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221  Forums / Ultra Racing / Re: Tour Divide 2010 on: June 16, 2010, 09:23:03 PM
Is there really a loop in the route near Butte?

Probably just the GPX file that Scott loaded into Trackleaders.com.  headbang
 
222  Forums / Ultra Racing / Re: Tour Divide 2010 on: June 16, 2010, 03:15:46 PM
Amazing, the stuff we volunteer for!  If the Taliban were forced to endure that, they'd call it TORTURE!  LOL

Spending the night under an overpass does sound like a form of waterboarding. Brutal, very brutal.
223  Forums / Question and Answer / Re: Bringing Bike on Bus on: June 16, 2010, 03:12:37 PM
I used to do this a few times a year while I lived in Mexico. Tying some cardboard around the bike was an easy answer. One time, the bus driver actually let me take the bike into the bus.
224  Forums / Question and Answer / Re: Fire Road to Point Sublime GCNP on: June 16, 2010, 03:10:48 PM
I have ridden it before in June, no real heat issues until the last 1/2 when you drop down to the vista point. I would much rather ride AZ Trail to the East Rim Mesa or the Rainbow Rim, FWIW.
225  Forums / Ultra Racing / Re: Coconino 350 Race June 26th? on: June 16, 2010, 12:55:23 PM
Copy and pasted from the URL below. If the formatting annoys you (I did not delete any HTML), head over here and read it on my blog: http://chadfbrown.blogspot.com/2010/06/just-continue-to-pedal.html

------------------------------------------------

After missing an AZT 300 run this year, I was yearning for some form of nutty ride that would really allow me to push myself. More than two months ago, I began tinkering with the idea of trying to take down a record on the boards. What started out as a joke quickly became a serious endeavor. I chose the date, June 8th, and decided that not even weather would deter me. Easier said than done, right? Highs in the 90s were predicted for the race date.

After loading up on two gyros at the Pita Pit in Flagstaff, I set off immediately on classic Arizona singletrack. Some of you might recall that last time we rode this, the Fish and Game Department were putting up fences that blocked the trail. They claimed it was to protect some of the lakes off the trail.



Less than a year later, the Arizona Trail Association has responded by putting in fences. Your donation dollars at work.

The heat seemed mild on paper, but when you are "highly motivated" to pedal fast, the heat slowly began to eek its way into the ride.

A few ATV riders thought it was a good idea to taunt me while descending near Munds Park. They pulled up, honked, and sped off shooting dirt and small rocks on me. Nice, very nice. As I topped off at the next hill, I saw the same ATV and its drivers. Should I escalate the situation? I did have a water bottle. I imagined myself tossing the HEED water on the crew as I sped by only to be hiding in the woods to escape certain punishment. What to do?

I opted for peace. But as I rode by, the continued to taunt me. Moment of truth. Escalate or ignore? I chose to ignore them and do my thing....<span style="font-style: italic;">pedal</span>.

After some more dirt and honking, they left me to ride solo in the woods. At last, alone in the pines. I filled up some water at the ADOT on Schnebly and pressed on to one of my favorite places in northern Arizona....



Schnebly Hill Vista just above Hot Loop Trail. I packed pretty light knowing I could fuel up at Circle K. I spent about 20 minutes fueling up before heading for more singletrack in the form of Broken Arrow and Templeton.



<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cathedral Rock, Sedona</span>
</div>
Sunsets and sunrises have a special place in my heart, especially when you experience either on the bike.

"<span style="font-style: italic;">Just continue to pedal</span>." That was the advice I got from a friend when I began to complain about the heat. At 9pm, I was still sweating. *Giving up* passed through my head several times. This was clearly a low point in the ride; mentally, I had to push forward. <span style="font-style: italic;">Just continue to pedal </span>he said when I had called to check in<span style="font-style: italic;">. Just continue to pedal </span><span>sank into my head. </span>

Well, that's what I did. Lime Kiln came and went. At Dead Horse State Park, I stripped down at one of the canals to bathe. Immediate relief from the heat. I got in my bivvy and slept for about an hour.

Just what I needed. I gassed up at the Maverick Station and began the climb up Mingus. About 3am on steep Trail 105a, I came to a complete stop near a step up. Thinking I could clear it, I pulled up haphazardly. As I did, I found myself drifting to the steep, dark edge to my right. I fell about 5 feet down the trail only to be caught by some trees. Not only was the bike on top of me, but my spokes were wrapped around a tree that had been caught. After about 10 minutes, I managed to free the wheel.

It was time for a quick break. I decided to wait for some light before continuing up 105.



At about 7am, I topped out on top of Mingus. Trail 28 was going to be a highlight for the ride (shown above). I felt confident and cleaned nearly every section, even opting for a few new kickers that they had put in.




At the private gate to the telephone line/forest service access, I met the property owner. He was impressed with the route and was content to let us use the road (normally, he charges vehicles to use the road).

The high at the Verde River was supposed to be 95 degrees that day. Getting water and leaving as fast as possible was the only motivation I really needed.



<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">The greatest gas station item ever?</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Do you have a favorite, </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,850.msg10346/boardseen.html#new">click here to[/url]<span style="font-style: italic;"> add yours.</span>

</div>I rested for less than 20 minutes at the Verde (mile 140), barely sufficient to eat, hydrate, and purify water. I rigged a synthetic device to help shade myself from the heat. Additionally, I had some arm coolers that I would soak in water periodically (I carried some water that was not treated for this simple, effective idea).

At the beginning of the climb out of the Verde, I was pretty motivated. The heat quickly squelched this motivation. Two cars passed me, both offering some assistance. One asked, "<span style="font-style: italic;">are you doing okay?</span>"

It was very slow going. 30 minutes riding, 5 minutes in the shade, wet the arm warmers and hair...repeat. After you veer away from Perkinsville Rd, the chances of seeing anyone is pretty remote. This is the most remote section on the route, in fact. It felt remote and super hot.

I needed to hit 7,000 feet to reach some pines (the Verde is about 3,300). As I climbed during the pines, false summits were prolific. More resting.




As I climbed Benham last year, I ran out of water. This year was no exception. It's a great ride, one of the best in northern Arizona. I was smiling despite my lack of water, counting the switchbacks as I went up. You would have been proud. Despite less than 3 hours of sleep, I was on my A-game. Nonetheless, the trail needs a chainsaw soon. There were about 10-15 downed trees while riding up.

Bill Williams was a different story altogether. It had no downfall, just smooth sailing down to Williams. I stopped at Circle K for the normal groceries and headed out of town to get to Sycamore Rim before it got dark.



<div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">One of the few "paved" sections of the route
</div>
I managed to get about half of Sycamore Rim completed before complete darkness fell over the rocky, technical singletrack.

The road around Garland Prairie was pretty. Stars were shining and there was very little traffic. I had to change my batteries after passing the closed Texaco on I-40.

Mentally, the singletrack of Wing Mountain and Elden were the hardest and longest. It would have been easy (very easy in fact) to stop and rest for a few hours. But alas, I wanted a strong finish.

A few minutes before 3am, I rolled into Flagstaff to find my car with my pad and sleeping bag. Ahhhhh. I tried to wash off the dirt but opted to just go to bed dirty.



<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">My bike setup</span>
</div>
The next morning at 8am, I was awakened by Gnome and treated to breakfast by Troy M. It was simply a beautiful morning, made even more beautiful that I was able to ride such a route like the Coconino Loop.



Truly remarkable country and trails. 39 hours 1 minute, 241 miles with ~21k of climbing, ~40% singletrack. Thank you to anyone that was watching the SPOT and to Scott for Trackleaders.com support.

A few have asked my setup, so here it is:

<span style="font-weight: bold;">Osprey 22 Bag</span>
Pearl Izumi Arm Coolers
Headsweat
Synthetic Head Shade (made, used Velcro to put on helmet)
Pearl Izumi Knee Warmers
REI lightweight long sleeve shirt
Emergency Bivvy Sack
Tools
Sunscreen
2 HEED and 2 Perpetuam packs
16 Water Purifying Tablets
100 ounce bladder
random food to start out, peanuts, jerky, etc.
Extra lithium batteries
60 ounce platypus
Sunscreen
Random bike emergency stuff (bolts, etc.)

<span style="font-weight: bold;">Lenz Sport Leviathan 29er </span>
Carousel Design Bag
1 tube, 1 slime tube
patch kit
brakes
Topeak pump
Crankbrothers multi-tool
EOS Princeton Light (AAA)
Feenix Bar Light (AA)
Etrex Legend
20 ounce bottle

Join us for the next race date, October 9th, 2010 of the Coconino Loop Race.
226  Forums / Ultra Racing / Re: Favorite gas station item? on: June 15, 2010, 12:07:17 PM
Donuts and coffee for me.
227  Forums / Ultra Racing / Re: Dixie 311 on: June 11, 2010, 11:28:48 AM
Personal emails, up to date beta, SPOTs, post-ride massage...this race is legit. Looking forward to seeing the route and above all, riding with some fellow bikepackers.

Thank you again for putting this great event on!
228  Forums / Ultra Racing / Re: Favorite gas station item? on: June 10, 2010, 03:11:28 PM
Odwalla juices and Redbull.
Together?
229  Forums / Ultra Racing / Favorite gas station item? on: June 10, 2010, 02:03:15 PM
You got 10 minutes before you have to get pedaling. What is your favorite item you hope they have?
230  Forums / Ultra Racing / Re: Coconino 350 Race June 26th? on: June 10, 2010, 12:21:29 PM
I'll post up a little more later. Just wanted to say thank you for watching. Although I helped co-produce the route (so I am a little bias), this route really is incredible. Tour it or ride it, it's a blast.

231  Forums / Question and Answer / Re: Fishing and Bikepacking on: May 28, 2010, 11:37:31 AM
Great thread, thank you for the suggestions. I am hoping to get a setup for this summer's riding.

Looking at the following when I go to Cabela's this weekend:

Cortland 333 (double taper)
Cabela's Double Prestige Plus (reel)
4wt Cabela's Rod 7'6"(mentioned above)

Any suggestions?


232  Forums / Question and Answer / Re: Rhino Bike Bags on: May 28, 2010, 11:28:44 AM
Well done. You just saved yourself ~$250.  headbang Look forward to hearing about your thoughts on them after a 2-3 day bikepacking trip.
233  Forums / Ultra Racing / Re: Let's see your TDR bike on: May 28, 2010, 10:48:24 AM
Enjoy the ride Marshall...you look ready to take the TD by storm.
234  Forums / Bikepacking / Re: Carousel and ACA on: May 27, 2010, 10:04:40 AM
It may be time to start a bikepacking, non-profit organization committed to mapping dirt routes and spreading the bikepacking gospel...
235  Forums / Bikepacking / Re: Bikepacking article contributions on: May 26, 2010, 02:33:06 PM
Scott M. has sent some great stuff. It's hard to take a bad photo in northern Arizona, it seems...

Well, that is partially true. Scott has a good eye for photography also.
236  Forums / Ultra Racing / Re: Coconino 350 Race June 26th? on: May 21, 2010, 09:01:27 PM
coolio Chad.  You gunning for Harris' "soft" record of 2:03:46?
Sort of, I'd like to think I was that fast. We'll see how in shape I am. I have ridden the route twice,so I know what to expect. It seems like 2:03 is not as "soft" as it sounds.
237  Forums / Classifieds / Re: Action Tec 36 tooth titanium cog on: May 19, 2010, 02:20:59 PM
Email sent. I will take both of them and can send a check/pay via paypal.
238  Forums / Ultra Racing / Re: Dixie 311 on: May 19, 2010, 08:00:22 AM


Dave, you website is a head-turner, amazing job. If you build it, they will come. I would not be surprised to see about 10-20 people at the starting line for this one (given the weather, timing, and official-Dave-Harris stamp of approval).

I am trying to recruit a few more nuts to carpool up with us....
239  Forums / Routes / Re: Rampart range, CO Route/Race on: May 19, 2010, 07:58:29 AM
I'd love to do something in CO early July. If you need someone to recon a loop, I'd be down.
240  Forums / Ultra Racing / Re: Dixie 311 on: May 18, 2010, 02:18:53 PM
Linkie is not working.
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