AZTR 2013 Planning

[THE LONG RANGER]

sunscreen - any suggestions? I generally don't use it. I have a theory that I get more of a burn when I use it? maybe its what I'm using, "sport - sweat proof" Anyway, for this event I will get something. mainly for face, neck, ears, legs. I will use a long sleeve for arms.

I'm pretty pale, and my personal choice these days is SPF100+ spray on, waterproof stuff - whatever variety is close at hand. On the TD, I found that after applying it for multiple days, it's almost impossible to get off, and dust would stick to me, giving me a faux tan. I only realized this, when taking a shower! I thought though, "eh, dust is pretty good at blocking out the sun, too!"

I'll get some absolutely opaque stuff for my nose, which is also pale, and enormous. Don't forget about your lips, too.

[RossC]

Scott,
Is it better to simplify the track to 10K or split the track into 8+ tracks? I want to make sure the simplified track will have enough detail for someone that has never ridden the route. Assuming my Dakota 20 can hold 80,254 points.

If you decide to use a split version of the full 80k (that's what i'll do) you can save some of the grunt work of the GPS by only showing 2 or 3 track files at once. Leave the other 4 or 5 not set as 'show on map' and then the gps doesn't have to process them while you are riding. Turn them to show on map when you get to that part of the trail.

i might chuck the simplified 10k file on there as a backup as well.

[Marshal]

If you have a newer GPS with more memory why split--but I have successfully been using simplified 10K files/tracks for some time (AZT 300/750, CTR, TDR, etc)

Split track 10k files  have more than enough detail to keep you on all routes in all conceivable situations, even at night with no moon and a weak light........
well ok, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, for example- say on undefined single track with a V corner every 150 feet ant night with a pen light—you might benefit from more detail…….

The only time I truly had a problem was on my 1st CTR, at night, across an big open meadow/campground area, I could not find the trail on the far side and did lose about 30 min….

but for the AZT even the split track detail is to point of overkill.........

[ne14cycling]

If you have a newer GPS with more memory why split--but I have successfully been using simplified 10K files/tracks for some time (AZT 300/750, CTR, TDR, etc)

Split track 10k files  have more than enough detail to keep you on all routes in all conceivable situations, even at night with no moon and a weak light........
well ok, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, for example- say on undefined single track with a V corner every 150 feet ant night with a pen light—you might benefit from more detail…….

The only time I truly had a problem was on my 1st CTR, at night, across an big open meadow/campground area, I could not find the trail on the far side and did lose about 30 min….

but for the AZT even the split track detail is to point of overkill.........

Nice to read that post.   Useful for this rookie.

[osborne.s.99]

Anyone still needing ride to trail head(s)?  I live in Sierra Vista and am willing to take a day off from work and give a lift to either border or Parker Lake.  send me a message if needed. 

[mb]

Scott,
Is it better to simplify the track to 10K or split the track into 8+ tracks? I want to make sure the simplified track will have enough detail for someone that has never ridden the route. Assuming my Dakota 20 can hold 80,254 points.

Last year I was newbie to bikepacking and GPS and has the same question. I went with the simplified file and 3 split files as a backup. I ended up using the simplified file start to finish and found it had ample detail to keep me on track. I used Garmin Oregon 450 and learned that I needed to use the zoom-in feature on the map view in places where the trail got a little nondescript to avoid the risk of heading backwards on the track.       

[ScottM]

I would definitely recommend a backup copy of a 10k reduced track.  Recently I've seen a track on an eTrex 20 disappear and become non-functional, but still listed.  No bueno.

I've updated the tracker with everyone I have signed up so far:

http://trackleaders.com/aztr13

If you've paid for tracking but don't see yourself on the tracker, check your spam/bulk folder for the email from info@trackleaders.com.  Or, drop me a note.

I got a note from Chip.  He's finished racing with the 300 and continuing in tour mode.  He rode a swift 300, though he did miss the last part of Oracle Ridge, so didn't complete the route proper.

He reports that the Palisades spigot was OFF.  I don't think there's been a 300 where it hasn't been on, so I am guessing it'll be on soon.

Beehive Well had a dead animal floating in it.  The Freeman cache held a number of gallons, but many were marked for specific hikers.  I would not recommend relying on it for a big fill up -- don't arrive there dry.  Please be considerate of other racers and AZT users behind you and do not completely exhaust the cache, too.

[dream4est]

I just signed up Scott. Trying to get my gear and bike all dialed in. I waited to sign up because now I wont be able to do or think about anything but FULL MEAL DEAL!!!!! Total brainmelt will now commence. Must remember everything left to do, already wrote the list or I would now forget to load the gps or print cues or etc!

Less than 11 days left. I have made some sweet specific gear for the canyon death march, including a 1000d Cordura/ nylon strap for  shoulder portage with foam padding and I added foam pads to my backpack for wheel carrying comfort. Tested the strap and backpack I can switch to canyon mode in under 10 minutes without hurrying and without any strange extra tape or straps or clothes as pads or other bizarre crap.

[the tortoise]

I just signed up Scott. Trying to get my gear and bike all dialed in. I waited to sign up because now I wont be able to do or think about anything but FULL MEAL DEAL!!!!! Total brainmelt will now commence. Must remember everything left to do, already wrote the list or I would now forget to load the gps or print cues or etc!

Less than 11 days left. I have made some sweet specific gear for the canyon death march, including a 1000d Cordura/ nylon strap for  shoulder portage with foam padding and I added foam pads to my backpack for wheel carrying comfort. Tested the strap and backpack I can switch to canyon mode in under 10 minutes without hurrying and without any strange extra tape or straps or clothes as pads or other bizarre crap.

Care to share some pics?? Gracias!

[tanman1337]

Marc, I'm so jealous man. I've been working on getting my range of motion back with my knee. Still can't put any weight on it unfortunately. I will get to start here in another week. I'm working on recovering by the time that CSTR kicks off. I'm so bummed I don't get to ride the 750 this year. Sounds like you are just as pumped up as last year. I will be watching you guys the whole time! My buddy Aaron from Yuma will be coming to ride the 300 look out for him. I ride with him all the time and we work together. Good luck everyone!

[dream4est]

Care to share some pics?? Gracias!

I will try to post some pix. My strap is the following:
1000d cordura rectangles (one is split to insert foam) sewn inside out with 2.5ft of 1" nylon strap sewn to the bottom cordura piece and into the seams twice at each end of the rectangle. Pull inside out and place 2 pieces of 1/4" foam inside cordura "holster". Then I use 2 tri-glides on each nylon strap after running straps around stem and seat. So no side release buckles just run the strap back under 2 tri-glides and I can lift the whole bike onto shoulder even with the wheels (which will be on backpack for canyon). the nylon strap ends at the cordura so no strap over shoulder just 1/2" of foam pad inside cordura. Feels nice looks kind of like a shoulder strap for luggage. I really like The portage idea as you can set down the bike easily while still having the wheels on back. Taking little breaks will be way easier. Weighs like 3 oz and my backpack system weighs 12 oz. (REI Flash 18 with added foam on shoulders). Wearing running shoes on flat pedals so I have a self-contained canyon system @ 1 lb.

[dream4est]

If any 300/750 racers want some Geronimo!, the worlds best chamois/pain cream, for the race I will deliver product to racers at the start of each event. PM me or call me @720-635-742Nine. It is about too late to order online and be sure to get it by next week but I will still try to fill any late online order.

The results speak for themselves. Finishes in all major events last year. Two top 15 TD racers used it last year. I completed the AZT750/CTR double for the second time with Geronimo! and I only took 1 aspirin in 25 days. It works just as well on lactic acid build-up in legs as Ibuprofen and is safe for your liver.

[tanman1337]

I think that is gonna be a killer setup

[joeydurango]

Make that two of us who are feeling jealous.  The unexpected-but-necessary bike shop remodel is almost done, but I haven't ridden my bike much over the last month and my lungs are unhappy with their continuous dosage of sawdust and drywall dust.  And to think I had it all planned out - as of just after the 24HITOP I was all in!

Oh well, will watch from here and ride vicariously through all of you.  Good luck to all, use common sense, and ENJOY THE RIDE!  See some of you up here for the CTR.

[Gimmearaise]

Ok can someone explain to me the Freeman cache? can we put water in it prior to the race? rule 3 says no caches, so why would this even be an option??? Sorry i just need clairfication.

Thanks,

NEIL

[ScottM]

Ok can someone explain to me the Freeman cache? can we put water in it prior to the race? rule 3 says no caches, so why would this even be an option??? Sorry i just need clairfication.

Thanks,

NEIL

That's a good question.  It's a public cache that is (fairly well) maintained for all AZT users.

Earlier in the thread I mentioned that if anyone drops gallons off there, not to mark them for a specific racer, or for AZTR racers in general.  I would hope no one makes a special trip just for the race.  But whenever I am out there for any reason, I'll always bring some gallons to replenish it.

It's a bit of a gray area, I will admit.  A true purist might not drink from it.  There's always a chance of running into other caches out on the trail but this is the only ~permanent one.  I suppose it might fall under trail magic.  Not encouraged, use sparingly.  But specifically caching stuff there (or anywhere) is definitely not within the rules.

Personally I would never rely on it 100%.  There is always a chance it'll be empty, or too low to feel good about taking from.  But it's nice to top off a bottle or two on a hot afternoon.

Hope that answers the question.  Anyone else care to chime in on the usage of the Freeman cache WRT rules?

[AZTtripper]

Certainly a gray area of the no cache rule. In the past there has almost always been water there. In the past it was a long dry section, however there is now a new 100 gallon spring tank just 17.2 miles past Freeman http://www.fredgaudetphotography.com/aztrail/watercurrent.pdf



With this new water source being more reliable it would be more feasible to skip the cache. In the past we never told racers it was there. We just said carry as much as you can 6 plus liters out of Oracle. The thinking was that then riders could top off but not having the storage to really deplete the cache. The thing is, as Scott said, it's there for all not to be completely used up by one group.

Once word got out no doubt racers felt it was pointless to carry so much out of Oracle. However in the past the cache was destroyed by unknown parties. In that case if you arrived with a fair bit left you could at least get out of the area. If you arrived dry you might be in tough shape to even ride out to the highway, where there is a C-store to the north.

Currently there were 32 gallons as of 3/10 and there are people doing a group ride from Freeman on the 13th. I should think the cache will be pretty well stocked. Plenty for any hikers going thru, Grand Enchantment hikers going the other way pass this as well.

Also now that the race goes to the Kelvin bridge it's less then 30 miles to the water sources in Kelvin. All things considered I can't see anyone taking that much from the cache. Faster riders won't need that much nor want to carry that much for just 30 miles. Slower riders won't want to carry as much if they can get more 17 miles later.

As Scott said no labels any water placed there should be available to all. Sometimes hikers will put their name on bottles, but they always leave more then they intend to use.

Now that there is a permanent box there and with a fairly large quantity known to be there I think you can count on it.

So as Scott said that's the only place where racers can expect to find any water cached. If you come across a hikers cache in other area's that's a bonus but please be consciences of others and not take too much if any.

Also I would say that no one should leave anything else out at Freeman, even if hikers do leave food there as well. That I should think is not only against the rules of the race but also just plain lame. Except the challenge for what it is and take pride in completing the course.

One last thing, this is the only place anyone should be caching. It would be totally possible for a local to go out and pre-place stuff along the course. This is totally contrary to the spirit of the event. It is totally not fair to out of town riders. Also for out of town riders, if you have a person in the area for your shuttle please don't have them meeting you along the way.

A little more the my .02

Tim   

[ne14cycling]

I just split the AZT into 5 segments [reducing them to 10k as necessary] and also reduced the full monty to 10K for a total of 6 files.

That will be plenty....plus cues for back up.

interesting that the ditch segment had "relatively" few points given the slow speed of hiking the canyon...   maybe this area was edited [simplified] prior to completing the master file

[candrus]

Yesterday I pulled the plug on my tour of the route beyond the finish of my ITT of the 300.  The knee I injured when I crashed on Oracle Ridge just got worse and I feared permanent damage.  Quitting on Sunday saved me from riding the 60 mph winds to Pine on Monday and hiking Highline in the snow today (Tuesday) but that would have just added to the fun, right?

I'm resting in Tucson and plan to be around to see the start and end of the group 300.  What a beautiful route you have to look forward to, especially the last push out of the Gila River canyon. 

An alternative to the Freeman cache is a spring called Bathtub Spring. This may be the one Tim made reference to.  It is difficult to find though and if you had the coordinates and set it up as a waypoint on your GPS then you could find it even in the dark. It is about two hours beyond Freeman cache.  Just pull the hose out of the cow trough and fill your bottles directly. 

Another thing to consider is what to do about water at the end of the 300.  I faced uncomfortable dehydration sleeping at the trailhead because it was nighttime and the arboretum was closed.  The trail from the Gila River to the highway took much more time than I anticipated because of the elevation gain and the amount of hiking.  Apache Junction is still another couple of hours down the road from the finish. Of course, those who have a fan club waiting for them at the finish line will be comfortably taken care of.

Chip

[AZTtripper]

Chip sorry you had to bail off, but it sounds like things worked out for the better.

Sounds like Bathtub spring is a good one. Confused tho you say it is difficult to find, and easy to find in the dark. Did you mean to say it's not difficult to find?

Also I see now there is a Mountain View tank just 12 miles out from Tiger Mine road.

Sounds like the Cache isn't as big a deal as it used to be.

Tim