Exactly.  I limited the waypoints to 10,000 and then converted it in gpsvisualizer.  Thanks, man.

Any GPS experts in the crowd?  I left Idaho with what I thought was the .gpx track for the route (AZTR-2017-rev1.gpx) from topofusion but when I view it onto my Garmin 62s, it only shows a track from the border to the Tucson area.  I'm at the library in Flagstaff trying to get this fixed but no luck so far.  When I view the exact same file on www.gpsvisualizer.com, it shows the entire AZT route, but on my GPS, it only shows the truncated version.  I'm not a GPS expert so any help would be appreciated.

**DISREGARD**  I got it all by my own self.   

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

Yeah, that's the plan.  I think I'll break it up and make it an overnighter.  I've been to Phantom four times on raft trips but have never stayed there.

You could just do a short hike from the south rim then drive to Jacob lake area and ride out the highway and back on the trail. There is a way to get back up to Jacob lake from the state line using forest roads.

I like that idea.

Hmmm....what to do? Drive to Flag and take a look around maybe drop your rig in Flag.

Another good idea.

I'm getting the idea that flexibility may be the key for this ride.

One other question, I've read the horror stories of Oracle and Mt Lemmon.  I don't mind going through the pain for something in return like a great camp, view, or singletrack, or beers but I'm not into pain for the sake of it.  What other parts of the AZT are notorious or infamous with little in return?

That's last years course, taking a power line in Oracle state park where there is now new single track leading to some older single track but better then the power line.
 
Also they have added a few miles on the southeast side of PHX. As well as a couple of reroutes on the Highline trail.

Check out ScottM's post on page 4 http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/ultra-racing/azt-750300-2017-planning-thread/60/

Also you must be planning a relaxed pace, as you realize the North rim shuttle won't start until May 15.

Tim

I was aware of the Highline trail changes but not the Oracle changes.

MAY 15!?   F***!  I did not know that.  That's good to know.  I am planning a relaxed pace but that's even a little too relaxed for me.

Hmmm....what to do?  Huh, now that I look, the North Rim doesn't even open until May 15.  Is there still snow up there that late in the season?

Thanks for the info.

6 liters should be plenty, not that you need that much all of the time.

The key will be figuring out where the course is different than the hiking route on the app.

Yeah, 6 liters will be my max carry but not my daily load.

This is the route I intend to ride.  Got it off of bikepacking.com  It appears to keep me out of the areas where bikes are not allowed.

I have a flexible schedule and will depart some time in mid March and will spend time in Phoenix and surrounding area getting back in riding shape after a winter of drink and surf in the Baja.  I hope to be on the trail by late March or early April. I've done some reading on what to expect on the trail:  I downloaded the .GPX file and loaded it in my GPS.  I have a less than zero desire to carry my bike through the Canyon so I put together a convoluted logistical plan of:  drive my car with bike to South Rim and park it, ride my bike to Flagstaff, rent a car for one-way trip to Tucson, ride the AZT to South Rim, ditch the bike for boots and backpack and enjoy a walk through the Canyon, take shuttle back to South Rim, drive my car back to North Rim, loop ride to end of AZT and then back to North Rim.

Here are some questions I still have:

Is six liters of water carrying capability the agreed upon standard?

Is there a waypoint (latt/long) list of water sources available?

Anyone use the Arizona Trail app?  Useful?

I'm taking my Trek Stache 7 with Chupacabra 29x3 setup tubeless.  Spare tubes, sidewall repair kit, and Stan's will be carried.

Any other words of wisdom appreciated.

When you do have to push your bike, what's the best gear to have your bike in?

I ran into this dude on the GDMBR with his Tout Terrain Mule.  It looked like a solid product and better than a Bob Trailer. 



As to the guy asking if you want to " when you are out there mixing it up with the elements ask yourself this!!!!!!!! do you really want to carry all that shit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

His exclamation marks, not mine.  I've camped with plenty of minimalist bikers who look at me in fully dressed warmth like we're members of the Donner Party.

I toured/bikepacked for years on a Surly LHT and 26" wheels and it was adequate but I hadn't ridden any other wheel sizes so I didn't know what I was missing.  This summer, I demoed a 2016 Trek Stache 7 and was so impressed I went back to the shop and bought it.  I outfitted it for bikepacking and like Hayduke said in a previous post, the difference really is startling.  The 29+ wheels gobble up gravel.  Roads that were a chore on 26" wheels are a breeze on 29+.  And when I'm not bikepacking, it's a fun trail bike.

Someone else had a good idea, demo a Stache and take it out for an overnighter.  If it doesn't blow your mind, then stick with your current steed.

For touring and bikepacking, I choose clipless.  I like the added connection of clipless and the ability to get some power on the upstroke, as it were.  I tried those Power Grips things on a tour of Alaska/BC in 2015 and hated them.  Not only did they f**k with my knees but they were pretty much useless for me and my pedaling style.  To make matters worse, I selected a pair of boots that didn't breathe and I ended up getting the worst case of athlete's foot ever.

The only thing I'd say, is when going clipless, find a shoe that is comfy and good for hike-a-bike or walking around town.  I always feel sorry for those guys in the super-stiff, super-clod shoes that are all but useless off the bike.

When using hose clamps to attach something like a Salsa Anything Cage to my suspension forks, do I need to be concerned about tightening the hose clamps too tight and damaging the lowers on my forks?

Gracias

I'm putting together an AZT trip for next spring and would like to start as early as possible.  I have the luxury of unlimited time so I won't be in a hurry unless I know there's a hot spring or beers waiting.  I'm on the lower side of average when it comes to pace, so I'm thinking four weeks for the entire trip.  I assume snowpack will be my limiting factor and see that the Tonto NF will be my first sustained elevation, so will this decide as to how early I can begin?    

Also, I'd like to hike the Grand Canyon but have no desire to carry my bike on my back.  Are there work arounds to this problem?

Finally, I'd like to ride all the way home to Boise, Idaho and am interested to hear about any routes people have between the north end of the AZT and Boise.

Thanks,

BC

I'll answer my own question.  In case anyone is interested:

http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/6162757/the-big-smokey-loop

or this:

http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/7011183/idaho-trail-segment-4

My buddy and I leave for the IHoS route in a couple weeks and one of the sections we're considering going off route is a section I read about that goes northeast from Atlanta to Galena but I can't remember the route or where I read about it.  I think it was either this site or the ACA site.  Anyone have any idea what I'm referring to?

Also, we're looking at going off route at Loon Lake and taking trail 081 south to Lick Creek Rd. and then trail 86/87 to the S.F. Salmon.  Any beta?

Thanks,

BC