2012 AZTR/300 Discussion Thread

[Scatman]

Jill is in Jacob Lake, getting lunch then making a break for UTAH.  She has three batteries left and is hoping they'll fix the Spot for all of us following her.  
Last nights storm moved in right as Jill made it out of the Bit Ditch and she decided to stay in a yurt rather than chance hypothermia.  She said her "...yurt's fireplace sucked.  Poured then drizzled all night. Thought wind was going to blow it over.  Got out of canyon just in time to not get wet"

[Scatman]

Jill's back on the board, her Spot is working again! 

Say's she can't want to kiss that border!

[Marshal]

You got that right Marshal I have got the hundred plys scabs on my legs and arms to confirm it--after running this same trail in the Zane Grey 50 miler 7 years ago and suffering the rocks and Manzanita without a bike(held this year this past Sat--you did notice the yellow ontrail flagging I suspect and I think Mark C might have even been out there that day) I cannot say in its present condition (zero trail work excpet occassional tree cutting) it would even be fun to hike without armored leggins. To me the most brutal part was after getting through it all and then scaling the rock cliff up to the rim hoisting your bike over bolders - a real blast!! If I were to have a vote I would come up with a rideable detour for this section (there are plenty of other trails and roads to circumvent it) so it maintains a "bike" race genre.

Ha David, I saw the 50 mile race crew setting out cones and such around the parking lot / TH. Right were we turned up the E Verde for the big climb up & out to the rim. 

I thought of you and how they might remember you.  And that maybe if I dropped your name they might feed me etc.  But then I thought they might just chase me with large rocks and sticks so I turned left and climbed to the rim as fast as I could.

If I were to ever go back I would vote to re-route--but as I never plan too,  I vote to leave it just as it is so all future 750 racers might enjoy it in it's true from!!

[Marshal]

I see Jill is almost finished, go Jill!

And big pre-congrats on the woman’s record!!!!!!!!

Jill, we never met but I ran sacred of you for days catching back.  I know you are a much faster bike rider than me so from the min I passed your bivy spot on the side of the Highline trail till I checked your position from Jabob Lake I kept excepting you to ride by and pushed myself accordingly. 

Also as a sort of avg sized 175 lbs person I can not comprehend how hard it must have been for you or any other “smaller & lighter” person to muscle their bike through all the really hard core hike-a-bike stuff and then tote it up to the N Rim.  Way to get it done.

Great Race!! Enjoy your accomplishment and well earned recovery

Marshal

[AZTtripper]

So no sign of a trail crew on the Highline bummer I had heard that they would be working on it.

It would be sweet to see an all new trail built in that area. There is some trail work going on for a new race loop out of Pine. It would be sweet if some of that could be tied into the course.

It would be possible to skip Pine altogether but that's a lot more road riding. It would be possible to escape the Hell-line trail and drop down to the Control Road.

It sounds like it's gotten a bit worse since 04-5-6 the years that Scott and I did our tours. Most of the course is based on those tour rides. We figure that you guys should want to/have to ride something close to what we did on tour.

Along the same lines as there has to be rules to a race, the course has to be what the Dichead I mean the dictator I mean the race director says it is. Anyone who doesn't want to ride the course or deal with silly rules can just do a tour and ride what ever they want to how ever they want to.

That said great job everyone who has completed or will soon complete this years 750 you all have done one hell of a job. Any little minor inconstancy's are just that minor in comparison to what you all pulled off.

I see that Jill is getting close last point is 40 some minutes old now. I should think she will be the happiest mountain biker on the planet when she is rounding those final sweet switchbacks. Way to go Jill congrats on being the first woman's AZT 750 finisher.

[Scatman]

Jill is finished as many you have already seen.  First woman ever!  Hat's off to her.

[mikepro]

Nice ride!  Now it's up to Mike C to put the finishing touches on this year's 750.

[chachi]

Awesome finish Jill, Marshall, David G and Amo! I spoke very briefly to Mark C. last night and today, it seems he is really struggling with foot issues now, I guess first the bike then the body?  This 750 has been a total grinder for him, but he never quits...although, today he sounded totally beat down, and really didn't sound as strong and positive as he consistently is.  I think the trail was winning today, but knowing Mark he will crawl to the end. 

Thanks Marshal and Sharon for being there, I know you can't wait too long, Marshal,  but I want you to know that your kindness blew Mark and I away!

[bmattingly]

To all you 750 racers way to go!!!  Awsome.

Jill awesome send.  To ride a bit with you last year and then see your improved performance this year is way impressive.  What a super accomplishment being the first female to finish the full deal.  What a great follow up to last summers race in Colorado.

To Scott and all. I strongly recoomend a reroute on the Highline Trail simply because that riding sucks for a full day.  I understand trying to stick with tradition and time records that have been set but there is also something to be said about taking time out of your busy life to ride and having some enjoyment doing so.  Forest Service Roads from Payson to the  Rim would be way better then the current  miles of henious hike a bike on the highline trail.  Although i havent done the  full 750 in SINGLE PUSH, I've riden about 85 percent of the full 750, and think riding the full state is very hard with or without the highline section.  If you can make a route better why not?  That has certainly been done on the 300, that is, making the route better and improved by adding single track.

Im not trying  to stir up a bees nest or anything just  giving my opinion.   

[Done]

You're almost home, Mark! Keep plugging!

[Done]

Yeah, looks like Mark just finished!

Amazing race this year. I'm blown away by how many finished the 750. Makes me want to find time to get down there some time...

[Walkurtalk]

I don't really have words yet to describe the adventure of pedaling, pushing and carrying my bike from Mexico to UT. The pain, hunger, heat and cold on this amazing journey were all temporary. They are gone now but my appreciation of the encouragement and well-wishes from old friends, new friends, strangers and fellow racers as well as the amazing diversity of scenery and the incredible experiences I will carry with me forever. There is now a woman on the finisher list who is honored and humbled to have her name among the few who have slayed this beast. I learned so much and still have so much to learn, but right now I think I will put my feet up and enjoy the moment I have been dreaming of everyday since January!!

[schillingsworth]

Stoked to see all the finishers of the 750!!  How about 29 finishers of the 300 (including the 750's & ITTers) - truly amazing. Next year I hope to be a bit more prepared for all that Mother Nature dishes out. Mark C. - sounds like this was a true grit kinda ride for you, look forward to hearing more about your journey. Correct me if I'm wrong but I recall listening to a call-in of yours from two years ago stating something to the effect of 'I'll never do this again!' Funny how this event gets its hooks into us. Jill - We haven't met, but your ride was truly inspirational, I'll be checking your blog for the rundown. Cheers to all who showed up at the start line this year ready to ride.

-John S.

[mtbcast]

Mark Caminiti called in from the finish! He finished at 10:10am today! Great job, Mark!

[dream4est]

I am so stoked to finish. Riding home on i70 with marshal. Gonna post more later but I want everyone to know that I am so happy right now. 2 azt 750 finishes!!!! I cannot believe how good it feels. I am truly blessed. Thanks to Leila for everything. This finish is for you- I wanted it so bad just to come home to you and share the moment.
I wanted to thank Goldberg for everything - your note at pumphouse and at the finish were awesome.

Marshal is a great guy and deserves mad props- waited for 2 days to give me a ride home after killing the 750. Thanks for everything.

Thanks to Scott morris- this race has changedy Life yet again. Thanks to tanner- enjoyed your company.

[dream4est]

To AZTTripper thanks for Molino water hole, sandal idea and that pic of your portage setup from back in the day. I still remember every tip u had to share in 2010. Saved my ass three times. I was out of water and Molino was easy to find in the dark. The Teva's helped my turf toe out and no blisters in the ditch. And that pic of you from years ago was what brought me out of near disaster on the North Kaibab. It came to me after a passerby told me to try a different way to carry my bike other than my broken pack/strap assembly. My bike shoulder portage/tire carry was not efficient but it got the job done. 

[AZTtripper]

Mark glad to hear everything worked out for you and glad I could help out if only in a small way.

Congrats on the second AZT 750 finish pretty rarefied air on that one. You may not have been the first one to finish but you are the first one to finish twice.

At some point you'll need to come down in the summer when you can ride the stuff on the North Rim. Dam snow will likely all melt out in a week or so. It's going to be a rare year that racers can pick up that section. Scott will either have to have the start be latter, and make everyone deal with the heat, or it's going to have to be a really dry winter. Either way riders can always come back and pick that piece up if they want to have the whole AZT checked off. Personally I am only missing half a dozen miles to get to where I have ridden all of the trail that's outside of Wilderness.

Best of luck with everything in the future where ever the trail may take you.

Tim

[Scatman]

Okay Racers it's Q&A time.  I only have 350+ days until the start of next years race.  Gotta get a jump on things now.

Hard Tail or Full Suspension?
Tires of choice?
26 or 29er?
Shelter of choice? (if any)
Light source?
(750 racers) How did you pack your bike through the ditch?

[LyndaW]

Okay Racers it's Q&A time.  I only have 350+ days until the start of next years race.  Gotta get a jump on things now.

Full Suspension
Tires of choice? WTB TCS Exiwolf
29er
Shelter of choice? (if any) Bivy/sleeping bag

[Walkurtalk]

Pink dot report:

http://allthingsepicwithjill.blogspot.com/2012/05/arizona-trail-race-750-part-1-mexico-to.html