2016 Arizona Trail Race AZTR planning thread

[aarond]

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[aarond]

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[Haas]

I am planning to ride the 300. See you on start day!

[Flagster]

ready to get it on...planning a little jaunt into the big ditch for one last hike next weekend if anyone is interested before the main event...

[Sean Allan]

Ah, OK.  That was likely several iterations old.  John might be able to comment on that.

I rode it three weeks ago and I'm scarred... and that was in the downhill direction. Remember Johns MTBR signature please

[woodsy]

Heading out to the 300 start tomorrow morning, no tracker unfortunately, but maybe will see some folks out there! Planning for the 300, and a chill ride back to Flagstaff, if all goes well.

[iambarnard]

Hey all,

Tracking sign up is available!

http://trackleaders.com/aztr-signup

All the details needed should be on that link, but hit me with email if you have any questions.

Thanks!

I signed for the 750! Feeling antsy, good luck to everyone out there!

[jasonshearer]

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.

Light waterproof pants (montbell versalight) and a light rainjacket (gore something or other) worked well for me at Stagecoach in the rain this year.  Also kept me plenty warm at elevation.  Pants were big enough at the legs to easily pull over my shoes and I could either leave them long to the ankles for warmth or roll them up to the knees as knickers.

Jason

[taprider]

Rod, I thought the coyote rode an Acme Cycle.

I do have the Acme Belly Tank/JATO unit attached

[taprider]

However, we do have a new singletrack option in east Phoenix/Apache Junction.  I have been wanting to add singletrack to the route there for years now, and the good John Schilling has come up with a viable route.  Try as I might, I haven't been able to get up there to ride it and 'vet' the track..... so I thought, why not let the riders do it?

It will be 100% optional this year.  I will be looking for feedback from a few regular AZT nuts who I am sure will not be able to resist riding it, even if the temps are reaching for 100 degrees in Phoenix.  Good chance it'll be canonized for 2017.

I can give it a try a week today.  What are the coordinates? my GPS is already full to the limit with the regular AZTR tracks, but I can add way point flags before I leave home

[Flagster]

can you drive backward from PCL to the 750 start or do you need to go through SVista?  Trying to decide on where to spend the few nights before the start

[AZTtripper]

Flagster yes the scenic route thru PCL and along the border road would make a great way to spend a few nights getting to the start. Certainly not the quickest way there but scenic.

[schillingsworth]

Here's the deal on the optional 750 singletrack route.

The optional section begins shortly after the Queen Valley resupply on a series of dirt roads that are pretty darn good. Right near the end, let's say the final 0.5 miles or so things get a bit steep & loose. Stronger riders will probably be able to clean the two short climbs. I'll be walking. Maybe a 5 minute HAB.

The next section goes through the Gold Canyon trail system on singletrack. Keep an eye on the track as there are a few other trail options along the way. These trails are 99.9% rideable with the rare tech move that may get you off the bike. Super fun trails that should put a smile on your tired face. This will dump out onto paved neighborhood roads that connect over to the Basha's shopping center in Gold Canyon for the normal resupply from years past.

Next up is about a mile or so of dirt 2-track that parallels closely with US60 around the south side of Silly Mtn. It will then dump onto a few miles of pavement eventually turning back east on Broadway rd. to the West Lost Goldmine trailhead. (Not much of a trailhead, but there's parking for about 6 vehicles next to some homes. Enter the trail through the opening in the fence.

**Here's the disclaimer** Please understand this before venturing further on the optional route ** There WILL BE HIKE-A-BIKE. If you're not feeling it, stay on the traditional route before turning onto Broadway road. The West Lost Goldmine trail is fine, there has been some really nice work done recently to get the trail out of a nasty rock strewn flood channel. This section is 0.6 miles long and connects with the Jacob Crosscut trail (JCT). Here's where things get rowdy. I've spent numerous hours out here over the past few months trying to make this section as rideable as possible. It's better, but that's not really saying a whole lot. Think rock surfing on a stream of loose babyheads. It's slightly uphill and 0.9 miles long. Expect to HAB. There's a wooden sign post at the end of the 0.9 miles and the trail turns almost 90* to the left marking the end of the worst part. The entire JCT is 5 miles long including the crappy rock surfing section.

The next section is a technical riders paradise of sorts. Definitely more rideable than the rock surfing section, but there will be plenty of opportunities to dismount, especially if your head isn't in the game. The trail slowly gets less and less technical as you wrap around the Superstition Mtns. and begin to head north. The JCT is very technical for about 2 miles before getting really fast and fun.

So, why do this trail? Because it's the closest legal mountain biking trail to the Superstition Wilderness and it's not road. The trail ends at First Water rd just north of the Lost Dutchman SP and picks up AZ88 on the traditional route leading towards Canyon Lake. The trail is slated for some official work from what I gather, but no timetable as to when that's going to happen.

I'm going to make every effort I can to get out there a couple more times to move a few more rocks. I really hope a few riders give it a crack. I will definitely be taking the full option. It shouldn't jar your teeth loose in the uphill direction!!

Scott - I didn't see the .gpx file for the optional 750 route posted.

[dream4est]

Jacobs Crosscut will take your soul in the middle of the day

Well I am on the fence and thinking no for the 750 and maybe for the 300. Four years in a row has me wondering whether this year is maybe a no go for me. I am not all that motivated to suffer. I need to take a break as my body is finally healthy. The 750 will hurt no matter how chill the attempt is. The 300 is just as mean but shorter.

[schillingsworth]

Jacobs Crosscut will take your soul in the middle of the day

Well I am on the fence and thinking no for the 750 and maybe for the 300. Four years in a row has me wondering whether this year is maybe a no go for me. I am not all that motivated to suffer. I need to take a break as my body is finally healthy. The 750 will hurt no matter how chill the attempt is. The 300 is just as mean but shorter.

Hey Mark,
I know for a fact that the Jacob Crosscut had substantial work done to it 'after' you rode it a few years ago.

While I'd love to ride with you for a bit this year, I totally understand the need for a break. That's a heck of a run you've been on.

[HomeGrownMTB]

For those that were wondering the Safeway on Broadway is opening back up today. Its right by our house and we saw the sign saying it would be opening. Knew a few of you were wondering.

We also only have 4 spots left on the shuttles for those still needing one. Option 1- We can pick you up at the Picket Post Trail head(Superior)Thursday. Option 2- Pick you up in Tucson Thursday. Both options get you dropped off Thursday night at one of the two starting locations. Price is $90 for option 1 and $45 for option 2. Spread the word and leave the driving to us!! Happy to answer any other questions offline if needed. 52zero 23svn zero one two niner Cheers!

[taprider]

from google earth figures out Jacob's Crosscut Trail and trail south of Silly Mtn, not sure about if pavement of trail in between
and what happens before Basha's (north bound or after south bound), looks like the Powerline Trail, but there is golf courses and what looks like a fence at some road crossings
getting excited, packing tonight and I start in Phoenix on Saturday

[schillingsworth]

from google earth figures out Jacob's Crosscut Trail and trail south of Silly Mtn, not sure about if pavement of trail in between
and what happens before Basha's (north bound or after south bound), looks like the Powerline Trail, but there is golf courses and what looks like a fence at some road crossings
getting excited, packing tonight and I start in Phoenix on Saturday

Yes, there's pavement between exiting Jacob's Crosscut & the Silly Mtn frontage road. After Basha's (this is going opposite the 750 route, since that's what you're doing this week) It's more pavement through the Gold Canyon neighborhood, there's a nice dirt sidewalk on Superstition Mountain Dr & Don Donnelly, but it ends and spits you back onto the road. Don Donnelly turns into Golden Rim, the a right on Kings Ranch Rd for a few hundred feet, then back to dirt as you enter the Gold Canyon trails. There shouldn't be any gates between Jacob's Crosscut & the Gold Canyon trails, golf course isn't part of the route.

Since you'll be going eastbound through there, may I suggest a different route through the Gold Canyon trails? Check out the trailforks app if you don't have it. Here's a map to the Gold Canyon trails for reference: http://www.trailforks.com/region/gold-canyon/
The only reason I suggest this is because a few of the Gold Canyon trails are best ridden in certain directions. The 750 route is optimized for this. So, with that in mind here's what I propose heading east, entering at the 'P' marked Apacheland on the linked map:

Gold Canyon DT - Holy Flats - Holy Hill - (right, then immediate left) Old Horse Trail - K-Trail - Mohave - Diamondback - (These few trails are super short & make a small loop, but very cool. Brings you almost back to the exact spot at the end of Diamondback) Saguaro Squeeze - Lost Goldmine - K-trail - Jodi's Dream - K-Trail - (when this hits Gold Canyon DT, go left) - Outer Limits. By this point you'll be back on the AZTR750 route and can resume heading towards Queen Valley.

Let me know if that doesn't make sense after following it on the map. Have fun out there!!