AZT 750/300 2015 Planning

[xcracer]

I've been toying with the idea of doing and ITT in November leading into Thanksgiving.  It looks like the temperatures will be ideal from the past few years, from what I've heard there wont be snow yet so the whole 750 will be clear, and whats better than ending with a Thanksgiving feast?  Any locals down there have any input on this idea? Also thinking about doing this Southbound but not set on that part of it.

Im thinking about trying a october, or even like you mention a november ITT. The only thing you gotta consider is, its gonna be very nice temps in the low country, but up on lemmon could be well below comfortable temps. Thats why I'm looking at october.

[AZTtripper]

There have been several fall ITT attempts in recent years, that I know of, I don't know of any finishers. That might tell you something, reports of overgrown, blown out, hard to follow trail are common. People ride the Canelo's in the summer and the grass is tall and lush, by fall it's so thick you can't see the trail, by spring the grasses break down somewhat and the trail is much easier to follow. At least that's my theory on everyone struggling down there. In the fall of 13 during my Flagsone attempt I rode every thing from Freeman to Oracle, it was obvious no one had been on the trail all summer. Huge patches of cholla balls had to be cleared, a real time sucker that's not there in the spring after a winter of users.

Perhaps some one with the right attitude, not as concerned about time, could pull it off. I would say October as well as nights get colder and the chance of rain turning the high country mud to gumbo goes up. Several years the Coco 250 has had issues with muck and that's usually the second weekend in Oct. If I attempt the Flagstone again it will be in the first week of Oct.

[guntherds]

I've started an Exposure report about my AZT 2 weeks ago:

Day 1: https://guntherds.exposure.co/day-1-azt750
Day 2: https://guntherds.exposure.co/day-2-azt750
Day 3: https://guntherds.exposure.co/day-3-azt750

Table of contents: https://guntherds.exposure.co/the-arizona-trail-race-750-miles
My setup: https://guntherds.exposure.co/the-setup-for-azt750

Enjoy!  More stories to come in the next days .

Regards
Gunther

[guntherds]

Day 4: https://guntherds.exposure.co/day-4-azt750
Day 5: https://guntherds.exposure.co/day-5-azt-750
Day 6: https://guntherds.exposure.co/day-6-azt750

[taprider]

just moving this thread up from the back pages for my own convenience
so if there are no more comments/replies/trolls, this thread should quickly move down to the middle of the first page

[AZTtripper]

Good for you read the older thread first ask questions second

[Philderness]

Has anyone ever attempted a December 300/750 ride? I am really interested in a bike packing trip but fear the higher elevations will be impassable.

I'd love any suggestions someone might have if the AZT is a bad idea that time of year.

[AZTtripper]

The Lemmon Summit usually has snow by xmas, Oracle Ridge could be dangerous. You could always use the control road. After the 300 you could get mired in snow/mud or things might play out stellar. You'll have short days and cold nights that's for sure.