6310 Forecast
Colorado River at Smithville 10 20 6.57  6275 Forecast
Colorado River above La Grange 19 26 10.48  7185 Forecast
Cummins Creek near Frelsburg   27 6.17  64 N/A
Colorado River at Columbus 30 34 17.23  7969 Forecast

Bottom line is that there is current, but not as much as the Missouri.  The Colorado is not a technical river....sort of a mini-Missouri but generally nicer smelling.  Missouri scenery is definitely more attractive.  No barges but you might find Bubba, Cooter and Skeeter setting a trot line.

Missouri River...except for 75 insane canoes and kayaks, totally devoid of recreation????  Definitely not a place for small kids to swim.

The more fun/challenging river is the San Marcos 30 miles south of the Colorado...but ya gotta wait until mid September for the 16.5 mile Junior Texas Water Safari, late October for the Martindale Triathlon and early December for the San Marcos Solo race.

LD

Another Race idea. Di and I have done this. Aker's Ferry to Big Springs on the Current= 70 miles of the most beautiful scenery, on the nation's clearest stream, with water you can dip into any time, add an aqua pure and drink.
     Maybe a trifecta type thing with Missouri (Big Water)  Kaw (medium water) and Current (stream with guarenteed year- round flow.

Going up river is how I train. 2 hours up, 1 hour down.  One thing about boating upstream is that you can't stop paddling (unless you're willing to go backwards).   There's a danger in going downstream first (and I've learned it the hard way) in that one can easily begin to feel really good and then get many miles downstream, only to turn around and realize it's a long way back to the car.  And bailing and walking, this is almost always going to be more work and time than paddling back upriver. This can just be another head challenge though, keep yourself motivated for the times that won't be easy.

Di and I go upriver all the time on the Black, Current and (myself) on the Saint in a wildwater boat. Its good fartlek training. If you can control your boat in an upriver rapid- you can control it. period.
Can't say I see the point of an upriver race on the Missouri however. Most of the upriver races on whitewater (the Yough Circuit race for example) are to test technical skills, timing and river knowledge. Upriver on the Missouri seems more like just doing the usual biweekly  hard work-out.

Hey Bryan how about having the FITTY GRITTY.

It could be a 50 miler from KC to Lawrence.