2012 AZTR/300 Discussion Thread

[Scatman]

People hike the whole Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail in Tevas.  I've seen guys riding around the world in Tevas too.  People swear by them. 

[boatmana]

http://boatmansadventures.blogspot.com/
After this race i felt it was time to start my own blog sorry if i keep editing it.  Its wordy but i wanted to get it out.

[spoke537]

Jill just rolled into Tusayan a few miles south of Grand Canyon Village.  She was disappointed that her SPOT stopped tracking because she said she was "blazing" for miles into town.  Her spirits are high...as always.  She'll stay the night in Tusayan (hope they have enough food in that little town) and hit the post office in GC Village in the morning where a package awaits with trail runners, loose shorts and a larger pack strap her bike to.  My guess is she'll be on the North Rim by tomorrow night. 

Get it!  Get it!
-Les

[boatmana]

Go Jill.

[chachi]

Well, after an insane amount of set-backs Mark C. is still in the race and moving towards the GC.!  His derailer took a dump quite a few miles out of Pine He was only able to use his 20/34 and practically walked/spun/out of the Mogollin Rim, he described it as the most "mind-numbing, demoralizing hell" on a bike he had ever experienced!

He mentioned that at several moments during this portion of the race he felt like bailing but thought that if he could just get to Flagstaff he could get his bike repaired.  Once out of the rim area he slowly crawled his way to Mormon Lake, had a shower, some food from the convenience store, and a new perspective.  He was finally able to call me and said that if he could just keep going, without anymore issues he would be fine.  He knew that since the area from Mormon Lake to Flagstaff was relatively flat he would be literally crawling on the 20/34 gear!!!!! He said even if he had to walk the majority of this portion he wasn't going to let the trail win.

But that optimism didn't last long when after about 10 miles the tires started to leak and he couldn't for the life of him locate the problem? Thorns? He was frustrated because no matter what he "Macgruber'd nothing wanted to seal or hold!  He said he didn't want to use his last tube for fear he would be really done..  Now, on top of the derailer crapping out his tires were betraying him?  I was praying like crazy when he called back to say that finally one of his "Macgruber" patches worked! 

That night he camped about 15 miles out of Flagstaff clearly determined to get into town and the issues fixed so he could get on the trail, this time able to actually pedal?!!!  Speaking to him at this moment I could sense a feeling of deep accomplishment and a unwavering committment to the sport that he so deeply loves.  I am amazed at his intensity and sheer will power during these darkest moments on the trail.  And today is his 42nd Birthday!  He is such a strong minded man and I am so very proud of his positive and unwavering focus on finishing!!!

and now what i have to say will most likely piss some people off... but here goes!?  Those who finished the race fully-self supported are truly winners, those who even though in a crisis didn't "bend" rules or "accidentally" navigate off trail to their benefit have my admiration.   Sorry but....lets be real why call it a race if some stick it out and some try to manipulate the rules?  Self-supported racing is just that self-supported?!  Go do an ITT if u want to make rules as you go along?  Its ok i don't mind being hated...lol  Winners put one foot in front of the other even when the odds are against them!!!!

[krefs]

and now what i have to say will most likely piss some people off... but here goes!?  Those who finished the race fully-self supported are truly winners, those who even though in a crisis didn't "bend" rules or "accidentally" navigate off trail to their benefit have my admiration.   Sorry but....lets be real why call it a race if some stick it out and some try to manipulate the rules?  Self-supported racing is just that self-supported?! 

Well said, Leila. I completely agree with you (except that in an ITT, riders also have to follow the same route/self-support rules for their time to count). There's nothing more frustrating to me than gutting it out with a broken body or bike and later hearing that another rider took the easy way out, rectified the situation, and hopped back into the race.

 And once again, Mark is truly impresses with his drive to push on when nothing seems to be going his way!

[Done]

I pledged (under threat of banishment, or worse!, by Dave Harris) not to discuss rules on this site anymore. So I've dutifully been biting my tongue. Anyone know a good oral surgeon?

So instead of commenting on the rules, I'm going to throw out a heap of good vibes to those folks who have kicked butt in the face of adversity. During what's obviously a tough year on the AZT, I've really enjoyed watching guys like Mark set inspiring examples of how to ride with integrity and conviction. Thanks for the show guys, and may the thorns turn their pointy ends down as you pass.

[mforness3000]

I haven't been in any of ya'll's shoes...but, man, that's a lot of negativity and wasted energy spent thinking about what others are doing/should be doing regarding following the rules or not while you're out on the trail...

[krefs]

I haven't been in any of ya'll's shoes...but, man, that's a lot of negativity and wasted energy spent thinking about what others are doing/should be doing regarding following the rules or not while you're out on the trail...

Rules are rules, whether one agrees with them or not. I love seeing so many people out pushing themselves to and their limits and then finding new limits. It's nothing short of inspiring for me and so many others. Here's the catch: anyone is free to go out and create and pursue any sort of adventure one wants. Think big, go big! But when showing up for a race that someone else takes the time and effort to put together, one is obligated to abide by the rules and expectations set forth by the organizer. It's as simple as that. Racers owe that to the organizer, other participants, and themselves.

I'll leave it at that and get back to watching Jill about to dive into the Grand Canyon! I hope the change of shoes help her feet!

[mforness3000]

I didn't mean that it's ok to not follow the rules...I just meant that it would seem that you need every ounce of energy that you can muster to get through the race...negativity, negative thoughts, and worrying about others takes a lot of energy

[SlowOldGuy]

I don't know about other racers but when I was out their I wasn't worried about anybody but myself.  It is a tough ride mentally.  But for me it was what I was doing and trying to laugh at all the difficulties I ran in too. All this rules stuff is for after the race is over.. Let's just enjoy what these racers are doing. jc

[chachi]

Thanks Toby and Kurt for the support, and your right Kurt the ITT is indeed self-supported/ and I meant no disrespect, as a matter of fact I was glued to the leaderboard in 2010 when you completed and ITT that can only be described as "god-like" ?! lol It was truly awe inspiring!  ..I enjoy watching guys like you, Kurt, Scott M. Jefe B. I think everyone did great things this year and by no means am I taking that away from anyone, just think rules are rules and i'm at home being negative not on the trail? so yeah sort it all out or don't? It really doesn't matter to me?  I just speak my mind because I am a feisty beatch! sorry but its the truth!!!

[riverfever]

Big big props to Marshal Bird as he nears the end. Way to go man. Real nice ride.

[spoke537]

Jill's across the river.  Now just a mile of vert till she can ride her bike again.  She was more worried about the descent affecting her feet than the ascent so its good to see her make it that far.  She's moving good.  I doubt she'll stop until she makes the North Rim.  Get it! Get it!

-Les Handy

[spoke537]

Oh btw, this is Jill's first glimpse of the Grand Canyon!

[krefs]

Jill's across the river.  Now just a mile of vert till she can ride her bike again.  She was more worried about the descent affecting her feet than the ascent so its good to see her make it that far.  She's moving good.  I doubt she'll stop until she makes the North Rim.  Get it! Get it!

-Les Handy

I made the huge mistake of walking across the one stream crossing on the hike (aside from the Black Bridge) in my shoes, and my subsequently wet feet suffered severely on the climb out. I hope hers fare far better!

[Done]

Oh btw, this is Jill's first glimpse of the Grand Canyon!

No kidding? Wow, that's got to be an amazingly intimidating sight for sure. Go Jill!

[Marshal]

Big ditch devestated me, sleeping it off in nice dry room, and hope to dodge rain & mud tomorrow
Marshal

[Scatman]

Jill told me last night in a text "Its like Christmas Eve right now for me.  I AM HIKING THE GC TOMORROW!" 

In honor of Jill I wrote a little post on my blog as she has once again shown me just how passionate she can be.  I just hope I can follow her lead.

http://ht.ly/awxvG

Please feel free to share as I think Jill can motivate many.

Scatman

[krefs]

Big ditch devestated me, sleeping it off in nice dry room, and hope to dodge rain & mud tomorrow
Marshal

You're so close, Marshal! Awesome job out there...I look forward to hearing some stories of the adventure.