2011 AZTR Updates / Discussion Thread

[AZTtripper]

Erick is out of the Box and nearing the last demoralizing climb at least he'll get there while it's cool out.

Max is nearly out of the Box. He seems to be sticking to his steady pace plan. It will be interesting to see if he has enough H2o to skip the Arboretum. And then if he will take advantage of the first on course motel in Apache Junction.

Looks like Jamil is almost back on trail so things must be coming together for him. Not surprised to see him beat some of the bikes in the Canelo's. There are several section where one wonders why bother with the bike.

Can't tell what's up with Brad spot shows 11 hours in Oracle. Looks like he is at the "A" Frame Motel so hopefully a good nights rest and a shower will set him right for another go at it.   

[calculusrunner]

Just got off the phone with Jamil, he's going to call it at Kentucky Camp.  He made good time through the first 50 miles or so, but he had a pretty big sleep deficit coming in, and carrying a pack is taking a bigger toll than he expected.  I'm sure he'll give a full report later today or tomorrow.

[ScottM]

Too bad about Jamil.  Still, 60 miles on this course and self supported is an impressive feat.  He was indeed faster than a number of the cyclists.

Brad Mattingly called me this morning to report he is finally dropping out.  He couldn't figure out the AZT on Oracle Ridge without his GPS, so that's it for him.  I'm impressed with his tenacity, heading back up to the ridge yesterday without a functioning GPS.

That leaves us with only four finishers (Erick and Max should be done with the 300 shortly), out of ... ~22 starters.  Wow.

[krefs]

That leaves us with only four finishers (Erick and Max should be done with the 300 shortly), out of ... ~22 starters.  Wow.

Yeah, that's an astounding attrition rate. The heat clearly was a major factor this year, as were the ever-present strings of sliced tires and punctures. The number of GPS failures was a bit surprising, though. As always, there's a lot for future AZT racers to learn from here...come prepared to fix numerous flats and tire failures, regular tubes simply won't cut it in the desert, and consider having a computer and Scott's cues in order to keep going in case of GPS failure. That only leaves fatigue, heat, crashes, catastrophic bike failures, horrible blisters, and mental breakdowns to deal with ;-)

[JeepJenJen]

WOOHOO!!!

GO ERICK!!!!!

[OurManInTheNorth]

Lol at Kurts list, I think I ticked off all of those last year (including multiple tyre/tube issues, but excluding GPS - and I had a spare!) other than crashes! Can I add mild hypothermia too?

I also initially thought Kurt was suggesting taking a laptop when he said computer! Do we know if anyone has tried with just the cues and a bike computer, I imagine that it's easier on i.e. the Tour Divide than it is for the AZT.

[ScottM]

I also initially thought Kurt was suggesting taking a laptop when he said computer! Do we know if anyone has tried with just the cues and a bike computer, I imagine that it's easier on i.e. the Tour Divide than it is for the AZT.

Fred W successfully navigated the route w/o GPS, though he did ride with others (e.g. myself) at times.  But it is not recommended...

[ScottM]

Congrats to Erick Lord and Max Morris, 3rd and 4th place in this year's 300!!!  Erick finished just under 4 days, an amazing time for someone new to racing bikes.  He told me that this years 24 Hours of Old Pueblo was his first bike race ever (3rd place in Co-ed duo with fellow AZT300 racer Jill Hueckman), so this would be his second.

Max came in just a hair over 4 days, and only 14 hours slower than his best time in the 300 from a couple years back.  That's pretty speedy given the heat and the fact that he's pacing for 750 miles.

It's just him on the tracker now that Jamil has made it to Kentucky Camp.  Jamil's point is fresh, so I'll still be checking to see if he changes his mind and keeps running.

Otherwise, go Max go!  One major milestone down, and a bit of a break in terms of terrain and services for a while.

[Bernd10]

Having followed the entire race, having seen drama unfold and heroic feats performed I congratulate all the starters for their effort and the 4 300-Milers for their achievements.  It is hugely inspiring and one day I'll be riding the AZT myself - maybe not all, but some of it.
For now: CHAPEAU

[Marshal]

4 of 22 wow

humm--say I think this might be of interest to some of the guys out there http://lwcoaching.com   

Congrats to Brad, Erick and Max!!!

Will be tracking Max now--good luck

[MattRuscigno]

Hey all!
That was fucking brutal. I never recovered from that first day despite taking two 10-hour sleeps! Thanks so much to all the awesome racers and those making this race happen. Through our exhaustion Mike and I are all smiles. It was a pleasure to be a part of this.
I'll have a proper write-up soon, but meanwhile we're here in AZ with our bikes and the week off work, anyone wanna ride? Thinking about heading north to cooler temps. Flagstaff? Sedona? Get in touch if you wanna show us some good trails. Preferably with lots of hike-a-bike (kidding).
Matt
mattruscigno@gmail.com
323-992-8598

ps. Go Max! You fucking rule.

[Area45]

Matt,

Awesome effort by you and Mike. Can't wait to hear all about it.

[ScottM]

Max called, still surging with energy and saying how hard Martinez was.  He called me out saying he was cussing me through most of it and thinking "if he's going to add this to the route, he has to be out here too!"  Can't say I disagree with him, it was poor form to add something that hard and not ride it myself -- though I did have a difficult decision to make for the new routing this year.

He's out of batteries, so his SPOT will show back when he gets a new set in Apache Junction.  He is going to take some downtime there to recoup and regroup.  Sounds like a good plan to me.

Got email from Jamil -- he is indeed out.  Great effort, hope to see him come back next year.

[krefs]

Good luck on the next segment, Max! There's a bit of recovery to be had between AJ and Payson, but not as much as you might expect. A good rest now will pay big dividends in the next couple days!

[wookieone]

Nice Work Everyone. Have to say it was fun to sit home and watch this year. Lynda, what can be said except, BAD ASS! Nice work out there, happy recovery!

[tRoy]

Wow, i can only imagine the AZT race experiences this year!  Congratulations to all of them, you.
Dara, my wife, reminded me that L.W. was wearing warmers during an August ride in Flagstaff a couple years back.  She must thrive in the heat!!!!   Way to crush it L.W.!

[riverfever]

humm--say I think this might be of interest to some of the guys out there http://lwcoaching.com   

I'm definitely happy that I made that decision a a few weeks ago. Congratulations Lynda!!

[Marshal]

Wow, i can only imagine the AZT race experiences this year!  Congratulations to all of them, you.
Dara, my wife, reminded me that L.W. was wearing warmers during an August ride in Flagstaff a couple years back.  She must thrive in the heat!!!!   Way to crush it L.W.!

have to ask LW but I think she had on tri style sun blockers-arm cooler's -not warmers-when she rode by on day 1

I have a pair of them--they do help up to a point

regardless she did handle the heat superbly

[ScottM]

Replay time!  Go dots go!

[OurManInTheNorth]

Congrats to all the finishers, and good luck to Max for his continuing journey across AZ.

Scott - looking at the replay and the trackleaders tables, can you work out why Lyndas split for Patagonia is a whole hour faster than Kurts? She was behind him (only a little mind!) throughout that section on the dot video.