2017 AZTR300/750 Race Discussion Thread

[Snowbd2u]

I bailed at Oracle for my first go at this. I really enjoyed most of the trails, but after crashing in the Canelos and having my two extra bottles come off the bike and lids open, spilling the contents -then biking about 12 miles w/o water on the very first day.... Was a bit much to overcome. Attempted to hydrate and get back into it, but couldn't keep any food down. Great meeting new people and will definitely be back out there.

[JoePAz]

My race report is up.

http://joep-az.blogspot.com/2017/04/arizona-trail-300-2017-big-one.html

 

[davew]

Looks like Ron might better his time from last year. That's if he takes the nth rim snow detour.

Looking good Ron!

Above freezing on the north rim tonight too. Is anyone going to make a late dash for a bed at Jacobs Lake or the finish line.

[Jeff Z]

Mike's almost in!  Jeff and Rhino got out early from Phantom and are making good time towards the big climb.

Jeff and Rhino may have been the first to get permits to camp.  It was good to hear that they were granted permits (instead of being told 'NO').  At the last minute a ranger ran out to tell them about the road closure and that they would have to *walk* their bikes out of the park (!).   This is all per Nancy, so third hand, at best.

Still, at least there's a fully legal option. 

In an excess of caution we got permits for bright angel, cottonwood, and the north rim. Ended up only using bright angel. Nancy's story is accurate. However, we did not have any issues riding the road. Did notice  "no bikes" sign on the gate at the park boundry.

Looking forward to a big breakfast and a nice roll on the final segment tomorrow.

[Inertiaman]

Jeff and Rhino may have been the first to get permits to camp. 

Mike Debernardo got a permit and camped at Bright Angel.  Or at least his track showed a stop at the backcountry permit office and a 10 hour "pause" at Bright Angel.

[Jeff Z]

My race report is up.

http://joep-az.blogspot.com/2017/04/arizona-trail-300-2017-big-one.html

 

Solid Joe.

It's been fun watching you sink deeper and deeper into the endurance riding scene. With a 300 under your belt you can start mentoring other newbs.

[ECEGatorTuro]

My race report is up.

http://joep-az.blogspot.com/2017/04/arizona-trail-300-2017-big-one.html

 

Great write up Joe!! I remember how you were saying on FB that you didn't think you were ready for the 300 and every single reply disagreed vehemently. You were wrong buddy! You were not only ready but also slayed it with a decent finish time. Incredible effort out there! It was also cool that you got to hang out with Jeff, Nancy, and Evan quite a bit. We were hoping to catch you at the finish line but we were predicting a 1am finish (pretty close!) and couldn't stay that late since we had to work the next day. Hopefully you found that beer bottle though.

[Ron Thomson]

Looks like Ron might better his time from last year. That's if he takes the nth rim snow detour.

Looking good Ron!

Above freezing on the north rim tonight too. Is anyone going to make a late dash for a bed at Jacobs Lake or the finish line.

Haven't taken one so far. If this was an average year for snow I would seriously think about taking the trail.

[mvmorten]

Finally finished my ride report:

https://mvmorten.blogspot.com/2017/04/azt-200.html

[LandSharkBrian]

Brian D here, last or nearly last scratch from 750 outside Pine. And still without doubt the hardest event I've ever attempted. Still, 3 days post-ride I have no doubt the decision was the right one - I think I'd still be on the Geronimo trail trying for Washington Park, even now.

Riding with Ron, Marco, and Zack was absolutely the high point for me, and I wholeheartedly agree Ron is one of the toughest out there. I bonked on day one; he vomited. I got a hotel room in Tucson, Ron stayed up by the green gate so he could enjoy the miles to Hope Camp in the daylight. Without that hotel I'd have been a scratch hundreds of miles earlier, I have no doubt.

In the end, the fluid and calorie deficit caught up with me still. Eight miles of road back to Pine when I realized I couldn't go on, took a couple hours. I look forward to another attempt, eventually. Understanding just how soul crushing that run up from Rye to Pine is, can only help.

Love the community. Love the trail. 750 was just a bit more than I could handle this year.

Ride on guys!  Wish I could still be with you.

BD

[Doutreloux]

Go Drobna Go!!! Amazing rider!! Inspiring🤓

[JoePAz]

Just trying events like this is hard.  No shame in having to pull the plug.   It takes toughness and some good luck to make it to the finish at either distance.

[mtbcast]

AZT17- Mike DeBernardo called in with his finish call. It was a twofer but part 2 was just a beep.
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/azt17/

[gesose]

Hello everyone. I'm brand new here, although I've been reading for a while. I'll save the "me" story for later. I just want to say that you all are an incredibly inspiring bunch. Reading your stories of successes, failures, mishaps, etc is deeply motivating. Congrats to all! 

I was introduced to the AZTR last summer when a good friend of mine convinced me I needed to do an adventure with him. He's a fairly accomplished thru hiker and long haul bikepacker. My choice was either Colorado Trail Race this year or Arizona next, I chose the latter.  I've watched and read along over the last few weeks and really appreciate the time and energy that you all dedicate to your goals. I hope to walk among you this time next year.

Congrats again to everyone for taking on such an endeavor.

-Geoff

[schillingsworth]

Congrats to Rhino & Jeff Z for pulling off the big one y'day!! Way to go fellas.

C'mon Ron, I know you want that sub-14!! Get it!!

[AZTtripper]

I have never heard of it being enforced (or signed), but technically the AZT in the park on the North Rim is not yet open to bikes.  Whenever the new management plan gets accepted it will be, but as of right now... it's a double gotcha.  Triple gotcha considering the snow.

This makes no sense in the 2002 AL guide book the route is to use the trail in the park on the north end. When the ATA signed the route on the south side I helped put in a new gate at the south boundary. I was told by ATA members that the trail was open to bikes as soon as the signs went in.

Anyway glad to see that riders are getting thru. Hopefully something can get worked out.

[rhino]

Did anyone grab Grandma Helga's poster from the border?
That crazy bat is always littering, and I need to know if I have to send someone back down to retrieve it.
Leave no trace. Thanks.

[davew]

Did anyone grab Grandma Helga's poster from the border?
That crazy bat is always littering, and I need to know if I have to send someone back down to retrieve it.
Leave no trace. Thanks.

This one?

[rhino]

Yeah that one.
Hopefully someone took it.

[mikepro]

Haven't taken one so far. If this was an average year for snow I would seriously think about taking the trail.

I guess too much snow on the trail for Ron.  Bummer.  At least you get to experience the 40mile road ride to JL this year.  Nice riding!