2018 AZTR300/750 Planning Thread

[ScottM]

Suspension is highly and strongly recommended, but not 100% necessary, either...

I just updated the race site with the suggested start date:

Thursday, April 5th, 2018

Looking at the replay last year, most people were over or to Redington by Saturday night, so a Thursday start should get the bulk of bikepackers through there before weekend craziness ensues.

Also new this year is a 75 rider limit.  That's combined in the 300+750.  75 is the limit from the US Forest Service for non-commercial events, but beyond that, we want to keep the overall impact on the trail, other users and towns within reason.

The way this will be enforced is on the tracker -- only 75 pink/blue dot registrations will be accepted.  After that, ITT will be the only option available, and it'll have be on a day other than Thursday April 5th.  Tracking registration will open, as in years past, 1 month before start.

This year we also need to eliminate all race-specific caches (coolers, trail magic).  There was negative feedback from other trail users and land managers last year about caches and leftover trash.  People know the race is going on, so we really need to be on our best behavior (Leave No Trace!) if we want the race to be able to continue.

Thanks all, back to the planning.

[Adam Alphabet]

Suspension is highly and strongly recommended, but not 100% necessary, either...

I just updated the race site with the suggested start date:

Thursday, April 5th, 2018

Looking at the replay last year, most people were over or to Redington by Saturday night, so a Thursday start should get the bulk of bikepackers through there before weekend craziness ensues.

Also new this year is a 75 rider limit.  That's combined in the 300+750.  75 is the limit from the US Forest Service for non-commercial events, but beyond that, we want to keep the overall impact on the trail, other users and towns within reason.

The way this will be enforced is on the tracker -- only 75 pink/blue dot registrations will be accepted.  After that, ITT will be the only option available, and it'll have be on a day other than Thursday April 5th.  Tracking registration will open, as in years past, 1 month before start.

This year we also need to eliminate all race-specific caches (coolers, trail magic).  There was negative feedback from other trail users and land managers last year about caches and leftover trash.  People know the race is going on, so we really need to be on our best behavior (Leave No Trace!) if we want the race to be able to continue.

Thanks all, back to the planning.

Awesome! Thank you for the update and continued hard work with this event over the years Scott! Very stoked on the changes. Hope to be able to toe the line again next spring!

[woodsy]

The trash created by any coolers or caches pales in comparison to the bags full that seem to regularly fly out of the back of vehicles on the weekends here on the Coconino.


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[ScottM]

The trash created by any coolers or caches pales in comparison to the bags full that seem to regularly fly out of the back of vehicles on the weekends here on the Coconino.

Agreed, but we aren't talking absolutes here.  The problem is the caches can be directly tied to the race / racers, and we need to minimize our impact as much as we possibly can.

[todds]

Awesome! Thank you for the update and continued hard work with this event over the years Scott! Very stoked on the changes. Hope to be able to toe the line again next spring!

Yes, Scott, thank you!! And just my .02 worth.....if you don't plan on following the exact route and/or the "rules", please don't take a spot(haha, no pun intended) from someone that is planning on following the route and or the "rules". This could matter as the race fills up closer to 75.

[flyboy]

Yes, Scott, thank you!! And just my .02 worth.....if you don't plan on following the exact route and/or the "rules", please don't take a spot(haha, no pun intended) from someone that is planning on following the route and or the "rules". This could matter as the race fills up closer to 75.

The "just turned up for a pedal" riders probably make up 70-80% of the field in any bikepacking race but really, how do you tell who is more worthy of a gurnsey though? I am hoping to race it as a mid pack amatuer, following all the rules and not giving up. If I miss out on a place in the grand depart I will be a bit disappointed but really, an ITT a day either side is just as good. Having done a GD on the TD a few years back I realise it is about the trail and you. Not the trail and other racers.
If the race has to stay low profile to ensure it's survival, so be it.

[ScottM]

For anyone that really wants to get in and be tracked, it really shouldn't be a problem.  Based on last year's sign up and CTR this year, there will be plenty of room for anyone that's paying attention at all.

3 days out?  Yeah, it'll probably be full.  1-2 weeks after tracking signup is open?  Probably plenty of room.

ITTs are, as always, highly encouraged.

[LandSharkBrian]

For anyone that really wants to get in and be tracked, it really shouldn't be a problem.  Based on last year's sign up and CTR this year, there will be plenty of room for anyone that's paying attention at all.

3 days out?  Yeah, it'll probably be full.  1-2 weeks after tracking signup is open?  Probably plenty of room.

ITTs are, as always, highly encouraged.

Gotta say, the 3 days out folks are probably the ones that are also asking about water 3 days out.  No bueno.

Scott - just to get it in the planning page, I believe you already indicated that those of us who ultimately do a SoBo run aren't going to be counted in the 75, is that correct?  Just the Grand Departs?

[ScottM]

Yep, 75 in the two NoBo Grand Departs, so SoBo doesn't count, especially 750's!

[schillingsworth]

Hanyo66 - Thanks for the plug!! I have to put all those pics somewhere

Dang Scott, another birthday AZTR?!? I guess I should show up then. This year it's one day before. I better be on my hydration game this go round. I'd rather forget last year's attempt.

[hanyo66]

Hanyo66 - Thanks for the plug!! I have to put all those pics somewhere

No problem good sir, your reports and posts have helped me out more than you could imagine

[Dinodinodino]

Forgive me for re-hashing a topic if it has been discussed in the past. I searched around and didn't find too much information.

What is an good tire choice for the AZTR?  Are Maxis Ikons good or is something with a more aggressive tread a better choice?

[taprider]

Ikons can work, but ask Brent S about having to replace them by Pine
I find that bigger knobs result in less contact pressure between the knobs compared to a semi knobby, and I suspect that with the less pressure fewer thorns have a chance of completely penetrating through the carcass.
A full knobby will be a semi knobby by the end of the 750 anyway
If you use plus tires, you will need a beefy one and you will regret all that extra weight when you have to backpack them.  Anyways, there was only about 500m of trail over the 750 where a plus or full fat would be an advantage
Schell Mone used 29x3.0 Knards or something similar, but compared to my 26x2.35 Nobby Nics his foot print in sand was only about 1/4" wider, so he must have had high pressure to protect his rims, negating the plus advantage

[woodsy]

I am in for the full meal deal next April. Until then, I guess I'll just keep rereading the race reports and watching Aaron Johnson's trip video.


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[bmattingly]

Its a good ride.  I think April 5 is a good choice weather wise.  For many that have not been on the trail.  It rocks!  Glad to see some Southbound mojo!  750 riders plan for some cold nights up on the rim.  If I don't ride this year I may cheer some of you on from a remote location in the North. 

[woodsy]

Curious what 1x gearing AZTRs have used. Looking at SRAM Eagle 12 speed set-up on my rig. 32t front, 50t cassette. This sound crazy to any race veterans?


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[Adam Alphabet]

Curious what 1x gearing AZTRs have used. Looking at SRAM Eagle 12 speed set-up on my rig. 32t front, 50t cassette. This sound crazy to any race veterans?


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The 32 part sounds right, the 50 part definitely crazy to me  I was 32x23 last year for the 300 

[woodsy]

The 32 part sounds right, the 50 part definitely crazy to me  I was 32x23 last year for the 300 

Should clarify, it's 10-50t.


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[mvmorten]

I ran a 30 with 11-46 Shimano and that worked well for me.

[schillingsworth]

Curious what 1x gearing AZTRs have used. Looking at SRAM Eagle 12 speed set-up on my rig. 32t front, 50t cassette. This sound crazy to any race veterans?

For my 300 attempt this year and the recent CTR, I ran 26 x 11/42 and am really happy with it. I don't feel like I'm missing anything on either end. If you haven't checked out this gear ratio site, give it a look. http://www.bikecalc.com/gear_ratios
Enter 26 & 42 for one set of values & 32 & 50 for the other to compare our low end range. It's only off by one step and if I really wanted to I could be comfortable with a 28 up front.

I chose the the 26 up front to match my low end from my 2x setup from the 2016 750. For that I had 22/32 x 11/36 and found the 22 by 36 to be very similar in ratio to the the 26 by 42. As close as your low end to my 26 1x low end.