AZT 750/300 2015 Planning

[AZTtripper]

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.   

Ride to the S rim, having shipped your "snow shoes" there already, do the out and back S Rim to the State Line - State Line to S Rim on foot, do the AZTR NB and the Flagstone SB. 

[markphx]

Also, many photos from the route, taken on my tour with Eszter last March

ScottM,

I'd like to give the 750 a try, but it looks like my only shot at it would require me to start two weeks earlier than the set start date of April 3. I know you managed to pull off a late March launch last year. The "winter" conditions we had in AZ this past season were mild to say the least. Obviously, the AZ winter conditions this season are yet to be determined. That being said, do you think another late March launch is doable in 2015? Or is it too early to tell?

[ScottM]

That's pretty early given that the race itself is quite early this year, too.  IIRC, we were riding more in April than March over the 15 days we were out.

But it's still possible.  If you're not worried about a 100% course completion, then worst case you might have to skip some places like the Aspen Corner descent, Mormon Mountain, a bit by Happy Jack and maybe even Oracle Ridge (oh no!).  But, as you said, it really depends on what the winter is like -- especially for a full completion.  Worth revisiting mid-Feb.

[markphx]

That's pretty early given that the race itself is quite early this year, too.  IIRC, we were riding more in April than March over the 15 days we were out.

But it's still possible.  If you're not worried about a 100% course completion, then worst case you might have to skip some places like the Aspen Corner descent, Mormon Mountain, a bit by Happy Jack and maybe even Oracle Ridge (oh no!).  But, as you said, it really depends on what the winter is like -- especially for a full completion.  Worth revisiting mid-Feb.

Thanks for the reply. I'm going to need some serious patience to get me to mid-Feb.

[AZTtripper]

Mark, just start planning on going when you can go, there's really nothing you can't work around. Even if you have to take the Jonesy detour of 2010. http://www.topofusion.com/azt/results.php

Seeing as your in Phx any parts of the trail you miss, you can always ride that section any other time. Except for Oracle Ridge I can never convince myself to do the whole ridge by itself. As part of 300 or more miles of suffering sure, just to take your bike for a day walk not so much.

[markphx]

Mark, just start planning on going when you can go, there's really nothing you can't work around. Even if you have to take the Jonesy detour of 2010. http://www.topofusion.com/azt/results.php

Thanks for the words of encouragement man. Surprisingly, I was able to make a few tweaks to my schedule next year and it looks like I've got a green light for the main AZTR 750 start on April 3, 2015. Hoping to complete the journey without incurring any serious bodily injuries. I've still yet to ride the AZT from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon, so I figured the AZTR 750 would be a good opportunity to go ahead and knock that out... . Only two more weeks left of the dreadful work/school combo and I'll be able to ramp up the training and start scheming up methods to portage my rig across the canyon.

[tanman1337]

I'm definitely in for the 750 this year! I was only a month out last year when I got my broke ass leg

oh by the way.........TRIPLE CROWN!

I'm going for it! I gotta find some time in there to get married though...seriously

[AZTtripper]

Alright, getting out of Yuma for the summer that's gotta be nice.

[tanman1337]

Really Nice!

[jryter]

Sorry if I missed it... but on Scott's "Ultra race calendar" the AZT is set at 4/11 and the website says April 3. The race is intriguing in a cholla in the face sort of way.... I have the week of March 23 off. Looks like enough time to do it theoretically-750?.... maybe warm enough in the north.... I also have time early May.... I would love to start with the group but.... Hmmmmm. Coming from snowy country May may be better for getting miles in...

Damn this addiction to riding bikes a long ways. Thought it was going away...
Jarral

[the tortoise]

Tanman,

Don't let marriage get in the way of having a good time!

[ECEGatorTuro]

Sorry if I missed it... but on Scott's "Ultra race calendar" the AZT is set at 4/11 and the website says April 3. The race is intriguing in a cholla in the face sort of way.... I have the week of March 23 off. Looks like enough time to do it theoretically-750?.... maybe warm enough in the north.... I also have time early May.... I would love to start with the group but.... Hmmmmm. Coming from snowy country May may be better for getting miles in...

Damn this addiction to riding bikes a long ways. Thought it was going away...
Jarral

May could potentially be dangerous for you in the lower half of the trail. The lower deserts (especially in the Gila Canyons) will likely be broiling by then and as you're coming from a northern state, you may not be acclimated to it. Personally I wouldn't ride passages 15-17 in May. It's very remote with very little water or shade. I know there are crazy people out there and I've done some stupid things in the summer before here in AZ but at least I'm used to the heat.

Late march may be a better bet but you're taking a gamble with the snow up north. Very likely you will encounter it unless it's a very dry year.

[jryter]

Yes I'll be very used to -20F not 120F! But I adapt pretty fast. It would be easier in March probably to pull off. I remember a few years ago people freezing above Tucson in snow! Heat and snow. You never know. As long as it is not too deep to ride in. Love it!
J

[AZTtripper]

jryter

I think its the 3rd this coming year, as to your other dates. In March you will almost certainly miss all of the ST on the North Rim, but you will likely have nice days if cold nights in the South. In May you will need to be carful of the heat and may need to adjust the course accordingly. You will almost certainly get to ride all of the ST on the North Rim. Not sure what would be better. The North Rim stuff is sweet, the Desert has its own vibe but there's maybe more HAB.

No time is perfect and only a couple of riders have been able to do everything, and really the only way to do it is to move a bit slow so that you can start with the group but finish late enough for the snow to melt. Mad props to the guys who pulled it off but that's just not going to work for everyone.

Hope that helps

Tim

[ScottM]

Sorry if I missed it... but on Scott's "Ultra race calendar" the AZT is set at 4/11 and the website says April 3. The race is intriguing in a cholla in the face sort of way.... I have the week of March 23 off. Looks like enough time to do it theoretically-750?.... maybe warm enough in the north.... I also have time early May.... I would love to start with the group but.... Hmmmmm. Coming from snowy country May may be better for getting miles in...

Damn this addiction to riding bikes a long ways. Thought it was going away...
Jarral

Glad to see you looking at AZT, Jarral.

You were looking at the 2014 racing calendar.  I've just created/updated the 2015 one.  So the 3rd is the correct date for this year.  It's early.

The "doable" spring window for the 750 is roughly mid-march to mid-may.  But as many have pointed out, there are no guarantees.  I'd just plan it and deal with conditions as they come.  Missing a few sections for snow isn't the end of things, though roasting down by the Gila could very well be the end!  

[trebor]

I'm considering a North to South 750 run. I might be weird though.

[ScottM]

I'm considering a North to South 750 run. I might be weird though.

The hike at the start is tough, but Brad Mattingly completed it last year -- first 750 reverse finish, though it had been toured backwards before.

[trebor]

I hiked the canyon after Coco this year. Really enjoyed it. However, I have nothing to base a theory of idea upon, never having participated in AZT. Again, weird.

[tanman1337]

I did Parker Canyon Lake up to Tucson in June before... you have to carry a ton of fluid... and stop riding from about 12 to 4

[AZTtripper]

I'm considering a North to South 750 run. I might be weird though.

The idea that N to S puts you HABing up Oracle ridge just to coast down the highway is weird. I guess it evens out in the end, you'll get the more fun DH side of Molino. With the moon full on at the Canyon at the start even the red rocks of the State line will be sweet all lit up.