AZTR 2014 Planning

[bncrshr77]

Thanks Yogi.  I already have the 10k version in my gps and was wondering if I would have any difficulty following it.  I've read that some of the trail is fairly faint and hard to follow at night and I wasn't sure if keeping all of the points would make any difference on the gps or not.  Unless I hear differently I'll just stick with the 10k.

[ayayron]

Any 750-ers want to split a shuttle from Tucson to Sierra Vista (or the border if possible) on Thursday the 10th? Looks like around $80 for the shuttle to SV, then ride 25 miles on roads to the border Thursday night.

[fastmtnbiker33w]

Thanks Yogi.  I already have the 10k version in my gps and was wondering if I would have any difficulty following it.  I've read that some of the trail is fairly faint and hard to follow at night and I wasn't sure if keeping all of the points would make any difference on the gps or not.  Unless I hear differently I'll just stick with the 10k.

I've run the 10k version both times I've done it.  I only ran into problems when I was zoomed in too close.  My first year I found myself off trail a bunch when heading to the Freeman Cache in the middle of the night, but it was no big deal and I blame it more on being tired.  That's the only area the trails are faint in my opinion.

[mikepro]

Any 750-ers want to split a shuttle from Tucson to Sierra Vista (or the border if possible) on Thursday the 10th? Looks like around $80 for the shuttle to SV, then ride 25 miles on roads to the border Thursday night.

Yep, one 750er here, also looking to coordinate shuttle options.  Will PM you for deets.  But, also throwing my hat into the open forum "those who need a shuttle to the start" ring, to see if we'll reach critical mass, and maybe some nice options will present themselves.  Fall-back option is to pedal a prologue to the start, either evening before (most likely), or morning of.

[bncrshr77]

In here for the shuttle as well.  Would be great to get to the border but will have to take what I can get! 

[fastmtnbiker33w]

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?

There are no trash receptacles at the trailheads, but there are always others' loved ones there to help you out with that sort of stuff.  My wife took out quite a bit of trash last year and there's always plenty of folks with plenty of water there.  That's just the way we roll in the southwest.....we're all a bit water paranoid.

[bncrshr77]

Great!  Thanks for the info. 

[ScottM]

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

There is GPX, and it has been done (repeated).  It is far from rideable.  I don't recommend it unless you really want to get off the beaten path, do something different.  It's more of a potential AZT-bike route than anything ready to go.  Only for the very adventurous.

Kurt R and Kaitlyn rode/hiked it recently.  They said it's 'worse' than Highline and Oracle Ridge. 

[krefs]

There is GPX, and it has been done (repeated).  It is far from rideable.  I don't recommend it unless you really want to get off the beaten path, do something different.  It's more of a potential AZT-bike route than anything ready to go.  Only for the very adventurous.

Kurt R and Kaitlyn rode/hiked it recently.  They said it's 'worse' than Highline and Oracle Ridge. 

Ha! I haven't been on bikepacking.net in probably two months, and I log in and find this! We did indeed do this route just a few weeks ago as part of a 2-turned-3 day loop around the Superstitions. We went north to south, over Gunsight, on through Haunted Canyon, and then to Picketpost. Gunsight Gap and Apache Pass is probably 5 miles, with 4 of it trail-less hiking through sharp bushy hills. Then there's some rideable dirt roads. Then the first 5 miles of Haunted Canyon is a well-traveled trail, but I'd estimate that <3% of it was rideable. Beyond that, the last 5 miles of the the "trail" really had no discernible trail and was simply bushwhacking up a densely vegetated, rocky drainage. I think that 10 miles of Haunted Canyon took a solid 8 hours to get through. But we did get through, were glad we did, and have no plans to do it again.

Good luck to anyone that attempts it!

[krefs]

Also, I'll be coming down for the 300 with Kaitlyn. We'll be in need of some shuttling help to get to the start. If anyone can help or wants to set something up wtih us, please let me know!

[ScottM]

It's OK Kurt, you can thank me later for (kinda, sorta, half-heartedly) talking you into that route.  I'll expect a card and flowers in the mail.

The AZT race is officially endorsed by 'the' Outside Magazine.     Check it out:

http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/running/Race-Report-2014-Outside-Endorsed-Races@gpkg/unsanctioned-races/Unsanctioned-but-Legal-Races#gallery-photo-3

[fastmtnbiker33w]

You sure you don't want to try to create a "double face palm" smiley for that?  lol

[mikepro]

The pic in the Outside mag link makes it look easy.   And, true to bad web editing, the caption says 'courtesy of American Trail Race' ...

[WyoRacerX]

I'll throw mine and my riding partner's names into the "Need a shuttle service" from PP to the 300 start.  If anyone just happens to have room.

[Soft Pedal]

I too am looking for a shuttle to the start of the AZT 300.  Anyone have a spouse/friend coming and maybe we can pitch in a Van rental or something?  Are there any commerciL services?

[Yogi the Barry]

Scott,
Outside endorsed - a double-edged sword!
Too early to rent a Spot?
-Barry

...The AZT race is officially endorsed by 'the' Outside Magazine.     Check it out:
http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/running/Race-Report-2014-Outside-Endorsed-Races@gpkg/unsanctioned-races/Unsanctioned-but-Legal-Races#gallery-photo-3

[AZTtripper]

I too am looking for a shuttle to the start of the AZT 300.  Anyone have a spouse/friend coming and maybe we can pitch in a Van rental or something?  Are there any commerciL services?

Yes there's the service Ray set up out of Phx last year and a newer one out of Oracle.

[ScottM]

Scott,
Outside endorsed - a double-edged sword!
Too early to rent a Spot?
-Barry

AZT is still long enough and obscure enough that I don't think outside's online piece is going to garner that much attention, wanted or unwanted.

Still too early, yes.  Fat Pursuit, Stagecoach and Huracan 300 are more pressing, as they are in March.    Sometime relatively soon, though.

[osborne.s.99]

All,  it seems early as I'm not doing the event.  I will be available to take people to start of 750 or 300, but not both.  Last year I did both, but had to drop the 750 rider at border the night before. He slept at the border.  I was able to get him to the border with no issues.  In the morning I met another group at Tucson airport area for shuttle to the 300 start. I'm willing to pick up in Tucson and bring to the start of either race.  All I ask is gas money in return.  You all are amazing folk and I'm willing to help where I can.  If anyone wants to take me up on the shuttle offer let me know.  Steve

[bncrshr77]

PM Sent