That was my buddy Norb. He was part of our group. We were 4 at Loma...3 of us bailed at Dewey. He continued on. He is STRONG.

Marshall - Are you sure you met me on the KT?? If so, it was great meeting you as well!

Yes, I hear that after Dewey Bridge, must of the "hard" stuff is behind the rider. Unfortunately, Thursday was so difficult for me, my mind would not allow me to continue after Dewey. I can honestly say the 30 miles from Dewey to Moab were a piece of cake so my legs were still there...the mind/heart, however, were not.

Looking at the photos from last year...it appears several riders were on 26ers. Is that the preferred bike?

Thanks for the info! When I say "attempted the KT" what I mean is I rode Loma to Dewey Bridge (skipped Yellowjacket Canyon and chose to ride the highway to Dewey instead) then bailed at Dewey and rode the highway to Moab. There was no way I was going to make the Dewey to Moab ride on the KT in the timeframe we had.

Okay...so I "attempted" a self-supported ride of the Kokopelli Trial from Loma to Moab last week on my non-suspension Salsa Fargo Ti. The first 13 miles were placed there by the Devil himself (at least as far as I'm concerned).  Way too technical for me. Also, way too much HAB for my taste. Does the Dixie 200 relate to any portion of the KT? If so, please enlighten me...

Looking for any beta on current trail conditions. Riding the full KT, self-supported, beginning Thursday, May 16. I hope it's not too hot!!

Gotcha!  Thanks! (It's really looking like I'm going to make this happen!

Dave -

I'm a little confused looking at the map. I'm wondering about the "short" segment that has "Sydney Peaks Trail" as a way point. Does the 200 go on that portion?

Thanks!

I just got into Boise after drifting north (in a car) for a week.  Was able to ride pieces of the route north of Pine and am sorry to have missed that part of the race.  My knee is still screwed up so I'm glad I stopped at Roosevelt Lake.  My barrel cactus thorn infected my hand and required antibiotics and surgery.  Damn expensive cactus.

I was going to pick Cjell up at the border but he called from Phoenix saying that from the Gila to Picketpost almost did him in -- no food or water.  He had no brake pads left so even downhill was a pisser.  He has pulled out so don't bother looking for his remains on the side of Highline.  I bet he comes back for more next year.

Amazing riding by all.

Chip

Chip - I'm from Boise. I'd love to buy you a beer and pick your brain about the AZTR. Considering giving it a go in 2014.

Is there an alternate route using Hwy 67 from the north rim to Jacob's Well, then to HWY 89A where it intersects back up with AZT?  Did anyone else notice they are off trail...both Blake and Max took the road rather than the trail.  And now Aaron is doing the same thing.

I believe the highway is an approved alternate if snow prevents use of the trail.

What's going on with Aaron Boatman? He hasn't moved in forever and has been passed....

Thanks, Dave! If I can convince the boss...I may very well be there!

Dave -

Thanks for putting this together! I'm a newbie with a few questions:

(1) I saw folks are camping near the start the evening before...where do folks camp?
(2) My ride does not have suspension...will that be an issue?
(3) On a scale of 1-10, how "difficult" is this ride?

Thanks in advance for your advice and answers!

Thanks, Tim! Really appreciate the info.

I'm in the beginning stages of research for a potential assault on the AZTR (full enchilada) in 2014. I'm wondering if folks out there who have done either the 300 and/or the 750 have recommendations regarding bike choice. My research to-date leads me to believe FS is the way to go. Other than that...any thoughts?