2021 AZTR

[taprider]

What are the rules for Canadians visiting USA for non-essential purposes?
Google shows lots for Americans visiting Canada and that the land border is not open to Canadians, but do we have to quarantine 14 days after flying in?

[AZTtripper]

I wonder how early winter will hit the North Rim?  Will anyone be able to finish the AZTR800 without using the snow detour?

Seems like it would take a lot of snow to keep people off of the trail. Not likely that much would fall in 1 or 2 winter storms.
Plus it seems that John is willing to give the win to the person who rides the trail over the person who takes the road. With that extra motivator I would think people will stick to the trail if at all passable for fear someone behind them will pull it off for the win.

[aarond]

https://ca.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-canada-3/

[taprider]

^so no excuses then?

[KuzmanAZ]

Hey all, hoping to re-start the chatter in anticipation of the Fall GD.

Curious for the veterans, especially the Spring '21 crew with the new route, what your strategies were around how much food/water carrying capacity, reliable resupply places, good spots to catch a few zz's, how much extra clothing you brought, etc. you might be willing to hand off to a rookie?

Cheers!

One important consideration for this fall will be very cold night temps up north. Once on the Mogollon rim, be prepared for lows in the 20s, maybe teens. On the North Kaibab, be prepared for lows in teens, with single digits possible in early-mid November. When I rode through Jacob Lake in mid-October 2019, their thermometer outside was 22 degrees at 9am. Guessing low was about 15 degees where I camped that night. We've had a very wet monsoon season, thankfully, so water sources should be in decent shape. A lot of that rain has come in big bursts, so trail conditions are "interesting." This is going to be a really fun year!

[Lizzyrides]

Cool, thanks! I guess I should clarify that I'm only planning on the 300, so cold should* only be an issue for me going over Lemmon. That said, I'm always cold so I'm sure I'll overpack in some regards.

My main concerns are if I'm trying for sub 3 days how best to understand the pacing, about how far people get each day, and smart places to find sleep/nap spots, the more reliable and crucial water resupply places, etc. I'm coming off my rookie attempt of the CTR and I made some really stupid sleep choices, I just kinda rolled off the trail randomly in some really dumb places (lots of debris, on a slope) when there were perfectly good flat spots just a few miles further if I had known....

Also, can someone write my term paper for me, I just found out it will be due Monday Nov 1 which puts the stress on me to finish quickly!! 

[taprider]

you can choose to sleep low and warmer before you climb Lemmon or push on through the night until you get warm and low

[phatmike]

Cool, thanks! I guess I should clarify that I'm only planning on the 300, so cold should* only be an issue for me going over Lemmon. That said, I'm always cold so I'm sure I'll overpack in some regards.

My main concerns are if I'm trying for sub 3 days how best to understand the pacing, about how far people get each day, and smart places to find sleep/nap spots, the more reliable and crucial water resupply places, etc. I'm coming off my rookie attempt of the CTR and I made some really stupid sleep choices, I just kinda rolled off the trail randomly in some really dumb places (lots of debris, on a slope) when there were perfectly good flat spots just a few miles further if I had known....

Also, can someone write my term paper for me, I just found out it will be due Monday Nov 1 which puts the stress on me to finish quickly!!  

My biggest suggestion would be to take a look at the results page https://azt300-800.com/results/ - check for those who are close to your target time and find some times that are hyperlinked to blogs about it. Though the 300 route has changed a bit over time, but a lot of this info will still be relevant.

As far as sleep spots, in my experience they aren't that difficult to find. Oracle ridge I suppose could be tough but even then there are still a couple spots to crash out if you really wanted to. Given your desired sub three days (which is quite quick), I would say that is going to most likely leave your resupply options to Tucson at a 24 hour convenience store and Oracle at a similar. Most other options will likely be closed. As the result gets closer to 4 days, more things will be available (stuff in Summerhaven, more options in Tucson).

Water shouldn't really be an issue given the pace you are looking at. That said, there are great resources available to help you find info. Join the ATA and you can get water reports there. You can get the Guthooks app which will show potential water sources.. though the comments from them will be mainly from the Spring thru hike/ride season. The blogs you can read are also a good resource for this and will show you the kind of water you will be dealing with. Hint: in many cases it isn't that pristine and clear Colorado water

Enjoy the research, and good luck on your attempt!

[schillingsworth]

Lizzyrides,
Check out the historical time splits on this spreadsheet. Should give a rough idea of arrival time. *Maybe add 2 hours now that the 300 begins at the border.

AZTR Split times

There is an area, the final 2 miles before reaching SR82 when exiting the Canelo Hills that is only passable in daylight & no camping allowed. Shouldn't be an issue for you, but just a heads up in case things get sideways out there.

[schillingsworth]

ATTN: 300 Riders!! ALERT - Start location change!!! Just when I thought everything was dialed in...I've been interpreting the 74 rider limit all wrong, it's a gathering limit. So, the 300 is moving back to Parker Canyon Lake trailhead for 2021. GPX track has been updated and posted as AZT300_2021_FINALv2. 10k track is also posted. My sincere apologies for missing this. Gah. You'll notice the route doesn't immediately begin on the AZT, that's because I still want the 300 riders to experience Sunnyside Canyon. See the attached image for direction of flow, it's a figure 8 beginning with dirt road riding to Sunnyside Canyon Rd, then up to the AZT. You'll then ride the AZT back to Parker Canyon Lake where you'll continue on. I have some more announcements to make, but nothing drastic, more FYI stuff. Stayed tuned. AZT800 GPX track is also posted.

GPX Links

[TLett]

Hi all,

A buddy and I are both first timers planning to ride the 300 this October. Anyone have current plans/vans for shuttling down to the starting line with a couple extra spaces? Alternatively we're considering leaving my van at the trailhead and then renting a car to get back down to it after we finish. If we do that, we could theoretically haul 2 or 3 more people down to the start depending on how i set up racks.

*** EDIT - missed the Homegrown link on the previous page. My bad. I'm shoestringing the budget on this thing, so still debating leaving my van at the start if anyone wants to carpool it though. ***

Thanks!

[schillingsworth]

Cue sheet has been scoured, updated to reflect the track with more data points. Doesn't affect planning, but I did find a couple of erroneous entries.
I created some screenshots along the route that often cause a moment of pause. In years past, Scott has allowed a few areas to use either route without penalty, that will continue. See attached images for those areas along the route. They are posted in order going northbound. (3 Bridges area north of I-10, Cougar Hill at the Boulders/Ripsey transition, third image shows the Cougar Hill exit, Gold Canyon fenceline, Gaining the Mogollon Rim, Babbitt Ranch 3-track & Coconino Rim Bike Bypass) The images should have enough information to answer any questions. The first two affect the 300, the rest are for the 800.
I'll put up a second post showing a few other areas where riders have missed sections of the route, those are NOT allowed.
In the end, follow the gpx track.






This is the Cougar Hill exit.

[schillingsworth]

As a follow-up to the last post, DO NOT miss these sections of trail. Missing these sections will result in an * or relegation. Shouldn't be any surprise to anyone, but pay attention out there. Again, these are posted in order from south to north. (Molino Basin, Sunset trail near Summerhaven, Freeman Rd. singletrack, Kelvin singletrack, new route by Tonto Natural Bridge and the Colonel Devin trail at Washington Park - end of the Highline trail) First 4 affect both the 300 & 800, last two are for the 800 only.
Follow the gpx and you'll be fine.

[bmattingly]

John,

Great idea to reroute the Highline section of the AZT under the rim.  I rode the tough section of that this April and it still stinks.  Might be in worse shape after the monsoon rains. Way to improve it!!! 

Hope the weather gods are kind for the race.  I'll be watching.

Brad

[Trhoppe]

Woah, I was expecting some freezing temps, and am planning on my 32 degree bag + a liner for sleeps, but I wasn't thinking that it would get down into the teens the last couple of days. DANG. Maybe I'll bring the 20 degree bag. Not much heavier/bigger than the 32 degree + liner ......

[schillingsworth]

Teen temps are probably expected on the North Rim in early Nov. Anywhere above the Mogollon Rim has the potential to be below freezing.

Grand Canyon water availability changes begin Oct. 11th

[Trhoppe]

Gaaahhh. Yea, I guess I'll take the 20 degree bag and ship myself that extra sleeping bag liner along with my "bike carrying backpack" to the post office

[TLett]

Before we book the Homegrown shuttle down from Picket Post, does anyone have the space and inclination to take two extra riders and bikes down to the 300 starting line? We'd pay for gas and all the burritos you feel like eating the day before the race. We could probably even steal background checks from former employers or volunteer positions (not current employers though. I'm guessing that could get us fired). Plus, if we all finish by Sunday I'll gladly drive you back down to your vehicle.

[taprider]

are trail conditions much slower now in the first 100 miles heading north bound compared to spring time?

[phatmike]

are trail conditions much slower now in the first 100 miles heading north bound compared to spring time?

Yes. After a massive monsoon season, the amount of vegetation encroaching/hiding the trail altogether are making things very rough out there.