2012 AZT 300/750

[AZTtripper]

I really like the Rampages also. And that's what Max used for the full 750 last year with no issues, no flats until north of Flag!

[dream4est]

I second that Rampage vote of confidence. I ran it from Apache Junction to the finish (on the front) in 2010 and then in the 2010 CTR. It would be a slower rear tire than the Geax Sagauro TNT but it weighs less so over a long distance it may equal out.

[tanman1337]

Hey guys, I'm looking for a few suggestions about some gear for the upcoming 300. I'm really trying to decide on a sleeping setup and wanted to hear some different input. I'm trying to decide between: Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1, a Shangri-La 1, or maybe the Moment from Tarptents. Also, I'm curious as to wether or not people use blow up sleeping pads or just cut-down foam pads considering AZ ground can be pretty rugged. Also, not to ask to many gear questions in the same post, but I've been trying to do some massive research GPS-wise and figure out if I should go with the Garmin 62 series or the new E-trex 30? Thanks guys.

[krefs]

Too early to say on sleeping gear. If the weather is like last year, you could get by without any shelter, bivy, or even a sleeping bag really. Three years ago, it was rainy for the entire second day, and Mt Lemmon was a winter wonderland with 3-5" of fresh snow and overnight lows around 20. But in general, a 40 deg sleeping bag, a foam pad, and a lightweight bivy will do you well in most conditions. A tarp to throw over all that would be nice if it's actually raining.

[bartspedden]

I have the Shangri-La 1. It's a fine tent but does suffer from breathability issues like most/all silnylon tents. It's light, compact, and easy to set up. The Fly Creek and the Moment are great tents and will breath nicely, but weigh more then twice the shangri-la 1. It's basically comes down to how comfortable you want to be sleeping versus how comfortable you want to be riding.  As for pads, I use foam, but might switch to a blow up for some extra comfort. A tyvek ground clothe and good camp site selection should keep the pad in good shape.

[borderlander]

I live on the AZtrail (Patagonia) and have been real happy with a Rampage up front and Saguaro (non-TNT) out back.  The TNT Saguaro has a weight penalty and can be a pain to pull off a Stan's rim.  Their non-TNT version is doing well and has better than average sidewall durability.  Prior to the Geax I had a Rampage out back, though it was respectable until I put the Saguaro on.  This is primarily based on rides south of Patagonia but also in the Rosemont Jct to Kentucky Camp areas.
I'm considering tagging along on the 300 this year.  I'm a neo-ultra-phile, not sure that I could finish but interested in leaning/experiencing more.
Cheers,
M

[tanman1337]

Sorry Krefs, I've had way too many critter encounters to not sleep in anything. I got stung by a scorpion 2 months ago and had to jump over a rattlesnake during a HAB section out here in Yuma two weeks back. I'm willing to carry a little heavier on the bike to be comfortable at night. Thanks for the input tho. Hey Bart, as far a durability which tent would you suggest? Out here in the desert it is pretty harsh on materials. Also did anyone have any input as far as the GPS question? Thanks guys

[AZTtripper]

Tamman

GPS first I have been using an older Etrex for years it's more then adequate to follow the course. The 60 series are usually more expensive, they are more accurate and widely used by professionals but IMO are not needed for most users.

Sleeping gear varies widely mostly depends on strategy and how much you plan to sleep. If you are racing to win or place high with a sub 3 day finish you won't be sleeping that much anyway.

Personally I am not that fast and my sleep deprivation days are long over. What I carry is a 32 deg down bag, pro lite 4 pad, bivy with the zipper and mesh cut out, and a light weight tarp. I have been sleeping out in the open or under tarps for years. Had a run in with a fox once http://azttripper.blogspot.com/ but I still don't carry a tent.

There's a big price to pay for weight out there, my advice go as light as you can.

Tim   

[Slowerthensnot]

Think i may have to give this a go this coming year... 300 or the full meal deal, hummmmm

[tanman1337]

Cool, thanks Tim. How much does your bivy + tarp weigh in at?

[borderlander]

GPS first I have been using an older Etrex for years it's more then adequate to follow the course. The 60 series are usually more expensive, they are more accurate and widely used by professionals but IMO are not needed for most users.
Tim   

FYI the Garmin 60CSx is now a discontinued model (in favor of 62series) and can be found pretty cheap.  I picked up two for work at about half of the original msrp.  Nice units, too.
M

[E nelson]

Anyone been on Maxxis Ignitor eXC/EXO tires on AZT terrain?  It has performed great for me thus far with no sidewall issues where I know other tires would have been sliced.  But nothing quite as aggressive as Arizona yet.   

[AZTtripper]

Cool, thanks Tim. How much does your bivy + tarp weigh in at?

Not sure, never weighed just those two items.

I am not really much of a gram counter.

But I have learned the hard way not to carry too much.
The bivy is an old REI Minimalist, not sure how the get off calling a bivy with 6 zipper heads minimalist. I rarely ever zipped it up so in the end I cut it all out. Now it's more of a ground sheet with sides and a foot. It does a good job of keeping me and the pad in contact.

This is the current tarp http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/6 I've gone thru several over the years. This is the lightest and most compact but not the best setting up.

[AZTtripper]

I really like the Rampages also. And that's what Max used for the full 750 last year with no issues, no flats until north of Flag!

Got to ride with Max the other day, last time I saw him he was running the Saguaro's said he didn't like them for aggressive ride. They are a little thin in the knob dept. Tho he was keeping up with roadies on the climb up the highway, so that says something. This time he was back on the Rampage. Said he had two of them get sliced while still really new.

So here's the fix for all of you what if guys.

He told me he patched them on the inside and then used shoe goo over the patch and also on the outside to cover the slice. Two brand new but ruined tires brought back to life.

I had a similar thing going on with a new tire from Performance. Didn't even take it off of the wheel just applied seam seal (same a shoe goo but in a smaller tube) over the slice. Then once that dried I added more and then a small piece of tube as a patch. Haven't had a chance to ride it yet tho. But it looks good.

The problem with these goo's is drying time. I bet if you had enough contact cement you could do a double patch and get the same results. By double patch I mean one on the inside and one outside as apposed to one on top of the other.

[AZTtripper]

Sad news on the extended ST version near Roosevelt Lake. A guy who just hiked the whole thing says it's the worst section of the whole trail, including the Wilderness that's saying something. If I can put a trip together I would like to get up there and do some work. You guys will curse me for getting it back in shape but it really does have some good riding as well.

There may yet be some new ST in the offering though. Scott is considering adding in the new trails built on the south side of the Superstition Mountains. This would put Apache Junction off course but there is water at Lost Dutchman State Park as well as showers. He just needs to weigh the added trail to the distance to resupply to see if it's worth adding in.

[Buttermilk]

Yeehaa! Got the green light for the ride. Looking to get on the 750 full deal. Couple of questions come to mind....what are the logistics for the start at the border? Is the 2012 start at the border the same as what is on the 2011 rev4 gpx? How much ot the 2011 gpx will likely be good for this year.
Thanks...and looking to seeing those of you riding in Az. this spring. Now it is time to get into the details....the fun before the fun.

[AZTtripper]

slhappy.

I'll do my best to answer your ?

The start at the border is pretty much set in stone. As for getting there, last year we had a separate thread going on setting up shuttles. Last year myself and one other local helped out with driving riders to the starts. Also Brad Kee has managed to get a ride from Sierra Vista to the border road with the LBS guy.

There will be some new ST along the course. Some of it is still under construction so the final track may not come out until a few weeks before.

To help with planning some changes I know are coming.

Small change south of Tucson at the north end of the Santa Ritas, should make things easier.

After Oracle there was a 9 mile section of gas line, straight as an arrow, this has been replaced by 11 plus miles of ST. If not easier at least more enjoyable.

The biggie is the completion of the White Canyon Passage north of the Gila River. What I have ridden of this new section is sweet. It's going to be slower then the older 2010 and before version but shorter. Last years jeep trails were rugged. No way to know how the whole section will play out until it's done and we see how fast people get thru.

There is some new ST after Picket Post on the way to Apache Jct. It's not officially the AZT but it may become the official bike route some day. Not sure if Scott will add it in or not. It puts the resupply point off course but adds ST.

After that it will all stay the same unless something changes in the Sunflower area. There is come good AZT west of Roosevelt Lake but it is in poor shape, worse the everything else. There's plenty of old rough trail, that's part of the fun sometimes, but too much of it can get old. I would like to see this section added because there is some good with the bad and it's cool country. 

Best of luck with the pre fun fun.

[Buttermilk]

Thanks Tripper. I'll put the start details on the backburner until closer to the depart. I sure am thankful for your, and others, hardwork put into all aspectsthe of the AZTR, it sure makes the planning easier.
Time to sleep...for i ride tomorrow...

[LyndaW]

He told me he patched them on the inside and then used shoe goo over the patch and also on the outside to cover the slice. Two brand new but ruined tires brought back to life.

Good tip.

I've reaped many more miles from an almost new tire with a torn sidewall applying a strip of Gorilla tape on the inside.

[AZTtripper]

http://forums.mtbr.com/arizona/picketpost-ride-11-26-a-752627.html


The teaser pic.

Riders out of Phoenix have a thread going on a Picket Post ride. We lost a little of the planned trail but the connections are coming together.