Wasn’t sure which flag Ron was going to race under. Heard the only thing the airlines didn’t lose was his bike and he had to scramble to collect enough gear to start!

Very inspiring race so far. My hope is the weather cools a bit for those still in the desert. Congratulations to the north south riders still pushing as well as the crew who had to scratch. Just showing up and trying is no small accomplishment. Special shout out to Tony Berberich and Ron Thompson. I know Tony will shatter my time in the 300 by a couple days and I expect Ron will continue to dig deep and better his record again. Tracking the racers really gets the desire to get out and do it again flowing. So easy to forget the blazing days huddled under a shady shrub gathering the willpower to go on or huddled by the fire waiting for the sun to rise and the snow to stop😂. Keep on cranking. Maybe I’ll see some of you out there next year if I can get my sorry ass out of Oregon and to the start line!

Thanks Brad just reading and talking about it gets the juices flowing... I was based out of Flag when I muddled thru the 300 in 6 days then got a taste of the full enchilada with the 750  setting an all time slowest record on singlespeed!! Nevertheless April or May I hope to rub elbows with North to south or visa versa riders👳🏼‍♀️. I think the plan to get thru the canyon early has tremendous  potential ( easy to say sitting on the couch) I can defenitly envision party at Stateline in 2018 and  meeting some like minded bike nerds. After that it really just a long kick ass camping trip! I don't want to get overly sentimental here but I truley appreciate the effort that Scott has put into an idea that is way bigger than any of us AZT riders . .. going out doing your best. , accepting the many pitfalls and disappointments then waking up with a stiff leg or aching shoulder and throwing a leg over the bar and getting on with it . It's what we do.

I have been contemplating a north south route as well since  I watched Brad MattimNgly in 2013 ?? Is the North south  ". tour " begin the same day as the start at the border?? I am  anxious to get the ditch over with early in the ride.   Snow conditions may dictate in 2018 but it never hurts to have a dream!

Congrats Ron. Each year you get faster. Very inspiring!

Ron Thompson is no doubt one of the toughest out there!  :icon_salut:Maybe he will get a break this year and not have to endure another blizzard on the North Rim.  congrats to Justin and El Freako. Excited to see the Singlespeed record fall.Will it just be a matter of time before a singlespeed sets the record?

Could follow the AZT trail on the North rim!  Ron Thompson and I did that on our singlespeeds the first year  we (raced).Brutal log crossings ....

Nearing completion of an epic journey!! I ran into this guy with his DAD riding unicycles at Horse ridge here in central Oregon couple months ago...........  I was awestruck then and even more so now. I beat my brains out in 2014 riding this race and I `m sure it`s over twice as hard on a unicycle. Very impressive mate! Know the Prinevillans  are tracking you and cheering you on.  Few more hours...

Congrats to Ron and Josh my heroes. Finishing this race is huge I don't care how long it takes you.  The heat , the elevation, the storms, the grueling descent and climb to get thru the canyon. Nice race fellas. I relived the excitement thru you....

Congrats to Ron Thomson. An epic ride and a new personal best time for the 750.  Very inspirational.

Any ideas why the tortoise is off course??

Hey Rich I really enjoyed Your MTB cast from Superior. Dude you need to beat the all time slowest non sanctioned bike race ,tour, mundfu*k bikepacking function in Arizona record. I know you can do it. After that you can try to beat the all time slowest ,furthest traveled creepy old guy singlespeed record on a bicycle for the 750 which I profess to hold! Keep on pressing on I know you will do it.

I know the canyon nearly finished us last year. I echo Scotts analysis. Actually took us  5 nights to get thru that  mess. Stayed on the trail the whole way. Next time I`m doing it Brads way N to S; get that part over with early! Super human Jay P and the  pack in the canyon. Walk on

I understand Ron Thomson and Rich Wolf made it into Oracle. Good riding fellas. I know Ron had a bit of a crash first day out but he seems  to be rallying as I know he can. Keep after it . I really am envious of you racers out tearing it up.  Just remember to go the right way after Beehive unlike I did last year!

Hey thanks ALL both 300 and 750 participants and supporters.Special thanks to Ron and Duck my psyco cycling buds and  Beth ,wife and support system extrodinere. Special thanks to Scott for making this not just a race but a lifetime adventure.  . I knew from early on and last years 300 that a finish would be worthy goal. At 58  I did`t have any illusions about keeping the pack in site,after all many of these athletes could be sons or daughters! I felt kind of lame hitting the 20 day mark when so many finished in half the time or less. The Canyon just about crushed us,with too heavy loads.and no spring in our steps. Really 6 miles from Phantom to Cottonwood was all we had that day,no " I`ll just rest for a couple hours then push on" we were DONE. But every day  we made progress a little at a time. Thanks to Jill and John Schilling`s words of encouragement through the posts. Getting to ride the  Fisher  Fire route  was special to me flying on singletrack on my local trails.  Also the snow route to Jacob opened my eyes to some Arizona topography I never expected. Yes  the race ,got me to the start and I`m throwing out the thought that it is one of the very toughest ones out there. The thought that  each and every rider or hiker that completes the trail has had to endure and revel in a landscape that takes you from stunning scenery  into your "deepest darkest pain cave" My hats off to you  all!......... Jeff (swami) Swanstrum