2012 AZT 300/750

[boatmana]

Been following this post along for a few weeks now.  Super excited about this race.  Been trying to talk some friends in to it.  Looks like we should have a fun group coming out to race the 300 and some are even gonna join me in the 750.  Been doing a lot of expedition adventure racing so this concept of GPS is so foreign hope i can figure it out and ditch the mapboard.  Thanks for all the info AZTripper and Tanman for all the questions i dont have to ask.  Cant wait to see all the different bike rig setups.  If anyone is in need of a carpool from Lake Havasu City, AZ hit me up.

Aaron Boatman
aaronboatman@yahoo.com

[Beto]

Hello Scott,

I was checking the AZTR 2012 RevA gps file and it is only 628 miles.. is there a portion missing? or are there only 630ish miles?

thanks!
Beto

[Beto]

nevermind the previous question, i looked at some details (as the track on the Catalina hwy not following the road)

thanks =)
Beto

[krefs]

or are there only 630ish miles?

Don't question it...you'll be longing for the Utah border by the time you're only half way across Arizona ;-)

[Beto]

i know that!! =)  i was a bit concerned on missing the turns... is everyone navigating it with a GPS? or what can you recommend?

thanks

[krefs]

It's far and away easiest to navigate by GPS. The AZT is relatively well signed in many areas, but not all, and the detours are not signed at all, obviously. But make sure you have a back-up plan in case your GPS dies, you crash and lose it, accidentally delete the track...all these things have happened to riders I know!

[Beto]

thanks Kurt! are you riding the 750?

[krefs]

Nah, no 750 for me this year. The memories of the pain from a couple years ago are still too vivid. I'll let that one rest for another year or three.

[Beardog]

I downloaded the track last night and it is like 693 miles. My question for anyone who knows out there (I usually ride cues) is do you just pan to the start when you are there and start following an arrow along the red line? Obviously from here in CO I see no line since my GPS shows me here at my house. Second question, will spots be dropped off at start or shipped this year? Is it too late to use my own spot if I e mail you the information?

For those doing the 750 planning to drop a pack and shoes at the canyon you might want to know I called the post office in Tusyan and there is no general delivery- only general delivery is to Grand Canyon Post Office (by Bright Angel Lodge I believe and open 9 to 11 on Sats for those trying to break 10 days and get there before second Sunday- for fast riders should not be an issue)

Thanks a bunch-

[AZTtripper]

I came up with 737 for the full version if your not getting that much something is missing.

To confirm your track you can use the toggle button to move to AZ and it should be visible.

[Beto]

thank you all for your comments!

Scott, i have been using the everytrail.com webpage to look at the track details. I'm not sure at this point why it only shows 628miles, it starts at the AZ/Mex border and finishes in Utah.

If you need/want, you can take a look at:
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1491293

Just checked on basecamp from Garmin and it shows the 738.. so i will just start using basecamp.

Have a great one!

Thanks,
Beto

[AZTtripper]

Wow that everytrail page realy cuts out a lot of detail.

as far as full meals, I will hugely rely on the big old burritos from the gas stations....lol

Don't for get pizza at the Velvet Elvis in Patagonia order a full pie and they will wrap the extra slices in foil to go. Once I get my pie ordered I go over to the store next door to get a bottle of water and some snacks to augment the pie.

[Beardog]

Just checked on Basecamp and my download is 732 miles - from the border--are the 750 riders starting at the border or Parker Lake- if the latter then it is about 693 on my GPS unit.

[LyndaW]

I just finished up a casual bikepack trip Oracle-Superior. The new sections of trail in the Antelope Peak and Gila River Canyon areas are first class. So much more fun than riding the gas line and Martinez Canyons like last year! The Gila River Canyon passage is spectacular. Kudos to Scott, ATA and everyone else involved in making the AZT and the course used for the AZTR better. Blog of trip with pics here FYI http://2-epic.com/?p=1693

Starting calories: I started last year with 1200 calories of ride food (pineapples and Kep's Balls mostly) which was what I thought it would take to fuel me to Sonoita my first planned stop. Plus I had 1 dry breakfast (oatmeal mixed with protein powder), 1 dehydrated backpacker meal and two servings of recovery drink (Ultragen) packed.

[tanman1337]

Scott or Tim,
Do you guys know when the updated cue sheets will be put out?

Thanks
Tanner

[bmattingly]

Hey All,

Brad from Flagstaff here.  We just got hammered with copious snow from this last storm.  Flagstaff got close to 2 1/2 feet of snow.  I think the snow will cover much of the 750 from the Rim outside of Payson to the Utah border.  I think  its highly likely that there will be plenty of snow in shade and the trails may be very muddy by middle April when the 750 is going on.  It was unseasonably warm last week though.  Before this storm it looked like the trail would be bomber for the Northern section of the race.

I may be able to go check a couple of sections of the AZT close to Flagstaff before coming down for the 300 if anyone is interested.

Hope everyone is getting psyched!

[Beardog]

only 2 feet? we were hoping for that much last year about mile 5 of the hike outside Whitefish. Guess I better pack the waterproof socks.

[AZTtripper]

We got a fair bit down here I Tucson as well. Nothing that shouldn't melt off in time and a well needed soaking that we were more then due for. The way things were going we were almost looking at a very early fire closure.

As long as it gets hot again it's quite likely most of the trail will clear out again in time for the race. As for the north rim well that's a long shot at best. Most likely the only way to get that section would be to wait another 2 weeks and deal with the heat down south.

[DaveH]

Hey all -

I just got back from the "casual" bikepack with LW.  As always, the AZT had some things to teach me so I thought I'd share.

#1: specialized captain armadillos are not made for AZT terrain, period.  My fairly new rear captain started shedding side knobs after ~ 25 miles of trail.  At first it was just worrisome (when it was one knob), but by the time we hit the Kelvin bridge it was several.  Whole pieces of tread rubber started flaking off exposing the tire casing - this forced me to bail on the road and miss the new Gila sections    Oh well, a ride unfinished is a future ride to look forward to...

#2: Wear your comfiest hiking shoes (it is indeed a character flaw that I don't always learn the lesson the first time). If in doubt, look at what the Sonoran Grand Master http://www.topofusion.com/diary/ wears.

Have fun and enjoy all that sweet new trail out there this year!

[maadjurguer]

....and on that note....anyone with experience with the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Elite?  I've been happy with the X-Alp Enduro II's (on my 2nd pair, looking for a 3rd).  Wondering if the new Elite is similar and perhaps better?  Is this a case of the grass is greener....don't go there....what ain't broke, don't fix it?

In all seriousness....anyone have hands on the Elite?  If so, does it articulate under the ball of the foot like the Enduro's?  The Enduro's HAB extremely well and won't change them unless the Elite's are built similar.  From all I can tell from online viewing, they are very similar.

I need to pull the trigger on one or the other here so I can break them in before the 300....any beta is appreciated.