2012 AZTR/300 Discussion Thread

[bmattingly]

Scott, Thanks  for your energy establishing such a fine demanding  race.  I felt very complete finishing  the  300 Tuesday night about 6:30.  I was very impressed  with the heart, soul, determination,  and coolness of the riders.  Felt very slow and worn down the rest of the  work  week.  Thx to my buddy Eric for picking me up at Picketpost and my girlfriend  Deb for her stellar support.  I lost about 10 lbs on the race.

Just ran  into Dave Goldberg about 15 minutes ago at the bike shop in Flagstaff.  He is looking stong but his bike was a bit thrashed.  One of  his tires has numerous patches on it and his derailer was heavily taped.  Think he got a new chain too.  Dave plans to fuel up and head out of town to get some more riding in. 

Good luck to the rest of you 750 riders.  Great weather in N. Az now.

[ScottM]

My pleasure, Brad.  Thanks for the kind words and the report on Goldberg.  He's going for a big year with AZTR, TD and CTR all back to back.

We have ourselves a foot race!  With the two leaders right near each other, or perhaps Aaron Boatman a little bit ahead.  They still have a long hike out, and it's dark, so I will be very curious to see who logs the first SPOT point on the north rim.  After that the race is very close to over.  ~3 hours of pavement to Jacob Lake, a resupply/burger there, then 25 miles of mostly downhill and mostly sweet singletrack to the border.

[chachi]

I last spoke to Mark C. at 6:09 today and he reported severe issues with his derailer which occured around 4pm today. He was only able to use one particular gear/however I don't know which it was exactly?  He is doing alot of hike a bike and although he was sounding strong earlier in the morning by 6pm his spirits were crushed.  He is moving forward by sheer will right now and I haven't heard from him because his phone wasn't holding charge on top of the bike probs?!  I am praying and hoping he finds the strength and clearness of mind to make it. I have faith in him and but its hard feeling so helpless here at home!  Thanks for listening, Leila

[Scatman]

Spoke to Jill and she's about 25 miles from Mormon Lake and unfortunately out of food.  She's pushing through and sounds good.

[Jilleo]

Go Jill go!

[spoke537]

Getting texts from Jill whenever she gets a chance. 

20April@0814 - "Time to get this done.  I feel so much better after 14 hours of sleep and food [in Pine] Any good blister tricks?  Mine are not working..."

20April@1006 - "I have a roll of duct tape on my heels.  It's working.  Utah Baby!"

21April@1605 - "There is nothing on the CTR that even holds a candle to the hell that was Payson to the Mogollon Rim "

21April@1613 - "I was starving, exhausted and so slow but the experience, scenery and adventure was beyond words.  My determination is as high as when I left the Mexican border.  I am really low on food and can see why Aaron went off route [to Happy Jack].  You cannot fathom how much food it takes "

21April@2238 - "I could eat my own hand right now "

21April@2242 - when I told her it was about 25 miles to Mormon Lake but Happy Jack was maybe closer but off route. "I can make it. Don't want to detour.  Just want FOOD in the AM "

22April@0714 - "Started to freeze last night hoping to roll into Mormon Lake when the store opens.  No AZT signs for a while."  She went off course for a moment but found her way back.

22April@0944 - "SPOT battery died.  Changed but won't power on.  Just outside Mormon Lake now.  Found wrong turn I made "

Here's to a HUGE meal in Mormon Lake for the skinny girl!  I considered calling ahead so they would have time to slaughter another cow before she gets there.

Jill is as determined as ever to finish this ride.  Such an inspiration to us all!

-Les Handy 

[groundedkiwi]

Wow, great updates!!!
Rock on Jill!  Go go go.........

[Scatman]

so why are KS and AB on the road going towards Jacobs Lake and not on the AZT?  resupply?  seems pretty far out of the way

[krefs]

so why are KS and AB on the road going towards Jacobs Lake and not on the AZT?  resupply?  seems pretty far out of the way

Kaibab Plateau snow detour

[Scatman]

Thanks,  are there any other detours besides wilderness areas?  Obviously the Kaibab Plateau isn't an issue every year I'm guessing.

[krefs]

Nope, no other snow detours this year. The Kaibab snowpack persists into late April or early May virtually every year, so that one will more or less be a standard AZTR detour.

[ScottM]

Looks like Aaron and Kurt have teamed up and are finishing together... unless there's a last minute switchback contest on the final drop to the border!  Great ride guys!

Fusco and Kee are getting into the meat of the hike out of the canyon.

Goldberg making good time to the South Rim.

Marshal almost into Flag.

Jill -- thanks for the updates Les.  Hope she is well fed and warm in the sun by now, maybe with some new batts for her SPOT.

Mark C is at the Blue Ridge Ranger station, getting water, and maybe some berries or cookies from the nice folks that work there.  He's got to be ahead of his 2010 pace, I would think?

And our Red Lantern is on the Rim!  Awesome, Arno.  He told me he is in tour mode, and will be continuing on into Moab after finishing the AZT.  I am stoked to see him this far, and still moving quite fast.  He seems to pick up the pace every now and again, like when finishing the 300.  

[chachi]

Hi Scott,
Mark C. had derailer issues and was only able to use one gear, although I'm not sure which?  I haven't been able to speak to him since yesterday evening around 6 pm (his phone charger not working)..He wasn't sure if he should attempt to back track back to Payson or move forward.  It appears he chose to move forward.  It has been very difficult to watch this progress knowing that he is facing severe problems and not being able to speak has been very stressful here, but even worse for him I imagine?  He sounded very down yesterday, but he is tough of mind and spirit and good at fixing things when they fail so I have faith he will pull through this its just difficult not being able to communicate or help?!  Leila

[Scatman]

Anyone hear from Jill. Haven't heard from her since Mormon Lake. Would appear her Spot is still on the fritz

[sbird]

Hi:  Just was wondering what trails they hike in the canyon as part of the race? 
 

[DaNM]

Way to get`er done Brad M.

[Scatman]

Jill is bivied 5 mile south of Flagstaff.  She promises to get lithium batteries for her spot.  I told her I feel like a worried mother since I cannot follow her every move.  She had a great ride today, her best ride of the race.  She's camped at some supposedly a "sweet" spot.

[AZTtripper]

Hi:  Just was wondering what trails they hike in the canyon as part of the race? 
 

The go down the South Kaibab trail and up the North Kaibab trail.

[mtbcast]

Just got a call from Mark C. He's pushing near Mormon Lake with a busted Rear D. I'll post shortly.

EDITED: Posted!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/azt12/feed/

[ScottM]

Thanks Joe.  Sounds like a big string of bad luck for Mark -- yikes.

I just got a photo of Kurt Sandiforth from a hiker in the Canyon.  It really brings home how challenging and epic the canyon hike is.  Just awesome.  Both he and Aaron Boatman finished yesterday.  It's unclear whether they came in together, or who 'won' but it sounds like they are both super stoked on the experience more than anything.  Congrats to both of them on a great ride!