2012 AZT 300/750

[AZTtripper]

Looks like there's one that has group sites and one that has single camp sites.

I've only been in the main single sites campground it's pretty close.

People camp right at the trail head as well. Last year they had to put up with a bunch of cows tho.

Several people started early last year but yeah it's cool to have a big group photo at the start.

[forest_on_bike]

Looks like there's one that has group sites and one that has single camp sites.

I've only been in the main single sites campground it's pretty close.

Thanks! That sounds like the Lakeview Campground.

[tanman1337]

I think Scott is trying to say there will be no "group" start that is earlier. Everyone of the people that starts early will be considered an Individual Time Trialer. You are going to have to ride in the heat at some point, might as well be Day 1. It's gonna be weird having a bunch of people three hours ahead on the overall SPOT tracker page. It could be hard for people to tell who is in the lead and such... but whatever. Thanks Scott for the cue update

Tanner

[tanman1337]

I guess the way I think is that anyone can go out on an ITT of the AZT on any day of the year... so why show up the day of the "Actual Race" and start three hours before everyone else?

[fastmtnbiker33w]

I guess the way I think is that anyone can go out on an ITT of the AZT on any day of the year... so why show up the day of the "Actual Race" and start three hours before everyone else?

 

Because nobody cares.....except family and friends.  And I want to be out of the Canelo Hills before the heat of the day.  When you pass me you can be stoked that you caught someone that started 3 hours before you.  See you on the trail! 

[schillingsworth]

http://topofusion.com/tutorials/uploading-tracks-edge-705.php

Wow, amazing, it worked and I'm a dope for missing the obvious solution!! Thanks Jonathan for getting me back on track...literally!! Sheesh.

[AZTtripper]

It's an ITT for every one there is no official race. There's just a time and date when a bunch of guys and girls get together to have their picture taken.

Last year a few people started out a fair bit early some that started just a few minutes early and the race winner started out late. As Dave said you can't be late to an ITT. Just make note of when you start.

As for the spots yes last year it was a little confusing at first. So it's good that people let Scott know their intentions so he can show the early starters. Nothing against those who start early but for the most part they won't be the fast guys and it won't take long for the leaders to catch them.

I think most people will want to stay for or won't be ready before 9 am and the photo op before the start anyway. The 9 am start is good for us in Tucson who as it is will be up and rolling at 6 to get there and get set for the start. Also the 750 guys will be arriving about then so it gives them time to line up with the 300 crew.

Getting closer now looking forward to meeting folks. Best of luck to all who are giving it a go this year.

Tim

[Jeff B]

I have been searching the route with Topofusion and Google.  Having trouble picking out some of the locations I want so, Uncle.  Anybody have the exact GPS coordinates/ Latitude and Longitude for;

Cott Tank
Kentucky Camp (spigot)
La Posta Quemeda Ranch (the sink)
La Sevilla Campground (mystical water producing rock)
Palisades Trail Head (spigot)
Summerhaven Visitors Center
Freeman Road (water cache)
Wilson Trailer Court

Thanks,
Jeff

[Marshal]

The Big Box is Empty:

During my training rides I am always switching out gear.  I don’t really care much what specific items I am toting around, just need some bulk & weight to simulate a full load.

In the weeks before the event I continually pick & choose amongst my gear for what to take for that particular race.  Jumping back and forth between this and that bivy, what bike bags to use, which pack would be best for the Grand Canyon, take the inflatable sleep pad etc etc, on and on…..

As the event gets closer the choices slowly narrow.  Eventually I come to a point where I dump every single ‘potential’ item [right down to that extra spoke & cleat bolt] into a big box.  Then I slowly sort the box into several piles.  A pile of daily wear stuff, a pile of stuff that needs quick/easy access, a pile of backup items I hope to not touch the entire time.  As these piles grow I am also making the final gear choices.

Then I pack away each item of gear to ensure a convenient, tight, balanced load making any/all final gear choices.


Yup, getting close now
Just need that final GPS track & I am about as ready as I will be---- well the body may not be 100% but the big box is empty and the bike & gear are set! 

Marshal

[Pawel]

The Big Box is Full  It is going to be shipped tomorrow.

Ultra minimal kit comparing with what I've got during CTR... It will be sleepless Arizona for me.

GPS track loaded, waypoints marked. Total climbing elevation is terrifying. I'm starting to feel thrilled about incoming adventure.

Pawel

[tanman1337]

I just want to do a little weight comparison... anyone weighed their entire load with the amount of food and water you will be starting with? I'm just curious how heavy I am right now.

[Sean Allan]

Scott,
 No pressure here at all, but what are the chances we will need the 2012 cues? We will be leaving tomorrow for points east and will not likely have access to a printer in our travels.
It's strictly backup for me and I hope to not have to use them and likely wouldn't know how to anyways.... Thanks for all the work, looking forward to a great adventure!

[Foster]

So I got my new tires on today (tubeless) and it was pretty scary trying to get the bead on the tire to pop.  My mechanic at the bike shop went up to 80 psi and they still didn't pop, so he left it up to me to pump it up higher.  I pumped them up all the way to just under 100 psi (little scary) while I hid behind the trash can waiting for them to blow as I pumped them higher and higher until they ended up setting up on the tire finally, the tire is a WTB Weirwolf 2.5 TCS.  I didn't have as much trouble trying to get my 2.2 wolverine to set on the tire...but I still went up to 80 psi.  Also I notices hot the weirwolf 2.5 is pretty much the same size as the wolverine 2.2.  Has anyone noticed this?  And why are tires sizes with companies so different?  Just thought that was something interesting to point out. 

All set up for the 300.

[Foster]

I guess the way I think is that anyone can go out on an ITT of the AZT on any day of the year... so why show up the day of the "Actual Race" and start three hours before everyone else?

Because I live in the snow and the heat will kill me!  Just like how I got heat stroke on the race last year, which sucked balls.  This year isn't looking as hot though but still warm for someone that is used to winter temps.  I could really have an advantage if a nice snowstorm rolled on through

[tanman1337]

Cool Cool! Hey Foster do you have a final weight including food and water?

By the way I just checked Weather Underground and they are calling for a high of 73 in Tucson next Saturday! I knew the temp would come back down! Still a bit early to tell for sure, but it's looking good

[fastmtnbiker33w]

I'm getting things narrowed down as well.  The kit I've been riding with including a 100 oz bladder on the bike has been topping out with the bike at 45 lbs.  My bike is an XXL full suspension frame and I've been rolling some heavier wheels.  My training kit is a bit short...missing some things on my list, but after switching out some sleep gear and adding the stuff that is missing, I should still be well under 50 with water.  I think the bike sits around 27 lbs.  Camelbak Blowfish is sitting well under 10 lbs.  I weigh 200 so if you were to compare bike weight to body weight ratios between me and someone who sits around 150 lbs, I'm doing well.  I'm hoping that I drop about 10 lbs during this thing.

I'm bringing the inflatable pad, tyvek bivy (half way finished) and ear plugs.  When I sleep, I want to sleep better than I do at home. 

All the water source info I got off ATA and from other searches has minimal waypoint info.  As someone who as only ridden sections of the trail south of Tucson, the water points are not too hard to find.  Most of my rides have been XC race pace rides or really fast rides with really fast Arizona honches and I remember seeing lots of tanks/ponds, the Kentucky Camp spigot, etc.  I'm sure that if it gets really hot, I'll be keeping a close eye on the cue cards....especially after Oracle.  Since water is more valuable in the desert to mountain bikers and cows than gold, sources should be easy to spot if you're keeping an eye on a cue card. 

With the full moon this weekend, I kind of wish I had made a bigger effort to stick with my original plan of an ITT this weekend.   I have today off, but it seems like I'll be working my ass off to get everything together for the days of work I'll be missing and the final prep for the ride.

[Foster]

Yes I do,

Bike only-20.4 lbs
Bike with gear-34.6 lbs
Pack with gear(mainly camelback water)-13 lbs

Might get a little heavier with the addition of some things that I have forgotten to pack, and it'll get lighter while I ride!

[ScottM]

New singletrack is good to go!

Great news!  I don't have to change the course out of Kelvin.  Despite all of us spouting on about how the AZT is complete there, they are still working on converting a new mining road into singletrack, including using a big excavator.  Thanks to John Rendall, we were able to get permission from the crews to pass through, even when they are working.

Here's the scoop.  They won't be working on weekends, so if you're fast and get there before Monday morning, you'll just have to pass a shut down excavator, and maybe deal with some unfinished / messed up tread.  Most of the pack will be coming through Monday and Tuesday, I would imagine.  They are fine with this but please be extremely careful.  Wait until the crew acknowledges you, turns off the equipment, and signals for you to walk through.  They are a friendly crew, but just want to keep everyone safe, too.

I'm relieved and also super stoked that we get to ride 100% of the new Gila Canyons section.

Here is a map of the current progress of the crew, to give you an idea of where you will encounter them.  It's just west of the tiny town of Kelvin, after you cross the Gila River on the car bridge.

[Marshal]

I wound up at 42 for the bike (Ti 29er HT, about 24.5 lbs) and 15 for the pack.  This includes 5 L and food for 1.5 days. Daily wear items, shoes, helmet etc are 4.6

[Marshal]

New singletrack is good to go!

Great news!  I don't have to change the course out of Kelvin.  Despite all of us spouting on about how the AZT is complete there, they are still working on converting a new mining road into singletrack, including using a big excavator.  Thanks to John Rendall, we were able to get permission from the crews to pass through, even when they are working.

Here's the scoop.  They won't be working on weekends, so if you're fast and get there before Monday morning, you'll just have to pass a shut down excavator, and maybe deal with some unfinished / messed up tread.  Most of the pack will be coming through Monday and Tuesday, I would imagine.  They are fine with this but please be extremely careful.  Wait until the crew acknowledges you, turns off the equipment, and signals for you to walk through.  They are a friendly crew, but just want to keep everyone safe, too.

I'm relieved and also super stoked that we get to ride 100% of the new Gila Canyons section.

That’s great news Scott.  Kudos to you for getting permission and also to the construction company for their consent.