And, a true "divide" bikepacking trip (or race) has yet to be done.  2 months might not be enough, even at a pretty aggressive tour pace...

Don't worry, I will push us along.

How is the training different for racing on a singlespeed vs. a geared bike, if at all?

I like the Pearl Izumi X-Alp: http://www.bikepacking.net/reviews/shoes/pearl-izumi-x-alp-enduro/ for steep hike-a-bikes on the singlespeed. Not sure how much hike-a-bike there will be on the TU dirt roads. Perhaps Chris will chime in.

Sweet....anyone want to ride it this summer? I have to months to kill.

VERY  COOL!

Now we need someone to map the legal sections (ALA Adventure Cycling and the GDMBR). 

Hmmmmmm......Scott and I have tossed around this for next summer. I figure two months would be enough.

Mike, how much ice cream was consumed after the ride? flavors?

Ok, you got us there jonesy. Your off season could be june through august?

Unless you are an AZ teacher then you just ride in the southwest (at higher elevation) and travel abroad during those months

Very, very nice.

Well done Dave...seems like you persevered through the mechanicals.

Side note, Bike n Bean is one of the nicest stops in AZ. Jim, the shop owner, helps us with AZ Spring Fling every year.

Coconino season sounds like it's over.  Meanwhile the trio figured out the crux section on another ~250 mile bikepacking stage race loop, the season for which is just opening up.  Details TBA.

 

Looks like he went south on 179 after doing Chicken Point/Llama?

I wish I had discovered don miguel in sedona, at least I found him in cottonwood mingus would have been tough without him

Sounds like you are talking about an encounter with a guy named Don Miguel (not that there is anything wrong with that); nonetheless, we mean the burrito.

BTW, meeting a guy named Don Miguel on the trail seems like it would be "trail magic."

  Killer Dave, GO! 

Speechless on how much is in his tank givent the recent SS win at Moab. I would not be surprised if we see a *little* slow down on some of these big climbs.

Circle K in Sedona.  The question: will he go for Don Miguel?  Could be a costly mistake if he doesn't.

Only speculation, but I bet he is going for that super sized breakfast burrito version. We did not eat it in the stage race, but for a thru-rider, it is going to be key to surviving on the sandy Lime Kiln section.

The faster he can get through Sedona/Lime before sunset, the better for him. Some hairy navigating in these sections.

We have a person on standby to offer him an orange at Circle K, we will see if he takes the bait. 

Ah shoot! That is a tough climb to get back up to.

Anyone know if DH is using shifty bits or going single?  I would guess single, but ya never know, he may have slapped on the 1x9 like CTR?

I was curious about this also. We should know how what he is riding when he starts to climb Mingus. It would be pretty hard for a SSer to make good time on that section.

Looks like he is probably just crossing I-17 right now. I am curious to see what he says about the route.

Scott, what do you think he is going to say after he is done?

A. That was fun.
B. A lot of rocky singletrack.
C. Most technical, rocky endurance race I have ever done.

Race replays!  These are fun stuff, at least if you were a part of the race or following closely!

First, all riders, fast speed.

Nice, Scott. No music?

Another rider doing the route? http://www.trackleaders.com/coconino

Just a note - there's no need to do this fix anymore.  Both the old and new strings work.  The fixed the issue on the server.

I heard some of the stimulus money went to the server, hence the reason why it is back up again. Go Obama!

It's also totally turns off a pretty damn experienced  person like me who was thinking about trying one of the "big ones" (AZT 300) next year but has no desire to have my ride soured by this kind of rubbish.

I guarantee there is a level of racing an endurance race that cannot be seen even in touring. Pushing the limit, extreme camaraderie from the beginning of the race w/ people you have never met, seeing the sunset/sunrise, etc. If you forgo doing a race like this in light of anything said in this thread, you will be missing out. I have abstained from these conversations like you, but that has not distanced me from the love of both touring and racing ultra-races. I encourage you to continue on your course, in light of the thread, knowing that other riders are trying to guarantee an equal race for everyone.

Wow...I just checked a few of the sections out in Google Earth, pretty amazing stuff. The website is uber useful with the GPX tracks and info.

Adding to the mix of things to do during summer vacation.

I'm hurt. PEE + McDowell MonsterCross= use showers for free as you camp inside the park? Add some Bartlett Lake climbing if you need some extra workout....