2011 AZTR Updates / Discussion Thread

[wookieone]

A huge Chorus Of F#$K Yeahs for ya MAX, way to get'er done, just awesome!!!

[OurManInTheNorth]

Nice writeup Eric! I had many of the same problems last year, I also couldn't find the water cache at Freeman road, and finished with the slowest ever time after tube and tire problems galore... I don't think I quite experienced the lows you mentioned, but my state of mind was heading there some of the time, and I was more scared/excited about gila monsters and rattlers than worried about them being evil incarnate :-)

And congrats on the podium finish!

[gregclimbs]

nice write up eric... blog added to rss reader

[Walkurtalk]

Hey all, I really need some help with a ride to Parker Canyon Lake on Wednesday, May 25th. I have asked everyone I can possibly ask. Posted the crap out of it, facebooked it to death, etc..

Anyone? Anyone know anyone?

[dream4est]

Good luck Jill but this is way too late in the spring to ride the 300- the heat will kill you.

[ScottM]

It has been a very mild May.  Last weekend would have been a perfect one to set a record.  It does look like it is finally heating up for this coming weekend, but who knows, we may get another pacific system.

I sent an email to Tim McCabe, super generous AZT shuttler, who may be able to give you a ride, Jill.

[krefs]

Good luck, Jill! The forecast looks pretty dang hot, but in reality, it probably won't be more than 5-10 degrees warmer than during the AZT300 in April. I hope the rocks and thorns are more friendly to your tires this time around!

[Walkurtalk]

Thanks so much for your encouragement and help in finding a ride, guys! I did see the forecast last weekend and it looked nice there. New tires and not intimidated to fix flats with whatever it takes this time.

Crossing my fingers for a ride on Wednesday!  

[AZTtripper]

Last week would have been perfect for sure, looks like it's warming up now but I guess if someone wants to do a lot of night riding it should still be reasonable.

I saw Jill's post at Tucson MTB a while back and at that time I suggested she look at doing the Coco 250. Had I known how cool this spring was going to be I might not have. Most years late May would be scorching and I wouldn't think anyone would want to be out there.

The other issue a couple of weeks ago was the fire at Box canyon, a small section of the AZT there was burnt but that fire is out. Then there was also a fire at Picket Post I am not sure if the TH there is even open yet. Can't find any info on line though.  

Anyway I will shoot Jill a message and see what we can work out.

Tim

[AZTtripper]

So after getting in touch with Jill and making arrangements to get her to Parker Lake:

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — The U.S. Forest Service says the Arlene Fire burning five miles east of Lochiel in southern Arizona has burned 10,000 acres with zero containment.

Red flag warnings are out until 7 p.m. due to high winds and gusts and low relative humidity. Fire activity is expected to increase with these conditions.

Gusty winds on Monday pushed the human-caused fire northeast along the border with Mexico.

The fire spread quickly in dry grass and brush and overnight impacted the area surrounding some cabins at Parker Canyon Lake.

Firefighters protected two ranch homes and the cabins when winds shifted and pushed the fire north from Parker Canyon Lake into the Canelo Hills.

A precautionary evacuation of Parker Canyon Lake is in effect immediately until further notice.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.

Not looking good at this time, not sure how this will affect the trail for the future. Most likely no biggie for the trail big bummer for Jill's ITT. We had just agreed to meet at 5:30 to get her started but now it looks like we can't get to the start.

[AZTtripper]

Good luck Jill but this is way too late in the spring to ride the 300- the heat will kill you.

You thought is was hot the year it snowed at the start.

Good luck, Jill! The forecast looks pretty dang hot, but in reality, it probably won't be more than 5-10 degrees warmer than during the AZT300 in April. I hope the rocks and thorns are more friendly to your tires this time around!

It's not that much hotter today then it was during this years event, but the sun is way more intense. There's something about May clear blue skies and low low humidity it's like you can feel the sun cooking you. Also it warms up fast and stays warm for a lot longer. And while the hot days lead to warm nights and you might think great for night riding, now the snakes are out. And even though it's been cool by comparison it hasn't been cold at night so the ground has warmed up so the snakes are ready to go as soon as the sun sets.

[OurManInTheNorth]

AZTripper - how 'bad' is the snake situation in mid Nov compared to AZT300 time and/or the end of May? I saw 3 rattlers during my AZT550ish, all on the 300 route, 2 together and happy to slink off as soon as they saw me, 1 in the middle of the trail rattling like mad... Do they make sleeping out in the open at night in any real way dangerous? Or bushwhacking at night any more risky? I didn't even relaise the Gila monsters I saw were potentially poisonous until after I'd googled what the heck they were, the UK is such a safe country wildlife ways these days! (One venomous snake that is fairly rare and hasn't killed in years, and practically nothing large enough and wild that would even think of attacking a human...).

[AZTtripper]

Mid Nov would be fine I should think. The thing to keep in mind is that they do best when the temps are high but they can't get over heated. So if it's a hot day look out right around sunset as that is when they get active. Also in the fall they have a super active gear up for hibernation period. But by that time of year things are too cold at night for them. The Gila Monster is not so much of a concern if you don't mess with them. Yes getting bit would be bad but to be honest you are lucky to have seen one. Lots of people ride for years with out ever seeing one. The scary thing with snakes is that if you scare one they're likely to strike with out that much warning. Yes they buzz but if it's dark and you stop to put a foot down right next to one they could bite. But the only rider I know that was bitten happened to be riding in tall grass and never even saw it.

I saw your post about a possible fall trip, on the Sierra race thread. I would say that if you come in Oct try to do the Coconino course, in Nov the 300 should be good to go.

[OurManInTheNorth]

Thanks Tim, just something we don't really have to worry about very much over here! Yeah from what I read, the Gila Monsters really aren't too bad so long as you're not old or ill and can get help reasonably quickly. Thinking about it, both of those and one rattler were v dozy early in the morning, and the two rattlers together were late in the pm. Hmm the Coconino is another good shout, is that going to be too cold in mid Nov, it might be logistically easier than the AZT300?

[AZTtripper]

Cold is a relative thing, too cold for people from Southern AZ is anything below 80. As long as it hasn't snowed a bunch it could be ok.

[OurManInTheNorth]

he he cold for me now I'm living in Finland is -5F or lower... I probably overpacked for AZT750 last year, but given it was snowing when I left Flagstaff the day before the start, and at the Mexico border, I tend to pack heavier rather than lighter. Think I could have coped fairly comfortably down to 10F. 80 is probably hitting my 'too hot' limits at the moment! Ok will look at logistics and the Coconino route and make a decision at some point, thanks again for you help and info Tim!