AZT 750/300 2015 Planning

[SlowRide]

Obviously it never really caught on, maybe someone needs revive it. SlowRide?

Still giving it very serious consideration and have been thinking about different ways to set it up... will keep you posted.

[dgjessee]

I may have to start 3-7 days before or after the group start. I'm sure it depends on the snowpack every year, but does anyone have any thoughts on whether they would choose just before or just after the group start to give it a go?

[AZTtripper]

SlowRide looking forward to the results of your investigation.

As to start times it's the earliest group start ever, that said I started both tours in mid March and had 90 degree's in the Canelo's both times. Snow pack will be what it will, we could use a wet winter here, and a few days either way likely won't change your ride much. You could wait and start in late April risk some heat and get a better shot at the northern end.

[Jeff Tomassetti]

Location: Fernandina Beach, Florida
Posts: 132


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bugs?
« on: December 10, 2014, 07:19:03 PM »
   
I am not a bivy guy. I usually use a small tent with bug netting. I am considering a freestanding tarp/tent instead. How are the bugs on route in April? Can I just use a tarp if the weather is wet? Thanks! Jeff

[ScottM]

There's some good discussion on tents, bugs, cowboy camping, etc over in this thread:

http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php?topic=11001.0

My take: no need for a tent for bugs.

[trebor]

Jeff - I plan to carry pad, quilt and bivy. Only to use bivy for rain or if a few degrees extra warmth are required. Leaving the tarp tent at home. Your Zpacks is so fast to set up and so light, why not carry it if you don't like bivies? Sleep out until the weather dictates otherwise?

A stand alone tarp-tent isn't going to touch the Hexamid with exception of extreme terrain - but, in my mind, there are so many rocks out there with which to anchor, even if you can't stake it out, you can still pitch that thing.

[fastmtnbiker33w]

I just cruised through these pages and haven't seen anything on a shuttle for the 300. Shall we just start it here and force everyone to keep tabs and read through lots of stuff that may be irrelevant?  Or will someone give me a thumbs up to start a separate thread for a 300 shuttle? 

[chongoman]

I'm hoping to give the 300 route another go. As long as my joints are feeling good, and the temps are not too hot I'll be there.

[davew]

Yah, not to say that this is a definite idea...but me being a long time military guy, I'm thinking of making my backpack for the 750 an old A.L.I.C.E. rucksack. I am going to have Larue Tactical comfy kidney pad and shoulder straps, but a medium size bag. The aluminum frame will allow me to secure the bike on very easy and I have had more than enough practice carrying heavy things like that...the only thing I'm struggling with is if I want to ride the other 730 miles of the race with a damn rucksack...

I found this suspender carry strap in a local army disposal store. It cost $10, strong, well made, wide straps and very comfortable when loaded with the bike. It might be a viable option rather than carrying the whole ALICE pack frame.

[cridedgo]

Few quick questions for the vets
Is a GPS unit needed for the 300, how hard is it to follow course without it. No desire to buy a GPS or use one.
Any information on the shuttle would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
C

[ECEGatorTuro]

Few quick questions for the vets
Is a GPS unit needed for the 300, how hard is it to follow course without it. No desire to buy a GPS or use one.
Any information on the shuttle would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
C

Not a vet of the AZTR but I'm pretty sure you're going to want a GPS. Try to see if you could borrow one and learn to use it BEFORE you line up for the race. The AZT is usually marked fairly well in most places but there are some segments where there can be confusing. I'm sure paper maps and cue sheets would work but most keep them as backups. Unless you've pre-ridden all of the segments, I highly recommend using a GPS.

[bncrshr77]

Of course you could do it with a map, cue sheets and a compass but it's always a good idea to have a reliable backup just in case!  Crazy things happen when you're smoked in the middle of the night!

[rick miller]

Any information on the shuttle would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
C

These guys did a good job last year, Picket Post to Parker Canyon Lake, at a reasonable price: http://www.sonoranmtb.com/

[ScottM]

Is a GPS unit needed for the 300, how hard is it to follow course without it. No desire to buy a GPS or use one.

Definitely not recommended without a GPS, but it has been done... mostly by following others that do have GPS.

[windowace]

I can hardly imagine doing it without gps if you will (want or need) to ride any at night. I suppose if you had great cues, really watched your odometer, and don't mind riding bonus miles you would get to the end sooner or more likely - later.

[bobjenkins79]

I Just joined the ATA and it's unbelievable how many gps routes are posted there. Wow.

I'm having trouble finding a dedicated AZT300 route though; anybody got a link or something?

[bncrshr77]

http://topofusion.com/azt/race.php

[bobjenkins79]

Jeez.... I feel like a moron. (Thanks for the link.)

[tuhduhvuh]

This is not a sure thing at all,  but I am considering the AZTR 750 this year.   Would be coming from Canada, driving to the finish, and getting myself somehow to the start.   I'll be doing lots of reading to try to get up to speed.  Not sure how I will cope with the weather in Arizona,  where I live here we'll have lots of COLD and certainly even by March the weather won't be over zero much.  Maybe it's a stupid idea...

Anyway,  someone mentioned creating a "shuttle thread"  and I would be interested in that for some transportation options.

[Yogi the Barry]

Re: Canelos and tires
I remember feeling all smug, knowing how 'soft' I always ride my bike to be nice to my tires, unlike the other heathens who were going to risk cutting their tires going thru the Canelos at a frantic pace. I was riding conservatively and paying close attention to my line thru the gazillions of knife-sharp shards. Then I heard what I thought was a pair of bird wings beating the air, just like I heard ravens that predawn morning laying in the tent... and then feeling the cool 'n' soft Stan's spritzer against my right calf... and then uttering audible expletives as my cut rear tire bled out... only six miles into the 300. Might have been bad luck, but a Racing Ralph [even my Snake Skin version] is no longer on my tire list. Cyano/Super Glue saved the day, but the tire never totally sealed the entire 300 and seemed to especially leak air if pumped over 20 psi. A second cut [both were thru the tread, not the sidewall], happened the third day.
Secret weapon replacement for the rear - 2.4 Ardent Exo. Its a super high volume tire and I can regularly run 20-22 psi on a 29er hardtail with my 168 pounds.

The Canelos, in and of themselves, are not that technical ... but the Canelos just catch people off-guard literally 100 feet into the race....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.