Too bad Chris is out. 

Looks like Chris is back moving toward the course, but seems to have skipped a long section.   I hope he realizes this.

Last 24 hrs have been interesting.  Two lead guys are off course and possibly having issues.   So tough to just watch the dots.

OH MAN.... I hope it's just for a burger, not much else in Jefferson.

Long way to go for a burger...

This does not look good. Seems like pretty big detour. 

Wow  Seth has pulled ahead.   Seems like it really will be race to the finish.

While most racers don't take showers on CTR, I would highly recommend taking some type of wet wipes and wiping yourself down each night, particularly the nether regions.  Getting saddle sores due to unsanitary conditions is no fun and can derail your race.

There are contrary thoughts on this but one could take two pairs of shorts (but only one shirt) and then switch riding shorts each day (and rinse the non-riding shorts out and let them air dry each day) to help with sanitary conditions.  Of course, for the fast racers this probably doesn't make sense, but for those in the 7 to 10 day range it may be worth considering.

I have never done the CTR, (Considering for 2018), but have completed the AZTR300 this year. I recommend 2 shorts.  The reason is that should one pair get wet or soaked or any other form nastiness you can change.  I my final day on the 300 one pair of mine got a little wet and I started to have discomfort.  I should have swapped them out right away, but I waited.  Got a light rash and when I did change I felt better, but I was already a bit sore.  Lesson I learned was 1) I was so happy to have a second pair, 2) change them right away if there is a problem.

Also on the wipes.  Even for a 1 night trip wiping down there is important.  Very long sorted story, but I ended up the hospital for a few days after one overnight trip.   You don't want that happening so a few ounces of prevention is well worth it.

Wow it is a long way from Australia to go to ride a bike.  Welcome!  I guess I get spoiled having this in my backyard pretty much.   Still have plenty of time to start bikepacking.  My first bikepacking trip was in June of 2016 and I had a total of 3 single night trips under my belt before I took on the 300 in 2017.  I finished it in respectable time as well. 

I would second that.  Lots of long descents can easily wear out pads.  And I'd bring extra of the little metal clips that spread the pads too.  I have had those catch on the rotor before and needed to replace just the clip.  Happened to JoeP on the AZT300 a few days ago.  I'd bring anything that isn't a big weight penalty that could end your ride if it breaks.  Things like spare derailler cable, spare derailler hanger, etc.  I'd even bring a bleed kit for my shimano brakes.  Small kit that could save my ride.....

Yeah spare brake pads are a must.  The are light and easy to change if needed and if you need them you will want them.  If you did not need them so what.  They are few grams of piece of mind.   Reminds me I should have brought a spare shifter cable on my 300 ride this year and forgot. I did not need it, but if I did I would have been worth it.

I'm IN for the Durango depart this year!! It'll be a welcome change from Phoenix in late July. I'll have to remind myself of that while pushing up some of those passes!! I was able to sample some of the CT before & after Silverton last September and I can't wait to see more.

John,
  I am thinking about the CTR for 2018 and will really love to watch your process.   Also I will be in Durango / Leadville area in  mid-late July.  In fact I booked at camp spot right on the CT at Twin lakes July 19-20.  Probably before you start and most like way before you roll through.

wow a train along the Gila...   

makes me thing not doing the train tunnel was smart. 

Just trying events like this is hard.  No shame in having to pull the plug.   It takes toughness and some good luck to make it to the finish at either distance.

My race report is up.

http://joep-az.blogspot.com/2017/04/arizona-trail-300-2017-big-one.html

 

If that is the snow detour it must be really deep up high up the mtn.

Evan S. (Evdog) just finished his ITT of the 300. Cheers!! Nailed it on your first try.

I caught up to Evdog at the circle K on oracle and he was riding strong and steady from there to the finish.  We played leap frog that night and all day monday.  He won that battle.

Hi everyone...

What to say about my first AZT300 Attempt?  Well firstly I finish it!  Yeah.   I was really surprised to hear how many scratches there were from good experienced riders. Being a first timer I felt like I was struggling the entire time and was just barely making it. Turns out that feeling I guess is just normal.  EVERYONE feels tired and worn out.

Still I had some moments.  Ran out of water just I saw the ranch house in colossal cave.  Ok no big deal water is just around the corner.... Ok next corner.... Ugg. Took a long time, but I got to La Sevilla drank 2 full bottles worth.  Then refilled my stash.   Dodged a bullet there.

At safeway I refuled and Nancy Gray conviced me to take an extra 1L on my next push. So I left 4L and two bottles.  Felt good, but it took a while. Started to get worried on water consumption so I stopped at the "Lake" and tried my luck at filtering.  Filtered 2 bottles and another liter.  Hmm why is my water brown still?   Oh well.  Better to have it than to run out.   Later at Prison camp I decided to boil all that water I pulled from the lake.  I think my filter crapped out.  So boiled some for cooking and boiled the rest in my bottles.  Still had fresh water in the camelback so pushed up to summerhaven without needing the swamp water.

Had lunch with Alexis, Nancy and Jeff in summerhaven.  Good rest and refuel.   Smoked Oracle ridge if that is possible and had great ride to Circle K in Oracle.  Push through night to Freeman and make the last day push.  Felt slow, but made it.    Those final 36 miles are hard. I had ridden it all before, but it is easy to forget how much effort it all is even.  Even in the last half mile you have keep you head and legs to make it.

So happy I finish.   3 day 16hrs and 45 min.   I was surpised when looked at the leader board.  Turns out it was a solid time as well.

So next year? Maybe.... I am already thinking of how to refine things to save time, energy here and there.

while it looks better for the fire I also saw this.


http://tucson.com/news/local/redington-pass-closed-due-to-large-wildfire-sheriff-s-office/article_04c60500-1686-11e7-86fd-d727ec76a39e.html

Reddington Road Closed. That was on 3/31 so should be open now I guess.

MVMorten - definitely check in before crossing Redington going north on the AZT.

Plan B:  Redington, Haul Road to Control Road, back UP to Oracle Ridge #1, then down. ..

Scott you are a sick man to suggest we go all the way around Lemmon only go up the control road just to go down Oracle Ridge.

Sick man indeed, but just sort of person to make sure we all HTFU...  I actually like it.   Although I still would rather just ride the "proper" course.

Nothing special. Just give your name and race (and by that I mean "Arizona Trail Race" and not "caucasian"), although no other race will be calling in at that time..it helps, and an update. Rambling on with vivid descriptions of hallucinations due to sleep deprivation and exhaustion is encouraged!

Cool thanks!

As usual feel free to call in updates to MTBCast and I will post them up! 888-866-4491.

Cool,
 I have never used MTBCast, but I did listen to some on last years race.  Anything special to do when calling?