2019 AZTR Race Discussion

[Dana Ernst]

I caught up with Justin DuBois as he passed through Flagstaff.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwqaTmplfsh/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=32s4owqls5oq


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[Dana Ernst]

It looks like Josh Uhl just zigged when he should have zagged.  He should have hung a left on the AZT after climbing Moto trail, but it looks like he went right.

[Dana Ernst]

It looks like Josh Uhl just zigged when he should have zagged.  He should have hung a left on the AZT after climbing Moto trail, but it looks like he went right.

False alarm.  Likely a tracker error.

[IlanT]

Let me tell you about Hanoch Redlich: he came to test himself on the Arizona Trail. And he will do just that, on the AZT.

His plan was to come to the states accompanied with his father, Abraham. They had a very special relationship. 25 years ago or more, when Hanoch was a young boy his father used to take him along for deep desert multi day rides. It was not called Bikepacking back then, just a desert trip. They were just riding bikes crossing no mans land, simply because bikes came natural to these 2, and bikes connected them together. I met them 15 years ago, in the first MTB century we had in the Israeli desert. Since then, Abraham was always near Hanoch, in every event and every race, always there to act as a support crew when allowed, and always near in his heart, on the many self-supported bikepacking races Hanoch participated in Israel and typically won (eg the HLC). Abraham was not a healthy man and in recent years suffered from recurrent cancer. He fought back, and never gave up his love to the outdoors. Hanoch and Abraham dreamt to travel together to the USA for the AZTR, so Abraham can be close to Hanoch during his effort. Alas, several weeks before their planned departure to the USA, Cancer won the fight, and Abraham passed away. Hanoch decided he will go and do the AZT, not just for himself, but in memory of his beloved father. On the night before his departure, he took this picture on his father fresh tomb.

Whatever the race organizers decide to do is up to them, and Im sure he will respect that. He came to do the AZTR, and he will do just that. Through heat, cold, sand or snow. Simple.

[holtharlan]

^ that's  awesome

its great to see Josh having such a good ride! I met & rode with him on the CTR two years ago - the monsoon year - most riders DNF.  Then last years CTR we spent some peddle time together. He had a crash that took him out again. He is due a good one - i think this is it.
This year is exciting, so many that are so close.

[schillingsworth]

Got an update from Dave W. his Achilles flared up, so he rode off route into Pine for some tape. He'll be riding back to the course and continuing on!! Go DW!!

Hanoch getting ready to drop in!! Gives me chills every time I see a dot at the S. Kaibab TH. It's quite the sobering sight as you prepare your rig for transport!!

Very cool to see the two clusters of riders somewhat together after all these grueling miles.

[phatmike]

I really hope Max tries to get to the turn and pushes on out to picketpost tonight. Tomorrow is shaping up to be a scorcher. He's making good progress along the Gila right now.

[geekonabike]

I really hope Max tries to get to the turn and pushes on out to picketpost tonight. Tomorrow is shaping up to be a scorcher. He's making good progress along the Gila right now.

Max told me he wants to attempt the triple crown this year (tuff call as the CTR is the northbound hard way this year) barring that he'd like to complete the AZTR & CTR this year so as to have finished all of the triple crown. Point is slow & steady, git her done is gonna be his pace.

[phatmike]

Awesome!

[phatmike]

Well, he has definitely upped the pace today. He went through the section from Kelvin to the turn in quick fashion and has begun the push up to picketpost. I bet he's counting down the time till the sun backs off a bit!

[KuzmanAZ]

Max told me he wants to attempt the triple crown this year (tuff call as the CTR is the northbound hard way this year) barring that he'd like to complete the AZTR & CTR this year so as to have finished all of the triple crown. Point is slow & steady, git her done is gonna be his pace.

Awesome, I’m cheering for him. Max is in Martinez Canyon now, well on his way to picketpost. A freak thunderstorm is currently hitting Flag and the Peaks. I was up on waterline, came out of nowhere.


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[AZTtripper]

Max just finished the 300 slow but steady, solid, worked out a mechanical in true self support mode. 

[PhilOnWheels]

Gotta get to sleep but can’t stop watching the dots. Hanoch may be napping, Justin D and Josh U seem to be moving fast in the canyon, Mike D about at decision point to bivy or start hiking. Incredible if JD can pass HR, he’s about 5 miles from rim.


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[IlanT]

Hanoch has been having SPOT issues for the last hours, since he completed the climb to the North Rim.
He sent me some pics from his location about 30 min ago, near the end of the Kaibab detour.
He was just entering the AZT again and plans to ride through non stop till the finish line.

Go Hanoch, GO!

[mtbcast]

#AZT19 - Ben Hanus called three overnight and this morning!

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/azt19/

[phatmike]

Really fun to watch! Some amazing things happening out there.

[kostyay]

Hanoch just posted on his facebook that finished the course.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157110526318446&set=a.10150308513663446&type=3

[hanyo66]

JD should be finishing up this afternoon, 8 days and change on the single speed! Lots of action in and around the canyon right now too.

[phatmike]

JD should be finishing up this afternoon, 8 days and change on the single speed! Lots of action in and around the canyon right now too.

Not to mention giving the 4 peaks option a run!

[treekiwi]

Anyone know if the ranger is hassling riders on the road out from the North Rim?

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