 Topic Name: AZT Questions
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on: April 07, 2009, 09:42:02 AM
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sherpaxc
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 577
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« on: April 07, 2009, 09:42:02 AM » |
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I'm trying to plan ahead for the fall of 09. I teach so I'm very limited on when I can actually travel. Is Mid November going to be to cold to do a trip on the AZT 300? I'm thinking the week of Thanksgiving. Otherwise it won't be until March of 2010. I'm thinking a 4 day trip for the whole 300.
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Topic Name: AZT Questions
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Reply #1 on: April 07, 2009, 12:53:10 PM
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ScottM
bikepacking.net admin
Location: Wherever the GeoPro is parked.
Posts: 2863
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« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2009, 12:53:10 PM » |
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4 days is a pretty fast pace to finish the 300, just so you know. You've got to be motivated, focused and probably do some night riding too.
It usually doesn't start getting real cold until December, but Thanksgiving could be cold. Snow is very unlikely to be an issue. If there were some early storms you could easily detour around Oracle ridge on the Control Road and be fine. Otherwise the cool temps in Nov would be pretty well suited to touring on the route.
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Topic Name: AZT Questions
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Reply #2 on: April 07, 2009, 06:48:03 PM
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sherpaxc
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 577
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« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2009, 06:48:03 PM » |
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Ok. Thanks for the info. I REALLY want to make it out to that trail next year. I'm not sure if I have more than 4 days to give to it though. May just plan on 4 days and see where that get's me.
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Topic Name: AZT Questions
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Reply #3 on: April 08, 2009, 12:13:13 PM
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Chad B
Moderator
Posts: 484
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« Reply #3 on: April 08, 2009, 12:13:13 PM » |
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Highly motivated, yes. I remember those words when I was trying to ride fast yesterday to finish before dark. I think you just have to know your pace and continue to ride w/o long breaks.
I did about 1.5-2 hours/day of night riding at most and slept in until 7-8 am on two of the three days.
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Topic Name: AZT Questions
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Reply #4 on: April 08, 2009, 12:28:32 PM
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sherpaxc
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 577
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« Reply #4 on: April 08, 2009, 12:28:32 PM » |
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So did you actually get to use your hammock? I didn't think there would be any place to hang?
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Topic Name: AZT Questions
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Reply #5 on: April 08, 2009, 02:07:14 PM
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Chad B
Moderator
Posts: 484
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« Reply #5 on: April 08, 2009, 02:07:14 PM » |
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2 out of the 3 times (used a motel the other night). In Madera canyon, i used one of the gates (ohhhhh the gates, tons of gates on the AZT) and a tree. In Reddington, I used 2 trees on the Chiva Falls jeep road. It was hella windy both nigths, so it worked out great!  |
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« Last Edit: April 08, 2009, 02:36:10 PM by Chad B »
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Topic Name: AZT Questions
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Reply #6 on: April 08, 2009, 02:50:59 PM
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sherpaxc
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 577
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« Reply #6 on: April 08, 2009, 02:50:59 PM » |
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AWESOME! I thought I was gonna have to sleep like the dogs. In France last summer I had to sleep on the ground 1 night out of 3 weeks of bike touring. At one point I tried to strap the hammock up between 2 picnic tables but they just wouldn't hold.
Good to see you use the creativity that sometimes it takes to hang!
If you don't mind I'll probably be picking your brain and others more as the time goes by. I'm pretty sure I can make it out there for Thanksgiving next year. My biggest concern is the logistics from airport to trailhead back to airport.
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Topic Name: AZT Questions
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Reply #7 on: April 08, 2009, 02:54:35 PM
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Chad B
Moderator
Posts: 484
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« Reply #7 on: April 08, 2009, 02:54:35 PM » |
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I am sure Scott or I could help you out with a ride. I might even ride to Tucson if it is during my Thanksgiving or fall break, maybe even do the whole thing again!
BTW, I thumbed a ride this morning from Florence Junction to Tucson. I waited about 10 minutes before I got a ride.
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Topic Name: AZT Questions
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Reply #8 on: April 08, 2009, 03:01:11 PM
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sherpaxc
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 577
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« Reply #8 on: April 08, 2009, 03:01:11 PM » |
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Ok, thanks!
Let me ask a simple question. What map would I need to buy? I'm not much of a GPS person but I would still carry it. I'd like to have a map as a back-up.
You'd be more than welcome to join me if you wanted. It'll probably be me and 2 other strong riders making it out there next year. Maybe just me though.
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Topic Name: AZT Questions
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Reply #9 on: April 12, 2009, 12:32:15 PM
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Chad B
Moderator
Posts: 484
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« Reply #9 on: April 12, 2009, 12:32:15 PM » |
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There are the topo maps you can buy of the area. I think max has some; he is doing the race now. You might be able to borrow them.
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Topic Name: AZT Questions
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Reply #10 on: April 13, 2009, 10:33:33 AM
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sherpaxc
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 577
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« Reply #10 on: April 13, 2009, 10:33:33 AM » |
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Water question. Did you even bring a filter? It seems like there are spigots at camp grounds and in towns. What is the minimum recommendation for water capacity?
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Topic Name: AZT Questions
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Reply #11 on: April 14, 2009, 03:36:58 PM
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ScottM
bikepacking.net admin
Location: Wherever the GeoPro is parked.
Posts: 2863
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« Reply #11 on: April 14, 2009, 03:36:58 PM » |
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When touring I'd definitely recommend a filter. The spigots are not always reliable, but there's often a source or two nearby to filter from.
When racing you can sometimes get away with no filter, but there the speed helps you get from source to source, bypassing filtering options.
I'd say 6L or so is needed for the stuff north of Oracle, otherwise you could do it with less.
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Topic Name: AZT Questions
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Reply #12 on: April 14, 2009, 04:10:43 PM
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sherpaxc
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 577
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« Reply #12 on: April 14, 2009, 04:10:43 PM » |
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Wow, 6L is a lot of water to carry! Ok, so is the water silty (meaning I need to pump it) or is it clean enough to use drops/chemicals?
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Topic Name: AZT Questions
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Reply #13 on: April 15, 2009, 07:06:47 AM
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AZTtripper
Moderator
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 1732
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« Reply #13 on: April 15, 2009, 07:06:47 AM » |
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Most of the water sources that I have used are pretty good depends on your tolerance for floaties.
I would want a pump personally but that's just me.
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Topic Name: AZT Questions
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Reply #14 on: April 16, 2009, 08:40:48 PM
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Marshal
Location: Colorado
Posts: 951
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« Reply #14 on: April 16, 2009, 08:40:48 PM » |
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Wow, 6L is a lot of water to carry! Ok, so is the water silty (meaning I need to pump it) or is it clean enough to use drops/chemicals?
drops do not work for Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts, I remember seeing one of the AZT signs that said both were common along the AZT, so you would need a 'rated' filter if you want to be sure........... |
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Topic Name: AZT Questions
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Reply #15 on: April 16, 2009, 10:16:33 PM
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AZTtripper
Moderator
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 1732
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« Reply #15 on: April 16, 2009, 10:16:33 PM » |
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I meet a hiker who did the whole AZT in 04 he only had the minimum filter (a flat little paper disc type)(actually marketed to cyclists). He used it rarely as he had no replacement filters and did not treat running water with anything, and he was fine. But that is a big risk if the trip is longer then two weeks you could end up wicked sick out there.
But if the trip is less then two weeks, well I just don't like to risk it and I hate floaties in my water. I have one friend who won't drink water from my paper filter he likes his ceramic, and you can tell the difference but ceramic is way too heavy.
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Topic Name: AZT Questions
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Reply #16 on: April 17, 2009, 05:31:45 AM
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sherpaxc
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 577
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« Reply #16 on: April 17, 2009, 05:31:45 AM » |
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I've already gotten Giardia once and it was not fun at all. I'll take the precaution and use a filter. I've switched to a pump after having TWO Steripens crap out on me ON TRAIL. Those things were such a good idea but I've just had really bad luck with them.
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Topic Name: AZT Questions
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Reply #17 on: April 17, 2009, 07:22:40 AM
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Pivvay
Riding and exploring
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 681
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« Reply #17 on: April 17, 2009, 07:22:40 AM » |
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I used MP1 out there in the race but only once at Madera when the spigot was off. I'd take it again to be sure but there is quite a bit of "good" water out there if you move quickly and have 6L+ capacity. I had 2.5L + 4L + 20oz capacity but only had it all filled up once (leaving Oracle). Even my tiny 9L pack could fit 6.5L of water in it if necessary.
The race this year was relatively cool for the AZT, if it was hot I would have burned through far more water and electrolytes. I would take at least 36 endurolytes personally next time.
Also the course is far easier to follow with a GPS. In the dark esp, using just maps would result in a slower pace and more "route checking" for sure.
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-Chris Plesko
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Topic Name: AZT Questions
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Reply #18 on: April 17, 2009, 07:35:58 AM
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AZTtripper
Moderator
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 1732
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« Reply #18 on: April 17, 2009, 07:35:58 AM » |
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Having a GPS and keeping a close eye on it can really help out there, even with GPS several riders missed turns and had to back track it is just too easy to do. At least with GPS you usually know sooner rather then latter.
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Topic Name: AZT Questions
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Reply #19 on: April 17, 2009, 07:36:58 AM
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Pivvay
Riding and exploring
Location: Westminster, CO
Posts: 681
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« Reply #19 on: April 17, 2009, 07:36:58 AM » |
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Totally. I missed quite a few turns but at least you know before you get too far off route if you're paying attention to the track.
"Hey where did the line go?"
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-Chris Plesko
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