2019 AZTR 300/750 Race Preparation and Planning Thread

[taprider]

I'm planning my logistics pre and post race. Looks like riders from out of the country(like me) are in a bind in terms of how to get in and around AZ especially without knowing anyone. I'm trying to figure out where can I stash my stuff like clothes that I'll be wearing pre and post race.

How do you people go around with this? I can of course haul everything up of course but truly not ideal.

Grateful for any tips.

D

get there a week early and riide the easy portions from Tucson to Sierra Vista for acclimation
forget about stashing stuff for the finish, just buy all new cheaper (than the Yukon) clothing from the first big town you hitch to after the finish (Flagstaff or St. George are good)

[evdog]

Is anyone willing to lend their Spot for someone joining the Mass start? I have an Inreach and don't want to buy another locator unit. Or can trackleaders rent one specifically just for this race?

I can confirm Inreach is supported as I've used it on both the AZT300 and Dixie 200.  When I asked Scott this was his reply:

Sure thing, we support Delormes, just don't really advertise it.  In the signup form, just fill in the 'mapshare' link instead of a spot share page link, and all will be hunky-dory.

[nelsjustin]

Thanks evdog!  I have an old inReach that I plan to use. 

[evdog]

No problem!  I would just test it at home before you show up. 

[AZTtripper]

This is my first dip into Long bikepacking race. As a rook, I my rational mind says start with something short. Then again, I don't want to fly all the way down to AZ from Yukon and just do a 3-4 bikepacking trip.

I'll make a decision by monday. OTOH, I don't think it makes much a difference right? Maybe the details will but planning it will still be the same. I was hoping someone will be there in the finish to hand me two Big Macs and an ice cold Canada Dry even if I finish at 2 in the morning.

Cheers,

D

Bounce box or just leave old clothes in the shuttle, assuming you get signed up for Homegrown or some other paid service, tip the driver he may donate them or just trash.

You could always race the 300 and then spend time on tour. AZT to Flagstaff or even the South rim. Joining the Wild West route around the canyon and up to Jacob Lake and the AZT would make a fun ride.

[pokerface]

Bounce box or just leave old clothes in the shuttle, assuming you get signed up for Homegrown or some other paid service, tip the driver he may donate them or just trash.

You could always race the 300 and then spend time on tour. AZT to Flagstaff or even the South rim. Joining the Wild West route around the canyon and up to Jacob Lake and the AZT would make a fun ride.

This seems like a great compromise. Thanks!

D

[Halberto]

Bugs - where I from we got em, mosquitoes  so bad that it's next to impossible to stop, also experienced midges on the Highlands trail (ugh).

So what kind of bugs does one get on the AZT? Do you need bug netting at night for sleeping? All the pictures I see of the event typically shows people getting by without.

Thanks!

[taprider]

very few in your face bugs
just check your shoes before putting them on

[evdog]

Mark from Sun and Spokes is picking me up at the airport and has a few more spots available for that day. Im flying in mid day tuesday. Can't say enough about him and his shop!

Snowbd2u, is Mark giving you a ride to the border that same day?  I'm still looking at options.  Undecided if I want to ITT or wait and start with the group on Thursday.

[nelsjustin]

Anyone have experience with the Ardent Race and the AZT as opposed to the full Ardent tire?

I know there are a lot of tire threads and I did some searching but found nothing on the races. I've ridden around Picket Post with the Ikons in limited amounts but really like the Ardent Race better in general and am wondering if anyone has any wear experience on the AZT 300 with them.

Thanks

Justin

[dream4est]

I used the regular ardent 2.25 29er tire on the rear in 2017 in the 300. It worked well and held up to abuse. The race tire I am not sure what would happen. For reference I used a bontrager xr4 up front it held up well too.

[Snowbd2u]

Evdog.... No not to the border that day. Staying in a hotel in Sierra Vista, I was planning on just riding to the start the day before. Its not that bad of a ride, last hill slightly steep. One less day of hotel cost. haha. I know he brought people to the start in 2017,  But you would have to ask him. Im going for the Triple Crown Challenge, so have to start on the GD. I really wanted to ITT as well, until i read about the starting on the GD part...booo... same week should count!!

nelsjustin... I just threw on a 2.35 Ardent Race, and so far have been very happy with it (only 300 miles or so). Most likely same setup im running now for the AZT, 2.35 ARace Front and Ikon Rear.

[nelsjustin]

Thanks Snowbd2u - I was thinking of going that way as well  AR/Ikon

[xlewisx]

Anyone have experience with the Ardent Race and the AZT as opposed to the full Ardent tire?

Not Arizona specific, but I’m just about to pull a 2.2 Ardent Race off the front of my bike after 7000km. 4500km of that was TD last year. For reference the TD miles were probably the tamest terrain they saw. They’ve mostly  seen a lot more rugged and rocky trails since then.

[sashax]

also not AZ specific but I ran Ardent Races on my Oregon Timber Trail trip last summer. I'd have preferred something slightly treadier up front I think but the tires held up perfectly

[schillingsworth]

I typically run the regular Ardents Front & Rear, but have rolled the Ardent Race on many AZT miles. It's essentially the same tire, just a modified tread pattern. The key is to be sure you get the 3C/EXO sidewalls.

[schillingsworth]

ATTN: FYI 750 riders!!

There's a USFS closure near Flagstaff that went into effect recently and may affect the route not only in 2019, but perhaps 2020. There's a large scale helicopter logging operation to thin the forest. The portion of AZT affected would be from Buffalo Park to where the AZT crosses Shultz Pass Rd. This includes all of Rocky Ridge & Shultz Creek trails. I'm going to assume there will be detour signage posted. There's also the possibility of the AZT being unaffected due to rolling forest closures. I don't think we'll know ahead of time, so keep an eye peeled when arriving to Flagstaff. I may post a recommended blanket detour if that's what is preferred, seems easy enough to navigate around.

More info can be found here: Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project

Closure order .pdf

Keep an eye on the weather too, we've had a good snow year up north and another storm is tracking our way this weekend.

2 1/2-ish months until GO time!!

[AZTtripper]

Im going for the Triple Crown Challenge, so have to start on the GD. I really wanted to ITT as well, until i read about the starting on the GD part...booo... same week should count!!

The idea was that everyone would experience the same weather, in AZ a day or two leeway on the start date could make a huge difference.

[Brian McEntire]

Im going for the Triple Crown Challenge, so have to start on the GD.

Best of luck to you in your quest. I am also seeking the Triple Crown. First piece, AZTR750. I’m not looking too much past that one for now. I have done some Divide research and read the threads on here for CTR. Lots of pieces to the puzzle to make it all work. One piece at a time.


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[KuzmanAZ]

I am IN for the whole enchilada 

Attached is photo from the Black Bridge in GCNP from last weekend. Keep that stoke going.