[Thursday, April 16th, 2020]

Adam, et al, thanks for the kind words. It was undoubtedly a learning experience!! Thankfully, the vast majority of it was positive!! Ha!! Final results have been posted on the website aside from DW's southbound ITT. There were a couple of (*) noted for both Eric M. & Max M. for missing a few small sections of the route.

Two records went down this year. Liz S. set the bar for fastest woman completing the 750 and Justin D. posted the fastest Singlespeed time...and he did the tougher Four Peaks option.

As we turn our attention to next year, I expect a few substantial changes to both routes based on what I'm hearing from the ATA. The 300 will most likely see a large re-route north of Kentucky Camp as a result of the Rosemont Copper Mine. Not sure on the status of any re-routes near Ripsey, there's currently one that dead ends, so that may get added if it links in next year.  As for the 750, there's a very strong probability that it will be retired. Fear not, only the name will be retired to bikepacking lore. The rollout of the AZT800 is eminent, Four Peaks is looking like a permanent addition. More Happy Jack singletrack is coming, plus 10 new singletrack miles on Babbit Ranch.

There will be some clarification in the Rules regarding a few items. I'll post more about that at a later date. Some of that stems for a need to determine an exact cutoff between an (*) or relegation and becoming an Alternator.

A few of us will be doing a final sweep of the desert trailheads, cache boxes, this weekend. They have been monitored a bit during the AZTR and from what I saw were in fairly good condition. There was some trash (expected) near Kelvin, but it was at least packed together and wedged in a way to not blow around. (Yes, I know this could also have been left by a hiker, but let's assume for two weeks, it's from the AZTR - that's how it's viewed anyway) As far as I know, I haven't heard of any complaints from the locals. Thank you for being responsible riders!!

So, set your calendars for Thursday, April 16th, 2020. And to illustrate how unpredictable our desert weather can sometimes be this time of year, Mr. Wicks may have cooler weather near Phoenix in mid-May than during his trek north a few weeks ago. Go figure.

All 750 finishers qualify for that fancy AZT belt buckle. Simply fill out the completion form.

Post any ride report links here or email them to me and I'll link them on the results page.

Thanks for all of your hard work, dedication and integrity John. It is much appreciated by the racers AND by us dot watchers as well. It sounds like the AZTR is getting better (and tougher!) with no impact on the trail or locals. Win/win! 

That’s crazy and amazing. 10 day weather window looks good...

10 days?! No pressure Dave! 

Dave W is going to be a yo-yo ride!!
Apparently he slashed a tyre between Jacob Lake and Stateline so is trying to scrounge one from one of the other finishers on account of bike shops being thin on the ground at Stateline. Once he gets that sorted we can all stave off the post race dot watching blues by tuning in on “the grape”. 

I began compiling the 750 finish times and updated the website. I want to take a moment to give a sincere Congratulations to each rider that rolls into Stateline CG. Such an amazing accomplishment and one to cherish. Lots of riders nearing the end and others still giving it their all, this thing isn't done yet!!

I knew when I agreed to take over the AZTR from Scott that there would be some hiccups along the way. It's been incredibly rewarding to be involved in more of the behind the scenes aspects. Thank you to those who have reached out to me, it's really appreciated. Unfortunately, there are some RD duties that I hoped I never would have to make. I had to put an (*) next to Hanoch Redlich's finish time. Not a decision myself or Scott would take lightly. There were two factors here. First, he missed a 3 mile section of the route near Tucson. While not an exceptional section of the route, it was road/neighborhood riding, it is still part of the course. Second, he rode through an official trail closure north of Flagstaff. This can't happen. I should note that Hanoch has been the only rider to NOT take the optional snow detour near Flagstaff, staying true to the AZT and for that, well done!! This isn't meant to diminish his effort, he put in an absolutely incredible effort to come all the way back after taking 24 hours to recover in Tucson.

AZTR Results

Good on you for taking the role on John. There wouldn’t be a better qualified person in AZ for the (unpaid) job. When it comes to enforcing the rules - yeah, not fun - but everyone will respect the decision because the rules are pretty simple and apply to all racers. Hanoch had an awesome run but one of the many challenges in this style of racing, on top of the physical challenge, is being diligent with navigation. Ignorance is no excuse.
Carry on......

It’s peak hour in the Canyon at the moment with 8 racers in the ditch!

[outstanding]

I don't think I missed your point.  I think the point you are trying to make is that if you receive any support at all, you should scratch or be relegated.  Or, possibly your point is that he received neutral support at a location one wouldn't normally receive support?

I'm sure it was a request for support that was not made on a whim, or even a desire, but likely a necessity to avoid dire consequences.  In my mind, not the same level as getting a pizza and milkshakes choppered into Beehive Well.

Neutral support is neutral support, whether it be food and beverage deliveries to Kelvin, wheel deliveries to trailheads, or lifesaving water deliveries trailside.

I'm not here to argue.  I simply shared my opinion (which is just that).  No matter how one slices it, it's was still an admirable and respectable finish ~ and, voluntary scratch/self relegation (which I don't think you are trying to diminish, either).  ♥

I’m not arguing either. I think he had an outstanding ride and (if reports are correct) it is a shame to get so close, only to need help. He knows it and did the honorable thing (again, if reports are correct).
 I’m not from the US but my understanding is you push the HELP button on your Spot because you need help. Outside help is not permitted, only commercially available to anyone at any time support is allowed.
This hair splitting comes up every year here, on the TDR and CTR forums. The underlying inference in the rules is to do it yourself, with no help, even if it doesn’t specifically exclude the Sheriiff’s dept flying in, over all the other racers, to give water to one competitor.  http://topofusion.com/azt/race-rules.php

It looks like it took JD 26.5 hours to do the Four Peaks route and Hanoch just 10.5 on the main route. HR covered 154 miles to JD’s 77 miles and is about 12 miles in front at the moment. JD has that god-awefull climb into Payson ahead of him yet.
Whew!! Them there’s some tough style miles!  

As long as the support is neutral and available to everyone, then you're good to go.

BTW, if you hang in there a few more miles you can get pizza and milkshakes delivered to you at Kelvin. 😊

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Yes, I did that last year but I think you missed my point.

If that is the case, I don't think those circumstances warrant relegation or the need for him to voluntarily scratch. The sheriff department (or whatever agency) aided as a public service and would have responded to anyone.  I'm sure it wasn't a call taken lightly - oh, hey, I'm thirsty. I think I'll have some water brought out to me. I respect Jeff's humility in feeling the need to scratch, but I don't think he needed to. 💕

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If that story is correct then yes, he needed to scratch as that is definitely support. If it isn’t, then next time I am getting pizza and milkshakes choppered out to me at Beehive Well.....

JD and Ben aren’t waiting until next year! Huge kudos to them for giving it a go. 

Edit : Whoops, double post.

what is the Green route? which one is the official route the Green or Red?

The Green route is the optional route for riders who think the Red route is too easy......   The Green stays “truer” to the actual AZT where the Red route is up The Apache Trail to Lake Roosevelt and is on road.

I have been watching on with mixed emotions, wanting to be out there enjoying the ride into Kentucky camp or the sweet section after La Sevilla but then I remember the heat and grovelling....... Great effort by most so far. Keep it going!

News from Kiwi Dave W - his stomach got left behind for the first few days as per last year but like last year, once it catches up he will get a second wind. His Spot died and needed some tape and the batteries wedging to make contact, hence the gap in his tracking. That tracker has done a lot of rough miles!

Thanks John for the photos and the updates. Nice work as usual.

The final report into the unfortunate death of Mike Hall during the IPWR has been released.  

http://www.bicyclingaustralia.com.au/news/act-coroner-s-report-into-mike-hall-tragedy#zZIJyLyfOuhvXEMy.99

I make no comment other than to suggest using a good tail light and have some decent reflectivity on you clothing when bikepacking racing.
It sure makes me think about my TD race where I wore all black.

Thanks!

Btw: your TD blog was a treat to read! Read it through during a single evening. 

Thanks. Reading it all in one sitting is almost as painful as doing the TD! 

I took one of these Sea To Summit Ultra Sil backpacks on my TD.

https://youtu.be/VU6ino-MjGY

I only had to use it in The Basin and Pie Town to Silver City to carry more water and food. I used everything out of the backpack first and got it off my back as quickly as possible when I did use it.
It is super strong (still using it every week, 3 years later), light and packs down to nothing. You will want to minimise the weight on your back because that weight also goes through your butt to the saddle. You will get a sore butt so whatever you can do to minimise that issue is pure gold.

Mucho respect for Steve Halligan!! 

He finished the ~ 6150km (3821mi) TA earlier today!!!! Talk about focus and staying power when almost everyone else has scratched or alternated.......that was truly Epic.

I just came off the Black Hills Expedition, going into it with a definite plan on average speed and distance per day. All I can say is that whatever plan you have, throw it out the window. I'm looking at an attempt at the TDR next year, and while I will have a loose training plan, I'm not going to show up at the start with any thought of maintaining a certain speed and/or a certain number of hours per day. It's going to be day-to-day, ride as long as I can, hard when I can, easy if I have to, with the goal of finishing.

eec, correct. That is how it will pan out. Some days you will feel strong and ride 20 hours and others you will struggle to manage 10 or 12. The main thing is to stay focussed, accept what you can do that day and just don’t quit! You will have to come back again in 2020 otherwise.

Yes, Ben will be feeling that! Meanwhile, Steve is probably wishing for a bit of warmth after all the rain and cool weather around Sydney the last few days.
This was yesterday out on the plains just west of where Steve is. In my 48 years I have never seen this in October!

Wow. Steve has ridden almost 5000km(3100mi) in the last ~25 days and has finally hit some fairly decent hills in Barrington Tops. Talk about a sting in the tail of the TA. Unfortunately, it’s a long tail. He has a few thousand more km to go which happens to contain most of the climbing in Oz.
Go Steve! I hope you have a good sense of humour!