I'm super stoked . We have the air tickets booked. I’m planning to/from route travel logistics and had a few questions:

1. Will the start and end point be in Story? We’re having some challenges with transport from Casper and back.
- Bus: There is a bus from Casper to Buffalo (and back). But it’s one run per day.
- Car rental: I was thinking of a one-way car rental but it looks like the only way would be Casper to Sheridan (and back)

2. Do you have any suggested ways to get to and from the route from Casper?

I might be able to make a run from Casper to Buffalo the evening of the 5th if you can help out with gas/beer money since i’m sidelined this year. Anyone else flying into Casper?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzA1BDgl0N5/?igshid=1s8pvlf4td3p2

Wow, a few inches of snow.

Scott M, is there a way of turning the "radar" layer on?

Thanks

Spent most my life in th Big Horns hiking, riding and snowmobiling but never been in the basin area north of shell. I’m afraid I’ll hit it about midday in the heat.  I’ve got a couple detours in mind if it doesn’t workout. Anyone else planning on going? Maybe I’ll do a ITT and start Thursday evening.

Aarond, reading your blog post and looking at Google Earth it looks like there is zero shade from Shell to 14a. How reliable is the water source after you leave Shell? The forcast in Lovell Friday and Saturday is calling 102/105 degrees. I might just stay high and skip the lower elevation if the temps are that high. No reason to bake for a fun ride.

Out of curiousity- as I am headed out solo... how many people did this last year or are expected this year?  Just wondering if I’ll be around many or any other people on the trail
Thanks

Just singed up, so at least one...

With this being out my backdoor and the love of the Big Horns, I might as well load up my bike, bags and join in on the fun. See you at the start.

Keith T. is still on the AZT, now outside the park boundary almost to the East Rim Overlook. It'll be interesting to hear his experience up there.

It really sounds like a small minority of park employees seem to have an agenda. There's zero logic in their reasoning. Let's see, a handful or two of 'seasoned' bike riders pedal, hike, drag their bikes 650 miles to reach the South Rim, but that's not enough for them. They strap their steeds to their backs and trek across the Canyon to the North side. All of a sudden it's too 'dangerous' to ride on 12 miles of closed pavement? At least I think that's their argument. Lame doesn't begin to describe it. /rant. We may need to send in Grandma Helga.

But what's funny, here in Wyoming right now the roads are closed in Teton and Yellowstone National Parks but open to bikes.

https://www.facebook.com/JHCycling/

If you were unable to register before the ride filled up, if you are a slower rider consider starting the day before the grand depart, and if you are a fast rider, maybe start the day after.  Your friends and family will still be able to follow you online, you will still meet lots of other riders and your finish time will still appear in the results.

Great advice, AZTR is such a great "ride" ;-) and I hope it continues for many years to come. I think about it almost daily since I've done the 300 in 2016, one of the best parts was meeting fellow riders and getting to know them. If you don't understand the rules do some research or ask, if you don't want understand the rules, just go ride the AZT and don't be part of this "group ride" so it's not ruined for everyone else who loves this trail and event. I think doing research, preparing and the stress of it is almost as fun as the race.

Thanks Scott for what you've done for the bikepacking community, giving us challenges, new friends and memories.

Unofficial word is that the NR pavement closure is not likely to be enforced (for now...).  Standby for a request that we send a bunch of letters to the Superintendent's office, requesting they strike the new closure and rule.

I just hope they know it's nothing new to ride bikes in NP's after the road is plowed but still closed to vehicles. The past few weeks Yellowstone, Glacier and Teton have been opened to hiking and biking on the closed roads. Yellowstone opens tomorrow to vehicles :-(

Nice job Brett... Get some rest for the next one!!!

Nice job to everyone out there this year attempting or finishing in 2017

I know here in Wyoming the National Parks Service plows their own roads. After they are plowed they are open to bikes and pedestrian traffic for a few weeks before they are opened for vehicle traffic. Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are good examples of this, they have actually started plowing this past week.

You have to join but it sounds like the trail on the north side is getting washed out and knee deep creek crossings.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/GrandCanyonHikers/permalink/915860455222148/

Take a hike down South Kaibab and up Bright Angle, its about 18.6 miles and took me 6 hours.

Found this just this morning http://forums.mtbr.com/fat-bikes/best-fat-tire-azt-891851.html

I would think that Mike C would be a good person to listen to "If you absolutely, positively cannot go down there with sensible (2.4ish tubeless ready) tires,"

I know Aaron W from Salida ran a 29+ front for his BCT/AZT combo, but he had a standard tire in the back. Seems like a good option if your running rigid and you can keep a closer eye on the front.

Not sure where the article was but another Aaron did a write up of his set up for a 9 day finish. An all mountain bike with lots of travel and a short stem allowed him to ride more of Oracle ridge.

Plus bikes look fun but not so much on the long distance stuff.

My buddy rode his Beargrease with 29+ and he thought it worked out great. He was running Maxxis Chronicle tires, they hardly looked worn when he finished the 300.

Only did the 300 last year, would like to do the 300 again this year but doesn't look like it's going to fit in my schedule. Definitely thinking 750 in 2018.

Winter blues = subscribed thread!

Same here!

Reading there was a lot of trees down in June, does anyone know if they have been cleared?

Looking for something to do in early October and was wondering how the Dixie 200 would be in the fall?

My guess would be 6 to 8 days to enjoy the route in the daylight.  I have a 130 mile route that kicks ass in the the southern hills that I will finalize this winter.  Will be working on a 250 mile loop in the northern hills this winter also.  Both of these routes will be touring routes that I may put on web page.

Jason,

did you ever come up with the 250 mile loop? also are you going to be adding it to the Black Hill Expedition for this fall and have two distances? I need to ride faster or get more vacation so I can take on these longer races.

Thanks

Clint