Arizona Trail Race 2014 in progress

[markphx]

Anyone care to comment and/or share stories of the AZT Highline Passage? I've heard horror stories, but I've never ridden it. Judging from the pace of the AZTR 750 riders, it appears to take nothing less than a full day to complete the 19 mile journey from Pine to the Mogollon Rim. Sounds brutal...

[mtbcast]

#AZT14: Michael Ackerman and Tom Wolf called in from the 300 finish! Tom will not continue on the 750.
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/azt14/

[Sean Allan]

So cool to see and hear all the stories. Congrats to all who finished or are going to finish, condolences to those that dropped out. I'm really happy to see my travel-mates, Mark C and Aaron D still out there, glad that Aaron may have finally realized that you can't win this race on the first day, but you can certainly lose it. Mark is nothing if not positive and tenacious, it was great to hear his stories on the trip out to Sierra Vista and I have no doubt he will finish number 5.

My day started out fine, rode with the lead pack and felt good, even spent a few miles with Kurt and company after taking a wrong turn and fixing a broken chain and deraillieur hanger. It was interesting to ride behind those guys and see what pace they keep, I would imagine that pace doesn't drop off much during their time out there which is pretty impressive.

I rode with a HR monitor this year and got off and hoofed it whenever my heart rate got above a certain point which really saved my legs. Unfortunately it also forced me to walk a bit more then I would normally and a recurring knee problem started to act up before I even hit Patagonia. By the last few HAB going into Patagonia I couldn't even walk and I looked like a wooden legged pirate trying to push my bike up those hills, not pretty. I had expected some knee problems along the way somewhere, but had no idea it would be so soon or so severe, typically riding is the only thing that makes it better.

 I downed a Vicoden in Patagonia and sat around for an hour or so with some ice on my knee in Sonoita before heading for Kentucky Camp. Rode a bit with Aaron J who looked strong even while complaining of being pretty spent, he should do great out there as he is really a strong rider. Nothing improved and by Kentucky Camp I couldn't even walk and was one legging all the riding I was doing as it felt like someone had driven a nail into the side of my knee.The awesome camp host at Kentucky Camp gave me a knee brace, didn't really help anything, but the generosity was really appreciated, I'm wearing it right now as I type

 Down for 12 hours above Kentucky Camp and a few more Vicoden and Ibuprofen cocktails the next day got me to Tucson where I pulled the plug as there was no way that I was going to get over Lemmon, yet alone the Highline and Grand Canyon.
 
Spent this morning listening to bad '80's music in the MRI machine, hoping for an answer later this week. 3 days later and I still can't bend my knee more than a couple of degrees and it's still twice the normal size, not good...

Oh well, there's always next year....

Once again thanks to Scott for putting all of this together. Congrats to all who started this thing regardless of where or whether you finished.

[Walkurtalk]

Time to ride.
To Utah.
Stomach, bike, leg take note and keep cooperating.

Good day today. Saw my first live gila monster and was in the middle of a Pima County Sheriff manhunt. And I will never have to push my bike out of Molino Basin again!! In Summerhaven for a few hours rest and on to Oracle.

[bncrshr77]

Tom W here.  I called it at the 300 mark earlier today.  Have a knee and achilles on the verge of self destruction.  Was a great ride and i met some great people out there!  Thanks to scott for putting everything together!  Congrats to all who finish the course.

[mtbcast]

AZT14 – Day 5 True Up!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/podcasts/

[LyndaW]

Dang Sean, that's a tough ride you had. Good luck with the next step in healing your knee.

[mb]

Time to ride.
To Utah.
Stomach, bike, leg take note and keep cooperating.

Good day today. Saw my first live gila monster and was in the middle of a Pima County Sheriff manhunt. And I will never have to push my bike out of Molino Basin again!! In Summerhaven for a few hours rest and on to Oracle.

That's a big day you put in Jill.  I was following you and visualizing where you were as it was almost the exact same day 4 ride for me in 2012 except I pulled into Summerhaven at around 11 PM. Take it easy on Oracle ridge!!! Were watching an willing you on.

[mtbcast]

AZT14: Overnight - Aaron Johnson called in from between Payson and Pine! Justin Nelson called in his finish. Jeff Palmer finished with him.
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/azt14/

[B_Bock]

Sean- sorry to hear your about your bad luck. Hope you heal up fast. I hope to see you at the star next year.

I'm glad to see that Aaron is having a successfull restart. I think he will have a fast and efficient ride to Utah.
Keep pushing on everyone!

[Sean Allan]

Thanks Blake and Linda, I should of had the MRI 4 months ago when the order for it went in, really stupid on my part, I just didn't want to know..... It likely would of saved me a lot of money and time. I'm just glad I was able to get in so quick and the order hadn't expired. I guess ignoring pain and being somewhat oblivious to things that may be damaging our bodies is in the makeup of a lot of people here.
Blake, I may need your help a bit on a reroute of the CSTR as the Forest Service opens up some sections of WS. Let me know if you're down this way riding or looking to ride something different and I'll send you the GPX file. I'd like to get it finished up in the coming month or so.

[Shirey]

I'd like to give a shout-out to my friend Rick Miller for an exceptional run in his rookie bikepacking race. Well Done Rick!

I'll let the painful memories fade a bit before I start trying to talk you into the CTR.

[schillingsworth]

Caroline rolled into Picketpost last night, out of food/water. Hopefully a good nights rest in Superior has her ready to push forward today. Go Caroline!!

Edit: She's back on route!! 

[mountainjah]

Caroline rolled into Picketpost last night, out of food/water. Hopefully a good nights rest in Superior has her ready to push forward today. Go Caroline!!

Witnessing her suffering out there this year has shown me what's possible. I have so much respect for Caroline and only know her from last year's DGO dirty and the 300- but....watching her persevere thru this week has been nothing short of inspirational..she is an amazinigly strong athlete and she conitues to get her ass kicked everyday and keep going the next.  Super impressed-Go Caroline! Alexis may have more to add here....we were all some pretty down kids in Oracle....

[ScottM]

Update on Fisher Fire. Please, if you have a way to get in touch with a 750 racer, pass this info on, or tell them to check in here if they can:

I just spoke to the Coconino Forest office and they are saying the AZT in the vicinity of the fire will be closed for 1-2 weeks, even though it's 90% or more contained.  That means everyone in the 750 will need to detour around it.

The detour is FS 128, or the road that goes to Marshall Lake from Lake Mary Road.  At these coordinates, leave the track:

35.10978° N 111.53836° W

See the attached amp.

Once you descend FS 128 to Lake Mary Road, turn right and follow it all the way into Flag.  Rejoin the route in town and before Buffalo Park, where it becomes AZT again.

Also in the detour department, a short section above Mormon Lake is closed and signed.  Brad Mattingly successfully detoured around it and rejoined the trail soon after.

[ScottM]

We have 28 finishers in the 300 already!  That's a new record.  Great field this year.

Results are being maintained here:

http://www.topofusion.com/azt/results.php

[cmn529]

Out of the race but with a desire to see more of Arizona and vacation time to use, I'm going to head out tomorrow from Apache Junction at touring speed.  I'm going to take some touring liberties (ie no Highline) but am excited to see the Northern sections at a leisurely pace. My dad is meeting me at the GC so no portage but we have a permit to backpack the Paria (highly recommend if you've never done it!).

Not the 750 finish I was hoping for but a good adventure nonetheless. At least the section I missed of the 300, Lemmon to PP, I've bike packed before so I've gotten to ride that rippin fast Boulders section and experience Ripsey and Gila canyons. Although I haven't done Oracle Ridge but something tells me that is okay....

Maybe I'll see Caroline or Jill or other racers out there, I have the utmost respect for you all!
Chrissy

[mtbcast]

I tried to change the greeting on the call in line mentioning the re-route but I am having an issue. If I can get it resolved I'll try to put something up.

[T-Race]

The detour is FS 128, or the road that goes to Marshall Lake from Lake Mary Road.  At these coordinates, leave the track:

35.10978° N 111.53836° W

Once you descend FS 128 to Lake Mary Road, turn right and follow it all the way into Flag.  Rejoin the route in town and before Buffalo Park, where it becomes AZT again.

Also in the detour department, a short section above Mormon Lake is closed and signed.  Brad Mattingly successfully detoured around it and rejoined the trail soon after.

Is this FS 128 the road marked closed in the winter on the trackleaders map?

Thanks.

[ScottM]

Is this FS 128 the road marked closed in the winter on the trackleaders map?

Yep, it says closed in winter on the default trackleaders view.  You can also change to myTopo tiles on the trackleaders map, which should match exactly with the map I posted above.