Knee went south as I tried to go north. Turned into a dehydration nightmare. Icing it in Superior but I am probably out. I'll sleep on it.

Sometimes the Zero Day can to wonders for your frame of mind, let's hope it's enough for the knee.

Neil's on the downhill run to PP, gonna be sub-2 days no sweat. Really interesting sprint (can we call that trail a sprint?) as Kaitlyn starting up the last climb seemly determined to beat Kurt to PickPost.

How about a Shout Out for Katllyn, Putting down the track for all the Guys to chase!!!

Kurt really motors.  Interesting to stalk the dots to see where the fast riders stop, and don't stop.  Looks like Kurt skips Patagonia and Sonoita, anybody confirm/deny that?  I usually skip Patagonia and just hit Sonoita. Krazy fast.

He's been know to pack all his calories for a 300, but Enough to make Basha in Gold Canyon doesn't seem possible.

Geek, I guess what I am really asking is would it just be plain stupid to add extra potential for technical issues or the extra drag of plus tyres? I think I know the answer to my own question but my problem is I sold my Ti Lynskey 29er a while back for a 27.5+ hardtail and I don’t “really” want to buy a new (or secondhand) bike just for this race. (Ok, I really do but I may be pushing the n+1 thing for the 12 month period! I like the look of the new Kona Unit as a cheap steel ride ) What would Rhino’s grandmother ride....?

IMO you will appreciate the B+ in many of the remote section enough to make them worthwhile. If your are doing the sleepdep racer thing skinner or taller could be faster.

And I'll add...

Warning: This is a sweeping generalization of all bikepacking race routes, but most of the classic ultras seem to have this approximate mix of miles...

1/3 of the course is Awesome! These miles of the race/route are part of a lifetime experience not to miss. There will be miles of remote and stunningly beautiful terrain one would probably never get ride as a normal day ride, but the race course enables the experience. Cherish them. Many of those miles will forever be burned into your memory, in a good way. You would ride it again and again if you can or could.
1/3 is OK... Most of these miles are pleasant and you would repeat, but could also easily be swapped for some other ride/race/area. Some of these miles will be forever forgotten.
1/3 is... torture, hell, brutal [insert any other negative descriptor] or just plain ol' boring - These miles are the true test. They can be character building and/or soul destroying. They might just simply be irrational, like all the great ultras. All those awesome miles need something to contrast with and this is it. They will make you discover who you really are. They would/will never be voluntarily ridden again. However, they too will be permanently part of your memory.

-Yogi the Barry

Aren't you the one that said "half the game is 90% mental"   ; -)

Would a "plus" size tyre bike be an advantage from a ride quality point of view or would the tyres be too succeptible to punctures? I understand the trail is very hard on tyres. Do many AZ locals roll plus tyres in their general riding?

I ride 650b+ (on front at least) & forgo any suspension.

I think the grocery in Sliverton closes at 7pm. Time to head over to Blair Street Hostel. Cuz you likely need to resupply before this next stretch.

Hello, new to the forum.

I can carry 3 days dry food (beef jerky, fritos, clif bars, etc) on my current setup. This summer I'm doing a route with 5 days between food resupply.

I've never been a stove person, but if I can carry more food with a stove setup (oatmeal, instant potatoes, ramen, etc.), then I'll become a stove convert.

Any input or links would be appreciated.

Thanks.

If calories is the only requirement instant or quick oatmeal is eat able in the morning after soaking overnight, just not as warm. I suspect this would be true of Ramen noodles also I just haven't tested. Of this is gonna work below freezing.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

Assuming you are lucky enough to finish this beast, any suggestions how folks get back to the start to pick-up their vehicles?

Thanks!
Rob

Bustang will get you halfway:  http://www.ridebustang.com/west-line. I did it a couple of yrs ago & I don't recommend doing the other half on a trail geared single speed. Leave downtown in the afternoon/evening get in to Glenwood Spring round midnight. I moteled it. & Blair House hostel in Silverton the next night.

From today ATA Newsletter:  "Atlas Guides and the ATA have been working together to upgrade the Arizona Trail Smartphone App to include scenic routes around designated wilderness areas for the benefit of long-distance mountain bikers on the Arizona National Scenic Trail. We are delighted to announce that this feature is now integrated into the app, and ready to use."

I downloaded the offline "Bike Maps" today & can confirm it works! Get it here:  http://www.aztrail.org/apps.html

PS the bike route shows Hewlitt Station rd North of Pickett Post as the route. Is Hewlitt Station Rd still a No No? If so this is the type of blockage that can be reported within the app as long as you have connectivity.

Mike, I saw Jenny at Saguaro Corners on Saturday afternoon, gave her my cholla comb for the desert after Oracle. As of 0700 this morning, looks like she is getting ready to cross 77

Thanks for the info Bill. I did mention to her refueling in Oracle was advised, but I didn't warn her about the sign on the single track being the much harder than the highway.  I see her track working back up that same single track no doubt loaded down. My bad @Jenny

Oh man, I'm starting to feel Snakebit on the AZTR. 3ed DNF in a row. Not that I'm a role model of preparation*. Next year a 750 finish of bust.
 
I want to give a Big Shoutout to all the hiker, bikers & the ATA for the excellent trail maintenance & rerouting on the east & west Canalos section. 20% better IMO. Formerly Soul Crushing, now only Ef'in Hard.
 
Any info on Janie (not sure of spelling) from Scotland? She's from the same hometown as Ron Thompson they determined at the startline, even though they had never met before. I think she may be leading the the 750 women. She was the next women after Katilin when I saw her at KY camp friday night.
rs. Either this is Jill Libby or Janie doesn't have tracker.

* A chinese crankbrothers knockoff multitool won't break a chain so as to reduce you 'Flintstones' tech for your Ssp conversion.

Hopefully the fire stays small and can be contained.  Sometimes the USFS puts a priority on keeping a trail open when they know it is thru hiker/biker season.  

If it doesn't show up here by Friday we have a chance:  https://www.geomac.gov/viewer/viewer.shtml
Once they get on this map it usually means more personal & $$$, leaving bikepacker SOL.

Hey.  Anyone that has run water bottles on their fork legs on this route, was it a big problem in any spots?  I'm wondering if it would just be a huge pain on Oracle Ridge with all the bushwacking.

Thanks

Hose clamped cages let go right after KY camp. Oracle Ridge caught my bag (fork mount) & dumped me. Bottles well attached should be OK. Just use you own poor judgement as to voluntary dismounts as opposed the involuntary kind.

Any info on a Picketpost to Parker Canyon Lake Shuttle/Ride???  Thursday or really early Fri.

Caltopo.com has more features that I'd expect for a Web app. Not sure about track editing, but it wouldn't surprise me if it's in there.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

I wonder what do you think about the Olsen bicycle with Pinion gearbox:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1221142773/pinion-gearbox-belt-drive-29er-and-275-mtb-all-wea?ref=hero_thanks

It looks very interesting as a low maintanance bikepacking rig. The frame triangle seems to be small. Apart from that it looks awesome.

Enough room in the triangle bag for a 3 maybe 4 liter hydro & not much else. I guess you can make up for that w/ a under down tube bag, a much better spot for weight than seat, bar or backpack bags.

Just a thought, but if UR using a old dbl or triple crank why not leave a little ring on without the derailur. When you get to Noodle Mtn, manually move the chain to the granny ring.

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

Digging deeper into the Garmin web site I found the manuals here's the Explorer+   http://static.garmin.com/pumac/EN-inreachse-explorer-plus.htm

It seem the SE+ model lacks most of the nav features, but here's that manual:  http://static.garmin.com/pumac/EN-inreachse-explorer-plus.htm

What I can't find is the release date after which I could actually buy one.