AZT 750/300 2015 Planning

[mikedeber]

Penciling in a 300, hope to use pen around the new year when I can lock in my schedule a little better.

I'm psyched on the planning, training is gonna be weird because I'm typically off the bike and skiing all winter.  Great excuse to mix it up!

[Adam Alphabet]

Or you could read hundreds of pages of every years questions thread. For several years there was a water table, based on the official ATA hiker table, but modified to be based on the bike route. I never made it easy. You had to be willing to work with the track and a mapping program to figure some of it. For a couple of the harder or more key ones someone did post actual GPS coordinates. 

Addy, when I was all set for the 750 in 2013 (didn't happen at the last minute due to shop shenanigans, but I had all the research down), I had spent months perusing the previous years' race threads, blog reports, several different hiking water charts, and the ATA maps.  Of course I joined ATA, it made too much sense and the support is necessary for the trail's existence - but even beyond that the membership fee was worth it, as I got a whole bunch of info I wouldn't have had otherwise.

ATA, this here website, and Google Earth are your forever friends when it comes to the AZTR.

Perfect, thanks a tonne guys. I'm glad it still requires the necessary homework and prep to have a successful go at this. No freebies or easy rides, the way it should be imo. Compared to touring (which I've done a bunch of) bike pack racing (which I have done none of) is admirable as you truly have to have *everything* dialled in.

[aaron w]

I've done quite a bit of bikepacking but have always been intimidated by the 750.  I'm thinking pretty seriously about giving it a go this year.  In another thread the Long Ranger commented that the 750 is the final exam for bikepack racing.  That sounds about right to me!

I know that come April I'll be in good shape from doing a bunch of backcountry skiing over the winter...but I'm not sure how to be in good biking shape at the beginning of April.  I guess I'll just see what this winter brings.  I am starting to incorporate some walking/running into my weekly activities in preperation.  I'd rather be riding but I know if I don't get on it that the Grand Canyon hike could well cripple me! 

[ne14cycling]

I thought I'd get this minor separation outta the way in October…Great news as this has accelerated my conditioning for the HABs. :headband:

Anyone had a AC separation before?  Merely a "flesh [not really flesh…but minor enough] wound"?

Looks like I'll be ITTing the 750 with my buddy about 10 days prior to the official start date…..Would be nicer to be at the boarder with the rest of you all…but my US Marine mate of mine has family obligations the week of the official "race"….We'll wait for the "weakest link" at any given moment and keep each other company for as as long as it take to drag ourselves [independently] though the state.  Not the fastest approach to the AZT but finishing the AZT 750 is our singular goal.

Cliff
MARSOC Foundation
Trek San Diego

[mikepro]

For all the out of state people who don't live on or near the trail and have the privilege of pre riding, where are people getting most of their route planning information? Is the standard course of action to join the ATA at the Ocotillo level and work from there?

I toured the CT a couple years ago and it seemed much easier to find beta of all sorts; multiple guide books, maps, even watering hole locations and resupply strategies. The AZT has this elusive, southwest desert vibe that appeals to this wet weather Canadian coaster.

Thanks in advance all!

My 2cents for out-of-state, pre-riding-not-an-option: Yes, 1st join ATA.  Then, find the past 2 to 3 years' worth of AZT threads on this site and read them.  Read any blogs and trip reports.  Scanning via Google Earth/Maps did help, but also provided a few errors.  Mainly, just go and do it, and be flexible in your mind.  Like most touring rides or BP races I've done for the first time, the prep only covers about 1/3 to 1/2 of what I actually end up experiencing.  The best prep is to do it once.

[THE LONG RANGER]

I'm thinking about giving this another go, after having a horrible time in 2013. The reasoning is to keep my cycling fitness over the winter, once again face my fear of hot conditions and deserts head-on and hey: all that running I'm doing should help with the few HAB parts, right, right?

[THE LONG RANGER]

Anyone had a AC separation before?  Merely a "flesh [not really flesh…but minor enough] wound"?

I had a pretty minor one, but it took a while to get 100% It's something of constant annoyance, especially when trying to sleep on my side. Always felt funny afterwards to be doing bench presses, but that's really the only thing I shy away from doing these days. Dips are fine, all the rock climbing I do is fine. When I remember, I do my rotator cuff PT stuff. Nice bump on my shoulder.

I could see it being an annoyance when pushing a bike for the umpteenth hour, but it's gonna be a personal thing, fer sure. I did the Tour Divide a year after, and the CTR the year after that. Perhaps some interesting strategies to get some of the weight off your hands when pushing? A leash around your seatpost to bear some of the weight onto your hips?

[dirtvato]

 I have been obsessed with the 300 for several years now and 2015 looks like the year for me.  Very excited to be at Parker Lake in April.  A bit nervous about the Canelos on the first day as I think I should be.  I'm comfortable riding a loaded bike through technical terrain and HAB, but I'm pretty sure this is on a grander scale than I have seen.  Very much looking forward to the experience.  Thank you Scott for putting this thing together and supporting it thoroughly for years.

[krefs]

The Canelos, in and of themselves, are not that technical, and the climbs aren't particularly long (up Mt. Lemmon is loooong). It's just slow going with lots of short hiking sections. There are other parts of the 300 that I think are far more taxing, but the Canelos just catch people off-guard literally 100 feet into the race. Plan to take your time through the Canelos, pace yourself, don't get dehydrated, and know that the first 30 miles of the 300 are especially slow. Also know that the second half of the Canelos is notably less rugged than the first half. With just a little luck (mainly for your tires), you'll make it through just fine if you're not in any sort of a rush.

[dirtvato]

Thanks for the encouragement Kurt.  I appreciate your insight.  The Canelos it seems, at least last year, kicked a bunch of butt.  Heat, plus riders not anticipating the ruggedness and so much walking I guess did it.  Anticipated or not, seemed a pretty tough start.  Good to know that the second half is more rideable. 

[Buttermilk]

just curious if the ATA Databook is available in a spreadsheet format.

[dirtvato]

How is the road riding from Tucson to Parker Lake on AZ-83?  Thinking of riding out a day or two early from the airport to shake down the bike. Does anyone else do this? 

[ECEGatorTuro]

I'm throwing my hat into the ring for the 300 as well! Now all I have to do is endure Ray's nagging and harassment about my lack of riding these days (a newborn will do that to you) until April. Other than that, I'm very excited to finally give this race a try after thinking for years that all of you people are crazy for even attempting something like this. I blame Schilling naturally...

See you all out there!

[AZTtripper]

How is the road riding from Tucson to Parker Lake on AZ-83?  Thinking of riding out a day or two early from the airport to shake down the bike. Does anyone else do this? 

The roads are fine people do road bike rides out that way all of the time. Not sure that any has done this for the race, I tried to start my 06 tour that way but ended up having mechanical's in the Canelo's. I went via Parker Lake but you could go thru Sierra Vista then there's a bike shop.

[dgjessee]

I'm in for the 750 in 2015. Looking forward to it! 

[bobjenkins79]

I'm in for the 300 in 2015 as well. I saw the video and suddenly this ride is all I think about. A few of my friends here in Missouri are planning to come along, so we're hoping at least a few of us can finish.

[dream4est]

I am in too. 750. The dreamer in me also has some bizarre notion of a  outnback. ??
That guy needs his meds!

 

[B_Bock]

I am in too. 750. The dreamer in me also has some bizarre notion of a  outnback. ??
That guy needs his meds!

 

do it!

[ScottM]

Hiking the Canyon twice, nearly back-to-back... woah.  I suppose runners go for rim-to-rim-to-rim all the time -- why not bikepackers too?

Might be worth leaving the bike at the S. Rim and hiking out/back to the border.  

Definitely an idea worthy of meds.   

[dream4est]

I was kind of just playing on the yo-yo talk. That would be nutty in AZT. Even CTR would be mad tough. I think one would have to be really fast and lay off the gas a bit. I dont think a plodder like me could stay healthy for 20-22 days at least going long hours on the chunk. The bike would need love too on the return.

It looks like the 750 is going to be happening this year. Maybe some serious players show up? Aarons vid is quite impressive I am shocked its like being there.