AZT tour 12/19-12/24 anyone?

[Chad B]

I have some time off if anyone wants to join me for a singletrack tour from Tucson during the 19th to the 24th of December. I have some bags on order from Jeff at Carousel that are expected to arrive this month; I figure I should put them to use soon.

Route might include: Tortolitas, 50-year Trail, and AZT

AZT 12/19-12/24 you know you want to go. Ride, ride, and ride!

[ScottM]

 

I might be up for something along those lines.  I'll check in after the White Canyon AZT trip, see if I'm up for another.  The Rug Road (over the Galiuro Mtns) is a good one for this time of year.

[Chad B]

Got another interested young lad from Moab that might join us for the ride...

[ScottM]

I know of several high caliber riders from slickrock central, but wouldn't consider them "young."  Who ya got?

[Chad B]

I know of several high caliber riders from slickrock central, but wouldn't consider them "young."  Who ya got?

His first name rhymes with "bread." Still waiting for a reply or confirmation on his thoughts about the tour from him. 

[DaveC]

He looks younger than I do....

[ScottM]

He looks younger than I do....

Lives and rides young, too.  I was surprised to learn his real age.

[frejwilk]

Aww shucks. Should I bring ID.

I will be in AZ in December and I would like to do an overnight ride. My (also young looking) wife has a bunch of stuff going on here right now. It's been pretty hard to pin anything down for our trip. I do expect to have a better idea later this week.

So you (AZ folks) soon,

FW

[DaveC]

Aww shucks. Should I bring ID.

Uhh, yeah.  You might share the fate of McFee's wife otherwise.

[tomp]

Hey there kids,

I won't be visiting AZ again in '08 (alas) but I'm thinking about a trip or trips in Jan, Feb, mebbe March. Do that Antelope Peak thingy perhaps.

Here's the thing: I've ridden quite a bit of the AZT around Antelope Peak and north from the Freeman Road. I usually basecamp at the Willow Springs Ranch Old Pueblo venue and excursion from there. I've only been about 7-8 miles north on AZT from the Freeman Road. What happens out there? How much is complete? I'm considering doing a bikepacking jaunt out north from Antelope Peak to who-knows-where.

I've ridden the 500 bitches on the pipeline road between Oracle and the Freeman Road--if that's the fate of the section north of Freeman, um, not sure I'm into that.

What's yer verdict? Where does the AZT rejoin semi-civilization after going north from Freeman? Kelvin? Riverside, Superior?

[ScottM]

Tom,

I'll have a few dozen pictures and a report for ya in a day or two. 

We rode from Freeman Rd -> Ripsey Hill AZT -> Gila River / Kelvin -> Martinez Canyon -> Box Canyon -> Alamo / Superior, then back (on some roads and some AZT).  So much to see out there! 

Ripsey is a true gem, and the whole corridor around the Gila River knocks me out every time.  Holy crap are there some amazing visuals out there (and now, some epic trailbuilding).  It's not done, though, so it's not ready for prime time, but it can be done.

You rode about a mile of gasline north of Freeman.  There isn't any more after that, but there are ~2 miles of power line-ish road.  Not as agonizing as the gasline stuff, for sure.

[tomp]

The gasline section I'm talking about is that part between Oracle and Freeman. That's what I was calling the 500 bitches.

I was wondering if there's a section of it out there north of Freeman anything like that. Huffing that mofo section between Oracle and Freeman with a bikepack load would be hurtful. But it sounds like the part north only has that little bit of gasline. I'll do that sometime. This winter would be killer. Got my fingers crossed on that.

I'll be watching for those pics.

[ScottM]

Yep, 500 bitches is right on.  That's south of Freeman, and IIRC, you went south on it -- that direction is harder.  It's really not bad going north.  Quite fun in places.

There's quite a bit of ST north of Freeman, and some options for looping back.

[Chad B]

I am still planning on doing this ride, most likely it will be Monday 12/22-12/24. Any takers?

[ScottM]

I'm still a possible.  Fred, still planning on heading down?

[Chad B]

Fred--I don't think so since I have not heard back from him.

Bags just arrived today.  Camera too! 

[frejwilk]

I'm going to have to miss this one.

At this rate I should just start making plans for 2010.

FW

[Chad B]

Bummer man. There will be plenty of other times. See you in April 

[pcowand]

Planning on a AZT ride March 6th into possibly the 7th from Picketpost to Kelvin.  My friend and I are both clydesdales (slow going), but don't mind sharing the trail/company.  pdcowandATyahoo.com if you want to shuttle/drop off a vehicle or have questions.