AZTR 2013 Planning

[tanman1337]

Hey Scott,

Now that the AZT is officially complete, do you think the 750's track will change much next year? Also one more quick question for anyone, how well does eVent fabric really dissapate vapor? I'm looking to try an eVent bivy from Mount Laurel Designs and just wanted to see how well it really works before I shell out the money for a $350 bivy. Thanks

[tanman1337]

I was up at the Grand Canyon last week and I was wondering, do the 750 riders need to pay an entrance fee at the main gate to enter the park? Also I heard that the North rim is closed during April, does this create any unique issues for the racers?

[AZTtripper]

Pretty sure even the camping is free for AZT users. MadMax stayed at a walk or bike in campsite in the Mather CG. A campsite below the rim will cost you.

Yep the North Rim stores are still closed when the racers get there so no services until Jacob Lake.

There's free camping at the group site on the North Rim as well but racers beeline for JL.

On the earlier question for Scott. There is no new ST that I am aware of so the course should stay for a while now. 

[tanman1337]

Cool thanks Tim! I feel good that I know what to expect for the first 300, I just want to learn everything I can about the rest. It is pretty cool though because I was born and raised in Payson, so I feel like the second half of the race is going to be in very familiar territory minus north of the Grand Canyon. I was up at the Utah/AZ trailhead last weekend hiking the Wave near Paria and it was pretty amazing to see where the finish line was. I can't wait till next year. I think I'm going broke though preparing lol

[the tortoise]

Any dates for 2013?

[tanman1337]

Not yet I think we are still too far out lol. I am wayyyy too excited about April of next year

[ScottM]

Yep, what Tim said.  No changes to the route planned or that I know about.

The moon coincidence in 2013 is making the date choice a bit difficult.  I haven't been able to come up with a clear winner of a Friday in April yet...

[tanman1337]

Hopefully it's a friday without a snow storm. Lol

[AZTtripper]

Hopefully it's a friday without a snow storm. Lol

That's the next weekend. Lol!

I liked the later start next year closer to the full moon for the fast guys in the 300 and a better chance of snow free trail on the North Rim. 

[LyndaW]

Riding under the April 25th 2013 full moon gets my vote so that would be Fri 19th or Fri 26th for a start.

I do plan to be there :-)

[AZTtripper]

The trick will be convincing Scott to give the 750 priority in date planning. If the numbers are up in comparison to the 300 it starts to make sense.

[tanman1337]

I just hate the heat... Just please don't be hot... I almost passed out on my commute in Yuma today... ugh

[AZTtripper]

Yeah it seems like it's either blazing hot or snowing at Parker Lake.

The last couple of years crappy weather at the start has then turned to nice weather for the rest of April.

So if the date gets set later no doubt it will be hot as blazes just to mess with the trends.

[tanman1337]

I know we needed rain gear last year, but Arizona is (for the most part) a pretty dry place. Any recommendations as far as super light rain gear with breathability? I was looking into some eVent options, but I was wondering if anyone knows of some light weight breathable rain stuff that would work for the 750 that wouldn't completely break the bank?

[12wheels]

Golite's rain gear is light and on sale.   I've used the Kenai in short heavy rainstorms and it worked hell.
http://www.golite.com/mens/outerwear/waterproof-breathable

You can get an additional 20% discount if you submit a review of one of their current products.

[krefs]

My vote is for keeping the start date earlier in April...the 12th would be my preference. But that's purely for selfish scheduling reasons. The following weekend would put it too close to the Whiskey 50 (Apr 27-28)!

[tanman1337]

Very Very True! I really like earlier as well

[tanman1337]

Thanks Greg! That helps out a ton. I just placed my order!

[RossC]

Where do we look for the AZTR GPX file? Is it linked on the topofusion site somewhere?

[AZTtripper]

Here's the stuff from this spring http://www.topofusion.com/azt/race-route.php
It might be a little bit off near Flag I need to double check that section, other then that we don't know of any major new section.

Word from Matt Nelson is that there will be 3 large work events, most likely building short reroutes, on the Highline trail. That's such a fucked up piece of trail and Matt doesn't think it's going to get good anytime soon. Also it seems like the Sunflower Passage is doomed by yet another big fire. My dreams of an 800 mile course, including the extra ST, are pretty much shot.

I am starting to wonder if the AZT Bike Route and the AZTR as well might be better off taking in the Black Canyon Trail. Tanner would miss out on Payson but everyone would get Sedona.