Arizona Trail 300 Update Thread

[goldenboy]

This armchair spectating is not only entertaining but inspirational.  I had to burn off somebuilt up energy and ride this afternoon despite the snow and hail.

Scott- thank you for all of the work you have put into making this site and the supporting programs.  Great stuff!

[AZTtripper]

It is really getting good but those last miles climbing Ajax mine road (or is it Orphan Boy) are the steepest I remember doing. On the profile it looks vertical should be interesting.

Some pics climbing the Box in the Santa Rita's

[ScottM]

Where's Kurt?  Still at the Gila River?  No... they are riding through this right now (Box Canyon):



I'm actually quite surprised that Stefan's SPOT got a few points through.  He must be holding his SPOT above his head or something  .  I'm sure Kurt is moving, and probably still ahead of Stefan.  We just won't "see" it until he climbs out of the Box.

[AZTtripper]

The question is, does the Chalet in Oracle have another room to offer our arriving bike guests?

I could see Rob just going in to circle k and making camp out in the Black Hills that would be on his 75 mile days plan. However he does know that Zach and I made it in from there in one day and Chad made short work of that stuff last week so he could stay and it would make scense. Leave the bike loaded and ready to roll and get a good nights sleep.

[konaFamily]

this is looking like way too much fun my first check since before my small 43 mile out and back from pistol hill, as tired as I am I may just stay up to find out,

scott that video is cool  :glasses2:and really wierd to watch makes the whole thing seem way fast F1 qualifing speed

this is too much fuuuuunnnnnn

[ScottM]

I think Kurt has a ~15 minute lead. 

Interesting the way technology (SPOT and cell phones) may have played into the race.  I don't know if Stefan has a phone or not, but he may not know that he's so close to Kurt if not.  I assume Kurt knows Stefan is hot on his heels since he talked to Maggie at the Gila River (and she is following things here).  Is that driving him to ride faster than he would have had he not seen anyone all day?  Just some idle thoughts while I await the next points to roll in.

[konaFamily]

I think Kurt has a ~15 minute lead. 

Interesting the way technology (SPOT and cell phones) may have played into the race.  I don't know if Stefan has a phone or not, but he may not know that he's so close to Kurt if not.  I assume Kurt knows Stefan is hot on his heels since he talked to Maggie at the Gila River (and she is following things here).  Is that driving him to ride faster than he would have had he not seen anyone all day?  Just some idle thoughts while I await the next points to roll in.

there is always just alittle that you ain't pushing even if it seems like it when there is noone but when there is the idea rrrr something just a ounce more per peddle could make the difference

[jobes]

Scott, this is cool to follow.  Great job organizing it.  Very inspirational.  I'm stoked.  I haven't been motivated for awhile. 

[krefs]

I've wondered how cell phones play into the race as well.

Devil's advocate here: Kurt knew he was the only one who went up Mt Lemmon yesterday evening from talking to me, so he probably thought he had a considerable lead throughout the day, possibly causing him to pedal with a bit less effort. I'm guessing Stefan, if he hasn't caught glimpses of Kurt already, will soon - so Stefan will also have that added boost of power, knowing he's so close. At the end of the day, do cell phones change anything, or is it a wash?

Frankly, I'm surprised cell phones are allowed on the course. I had assumed they were banned until Kurt called me last night.

-Maggie

[ScottM]

There's still some debate about cell phones in these kind of 'events.'  The AZT 300 doesn't have a rule against them, but the GDR has in the past.

Getting info from the SPOT tracker by phone does change some things, but, you still have to pedal no matter what you know.  And sometimes it can be better not to know, like you said.

When the four of us (Kurt, Stefan, Chris and I) were at Madera Canyon (two nights ago) we talked about getting tracker updates by phone for a bit.  It might be a gray area, but there's no rule against it in the 300, so it's all good as far as this race is concerned.

[Chad B]

Just got off the phone with Max, who is now in Oracle at the Circle K. Max said that he and Fred are just going to camp out, wait for Rob, and head out tomorrow at 3am to make the final push to the end. He wanted me to pass on some positive vibes for those that are finishing now and everyone that is following along. Tim, I mentioned your PM to him also, so he should be expecting your call.

[Chad B]

  It might be a gray area, but there's no rule against it in the 300, so it's all good as far as I'm concerned.

Had I not brought my cell phone, I would not have been able to order the massage in Patagonia, pizza to be delivered to me on the Chiva Falls loop, make sure they had the queen suite available at the Chalet, and call for a cab when I got to the finish line. The cell phone saved my life during my ride.

BTW, I did actually use the General Store's phone to call the Chalet, the sales clerk actually suggested I call about rooms when she inquired about what I was doing in town at 730pm on a bike. Uber nice people working at the new store, glad to know next time we do an over Lemmon ride.

[AZTtripper]

I left Max a page with my number I plan to head up after work tomorrow and ride the end of the course if any one is there and needs a ride I can get them back to Tucson.

[ScottM]

One thing is certain... these guys are pushing hard.  Very fast splits for the Ajax/Orphan Boy climb.  Kurt is already over and likely getting onto the final singletrack right now.

Stefan is nearing the top and is still in striking distance, but I think Kurt's lead may have grown, not shrunk.  I think Kurt has got it.  Let's just hope his (patched?) tubes hold.  It's about 8 miles of singletrack to the finish, and the first few are recently constructed, meaning possibly some extra debris around.  Riding desert singletrack in the dark definitely means the potential for some tire/cactus encounters.  With 4 flats earlier in the day I'll bet avoiding sharp things is at the front of his mind right about now.

I hope both of them aren't too busy racing to pause and take in a moonlit view of the giant Picketpost mountain from up high on the trail.  From what I know of both of these guys, I'll bet they will.

[Tmax]

Scott, your such a romantic! Moonrise 10:20.

[ger and mar]

Stef,

This is incredible.  Go for it.

dad and mar

[krefs]

kurt says, 'stans works well and slime not at all'

finishing time: 10:58pm

that's all for now, he'll write stuff up later.

-maggie

[ScottM]

Excellent!  Huge congrats to Kurt on finishing and taking a bit over three hours off the previous best time.  A phenomenal ride.

Stefan should be in any minute now.  Last point shows him about a mile out of the trailhead.

'night.

[Stefan_G]

This is Sheryl, Stefan's wife. He sent me a text message at 11:49 PM local time saying that he finished about 40 minutes behind Kurt. Way to go!!!

[Pivvay]

Still no word from Chris and that SPOT hasn't updated since late last night...

CONGRATS Stefan and Kurt!!