AZTR 2013 Planning

[tanman1337]

I've pretty much got all my gear sorted for the 750 this year, but I'm still trying to come up with an amazing way to carry the bike. I think I'm going to go with an A.L.I.C.E. ruck sack that I would normally carry heavy loads with in the military. I am thinking of making some sort of hanger system on it that would attach to the frame and I could hang both wheels from. This is definitely the hardest part of the 750 planning process to me because it is so unique. Plus, all I have heard is horror stories of having to hike a crappy rigged bike across the Grand Canyon and it almost causing permanent damage to multiple people. So my question is does anyone either have some good ideas....or....does anyone have a  link to a thread that already discusses bike rigging ideas for the big hike?

[dream4est]

Tanner I am leaning towards the portage system for Ditch bike haul, as first seen by AZTTripper. He had the wheels on backpack and bike carried by strap on shoulder. You use arm to "help" the  bike load a bit. I had to resort to something like that for the last part in this years race. I was thinking of using an old innertube as a strap and a 1/8" superlight sleeping pad as padding under the backpack shoulder strap and carrying bike strap on top of that. Switching shoulders as needed.

I think for lighter people this would be nice as all weight is not draped off backpack. For that style I think real hiking poles are a must. I tried cheesy 2oz tent/tarp poles rigged to hike with once and that didnt cut it. Oh and one year I tested kit and had success overall. The next time I winged it and it sucked. Test. Test. Test some more.

[tanman1337]

That's not a bad idea at all! I have never thought of slinging the bike like a tote bag. It definitely sounds like a less bulky option rather than having the entire bike on the backpack. Thanks Mark! Any other ideas/pictures?

[dream4est]

That's not a bad idea at all! I have never thought of slinging the bike like a tote bag. It definitely sounds like a less bulky option rather than having the entire bike on the backpack. Thanks Mark! Any other ideas/pictures?

There is a picture on that thread by Tim about his adventures on the AZT.

http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,611.0.html

 It looks to me that if the setup is dialed one could walk faster by making it way easier to control the bike/wheels from movement or hitting yourself or just sitting at odd angles making load hard to handle etc.

I am going to get a setup figured out soon and practice it myself to see if I can walk easier and not so clumsy like I was in the canyon at times.

[AZTtripper]

That's not a bad idea at all! I have never thought of slinging the bike like a tote bag. It definitely sounds like a less bulky option rather than having the entire bike on the backpack. Thanks Mark! Any other ideas/pictures?

The only other idea I have had was to create a way to strap the wheels to hiking poles. Then I would put the frame on the pack. Part of the ruling is that no wheels can touch the ground. So my thinking was they would be on the poles not touching. But the more I thought about it the more I think of it as cheating. Its part of the spirit of the self support rules to do what you feel follows the spirit of self support. When I keep trying to come up with some way that my worn out knees can handle it, I keep thinking if you can't pull it off like you did in 06 then it's not going to happen.

At some point I really did want to add an AZTR to my AZT list. I would rather not do it at all then keep trying to find ways to make canyon easier.

I think the tote bag with the frame is fine but after that all of the load needs to stay on you. If that means slowing down like I did in 06 that seems better then short cuts.

Its a tough call on the one hand it's supposed to be about testing yourself both physically and mentally. Where does figuring out the best way to make the crossing easier fit into the Spirit of the event.

Tim

[tanman1337]

Nice, it looks pretty simple. And in my book simple is good. This is one of the biggest things I need to figure out... How have some of the other 750 finishers rigged up the bike for the hike?

[Gimmearaise]

wow, the full 750 involves carrying your bike? Can't your ride around the Canyon??? or is that completely out of the question?

On another note;I might be making my way out to Arizona sooner then later! any good maps out there or website suggestions you might have of at least the azt 300! thanks again!

NEIL

[AZTtripper]

wow, the full 750 involves carrying your bike? Can't your ride around the Canyon??? or is that completely out of the question?

On another note;I might be making my way out to Arizona sooner then later! any good maps out there or website suggestions you might have of at least the azt 300! thanks again!

NEIL

It's 215 sometime dangerous paved miles around, and the canyon hike is way better.

Check out http://aztrail.org/ for general info.
And http://www.topofusion.com/azt/race.php for the most recent race tracks.

[Gimmearaise]

wow! so did Kurt Run that section last year ?

[Foster]

Hoping to ride the 750 this year if my last semester (1 class) permits me to take some time off.  Got my pack system all dialed in for the canyon.  I'll post some pictures of it a little later.  But I am using an external frame pack (more rigid than the internal one and allows of easier bike attachment).  Went hiking with the system for 8 miles and it was never uncomfortable.  I used a couple pack straps and small bungee cords to attach the frame and wheels.  Nothing loosed during the hike although I made a couple adjustments with load distribution on the pack.   With gear, food and water it all weighed about 46 pounds.  For me backpacking with a 46 pound load isn't much at all, might be a little more than that cause I think I will be bringing about 4 extra pounds of food for the  south rim to jacob lake stretch.

[tanman1337]

I'm using an external frame as well. I'm going to use an old military A.L.I.C.E. ruck with metal hose clamps for attachment that I picked up at Home Depot. I think it is going to work well for the hike. I just need to make sure it is still fine to ride the rest of the race from North Rim to the TH finish.

[tanman1337]

One question that might sounds a little dumb... I never....never....never see mud down here in Yuma. Are there any tricks/tips/techniques to getting mud off my tires during the AZTR? Is waiting for the mud to dry a bit really the best option or does anyone know anything that I don't. I know that last year that DEATH MUD that was between Kentucky Camp and I-10 was absolutely ridiculous... and with a loaded bike carrying was not an option with all the mud. Rolling with the 29'er Rampages was awesome, but the distance between the tires and the frame left zero room for mud to pass through. Just seeing if anyone has any good ideas.

[Foster]

You could wait it out and let it dry but for Northern Arizona that doesn't happen till at least the end of April and sometimes all the way through May.

But...One thing I was working on...

For a school inorganic chemistry lab project I took a hydrophobic silica powder using Aerosil 200 and CRTV 944 compound.  I have tried to combine it with a number of things to make it a liquid that adheres to the outside of a tire.  But, I haven't had any luck yet, the compound when driven through water and mud quickly deteriorates from the tire and becomes useless.  Some companies have done this by incorporating this compound directly into the tire rubber, but I have yet to see someone come out with a coating for tires and other rubber products.  If you have ever used a rubber product with this compound you would know how amazing this stuff is, nothing sticks to it.  Fun school project, but bummed I never got it to do what I wanted and we also ran out of resources and time.

If I ever figure it out I will let you know!

[tanman1337]

Haha sounds good man. I have thought of carrying a small amount of nonstick cooking spray.... Haha but then again you get into the all important weight issue as always

[Foster]

How about spraying tent water repellant on your tires?  Wonder if that would make any difference.

[the tortoise]

Eric,

So if nothing sticks to your tires will your tires stick to anything?? Ha ha! I guess I need to invest in some Pam spray. Looking forward to seeing your Big Ditch pack system.

[Foster]

Eric,

So if nothing sticks to your tires will your tires stick to anything?? Ha ha! I guess I need to invest in some Pam spray. Looking forward to seeing your Big Ditch pack system.

My tires stick to the ground but the ground doesn't stick to them.

[AZTtripper]

Tanner

For the K Camp mud section my friend Aleck said he picked his bike up right away and carried thru no problem. If you wait for the extra 20 lbs of mud to get on the bike it's too late. Your feet will still weigh 10 lbs each but there's no getting around that. I guess the point is it's not that long.

Once you get up north your going to detour until you hit dry ground. The last few years that's been just in time for Anderson Mesa. Once you gain the rim most of Blue Ridge is sandy soils and generally good to go. Near the end between Rock Crossing and Moqui campgrounds.

[the tortoise]

Here is the pack I am getting for the big ditch hike: http://www.mountainsports.com/MSmain.asp?Option=Detail&Detail=081193

[AZTtripper]

Here is the pack I am getting for the big ditch hike: http://www.mountainsports.com/MSmain.asp?Option=Detail&Detail=081193

Just curious what's the plan for riding with it after you get to the other side.