2012 AZT 300/750

[raybum]

This will be my first AZT300, but I have recently rode the section from Oracle to Picket Post (not in one day).  I did the AES APC115 which took the new ST that bypassed the gasline...good stuff.  A little raw, underbuilt, and off camber, but still fun.  Last weekend I did an out and back from Picket Post to the Gila and aside from being absolutely beautiful, it's one hell of a climb.  That out and back was only 43 miles, but over 8kft of climb.
Looking forward to meeting everyone!
cheers,
Ray

[bmattingly]

Brad here from Flagstaff.  I'm in for the 300.  Looking forward to the adventure and hoping that the weather gods are good to us.  See many of you in 2 months. 

[ScottM]

Cool thanks Scott. Is there a deadline of when you need those in by?

A week before the race starts would be a courtesy much appreciated, but I usually ending up adding people at the last minute, too.

[ScottM]

Another dumb question....Do we have to have a Spot subscription service?  Or do we just buy a spot without the subscription, give you the serial number, and turn the thing on?

You have to have a subscription, preferably with the live tracking option.  So $150/yr, though there are sometimes deals for first year service or rebates and such.

[fastmtnbiker33w]

Do you charge the same rate for an ITT?  I'm planning on the week before the unofficial official date of the official unofficial race.

[ScottM]

Unofficially, yes, same rate.  I can ship, or you can pick up in T-town.

[azrunner]

Does almost everyone participating in the AZT300/750 use a gps and spot.  Is the spot required?  I've never used a gps but there is so much talk about loading the gps file to a gps and having the gps tell you where each turn is.  Would the AZT association maps be sufficient if I highlighted the detours around the wilderness areas?  This would work on most of the detours but not all as some would be off the map.  I'm planning a AZT 750 ITT starting May 26th. 
Thanks!

[ScottM]

Does almost everyone participating in the AZT300/750 use a gps and spot.  Is the spot required?  I've never used a gps but there is so much talk about loading the gps file to a gps and having the gps tell you where each turn is.  Would the AZT association maps be sufficient if I highlighted the detours around the wilderness areas?  This would work on most of the detours but not all as some would be off the map.  I'm planning a AZT 750 ITT starting May 26th. 
Thanks!

SPOT is not required, nor is GPS.  That said, I would highly recommend a GPS -- it would be difficult to follow either AZT route without one, though it is possible.  It's really the best tool to keep you on the route and make sure everyone rides the same trail.  There are some subtleties to getting on/off the AZT with many options.  The AZT race routes are just one way of riding the Arizona Trail.

SPOTs are more for entertainment value, and also safety.  If shooting for a record (as an ITT) they are nice for validation too, but are only rarely used for that purpose.

Hope that helps a bit -- feel free to ask more.

May 26th could potentially be very scorching on the southern ~half.  Tucson usually sees it's first 100 degree day by then.

[tanman1337]

Hey Scott,

It was nice finally meeting you at Old Pueblo. I was wondering how far out the updated water chart will be released before the AZT? Also, I sent off the money through Paypal for the personally owned SPOT to you, but it never asked for a serial number or the personal info.

-Tanner

[Beto]

Greetings everyone from Ensenada, Mexico! Not 100% ready for the 750 miler yet but so far ready and excited to be part of it and looking forward to see you all in a couple weeks from now!

I might be driving to the start line on the Mexican side, does anyone know what is the closest border crossing town?

I have tried to open the KMZ file on my computer using google earth, garmin basecamp and mapmyride.com with no success, what do you guys recommend?

I have a Garmin etrex series gps, can anyone recommend a topo map i can download for the race?

thanks and best regards,
Beto

[ScottM]

It was nice finally meeting you at Old Pueblo. I was wondering how far out the updated water chart will be released before the AZT? Also, I sent off the money through Paypal for the personally owned SPOT to you, but it never asked for a serial number or the personal info.

Tanner, nice to meet you too.

Tim is making a lot of progress on the AZT Bike databook, which should be a good source of water info for the 300/750 this year.  Probably soon.

You should have got an automated email back with the link to the google form to enter that info.  Check your spam folder maybe, and let me know if you can't find it, I'll send manually.

Thx.

[ScottM]

Greetings everyone from Ensenada, Mexico! Not 100% ready for the 750 miler yet but so far ready and excited to be part of it and looking forward to see you all in a couple weeks from now!

I might be driving to the start line on the Mexican side, does anyone know what is the closest border crossing town?

I have tried to open the KMZ file on my computer using google earth, garmin basecamp and mapmyride.com with no success, what do you guys recommend?

I have a Garmin etrex series gps, can anyone recommend a topo map i can download for the race?

thanks and best regards,
Beto

Coming from the east side is probably your best bet, so Agua Prieta / Douglas?

Which KMZ file are you trying to load?  The race file is GPX, not KMZ, and version 1.0 had trouble loading in Basecamp as one racer pointed out (even though it was a valid GPX file), but I put out v1.1 that should load fine.  If you have a PC I highly recommend TopoFusion for uploading and previewing the track.

Let us know what other questions you have.

[tanman1337]

I checked my inbox and spam folders, didn't get anything. I only received the Paypal invoice unfortunately.

[Beto]

Thanks Scott,

I had previously downloaded Rev4 for 2011. Just tried the 2012 1.1 and can see it =) (gpx, not kmz.. sorry)

As for the border crossing, still have a couple of weeks to sort it out.. if anyone from the San Diego/LA area would like to carpool we can either drive my truck or I can help with the gas of someone else!

Thanks!!

[Marshal]

These are preliminary files, for sure, though I don't anticipate huge changes.... except perhaps new trail (non-AZT) south of the Superstitions if I can get out and scout it.

Hi Scott,
Do you know if this is a ya or nay yet?

Thanks
Marshal

[ScottM]

Hi Scott,
Do you know if this is a ya or nay yet?

Thanks
Marshal

I'd say it is unlikely at this point.

[azrunner]

SPOT is not required, nor is GPS.  That said, I would highly recommend a GPS -- it would be difficult to follow either AZT route without one, though it is possible.  It's really the best tool to keep you on the route and make sure everyone rides the same trail.  There are some subtleties to getting on/off the AZT with many options.  The AZT race routes are just one way of riding the Arizona Trail.

SPOTs are more for entertainment value, and also safety.  If shooting for a record (as an ITT) they are nice for validation too, but are only rarely used for that purpose.

Hope that helps a bit -- feel free to ask more.

May 26th could potentially be very scorching on the southern ~half.  Tucson usually sees it's first 100 degree day by then.

Thanks Scott.  Could you recommend a few entry level GPS units I could take a look at?   Do you guys usually use ones with replaceable batteries or rechargeable ones?  I'd think out on the trail you'd want replaceable batteries.  I've used a a Garmin 305 and it's rechargeable batteries only lasted 3-4 hours fully charged...frustrating when it would shut down mid run.  Late May will be hot but I'm a teacher in Prescott and school ends on the 24th of May. 

[AZTtripper]

Yep replaceable batts is the way to go out there.

It's possible to rig a recharge system for the other style tho.

I have always used a Garmin Etrex Legend HCx.

The color screen really helps.

Could be a hot time of year but a midday break and more night riding should be fine.

Worse case you have to skip over some trail in the south. Once you get past Payson things will start to get cooler no doubt.

One thing for sure you'll get to ride the trail on the North Rim. Can't see even the biggest snow year hanging on that long.

[tanman1337]

Hey Scott, I tried loading the GPX thru baescamp because I have a Mac. It said the track is 30,000 some points. For some reason when it pulls it into my GPS it only brings about 78 miles of the route onto it.Is there something Im doing wrong? I know the new E-trex 30 only holds 10,000 points per track, but I'm not sure what I need to do to fit all. Thanks.

-Tanner

[RossC]

Tanner,

You need to split the file into 10,000 point files and upload three of them.

In base camp, double click the track file, scroll down to the 9,999 point. Highlight it and chose 'split track at selected point'.

Repeat till the file is sliced up then upload the three files to the GPS.