AZTR 2013 Planning

[Gimmearaise]

Bummer, ill be sending good vibes your way on the trail! Get we'll soon and stay positive!

[joeydurango]

That sucks!  Get well soon.

How many of us could have a "skydiving accident" at work?

[aarond]

  Hi, last week I rode some of the 300 course in order to see what I would be getting into with the AZTR.  My trip report can be found here:  http://aarondenberg.wordpress.com/   The pictures I took are at the bottom in a slideshow format.  It was an awesome trip on a fantastic trail and I am looking forward to the real deal on April 19!

[THE LONG RANGER]

So, I'm trying to figure out, like many, how to get to the start of this damn thing. If flights are cheap, would it make sense to fly into Tucson, and catch a shuttle to Sierra Vista, and pre-ride some of the course South? Seems like you can take Canelo Road W. out of S.V. and make the start in a few hours, with munchies in tow.

[AZTtripper]

So, I'm trying to figure out, like many, how to get to the start of this damn thing. If flights are cheap, would it make sense to fly into Tucson, and catch a shuttle to Sierra Vista, and pre-ride some of the course South? Seems like you can take Canelo Road W. out of S.V. and make the start in a few hours, with munchies in tow.

Yes if your going to ride from SV it makes sense to go thru the Base. Canelo looks like it would work and keep you fairly low. You could also go up Garden Canyon and then over to Scotia Canyon to pick up the AZT near Sunnyside. This is the first legal single track on the AZT. I have ridden this section during my tours. I know that riders from SV use a route thru the Base to the AZT.

If you look at the screen shot there's the main red line out of SV. Then there's a dark blue line the way I went in 06. You can see where the line drops to the Border west of the course and it looks like I went into Mexico. I was right on the north side of the fence. This would get you to the start with less back tracking. The course is also in red you can see a little piece of it in the Sunnyside area and then it turns my blue track purple when your on course.

Of course you might just try the guy at the bike shop in SV he has been willing to drive out to Montezuma Pass and from there to the start is all down hill.

[dream4est]

Hey everyone I am looking for a favor from a Tucson area person:
Drive my car back to Tucson from Parker Canyon Lake after the start of the 300 Friday morning, or to drive my car back from the border Thursday afternoon/early evening after riding out with us from Tucson. Or ?

1-2 ppl coming from Colorado to Tucson Wednesday the 17th. Either going to drive to Parker Canyon Lake Thurs. and ride to start at border or drive to border if I/we find a driver or a ride.

[AZTtripper]

Mark

Unless somebody needs to get to Parker it's faster to go back via SV.

If somebody from CO is coming down camping at the Border should be pretty good. Sunrise there 2 years ago was sweat. Then the drive, along the course for the most part, to Parker is a good gravel road.

[B_Bock]

It looks like I'm in for the 750! I'm also trying to figure out how to get to the start. If anyone is putting together a shuttle or has room for a guy and his bike Let me know. Also riding to the start from Sierra vista sounds like a good option. If anyone is driving down from Nor Cal I'd be interested in sharing some of the gas expense.
Blake

[RossC]

With enough of us looking to get from Tuscon to the border, Is a charter bus an option?

[cheeseunit]

I am also planning on the 300 this year.Getting down to the start is on the list of How to's for me as well.I will most definately call in a favor to get a ride down.Just not sure of day of to start,or day before to sv,spend the night.Will be heading down from scottsdale if anyone is looking to carpool though.Thoughts,questions Pm me,Ben

[AZTtripper]

The 750 and the 300 do not start at the same place.

For the 300 you don't necessarily want to go to SV.

Parker Lake TH for the 300 is best approached from Sonoita.

There is a Campground at the lake with water and pit toilets.

You can camp at the TH as well.

[windowace]

I will be leaving for Parker Canyon lake from theSouthwest side of Tucson (S. Joseph and W. Irvington) on the 19th about 6:30-7am.  I will have room for at least 1 maybe up to 3 or 4.  Anyone interested can email me at windowace@comcast.net.

[AZTtripper]

Hey everyone I am looking for a favor from a Tucson area person:
Drive my car back to Tucson from Parker Canyon Lake after the start of the 300 Friday morning, or to drive my car back from the border Thursday afternoon/early evening after riding out with us from Tucson. Or ?

1-2 ppl coming from Colorado to Tucson Wednesday the 17th. Either going to drive to Parker Canyon Lake Thurs. and ride to start at border or drive to border if I/we find a driver or a ride.

Mark

I talked with Aleck and we are pushing it with 4 in his truck. The back seat is not what I thought it was it's not a real extra cab.

He may have a friend who could drive your car back to Tucson, it would actually be good to put one more in your car and one less in the truck.

Aleck's friend will likely just drop you at the border and head home. Any extra camp trash you have can ride out with me in Aleck's rig.

I'll let you know when Aleck hears back.

Unless someone comes up with a better option. If there's enough people maybe someone could rent a van, or hire a shuttle like last years 300 riders did.

Last year we used my truck for half the bikes with riders in a shuttle van pulling a trailer. As I recall in the end it seemed like the trailer could have held most if not all of the bikes.

Tim

[dream4est]

Mark

I talked with Aleck and we are pushing it with 4 in his truck. The back seat is not what I thought it was it's not a real extra cab.

He may have a friend who could drive your car back to Tucson, it would actually be good to put one more in your car and one less in the truck.

Aleck's friend will likely just drop you at the border and head home. Any extra camp trash you have can ride out with me in Aleck's rig.

I'll let you know when Aleck hears back.

Unless someone comes up with a better option. If there's enough people maybe someone could rent a van, or hire a shuttle like last years 300 riders did.

Last year we used my truck for half the bikes with riders in a shuttle van pulling a trailer. As I recall in the end it seemed like the trailer could have held most if not all of the bikes.

Tim

My car can hold 3 riders and one driver and 3 bikes Tim. I did ask the Long Ranger if he wanted a ride but no answer yet. So your plan sounds good to me. Alecks friend and one of your groups racers would fit even if I bring Long Ranger (he must be summitting a 14er or something no reply yet!)

[AZTtripper]

Mark

Sounds like a start, I'll keep in touch with Aleck and work on having a back up driver.

Sounds like windowace has a shuttle driver for the 300 start, that's get a few more down but spots will fill up quick.

The 13 passenger van with trailer from the shuttle service worked great last year. But you'll need at least 6 to make it worth it for them. It was quite the production actually.

[adamv]

I have 4 guys trying to get from Tucson to the start of the 300. If there are a couple more people interested we could try to get a shuttle together. Does anybody know what shuttle company was used last year?

[AZTtripper]

I have 4 guys trying to get from Tucson to the start of the 300. If there are a couple more people interested we could try to get a shuttle together. Does anybody know what shuttle company was used last year?

It's got to be listed in last years Shuttle Thread.

I would call around see who's got the best deal out of Tucson. Last years big shuttle started in Phx.

[Sean Allan]

It looks like I'm in for the 750! I'm also trying to figure out how to get to the start. If anyone is putting together a shuttle or has room for a guy and his bike Let me know. Also riding to the start from Sierra vista sounds like a good option. If anyone is driving down from Nor Cal I'd be interested in sharing some of the gas expense.
Blake

Blake,
It's a ways out and things can change, but I'm 5 weeks into training for the 750 and unless I get hurt, I'm going to do it. Right now the plan has me leaving from Foresthill on the 15th and leaving my truck in Kanab, Ut. and renting a U-Haul to Tuscon or Sierra Vista depending on shuttle options. I'm not sure how you plan on getting home from the end but I likely will need to leave and get back home right away. Of course if your in front of me you could just hang out and wait, if your behind me that might not be an option for me. My window is 8-10 days tops. Your welcome to do any of the above with me. I'd only be looking to split the u-haul. The cheaper option is to go to Tucson, but it might make more sense to go all the way to Sierra Vista and be done with it.

[aarond]

I am also looking for a ride to the start of the 750.  Could possibly leave from Kanab, Durango or Tucson area, in case anyone has room or wants to split a uhaul/shuttle.

[B_Bock]

Blake,
It's a ways out and things can change, but I'm 5 weeks into training for the 750 and unless I get hurt, I'm going to do it. Right now the plan has me leaving from Foresthill on the 15th and leaving my truck in Kanab, Ut. and renting a U-Haul to Tuscon or Sierra Vista depending on shuttle options. I'm not sure how you plan on getting home from the end but I likely will need to leave and get back home right away. Of course if your in front of me you could just hang out and wait, if your behind me that might not be an option for me. My window is 8-10 days tops. Your welcome to do any of the above with me. I'd only be looking to split the u-haul. The cheaper option is to go to Tucson, but it might make more sense to go all the way to Sierra Vista and be done with it.

Sean,
Sounds like something that would work for me. I'd be happy to split the u-haul. As for the finish I most likely will be behind your 8-10 day pace. I'm sure I can figure out a way to get home somehow. I can always ride my bike.
I'll stay in touch. It would be great to get together for a ride. I've been riding down your way quite a bit.