Just got back home from dropping off Max he finished with Fred at about 8:00 I only waited for about 40 minutes at the old turn off to Alamo. Left the 3 tall boys and a note for Max to reset his spot he got the beer but not the note.

Sounded like he was glad to be done and very happy with a great ride.

Robs ride is waiting I had guessed he would finish around midnight and that looks about right.

Great riding to everyone who finished congrats well done and all that, what a great turn out having the spots changes things a little but what a great spectator sport this has become.

(Is there just the one hotel in Superior -- El Portal?  That's all I can find on the internet)

Yes and they only have 6 rooms

although I'm not sure how the last 25 miles could take him 6 hours,

That's sounds about right for The Box (technical Jeep trail lots of bedrock ledges) climbs a lot and the short down hill is not fast in the dark unfamiliar terrain. Then the steepest hiking on the whole course when you are the most tired.

It took Zach and I hours to do that stretch in 07 and we had had a good nights sleep in Oracle, and my legs weren't the same for a month.

Tim

I left Max a page with my number I plan to head up after work tomorrow and ride the end of the course if any one is there and needs a ride I can get them back to Tucson.

The question is, does the Chalet in Oracle have another room to offer our arriving bike guests?

I could see Rob just going in to circle k and making camp out in the Black Hills that would be on his 75 mile days plan. However he does know that Zach and I made it in from there in one day and Chad made short work of that stuff last week so he could stay and it would make scense. Leave the bike loaded and ready to roll and get a good nights sleep.

It is really getting good but those last miles climbing Ajax mine road (or is it Orphan Boy) are the steepest I remember doing. On the profile it looks vertical should be interesting.

Some pics climbing the Box in the Santa Rita's

Did Stefan just take the lead?

They are deffinetly moving fast it will be interesting to see who prevails when things get crazy steep on Orphan Boy. That little blip at the end of the profile may not look like much compared to the hight of Mt. Lemon but it has to be the steepest part of the course.

Here's some pics from my two days on course.

Here's some pics Janine took yesterday about the time Marshal went through.

Kurt's around the Peak and making good time again looks like he just hit Freeman road. I should think that average speed will go up in the Boulders I know it did for Zach and I.

I've definitely experienced the slime won't hold scenario too many holes and the stuff just can't take the pounding.

I had a mysterious flat yesterday when I got off of 83 at the lakes road no thorns anywhere in the tire and no sign of any one hole just a tire full of tru goo and none left in the tube.

It took Spot a half an hour to move me to home base I am planning to get out and do some trail work and try to get something productive done today as well as vicarious racing.

I'll be at 36th and Mockingbird before 9:00 am and driving in to do finnish work on the new boot leg trail. Posted up at http://www.tucsonmtb.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1595

Kurt's on the move again looks like less then 6 hours stopped.

Looks like alot of others are on the move as well.

It's going to be fun to watch Kurt makes me glad I came home it will be exciting to see if he can stay on pace he could come in close to the record. I may have to set my alarm for 1:50 if I did the math right he needs to be done by 1:57 am tonight.

Wow what a pace hard work on such a cold day oh wait it's nite.

You can say that again.  I got soaked by a small storm a couple miles outside Tucson and even though I was wearing all my layers (and full rain gear), I was plenty cold.  It put thoughts of pushing up the mountain out of my head quick...

Good job lining up again Tim.  Always glad to have you there.  Perhaps next year the weather will strike a balance and be nice...

Yesterday was great I am glad I could be there. I must say that was one of the better days I have had in the Canelo's. The new trail alignments are much better even if they are just ruffed in it was more rideable and the walking way easier.

I need to ride more weekdays like 07 Wednesdays with Zach I felt I could have kept going even at the slow pace. It's the little things nagging at the back of your mind like the funny zippy sound in the rear hub and the chain jumping the cogs and eating the spokes. And then it is too easy to head home.

I do need to get out for more of the course maybe early May won't be too hot.

Man it's cold out there, last year the heat was debilitating this year the cold was unrelenting.

The spot was nice to have it allowed Janine my wife to keep tabs on me all day and then she could tell just when I would make Sahuarita Rd. She just came out to get a pic but I ended up bailing.

I got pretty wet last night I should have stop to dry stuff out but it never stayed clear for very long.

I can't believe those guys are heading up even higher in this weather.

Looks like I am out again for this year.

All right Chad, congratulations!

Did we ever figure out if there is agua at Summerhaven off hours though? My small nightmare is planning to get water at summerhaven after it's closed up for the night and there is none available. That would be saaaaaad.

As I recall it is possible to get a room in Summerhaven.

Looks like the third time's the charm for Mr. Brown I always knew he would do well if he gave himself the chance to slow down and ride his own ride. And SS rigid no less!!!

Looks like good I am looking forward to the new stuff I did hike a little ways up to where it dead ended 2 years ago and as I recall the views of Picket Post are great.

Some local chatter about the course over on TucsonMTB 

Abe Gold went out and personally dug out thistle plants in the Stairs of Pain area.
http://www.tucsonmtb.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1527

And azsteel on Oracle ridge.
http://www.tucsonmtb.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1522

Rob and I rode from Patagonia to Hwy 83 and found that to be in good shape thanks to Lee Blackwell and the Elephant Head racers.

I know that Scott personally went down for one of Zay's work events cleaning up one of the longest hike a bikes in the Canelo's.

Funny thing is some of the newer stuff that was all clear two years ago is starting to feel a little thorny in places. Well we wouldn't want any body to get to the end with out some real trophy scars now would we.