AZTR 2014 Planning

[mountainjah]

+1 for....

ATA membership and kicking down for the biking guide pdf/online resources
CTF membership and databook
ACA membership and Divide maps, etc, etc, etc...

Seems like a good template. It feels really cool to be part of a community where service and stewardship are as valued as speed, self reliance and mental toughness.

No ITT in March for me because.....my vacation days were approved and now it's on for the 300! Psyched to depart with the group in April!!!!!

[AZTtripper]

Membership in the Associations that support the course you want to race on seems reasonable, doing trail work locally to give back to the over all system also reasonable. Memberships could start this year even, trail work if not in the next two, winter in some places, months then within the calendar year and before for next year.

After having a blast on the Flagstone ride I was considering the 750 but then I rediscovered rock climbing. Haven't been riding much lately my climbing is improving tho.

I have to work on Saturday's so I can't commit to trail work, any one else? The Canelo's are tough but fun. 

[ayayron]

I'm in for the 750.  Planning on flying into Tucson, hoping to catch a ride down to the start with someone.  Haven't booked the flight yet but I assume I'll be arriving on the 10th.  Not sure if anyone's organizing shuttles but count me in if there's room!

[maettu99]

Hi
As you know I'm searching a route to ride the AZT next October. We would like to start at the Utah border and heading south. The route seems to be pretty clear for us until we are reaching the Payson area and have to do detours because of the wilderness areas.

Can you help me again with your knowledge?


Highline Trail from Washington Park trail head to US 87:

- Is it rideable? (AZ Trailbook says no! Biking the Arizona Trail Book says no too!
- Is it worth it?
- Would you do it?  

Scott Morris/Lee Blackwell route through the Superstition Mountains (Roosevelt Lake --> Gunsight Gap --> Haunted Canyon --> Superior):

- Not much informations to find
- Has someone already done this?
- Is it rideable?
- Is it worth it?
- Would you do it?  
- Is there a GPX file?

Thanks a lot and kind regards from Switzerland!
mat

[bncrshr77]

I'm really thinking hard about being at the border on the 11th.  I've read the 2013 and 2014 forums and all the post race write ups I can find but can't get a solid feel for how much water capacity to roll with.  I've plotted out the known water stops from AZtripper and also fredgaudetphotography. It does seem like there is at least one long stretch without guaranteed water? Thoughts?

[AZTtripper]

As you know I'm searching a route to ride the AZT next October.

For non racers I would say take the AZT/BCT Combo www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,6180.msg53734.html#msg53734

There should be even more of the BCT by spring, once I can get tracks for this years new tread we'll see what the connection looks like. Hopefully getting around the gravel pit we used last year. I put the gpx in the attachments.

how much water capacity to roll with.

I think 6 liters is pretty standard.

[bncrshr77]

Thanks! That's pretty much what I was thinking. 

[Marshal]

I seem to recall having loaded up to about 6 L two times during the 750.  I also recall 'worrying' just a little if I had enough water both  times.  And at the end of both times I remember running out and coming in dry--right as I reached the end--Picketpost and Grandview Lookout area.

But other than those two times I never loaded up or carried over 3, maybe 4 L.

If you study the water locations and know your avg speed you can plan to stay light most of the route (of course always factoring in current temp/heat and some level of personal safety factor)

[bncrshr77]

Totally agree and I will study the routes as much as I can from the maps.  I rode the Coconino 250 several years ago but never any trails south of there.  Seems like water isn't too hard to find for the first day or so of the race so and I'm sure by then I'll have gauged what I think I'll need for the longer stretches. 

[bncrshr77]

I've looked at the shuttle services from Tucson on ATA's website and it looks like they will deliver me to the Coronado national memorial. I'm assuming that from there I should be able to get to the start point easy enough on my trusty steed.  A question I have is if I have to show up the afternoon prior to the start and bring the extra food / water for the nights stay, are there trash cans at the start point or will I have to carry everything with me till I find the first dumpster?

[boatmana]

Looking to see if anyone is interested in a late start. I can't start the race till April 15th with work conflicts. I'm still unsure if it will be a 300 or a full push. Let me know if your interested.

[schillingsworth]

Hi
As you know I'm searching a route to ride the AZT next October. We would like to start at the Utah border and heading south. The route seems to be pretty clear for us until we are reaching the Payson area and have to do detours because of the wilderness areas.

Can you help me again with your knowledge?


Highline Trail from Washington Park trail head to US 87:

- Is it rideable? (AZ Trailbook says no! Biking the Arizona Trail Book says no too!
- Is it worth it?
- Would you do it? 

Scott Morris/Lee Blackwell route through the Superstition Mountains (Roosevelt Lake --> Gunsight Gap --> Haunted Canyon --> Superior):

- Not much informations to find
- Has someone already done this?
- Is it rideable?
- Is it worth it?
- Would you do it? 
- Is there a GPX file?

Thanks a lot and kind regards from Switzerland!
mat

Mat,
By all accounts the Highline trail between the Mogollon Rim & Pine is a 17 mile hike-a-bike slog. Probably not much better in the downhill direction. There may be a decent alternative albeit longer, but where the AZT hits the Rim at General Springs Cabin, you could take FR300 east towards Woods Canyon Lake. As you approach there is a nice piece of singletrack on the General Crook trail, then drop down Military Sinkhole to the more popular rideable section of the Highline trail. You can take this to Christopher Creek & bail to SR260 or continue on the Highline for another 7 tough miles to Horton Creek. Either way look for the fire control road past Horton Creek off of 260, that will drop you out a couple miles south of Pine. I'll have to check, but I may have most of this in GPX, I can draw in the rest.

You would be wise to skip Haunted Canyon / Gunsight as well, unless you really, really like walking next to your bike!!

With all that said, I'd steer you towards AZTtrippers recommendation of the BCT route, such a fantastic trail.

[maettu99]

Thanks to all so far for your helpful adwises.

I checked the BCT route. But my problem is the time.
Based on my trip planning we have only 4 days time to ride from Mormon Lake to Superior.
Otherwise we will not reach the mexican border within the time frame (18 days for the whole AZT).
The BCT route from Mormon Lake to Superior this not possible to ride in 4 days I guess.

I will check now the Highline trail bypass advise from "freeskier46".

I know, the Gunsight Gap / Haunted Canyon part is a lot of Walking. But it's the shortest too.

Here is our trip plan:

Day 1 - AZT Passages #43 / #42 To Hwy 89A
Day 2 - AZT Passages #41 / #40 / #39 To GC northrim
Day 3 - AZT Passage #38 Walk through GC
Day 4 - AZT Passages #37 / #36 To Moqui Stage Station
Day 5 - AZT Passages #35 / #34North To Kelly Tank
Day 6 - AZT Passages #34South / #33 To Flagstaff
Day 7 - AZT Passages #33Part / #31Part /30North To Dairy Springs Campg. (Mormon Lake)
Day 8 - AZT Passages #30South / #29 To Blue Ridge Campground
Day 9 - AZT Passages #28 / #27 / Hwy.87 To Payson
Day 10 - AZT A. Lankford Route To Roosevelt
Day 11 - AZT Superstition Bypass (Gunsight Gap / Haunted Canyon) To Superior
Day 12 - AZT Passages #17 / #16 To Kelvin
Day 13 - AZT Passages #15 / #14 To Oracle
Day 14 - AZT Passages Oracle Control Road / #11 To Gordon Hirabayashi Trailhead
Day 15 - AZT Passages #10 / #9MTB To Hope Camp
Day 16 - AZT Passages #8 / #7 / #6 To Oak Tree Canyon
Day 17 - AZT Passages #5 / #4MTB To Patagonia
Day 18 - AZT Passages #3 / #2 / #1MTB / #1A MTB To Mexico Border

[Yogi the Barry]

Re: ATA Membership     [http://www.aztrail.org/membership/join.html]
FYI - I recently joined ATA at the $35 Agave level membership. I might get a cool bandana, but this level does NOT provide any online access to GPS or elevation profile data.
If you want that level of information, you would need to join at the $50/year Ocotillo level.
This was a surprise, guess I didn't read the membership details very well and I'm cheap, but not a problem because I have a full version of TopoFusion [http://www.topofusion.com/] and hopefully Scott will soon be providing an official bike version of the GPX for us to crunch.

[shey]

Headed to Arizona with my wife for a bit of vacation between the 22nd and the 28th.  Want to get a good look at the AZT300 route, ride as much as possible.  Looks like we will be staying around the Tucson area.  Any locals planning on riding these sections during that time frame, I would love to see the trail and get some of that local knowledge?  Thanks Shey    everett11@bellsouth.net

[schillingsworth]

Headed to Arizona with my wife for a bit of vacation between the 22nd and the 28th.  Want to get a good look at the AZT300 route, ride as much as possible.  Looks like we will be staying around the Tucson area.  Any locals planning on riding these sections during that time frame, I would love to see the trail and get some of that local knowledge?  Thanks Shey    everett11@bellsouth.net

If you're here early enough on the 22nd, a bunch of us are doing a shuttle ride from Picketpost (AZT300 finish) to Kelvin.

[schillingsworth]

I know, the Gunsight Gap / Haunted Canyon part is a lot of Walking. But it's the shortest too.

Here is our trip plan:

Day 4 - AZT Passages #37 / #36 To Moqui Stage Station
Day 5 - AZT Passages #35 / #34North To Kelly Tank
Day 6 - AZT Passages #34South / #33 To Flagstaff
Day 7 - AZT Passages #33Part / #31Part /30North To Dairy Springs Campg. (Mormon Lake)
Day 8 - AZT Passages #30South / #29 To Blue Ridge Campground
Day 9 - AZT Passages #28 / #27 / Hwy.87 To Payson

Day 11 - AZT Superstition Bypass (Gunsight Gap / Haunted Canyon) To Superior

Day 16 - AZT Passages #8 / #7 / #6 To Oak Tree Canyon
Day 17 - AZT Passages #5 / #4MTB To Patagonia
Day 18 - AZT Passages #3 / #2 / #1MTB / #1A MTB To Mexico Border

Sounds like you have a pretty good plan. I would think you'd be able to skim a day off of the South Rim to Flagstaff portion & a day from Flagstaff to the Mogollon Rim. If you go down the Highline per AZT, I'd guess a full day to reach Pine from the rim.

If you opt for the Gunsight/Haunted canyon route, just know that it's mostly bushwacking, not simply hike-a-bike. Lots of creek crossings & general misery based on two very experienced rider reports. However, you would be able to ride down 1/2 of Passage #18 where the AZT crosses FR650 into Picketpost. The other slightly longer route is a very scenic dirt road ride on AZ88 past Apache & Canyon Lakes. You could then pickup some trails near the Lost Dutchman SP, Gold Canyon en route to Picketpost. Plus, there's opportunity for re-supply / snacks in Tortilla Flat & Gold Canyon. I can get you a gpx track for this segment if needed.

If you are ahead of schedule and want more AZT, you could peel off AZ188 near Roosevelt Lake for a nice chunk of Passage #20 Four Peaks. I did a recent ride report on that very section, just skip the upper out-n-back to the Wilderness boundary.

You may also be able to shave a day off the final stretch from Passage #8 to the border, lots of fast miles in there.

[shey]

If you're here early enough on the 22nd, a bunch of us are doing a shuttle ride from Picketpost (AZT300 finish) to Kelvin.

Wow, that sounds awesome.  40 miles or so?   Not sure I can alter my plans to arrive any earlier though, looking!

[bncrshr77]

Are you guys simplifying the 750 track from 80,254 points to a single 10,000 point track or are you splitting it up into equal pieces? 

[Yogi the Barry]

Don't mean to speak for the 750 roster, I'll just be doing the 300, but do have experience in resizing GPX tracks down to 10K. You will lose some of the elevation gain/loss fidelity when you resample down to 10K points, it will make the track seem smoother and easier, but the track will still have more than enough resolution to follow. If you're making elevation profiles/maps to print and/or flowing the course on the computer, use the 80K original. I resampled the monster big CTR track to 10K, loaded that to the GPS and had no problem following it for 500-ish miles. Or you can use 10K splits of the original track and have a downsampled 10K track of the entire course on the GPS as backup. One thing I don't like about all of the tracks that are large [10K], is the time it takes to load when booting up the GPS. Sometimes the slow load makes for some anxious moments. IMHO, the less things loading the better.

Are you guys simplifying the 750 track from 80,254 points to a single 10,000 point track or are you splitting it up into equal pieces?