2016 Arizona Trail Race AZTR planning thread

[schillingsworth]

Scott,
Any word on MTBCast for this year?

Aaron,
Thanks for the report & glad you enjoyed the option. How much of the route are you touring? I'm sure you've seen the weather reports for the next few days. Finally getting some rain this weekend, first storm since...late January?? At least in the PHX area. It'll be nice to pack down some dust. Anyway, if you're continuing on the route be warned about sticky mud on the Highline trail, Anderson Mesa and the jeep roads on the north side of Humphrey's Peak before dropping down to Babbitt Ranch. Nasty stuff.

I may head over to Jacob's Crosscut this weekend for some more trail work. I'll post up if I get out there.

[Gimmearaise]

Hey Friends, I'm looking for a ride from Sierra Vista to the border on Friday morning, anyone heading that way or know of options. Cheers, Neil

[mtbcast]

MTBCast is in! 888-866-4491 I can send out some stickers with the number as well.

[Gimmearaise]

Also, What is everyone doing as far as the Gold Canyon option? I kinda wish it was a yes or no, that being said I'm leaning towards the road. Thoughts?

[ScottM]

Scott,
Any word on MTBCast for this year?

Yep, please call in, especially 750ers.  I'll have stickers with the call-in number at Parker Lake, as usual.

[ScottM]

Also, What is everyone doing as far as the Gold Canyon option? I kinda wish it was a yes or no, that being said I'm leaning towards the road. Thoughts?

It's optional this year.  Too late to change that and make it required.  If you want to go fast, you know which option is going to be faster! 

That said, there could be a gentlewoman's / gentleman's agreement between racers to take it, since it's in play.

[Flagster]

It's optional this year.  Too late to change that and make it required.  If you want to go fast, you know which option is going to be faster! 

That said, there could be a gentlewoman's / gentleman's agreement between racers to take it, since it's in play.

As long as I can get the track onto my Garmin I'll be down for the extra...I'm not very fast anyway

Haven't looks at the map yet...does this completely bypass GC or AJ?  I will most likely need a supply stop and wondering if need to hit the Bashas first...

[wolfmansbro]

It's optional this year.  Too late to change that and make it required.  If you want to go fast, you know which option is going to be faster! 

That said, there could be a gentlewoman's / gentleman's agreement between racers to take it, since it's in play.

Would this gentleman agreement also be in effect for the trail from the North Rim to Jacob Lake, or is that a different animal all together?

[sosborne99]

Gimmearaise

I will get you to the border.  I live in Sierra Vista and have the day off.  I might have to drop you off and run to the other start, but otherwise no problem.

Steve

[geekonabike]

Also, What is everyone doing as far as the Gold Canyon option? I kinda wish it was a yes or no, that being said I'm leaning towards the road. Thoughts?

I'd like to know the resupply situation for both routes as that likely will decide for me at the "Fork in the Road". If the Bashas at Gold Canyon is on/close that will sell it for me.

[ScottM]

I'd like to know the resupply situation for both routes as that likely will decide for me at the "Fork in the Road". If the Bashas at Gold Canyon is on/close that will sell it for me.

Check the singletrack GPX -- Bashas is still on route, and in the middle of the two parts of the overall option.

Recall that Queen Valley is also on route before that, with a small store and restaurant.

Would this gentleman agreement also be in effect for the trail from the North Rim to Jacob Lake, or is that a different animal all together?

That is a little different.  It's easy to sit at the computer now and say one wants to ride it, and a completely different thing to want to ride it after emerging from the canyon!

Cjell Money didn't comment on snow levels, but I suspect unless more is falling now, it could be ~rideable / followable.  Huge style points to anyone that does ride it!

In case it isn't clear, there is only one paved road / highway on the north rim.  From the trailhead that you emerge from, the highway is legal all the way to Jacob Lake, then return to the AZT.  Cjell Money pointed out that it may not be obvious what the detour / road is, at that point.

I'll be out bikepacking this weekend, so please be forgive any tardiness in replies here or in email until ~Tuesday.

[schillingsworth]

Re: Resupply for the Gold Canyon / AJ option.

THERE IS NO CHANGE

Both the optional dirt road/singletrack route & the traditional US60 shoulder pass through the Basha's shopping center in Gold Canyon. If you're stopping there, you won't be looking for anything in Apache Junction anyway, it's only a few miles around the corner.

[ScottM]

Cjell Money also mentioned that he rode on some new switchbacks that were not a part of the track, but they were obvious (old trail closed and covered).  It was somewhere north of the Mogollon Rim, but he couldn't remember quite where.

As always, please follow any AZT signs and reroutes even if they don't follow the GPX track.  It's ALWAYS legal to follow AZT signs / cairns.

If someone in the 750 notices this area (or others), I'd love a GPX.  Thanks.

[taprider]

Resuming my AZTR300 sobo touring pace tomorrow
What is easiest bike route from Parker Lk to Sierra Vista?
I'm 99% sure i have a place to stay in SV, but may need to change plans when i get there

[taprider]

Wiley gets his road runner

[taprider]

Oracle Ridge awaits

[mikepro]

Also, What is everyone doing as far as the Gold Canyon option? I kinda wish it was a yes or no, that being said I'm leaning towards the road. Thoughts?

It's an emphatic YES, as far as I'm concerned.  I'm 100% taking Gold Cyn option.  The hwy shoulder is fast, but sux - the 2 times I've ridden the Hwy shoulder after riding along the powerlines after Queen Valley and surveying the topography and looking at Google maps later, I've always thought "there's got to be a way to cut through the 'countryside' rather than along the road.  How much asphalt are we bypassing with this new option, anyway, 10 to 12 miles?  Plus, the major resupply at Basha's with it's many food options is still in play?  And mythical bikepacking AZT style points awarded?  I'm all in.

Taprider: love the road runner pic!

[AZTtripper]

Rod, great pics the easiest way to SV is by not going to Parker Lake. If your already heading south bound on the course just head east from Sonoita on hwy 90. At the very least you'll likely want to skip the Canelo's (the first 30 miles of the 300) if your going for easy. Don't go to Patagonia from Sonoita you can easily ride the little used road to Parker. Then follow the 750 towards the border and come at SV from the south. All of that is going to be much longer then just taking hwy 90. Any dirt south of 90 but north of the border will put you on the army base from the wrong side, not good.

[krefs]

I've got a proposition that might help someone out with a shuttle of sorts for the 300 - if you drive your car to the start at Parker Canyon Lake, I will be at the start of the 300 and then could drive your car to the Picketpost Trailhead. My plan is to ride back to Parker Canyon Lake starting on Saturday. I may detour a bit on the way to Picketpost to drop water off at a cache or two if any seem like they're in need of stocking. Any takers?

[taprider]

Is  south Corando S Lake Rd to Montezuma trail not authorized?