2017 AZTR300/750 Race Discussion Thread

[ScottM]

Pfft. That's another 200' or so higher than the AZT. Should be good!! Maybe some snowshoers packed down the trail for some snow biking!!

Ha.

It is true that it isn't *so* long of a stretch to slide around on snow.  I wouldn't want to do it necessarily, but props to anyone that gives it a go.

Looks like Freako took the first detour, which is all good.  He's gunning for Cjell's SS record, and it's looking like every hour might count.

[jfc]

Hart, there's still some late ITTs so maybe try to contact them.

Alice Drobna AZT 750 - ITT (Individual Time Trial) 04/21/2017 07:00
Arunas Vysniauskas AZT 750 - ITT (Individual Time Trial) 04/21/2017 07:00
Gabriel Doutreloux AZT 750 - ITT (Individual Time Trial) 04/21/2017 07:00
Jean-Francois Cantin AZT 750 - ITT (Individual Time Trial) 04/21/2017 07:00

In related housekeeping news, I found a couple of items on trail on 4/5 or 4/6:
- a Schwab cycles water bottle (it was full, thanks for the water!)
- a cinch strap for a Revelate Sweetroll or something similar (with the little foam block and buckle)

Let me know if they're yours and I can mail them to you.

Hi, JF here. I'm planning on starting my 750 ITT on Monday or Tuesday, so I can look for it and let you know when i can get reception.


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[ScottM]

I have prelim 300 results coming together in the usual place:

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

I don't yet have writeups linked yet, or precise finish times for those that emailed me.  My inbox is a disaster so I will have to pull then out a bit later.

We're already above a 50% (overall) attrition rate.  Tough year, for sure, with the heat and wind on day 2.

Let's keep the writeups, call-ins and stories coming.  Still 300 riders on course, and 750s are pushing into the northlands.

[aarond]

The race for 4th and 5th place is tight with at least 6 in the mix, including Jenny Graham and Fiona Massey battling for 1st place in the ladies division!

[mikepro]

New routing through Flag?  Neat.  1/2mile less road!

[the tortoise]

No snow at Jacob's lake yesterday. Would the snowcat be grounds for disqualification???

[Doutreloux]

Of course If I see it I will let you know!!

quote author=mvmorten link=topic=12906.msg88495#msg88495 date=1492101195]
Hart, there's still some late ITTs so maybe try to contact them.

Alice Drobna AZT 750 - ITT (Individual Time Trial) 04/21/2017 07:00
Arunas Vysniauskas AZT 750 - ITT (Individual Time Trial) 04/21/2017 07:00
Gabriel Doutreloux AZT 750 - ITT (Individual Time Trial) 04/21/2017 07:00
Jean-Francois Cantin AZT 750 - ITT (Individual Time Trial) 04/21/2017 07:00

In related housekeeping news, I found a couple of items on trail on 4/5 or 4/6:
- a Schwab cycles water bottle (it was full, thanks for the water!)
- a cinch strap for a Revelate Sweetroll or something similar (with the little foam block and buckle)

Let me know if they're yours and I can mail them to you.
[/quote]

[Briansong]

Hey Schilling, Not to get too far off topic, that Chevelle is BAD AZZ!! What did it have for power? Did you ask? Love that color.

Steve

[schillingsworth]

Hey Schilling, Not to get too far off topic, that Chevelle is BAD AZZ!! What did it have for power? Did you ask? Love that color.

Steve

Sorry Steve, I was more concerned about getting my bike in that thing so I didn't have to take one more pedal stroke. Ended up being a buddy of mine from Tempe who happens to have family down on the east side of Tucson. He was rolling by me on Old Spanish Trail, but I didn't recognize him when he yelled my name. It wasn't until he turned around and caught me as I was looking for a spigot next to the old Rincon Market, when I recognized who it was!!

MikePro: The ATA rerouted the AZT through Flag a while ago. It's now more bike path, off-road stuff than before. Brings you right to the front of Buffalo Park now.

Also, I got a text this evening from Justin Smith, he sent a picture of the snow detour around Humphrey's. FR418 was covered in snow!! He's cruising through Babbitt Ranch now...

[mtbcast]

#AZT17 - Last night: El Freako Jeff Hemperley called in from Flagstaff!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/azt17/

[billster6]

Sorry Steve, I was more concerned about getting my bike in that thing so I didn't have to take one more pedal stroke. Ended up being a buddy of mine from Tempe who happens to have family down on the east side of Tucson. He was rolling by my on Old Spanish Trail, but I didn't recognize him when he yelled my name. It wasn't until he turned around and caught me as I was looking for a spigot next to the old Rincon Market, when I recognized who it was!!

MikePro: The ATA rerouted the AZT through Flag a while ago. It's now more bike path, off-road stuff than before. Brings you right to the front of Buffalo Park now.

Also, I got a text this evening from Justin Smith, he sent a picture of the snow detour around Humphrey's. FR418 was covered in snow!! He's cruising through Babbitt Ranch now...

That elusive spigot is on the east side of the Quonset hut looking building where they have the farmer's market

[schillingsworth]

Here are a couple of pics sent in from Justin Smith late y'day evening. This IS the snow reroute around Humphrey's Peak.

FR151


FR418

Both he and El Freako seemed to get through just fine. Doesn't appear either ran into death mud near Missouri Bill Hill, that stuff is nasty.

[JoePAz]

If that is the snow detour it must be really deep up high up the mtn.

[hellvetica]

Howdy all!

Max aka Bong_Zilla here. First off, what an incredible route. Was really tough to have to sign off and not see the last stretch of miles, but we were not going to make the finish by Monday night. Being a parent, and having a job to get back to, I ran out of time. Road House did too.

Scott, sorry we took the "alternate" route down from Lemmon (which to be honest, was not easy at all, it was really long and an energy suck) but we were beyond behind time and wanted to get to town and assess our situation. We wanted to still press on as orange dots but a couple of riders gave us the bad news about how much riding was ahead of us.

Anyway! We met some awesome folks on the route, shared some bourbon and high fives, so I am stoked to have clicked off this many awesome miles. Kudos to all the finishers and folks still on course. Hope to run into you guys somewhere out there in the future.

Here are a few photos I took:













Tailwinds!

[Robzilla_Killa]

Ha.
Looks like Freako took the first detour, which is all good.  He's gunning for Cjell's SS record, and it's looking like every hour might count.

So 750 Single Speed record is 9:00:13 ?

thanks

[ScottM]

So 750 Single Speed record is 9:00:13 ?

thanks

I believe that is correct, though I am not 100% certain.

Freako made a great push yesterday and last night.  He was able to get through the open plains before the daily winds picked up (yesterday was quite strong). 

If he can get hiking quickly this afternoon and make the crossing by tomorrow morning (minimal sleep!) he should be able to do it.  It's anything but certain, though!

Justin seems to have made a quick transition and is sitting at the precipice now.

I got a note from the park that made it sounds like it might only be minimal delays at the trail closure (rather than 8am - 4:30pm).  An 800' section and many retaining walls were damaged. 

[schillingsworth]

Yeah!! Go Justin!!

[SlowRide]

Looks like Justin's almost at the bottom of the ditch. Go go go!

I gotta do the 750 again next year.... going nuts watching it from the sidelines....

[ScottM]

I just got an email from a southbound rider who said he was stopped by a ranger while in the park on the North Rim.  The ranger told him that, as of this year, the road is closed to cyclists until it is open to cars.

It would seem they are somewhat serious about the closure, despite the fact that it doesn't make any sense once the road is plowed and dry.

Apparently the ranger did let him (and his group) pass, agreeing that the closure doesn't make sense, presumably.  He stated that it has to do with an AZ state law that cyclists aren't allowed on closed roads.  

I did let everyone know, in advance by email, about this supposed closure.  It's up to everyone out there racing to make a decision for themselves (just as they would riding the AZT on any other day).  I certainly wouldn't fault anyone for calling it at the South Rim.  

We will need to get this 'rule' changed, if they are going to enforce it, because May 15th (when the road opens to cars) is a prohibitive date for thru-riding.  Ugh.

[Adam Alphabet]

I just got an email from a southbound rider who said he was stopped by a ranger while in the park on the North Rim.  The ranger told him that, as of this year, the road is closed to cyclists until it is open to cars.

It would seem they are somewhat serious about the closure, despite the fact that it doesn't make any sense once the road is plowed and dry.

Apparently the ranger did let him (and his group) pass, agreeing that the closure doesn't make sense, presumably.  He stated that it has to do with an AZ state law that cyclists aren't allowed on closed roads. 

I did let everyone know, in advance by email, about this supposed closure.  It's up to everyone out there racing to make a decision for themselves (just as they would riding the AZT on any other day).  I certainly wouldn't fault anyone for calling it at the South Rim. 

We will need to get this 'rule' changed, if they are going to enforce it, because May 15th (when the road opens to cars) is a prohibitive date for thru-riding.  Ugh.

Brutal. Hopefully everyone who makes it that far this year has no issue. They've worked way too hard to get turned around or stopped over something so silly.
Keep crushing it long haulers!