Check out the Coco 250 route that's the only way I know of it's not all trail but it makes for a great ride. Pretty sure I saw Fisher Point on the list of things that are dry over at MTBR. I don't think you get into the sticky soils until after Marshall Lake, you do up on Anderson Mesa and all of the way to Morman Lake, you could always bail out to the road if need be.

Wow 20 people that would be a huge number compared to all previous runnings.

in

And Rob B is riding down with me.

that's 2 more

Adam

I wasn't sure just a thought to use the driver I have lined up.

We could plan on checking it out thursday night at my place.

Todd we should be able to work out picking you up at the airport.

Tim 520 628 1084

Todd your in. Adam we have lots of parking if you want to come here thursday night. How much room do you have maybe we can use your van and my driver? Driver + bike plus me, you Todd and Rob makes 5 will it fit. We have plenty of space to leave the van here during the race. Todd what time do you get in.

I have a buddy driving my truck down with myself and Rob B already a full load in the cab two bikes on the rack and the driver is bringing his too. But we can stack things up in the bed and there should still be a little room to ride in there with the bikes if you want. As for floor space let me check with the boss.

Baring some kind of total GPS failure I would think that would be enough cue sheets a big bonus. After that I would go with copies of the Gazetteer style maps not that they show the trail but it will help with the big picture and off course resupply travel.   

Yeah I figured we were good to go on our side of the ridge but better to make sure ahead of time.

This question is more specific to the CTR than the GDR since it seems that water is much more available throughout the trail.  I have come to the conclusion that a filter is lighter than a second filled bladder, but I am having too many questions on which filter.

I came across this on REI:
http://www.rei.com/product/801824

Only 2oz and allows me to fill and move on.

And with a Camelbak bladder these quickconnects for a socond spare and no fiddling with connections:
http://www.rei.com/product/695526

Maybe add some tablets as a backup and this could be an effective light set-up.

Anyone have any thoughts  pros/cons on a set-up like this?

On the Sawyer system what is the actual filter and how much water does it filter before needing to be replaced and then how much per replacement. The link didn't really answer these questions or did I not look far enough.

Any one else seen this The Walker Fire has several trails closed in the Santa Ritas. Walker Basin is on the AZT but not the part we do because of wilderness.

I am currently riding a steel hardtail with front suspension. I have also had full suspension but for my riding style front is enough.

It depends on the trails you want to ride but a full rigid bike can be a real tooth rattling experience. Not that it can't be done but I would have to say that having at least a front shock is the most common way to roll.

No single track but some amazing scenery, The Dusy Ershim Jeep Trail. East of Fresno I was up there rock climbing and just did a little bit of riding. Great place to take a fishing pole.

Scott

That's a major drag sorry to hear about your injury.

I feel that it is totally unacceptable for them to close a trail just because they don't want to spend money on the rest of the park. There is nothing there anyway the full extent of the park is the old house with a visitors center and gift shop. There is no camping and as far as I know there were only a couple of employee's out there and it's not like they patrolled the trail on any kind of regular basis.

When we did the Coco 250 we went through Red Rock state park and there was a way to pay on the trail as we entered the park. If they had a way to pay I certainly would but they don't so even if you wanted to you couldn't.

That said if there is no water not sure what difference it makes except for less highway riding which I guess is worth it. Also the AZT kind of turns ugly before the highway when it joins an old power line road. There was some work done on that section last year though so it may be a little better then before.

Hiker Pro has been fool proof for me for 10-plus years. 
That's a great idea with the bladder hose, trying it next time. 

I did have mine fail me once on a backpacking/climbing trip into the Wind River Range. Now I always carry the silicone lubricant with as well just in case.

I like my Hiker Pro, paper filter = light weight, I have used an MSR also but ceramic filter = heavy.

I have had good luck pulling the shut off valve off and putting the bladder hose right on to the filter outlet. I have an MSR bladder but use a Camel brand shut off valve the tubing is the same size.

And I just throw it in the pack I used to keep the hoses separate but now that I only use the one it's not an issue.

Alright Brad, that's two finishers already tying the total number of finisher in each of the first two years.

Please don't say it's just two weeks away...my bike doesn't even have a fork right now!

As far as I know no one has unicycled the AZT yet.

I can't see front only off road, I have tried it and the results weren't great I went over the bars actually. Seems like it would be a pain to pull the front wheel up and the loss of the extra traction in the back would be a real downer.

Mike, if you are waiting for the Jandd panniers to wear out you are going to have to wait a long time. Have you tried to get everything into just one, in the past I used to get by with just one (on the drive side) this gives you at least one side to walk on. It's been a long time but I don't recall any problems with it feeling off balance.

Any thoughts on getting down to Tucson on Weds or Thurs from Phoenix?  I'm contemplating flying in, trying to find a shop near the airport that'll let me put reassemble my bike and leave my bike box there, and then heading south...

...not that I'm ready to commit to racing or anything.

Good chance somebody may be making the trip anyway if not there are several shuttles to and from Tucson/Phx airports. Not sure what they charge but most pull trailers and have plenty of cargo space. Here's one that does Flag as well http://arizonashuttle.com/ and one that does Sierra Vista http://www.arizonasunshinetours.com/shuttle.html