AZTR 2013 Discussion Thread

[Quincer]

Hmmmmm.  Don't know about that one.  I do have a selection of nice beers to choose from.

[windowace]

Deep breath, shake it out. Go Sheila, go Sheila, Go.  You got it sister!

[Marshal]

Steve,

tell Sheila everyone's pulling for her.
  
I am sure she knows this already but you might mention that after the climbs right out of Flag the route is much easier/flatter (other than the big ditch) pretty much all the way to UT.  Overall the ST becomes mellow most places and is very rideable & even some almost like TD sections.  

Really she has about maybe 45-50 total miles of "hard" left (including the 21 in the canyon and 1/3 of it is down hill)

Biggest issue is probably heat--ride early/late--carry lots of water---and lay up in some shade as needed

rest up, eat up, ride smart, get next climbs out of the way with a cool/early start & get'er done!!!!

go Sheila

edit: just looked at Sheila's spot dots--she can re-join the trail where she left it and with rested legs knock out that final climb, trust me when you are tired it looks tougher than it really is --& the ST up to the top while a good climb is actually much smoother than the last rocky sections she just finished!!!

[sheilar]

I paddle on Tuesdays and it is the ONLY time I don't have my phone.  Get off the water to voice mail and texts telling me to tell SheilaT not to quit.  I'm all caught up now.  Have spoken to Sheila and like Steve said - classic bonk.  She was actually too tired to eat when she got into Flagstaff at 3am.  She slept just 4 hours, restocked on supplies but still did not eat much.  Yes, she knows better but we all know what that fatigue can do to your decision making.  Greatful she came back for a fueled start tomorrow. 
Quit.  As if!

[HeiJinx]

Thanks for the shout-out, Forest. We love you too, big guy.
We've been hypnotized by the dwindling dots for the past week and are super impressed you made it into the very exclusive club of finishers! To my way of thinking, in this race finishers = winners. As far as that goes, anybody who has the chutzpah to plow through a big chunk of it are winners too. Hell of an event.

How did your pack-a-bike work out?

Glad to see Sheila is still bulldozin the miles! We were worried when the trail looped back to Flag, but it sounds like she just needs a recharge. GO SHEILA, GO!

When Cjell went quiet, we thought he might be doing a Ghost Ship cruise behind Max, and were disapointed to hear about his problems, he was smokin up to that point! See ya next year Cjell?!

Glad to hear Josiah made it off of Lemmon. I offered him a ride to Oracle while he was flat on his back in the mens bathroom with severe intestinal issues. Sounds like several riders had the same problem, including Scott.

My hats off to all you lunatics! If I was less sane, I'd be jealous!

[AZTtripper]

Steve,

tell Sheila everyone's pulling for her.

 

Very impressive to be out so long and still pushing it. Talking with Kurt (last fall) and Scott (recently) as well as Max just the other day, all agreed that at some point being a slower finisher must be way harder then a fast guy in cruiser mode.

Looking at Max's video today, he was riding some real chunk in the Highline, as well as walking so much he changed out of riding shoe's.

I liked Jill's comments last year "everyone needs to do Highline, not just because she did, to see how bad things can get so that you can truly appreciate the good stuff".

The AZT universe is pulling for you, go Sheila.  

[AZTtripper]

I always enjoy following Mark. The man has grit.

No doubt a 3 time finisher, with zero Ibuprofen on this one. That Geronimo! Pain Cream is quite the stuff!

Looks like a second trip to the State Line for me, this time I get to ride the bottom piece of the Kaibab from Jacob Lake down.

[groundedkiwi]

Oh GAWD......I just checked Shelias tracker and had to come right here to see what was going on!!!

Good for her, that's one smart cookie to realize that she was in a predicament and make the right decision to return to Flagstaff.
And that's one TOUGH cookie to have the gumption to say that she'll refuel and push on!

Yay!   Go Shelia, lots of good thoughts, tailwinds and smooth trails going your way!   I know you can do it!!  Hang in there and soldier on!  We are all pulling for you!!!

[schillingsworth]

Go Sheila GO!!!

[mtbcast]

Mark Caminiti called in from Tusayan. Very windy or perhaps he’s riding. He’s about to hit the canyon!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/azt13/

[mtbcast]

Sheila T called in from Flagstaff. She explains her downtime.
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/azt13/

[sheilar]

Txt from Sheila - 7 miles out of town and feeling good.  Even got a WooHoo
Go SheilaT!
s

[krefs]

That took some impressively serious motivation to head north out of Flagstaff a second time. Go Sheila!

[Foster]

Hey everyone,

I am getting back to my old self with lots of sleep, food and epsom salt baths for my poor calf muscles.  I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the kind messages I got after finishing the race, it makes all the pain and suffering out there worth it!  The feeling of accomplishment is unlike anything I've ever experienced.  And congrats to everyone that finished the ride or even attempted the race, you all did great no matter what because its a damn hard race, and that is a major understatement!  I'm also extremely impressed by Mark's and Sheila's tenacity to keep on going, you're almost there!  Anyways, for those that I met on the trail it was a pleasure and I look forward to seeing you all again soon.  Once I get some more much needed rest I'll post up a little trip report with some pictures.

-Eric

[spoke537]

That took some impressively serious motivation to head north out of Flagstaff a second time. Go Sheila!

I agree 100%..Wow, Sheila. I am so stoked to see her pushing on! Be strong. The canyon doesn't suck until just after Cottonwood.

-Jill

[the tortoise]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, not racing mode (aka touring mode). Last two days at the Grand Canyon and it has been grand. Riding the paved rim road and taking in the fantastic views. Ever since I scratched in Superior life has gotten better by the day.

Sheila is one tough cookie! No way was I man enough to continue on. I hope to try to bump into her tomorrow as she approaches the Grand Canyon. I will dangle water, ice cream, cokes and cookies in front of her. But can't she accept something from a fellow racer?? Even a disbarred one? Ha ha!

[Quincer]

Rich-  It's trail magic!  She would love to see you.  She'll get a mental and physical hug that will last her to the north rim.  Go for it!

[mb]

Smart move. Go Sheila GO!! 

[Bernd10]

Hi, all of you aztr riders and especially Sheila. Congrats to your individual performances!. I've been watching the dots move about places may not have the chance to ride myself as I'm from Austria. But enjoying your efforts is also a source of inspiration for my own bikepacking endeavours. Keep the spirit and way to go. Cheers to you all

[ne14cycling]

Sheila,

It's unreal to me that following my DNF from the AZT 750 I've been back home and now here at my work desk AND YOU ARE ABOUT TO FINISH THAT BEAST!

Brava!

I remember seeing you just after Parker Lake [I had missed the start time with two of my friends] - we asked if you were o.k., got your name and continued on singing that old 80s tune "Oh Sheila!".......and you roll on!

Huge props to you!