2016 AZTR300/750 Race Discussion Thread

[ScottM]

Mike P. is our first taker for the optional Gold Canyon singletrack route!  Yeah Mike!

I've just added it to the tracking map, as an orange line.  Hopefully that will allay any 'off route' concerns.  I bet I know a few other gluttons that will take the singletrack, not to mention the designer, the good Dr. Schilling.

Neil B is wrapping up Highline as we speak.  Reportedly, the trail is in better shape than ever, which is not saying that much considering its previous states.  Next he will push/pull/drag his bike to attain the Mogollon Rim.  From there the forests are cold and deep.  The terrain is much flatter, but full of rocks and slow soil.

His timing is good.  No storms predicted (death mud is a serious issue above the rim), and a strong warming trend.  He will just need to make it through one cold night.  I'm (s)camping just off the AZT north of Flagstaff and it is already quite cold, with sub-freezing temps predicted in town.

Tracey Petervary claimed the win for the ladies in the 300, earlier today.  Congrats!

[iambarnard]

Scott

I'm a scratch. 3859 above Tucson trying to figure out how much higher to top (4009) quad runner come by, we are all waving at each other as driver decides to turn hard right. His back right wheel went into my front wheel. I'm yelling as he continues on, he never heard me. I'm yelling, cussing, and waving my arms. He never looked back. My tire is flat, spokes bent. Guys from Broadway Cycles fetched me off the hill. End of the rude for me. 

[Rooster Cogburn]

I've always thought that stretch was the worst of the entire route.  The destruction to the landscape by the four-wheelers is shameful.  And dangerous too.  Surely, there is an alternative route that is better for mountain biking.  I'm glad you survived the attack by the four-wheeler.

[ScottM]

So sorry Steve.  That is a terrible end to an AZTR.  Especially after fixing your bike the first time around.

A few years back Ray H's 300 ended in a similar fashion, up on Redington, when his bike got run over by a truck (I think).  Makes me a little sick to my stomach.

[ScottM]

I've always thought that stretch was the worst of the entire route.  The destruction to the landscape by the four-wheelers is shameful.  And dangerous too.  Surely, there is an alternative route that is better for mountain biking.  I'm glad you survived the attack by the four-wheeler.

I'd have to agree, it's a zoo.  I've thought many times about running the 300 in the middle of the week to avoid the weekend up there (it's much, much more mellow outside of weekends).  But I think it would interfere too much with people's schedule and days off.

There really isn't a better option, sadly.  One could go up the Catalina Highway, but that misses so much trail.  There is talk of a route from Saguaro National Park up Redington (supposedly the park is going to allow much more bike access in the future) specifically for AZT-bike routes, but those plans are a long ways out right now.

Passing through Tanque Verde ranch is another thought, but the road out the back of the ranch is steep and full of hot HAB.  The whole time you're looking over at the nicely graded Redington Road.  I have explored that option as well but it's not that great.

[AZTtripper]

If you think Rednecking Pass is bad now you should have been out there in the 90's when all 7 of the shooting galleries were open!

[ScottM]

If you think Rednecking Pass is bad now you should have been out there in the 90's when all 7 of the shooting galleries were open!

It's true, it has gotten better than the first years of the race when shooting was allowed on those first few miles.  Still, I do wonder about sending so many people up that road on a weekend.

[AZTtripper]

How about ACH to Millie and the climb or die challenge. ACH is ST and it is close.

[ScottM]

How about ACH to Millie and the climb or die challenge. ACH is ST and it is close.

That would drop the number of entrants!  (And miss some nice AZT)

[ScottM]

I have results coming together for the 300 here:

http://topofusion.com/azt/results.php

I have not updated times for everyone that has emailed their precise times, yet. 

[ScottM]

Neil has lost his SPOT. I'm going to try to get him a replacement here in Flag, but he's going to go dark shortly.

[evdog]

I bet I know a few other gluttons that will take the singletrack, not to mention the designer, the good Dr. Schilling.

We will see, John is showing at the junction as of 7mins ago!    edit.... and there he goes!

[mtbcast]

#‎AZT16‬ - John Schilling called in from Queen Valley and Neil Beltchenko called in from the route to say he has lost his Spot!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/azt16/

[Rooster Cogburn]

Jack is back!

[cloudrider]

Wondering the same.  Seems like he might have determined the 300 to be 'enough.'

I see Calvin is now 'scratched' any update on what went wrong?

[krefs]

Hunter finished it up around 3pm for second place behind Neil.  I just heard from him and have forced a point for him at Picketpost.

Here are Kurt's remaining splits from 2010.


Name   Superior   Roosevelt Lake   Payson   Flagstaff   South Rim   North Rim   Utah
Kurt Refsnider   2:09:13   3:03:18   3:08:37   5:03:43   6:00:49   6:21:12   7:05:02

Neil is running at 3:02:45 for Payson, so, yes, ahead of record pace!

In 2010 Kurt crushed Jefe's newly minted (during the 'grand depart') 300 record (at a time that wouldn't garner top five this year) then rested a full night at the Best Western in Apache Junction (correct me if I'm wrong, Kurt).  That is probably where a lot of the time to Payson is made up.

The route was somewhat different back then, and Kurt did have a few extra snow detours in play (Mormon Mtn and Snowbowl), so if Neil can continue this pace, he'll for sure claim the fastest time.

Yup, you've got that all right, Scott, although I didn't really "crush" Jefe's new record. I think I took a mere 18 minutes off it. But my body was pretty thrashed after that effort and the heat that day.

It was amazing to see Neil blitz the Highline Trail in barely 5 hours...the brushing up there must have helped a lot. But either way, he's cruising, and it seems like he's getting a decent amount of sleep now!

[murraygd13]

Go Sarah! Almost halfway to 750!

[hopscotchmcgee]

Scott, what do you think the chances are of you getting a spot to Neil in flag?

[taprider]

I need Scott's topofusion phone number ASAP
Text or phone me 604-990-1030

[mtbcast]

‪#‎AZT16‬ - Rod Dagneau called in from Gold Canyon a little concerned that he got around it okay.

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/azt16/

I texted Taprider and sent a clip of his track around that alternate. From what I can see on TL it looks fine, no? I'll email Scott as well.