2018 AZTR300/750 Race Discussion Thread

[AZTtripper]

What is the record time for Southbound 750s?  DEnburg is flying.  Think he is gonna make a great run this year.  

Brad Mattingly (Southbound)- 12:02:19 I don't think anyone but you has finished it. Seems like there have been fall ITT attempts but I don't see any record on http://topofusion.com/azt/results.php of any finishers ITT or otherwise. But I seem to remember one of the Aaron's, maybe more then one on more then one fall attempt, but no finishers that I know of.

[hanyo66]

Brad Mattingly (Southbound)- 12:02:19 I don't think anyone but you has finished it. Seems like there have been fall ITT attempts but I don't see any record on http://topofusion.com/azt/results.php of any finishers ITT or otherwise. But I seem to remember one of the Aaron's, maybe more then one on more then one fall attempt, but no finishers that I know of.

didnt Jill Hueckman do it in like 14-16 days too?

[LandSharkBrian]

didnt Jill Hueckman do it in like 14-16 days too?

Hey now - what are you doing on here when you're supposed to be out there?

[joeydurango]

Hey now - what are you doing on here when you're supposed to be out there?

Ha ha!    It's the new generation of bikepackers - enabled by ever-increasing cell coverage and full-time tethered.  Hell, it's the new generation of outdoors people, period.  I can hardly go for a town trail ride any longer without hearing someone playing music on their phone (which, as a musician, drives me nuts on the sound quality alone, despite the other myriad reasons phones should reside, powered off, in frame bags, or at home).

But, I jest.  Sort of.  Maybe.

[AZTtripper]

Hey now - what are you doing on here when you're supposed to be out there?

Were at Jacob lake now.

Those first miles out of the start were brutal. About 8 miles in got bounced off the trail on a downhill and ran headfirst into a stump and went over the handlebars. Landed square on my back and then rolled like a rag doll five or six times down a little hill, gashing my knee pretty good in the process. One of my riding buddies is having really bad cramping in odd places on his thighs. We’ve been incredible slow.

The post-holes from the cattle up on top of the plateau between government reservoir and bucksin Gulch trailhead were pretty whack, super demoralizing riding for me on an otherwise flat and easy area.

Assessing the situation and going from there. Incredibly windy up here right now with black clouds. Aaron is crushing is, talked to him before he took off this morning and he barely had anything with him. Also said he mounts both of his tires in a triangle on his chest and puts his frame on his back. Epic!

Assuming they must still be at Jacob lake to still have service. Epic crashes and gashes, various cramps all pretty much standard out there.

[hanyo66]

Ha ha!    It's the new generation of bikepackers - enabled by ever-increasing cell coverage and full-time tethered.  Hell, it's the new generation of outdoors people, period.  I can hardly go for a town trail ride any longer without hearing someone playing music on their phone (which, as a musician, drives me nuts on the sound quality alone, despite the other myriad reasons phones should reside, powered off, in frame bags, or at home).

But, I jest.  Sort of.  Maybe.

as much as I appreciate the cynical tone of this - yes we are at Jacob lake for the night

Mad respect for everyone that does this ride. We definitely came underprepared and I’m not too proud to admit that. I’ve injured this knee a few times in the past and I would hate to get stuck down in the canyon because of it, so I’m gonna sleep on it.

[LandSharkBrian]

as much as I appreciate the cynical tone of this - yes we are at Jacob lake for the night

Mad respect for everyone that does this ride. We definitely came underprepared and I’m not too proud to admit that. I’ve injured this knee a few times in the past and I would hate to get stuck down in the canyon because of it, so I’m gonna sleep on it.

I get that.  Yeah, I saw when you'd posted that but somehow hadn't made the connection that you were going to get re-sorted there at JL.

Best of luck - hope you're able to continue.

[joeydurango]

Hey, nothing personal intended.  Sarcasm - it's in my nature.    At least you're on route this year, and I'm wishing I were again, instead of sitting in my house.

[LandSharkBrian]

Hey, nothing personal intended.  Sarcasm - it's in my nature.    At least you're on route this year, and I'm wishing I were again, instead of sitting in my house.

What he said.

[hanyo66]

I get that.  Yeah, I saw when you'd posted that but somehow hadn't made the connection that you were going to get re-sorted there at JL.

Best of luck - hope you're able to continue.

thanks man. I’m human. And I dream big. Sometimes I get a little too far over my head. But I’m gonna try in the morning and if it’s not feeling right then I’ll probably have to scratch. I would definitely love to train a lot harder and come back out again regardless of what happens with this ride.

[hanyo66]

Hey, nothing personal intended.  Sarcasm - it's in my nature.    At least you're on route this year, and I'm wishing I were again, instead of sitting in my house.

ha, no problem dude. Hard to decipher over the internet. I’m proud of myself for even giving it an attempt, and also embarrassed at my current situation but it happens.

Unrelated - do you own / work for bedrock bags? I got a Tapeats about a month ago and it works awesome for my camera on my past couple rides. Great bag.

[joeydurango]

Yes, internet sentiments are often impossible to figure correctly.  By no means was I making fun of your current predicament, just playing the old-fashioned curmudgeon I occasionally actually am!

We've all been in that situation where we have to decide whether to go on or call it.  Just remember that part of bikepack racing is wanting to quit, and not.  Then again, there is definitely a point where the wise choice is to come back stronger/healthier next time.  To me it's the difference between mental and physical limitations.  Your call, of course... here's hoping you feel good in the morning.

RE: Bedrock - yep, half-owner, full-time worker.  Stoked you're liking your Tapeats!

[ECEGatorTuro]

Wow, Neil is through Ripsey Wash and making his way up to the ‘Big Hill’! This is unbelievable. I have a feeling he’s going to finish before the sun rises tomorrow.

Kaitlyn and Kurt are past Freeman cruising through the Boulders segment. The front three have really been pushing hard.

[schillingsworth]

Lee, a very wise old?? bikepacker had mentioned numerous times to never scratch until you sleep on it. Here's hoping you don't have to make that call!! I have a very good feeling you'll make the correct decision when the time comes.

Anxiously awaiting Neil's Gila River split, then I'll set my alarm clock. Darn you!! I thought I may get to sleep in a bit. Ha! His Oracle to Gila River split in '16 was 14:40 or so, then 7:30 into Picketpost. Back in '14, his Oracle to Gila River time was 13:20, then 8:30 into Picketpost.

An amazing thing happens when you hit that 'projections' button...it puts the NB dot at Picketpost at 1:21:04 - a mere 3 minutes ahead of Kurt's silly time. Can he / will he keep the hammer down all night being within striking distance??

Meanwhile, at the other end of the state, Denberg is about to trek across the black bridge. 2/3 of the trek complete. Up, up & away!!

[bmattingly]

Denberg is doing a great canyon crossing.  Not bad after 65 miles plus of riding.  Guys at Jacob Lake, nice place to be.  You are in some real special country.  Enjoy it.  I root you on for just giving it your best.  A couple years ago I wrecked and cut my knee bad on the 200 mile Utah race.  Sucked.  It happens.  Better than try and fail that not try it all. 

It is going to be interesting to watch the effect the sleep deprivation has on the front pack.  They have been hammering for hours.  The endurance, endorphines, and the psych are impressive. 

Impressive watching all the moving bundles of energy.

30% chance of a little moisture in Flagstaff tomorrow night. 

[LandSharkBrian]

Dang, was Denburg's crossing in the 12.5hr range?  That seems pretty flippin' fast from this end of the monitor.

[joeydurango]

Looks like Dana had to sleep some after all... and Dion's tracker hasn't updated for a while, so not certain where he is.  Maybe his earlier rest made him ready to roll last night!  Hoping for both of them it's not too hot in the Gila river canyon today... they're lined up to be there in the heat of the afternoon.

The frontrunners are really moving.  They're all impressive, but I'm accustomed to being impressed by Neil and Kurt's pace - this year, I'm amazed at Kaitlyn's run.  She's setting a high bar for most impressive performance of 2018, so far.  About five hours out, she's going to positively smash the women's record if everything sticks together.

Denberg - guy carries nothing! I wouldn't be surprised to see him with a half frame bag, a tank bag, and nothing else.  Maybe he moves so fast just to stay warm. 

[LandSharkBrian]

Yeah, the pointy end of the race is downright spooky.  I'm with you on Kaitlyn's ride.

I'm real impressed with Curtis' ride, but fear he lost the Spot lottery this year - his updates have been rare from the get-go.

Got a text from Ron last night.  Sounds like the heat really caused him problems.  Looks like he's holed up at the Safeway in Tucson, trying to recover.  After seeing what he's capable of last year, though, I suspect he'll be back in the saddle before long!

[LandSharkBrian]

After seeing what he's capable of last year, though, I suspect he'll be back in the saddle before long!

And there he goes!

[geekonabike]

Neil's on the downhill run to PP, gonna be sub-2 days no sweat. Really interesting sprint (can we call that trail a sprint?) as Kaitlyn starting up the last climb seemly determined to beat Kurt to PickPost.