2016 Arizona Trail Race AZTR planning thread

[geekonabike]

Booked a flight for two people to Tucson. Arriving at 11am on Thursday. Now we just need to figure out the best way to get the bikes there and a shuttle from Tucson to the start of the 750. Open to jump on a shuttle with some people.

Check out http://www.shipbikes.com/   $40 gets your bike FedEx to most places

Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

[iambarnard]

I plan on going with flats and low top Keen hiking shoes. On the CT last year I switched to them in Salida. During the heavy HAB the were priceless.

[iambarnard]

Shipped by fatty from Denver to Texarkana with bikeflights.com. 54 dollars, 2 boxes, 400 insurance in each. Dropped at FedEx shop in Denver delivered to hotel in Texarkana. 

[Sam Aspacher]

Does anyone know when pallisades is usually turned on.  We rode mt lemmon last week and the spigot was off for the winter I presume

Pallisades spigot is on now

[Adam Alphabet]

Pallisades spigot is on now

Thanks Sam.

[Yogi the Barry]

Sorry if this is obvious, but during 2014 when I biked thru the water was off. Ranger saw me rooting around before I found the spigot and was nice enough to give me a liter out of the office. So, is the Pallisades spigot easy to spot?

Pallisades spigot is on now

[Sam Aspacher]

Sorry if this is obvious, but during 2014 when I biked thru the water was off. Ranger saw me rooting around before I found the spigot and was nice enough to give me a liter out of the office. So, is the Pallisades spigot easy to spot?

Its actually at the Mt Bigelow Trailhead right next to the bathrooms. East side of the road just before the Pallisades visitor center.

[Woodland]

Thanks for that bit of intel.

[schillingsworth]

I was down in Tucson this past weekend taking part in Scott's awesome Camp Tucson rides. Rode a couple sections of AZT, Redington/Jeep rd extravaganza/AZT to just before Molino HAB. I thought the trail was in great shape, didn't notice the scratchy bits, but perhaps I'm getting so used to it around here!! There were a few flowing water crossings, but I can't speak to their 'normal' flow this time of year.

The other section was down by Box Canyon rd., just north of Kentucky Camp heading northboung to the powerlines between the Old Sonoita Hwy & I-10. Again, trail is in great shape, even the Las Colinas section wasn't too bad, only the typical HAB bits.

I drove past the Safeway on Broadway rd on Friday, the store looked almost ready to re-open, power was on, etc. Only a dumpster sitting out front. Can one of the locals confirm when it re-opens??

[mikepro]

Sorry if this is obvious, but during 2014 when I biked thru the water was off. Ranger saw me rooting around before I found the spigot and was nice enough to give me a liter out of the office. So, is the Pallisades spigot easy to spot?

Its actually at the Mt Bigelow Trailhead right next to the bathrooms. East side of the road just before the Pallisades visitor center.

If last year was any indication, it will be right where a crap-ton of bikepackers will be sleeping on April 16, 2016.

[Adam Alphabet]

If last year was any indication, it will be right where a crap-ton of bikepackers will be sleeping on April 16, 2016.

hahah, Palisades Party was in full effect last year!

[Yogi the Barry]

@Sam - thx for the Pallisades spigot info.

@Mikepro - any obvious bikepackers might appear to be boulder hallucinations when I gasp by.

Prescott Monstercross - Was looking for a change of training ride scenery the week before the AZT. Never ridden the Prescott area and the AES Monstercross... wait for it... crossed my mind. Perhaps a few days too close to the start of AZTR for such a big ride, but anyone care to comment on how great [or not] this ride might be? They also list a shorter course Mini option instead of the Mega...
-Barry

[schillingsworth]

Barry,
I 'started' to think the same thing re: PMC, but I'm opting out. If you do go, I'd skip the the Mega for sure, boat load of climbing. You could always start the mini and if it starts to get a bit too mega, then cut it short into town. IIRC, most of those trails are really good.

[taprider]

my gear is nearly ready
I leave for Phoenix March 26 then plan to bike the 300 southbound, but am planning to stay ~April 1 to April 9 in the Tucson area with some camping overnight at altitude to get acclimatized (changed my mind about camping at altitude near the mex border)
if any locals or other early arriving AZTR'ers want to show me some rides or yak over a beer, I'd appreciate a shout, thanks

Rod Dagneau

[Yogi the Barry]

@Rod - Your rig looks good. However, just don't mess with the Roadrunner... 

my gear is nearly ready...
Rod Dagneau

[Woodland]

Less than a month...I can't wait to ride this thing. I'm giddy already

[wolfmansbro]

What kind of rain gear do people typically bring? I'm accustomed to desert weather, so I can understand a few storms rolling in here and there. But last weekend over the Stagecoach it rained heavily for maybe 5 hours straight, so I got me thinking a bit more about spring outwear selections. Obviously we're too far out for predictions, just curious what others brought/used/didn't use in years past.

[AZTtripper]

Rod I am on the West side of Tucson there's trails close to home let me know when you get here and we can try to meet up.

Tim

[Gimmearaise]

What kind of rain gear do people typically bring? I'm accustomed to desert weather, so I can understand a few storms rolling in here and there. But last weekend over the Stagecoach it rained heavily for maybe 5 hours straight, so I got me thinking a bit more about spring outwear selections. Obviously we're too far out for predictions, just curious what others brought/used/didn't use in years past.

Hey Jason, I was thinking about this. I'll likely look at the forecast a week out and decide on gear. Typically I will bring a 3/4 rain paints that I cut. That way I can pull them over my shoes without taking them off, they also allow the legs to breath which is nice. I'll also carry a really lightweight rain jacket. In past years for the 300, I never carried rain gear, mainly because the weather was so nice. Just a down jacket.

[billster6]

I was down in Tucson this past weekend taking part in Scott's awesome Camp Tucson rides. Rode a couple sections of AZT, Redington/Jeep rd extravaganza/AZT to just before Molino HAB. I thought the trail was in great shape, didn't notice the scratchy bits, but perhaps I'm getting so used to it around here!! There were a few flowing water crossings, but I can't speak to their 'normal' flow this time of year.

The other section was down by Box Canyon rd., just north of Kentucky Camp heading northboung to the powerlines between the Old Sonoita Hwy & I-10. Again, trail is in great shape, even the Las Colinas section wasn't too bad, only the typical HAB bits.

I drove past the Safeway on Broadway rd on Friday, the store looked almost ready to re-open, power was on, etc. Only a dumpster sitting out front. Can one of the locals confirm when it re-opens??

I will keep an eye on the Safeway and post when it opens