I really wish I had brought some gum, or cough drops. Funny enough, bncrshr77 had offered me some cough drops at the start and I declined not thinking I would need them. But my throat was trashed after Day 1.

I've been meaning to ask. I passed a racer on the second night, around 2am just at the bottom of Oracle ridge, who was asleep in their bivy with a small fire going in what looked like an alcohol burning stove? I kept thinking about that flame, and wondering about it's purpose. Warmth? Keep the animals away? Or did you just fall asleep with your stove burning! Let me know, if you're on here.

...and they always wait until the last second before flying away, 20 feet down the trail sometimes.  They must love messing with sleep deprived bikepackers. 

No doubt!

Cool bird

Thanks for the link, Rooster

Anybody know what kind of bird it is that I saw at night up on Oracle Ridge? Others must have seen them. They would sit motionless until the last minute, and then fly off a little ways down the trail and land, and then sit there until I practically ran them over, and then fly off again...jet black eyes, and very similar coloring to the rocks.

Anyone ever spend a night in the handicap accessible porta-potty at the Gabe Zimmerman trailhead? I did 

And it got me out of that wind event on the first night of the race - which was a godsend. My kids still ask me how I slept in a toilet...they just don't get it!

Had this really nasty blister/zit on my foot that cropped up a couple days after the 300...was hurting even to walk on it. I tried popping it once, but it just got worse.

Finally this morning, I opened it up with a safety pin, and pulled out a half inch long piece of a cactus spine. Life post-AZTR 

Gotta give a shout out to Don Stump, who is somewhat of a beginner rider with some incredible determination.

Indeed, go Don!

I finished up the 300 at 10:10 this morning, and I just wanted to express one heartfelt feeling before I get home, and that is: 'fuck you, Oracle Ridge' 

Food for AZT300: I'm a rookie and have read a ton. I am pretty unsure about the quantity of food/calories to carry. I am aware of the availability of food along the way. What is a good rule of thumb? I have gels, pro bars, beans, chews, electrolyte, coffee, oatmeal and a couple dehydrated meals. I want to be as light as possible of course and would rather eat c-store burritos than gels any day.

For what it's worth: I'm carrying 3200 kcals per day for 3 days, and will eat big 'meals' at the resupply stops. Lots of fat as Flagster mentions, nothing that needs to be cooked, and heavy in calories per ounce.

Long Ranger did a video on it just recently. http://longranger.justinsimoni.com/2015/12/28/import-a-gpx-file-into-your-garmin-etrex-20/

Thanks for that video Justin. Here I was wondering why I was only loading 90 miles of the track...I had a Delorme unit before and it didn't have this 10k point limit, why does Garmin make it so much harder...

Some interesting developments for the AZT today. Make sure you read the ATA E-News.

Watching CM and Rod this evening as I get some work done while the kids sleep.

CM is still plugging along at 11:15pm MST. Good on ya! I plan on riding late into the night in the 300 this year...just hope I can live up to it.

How cold does it really get down there in the desert anyway...this time of year? I assuming 40, or 30's...maybe even less on Mt Lemmon? Is that close to the ballpark?

Thanks guys 

I'll be running with slime tubes for this race, and was planning on carrying two additional slime filled tubes as spares. Is that overkill? Those things are heavy as bricks. Should I just carry regular spares? What have others done for spares when rolling with slime tubes?

Good luck in the AZT, I'll do some remote suffering with you and be rooting you on the whole way.

Thanks Scott, remote suffering always appreciated!

Awesome video Nick. It was great running into you out there. I'm stoked to make another run at it this year. Hope to see you at the campfire...Scott

Wish I could make the campfire this year Scott - but not gonna happen for '16. Years to come hopefully. Good luck to you this year.

Are there any facilities at the 300 start line or in the vicinity? Trash cans? Bathrooms? Potable water?

Seems like there is a campground, marina, even a store at Parker Lake - just not sure on the proximity.

I'm signed up for the 300 and ready to roll

Just noticed that was my 300th post 

One of my favorite things to do...sign up on trackleaders.  Wish I could do it more often.

Happy St. Patty's Day to ya!

I'm signed up for the 300 and ready to roll

Less than a month...I can't wait to ride this thing. I'm giddy already

For anyone that cares - disclaimer: I am no videographer like  Mr. Aaron Johnson, but I try 

https://youtu.be/zrMfhNMlZDM

Watching this makes me realize how much I like this route...

Thanks for that bit of intel.