AZTR 2014 Planning

[Yogi the Barry]

I mean no disrespect to the tradition of the AZTR, but on the subject of course routing, especially after just reading the latest issue of Mountain Flyer, with the article highlighting all the awesome sounding Mt. Lemmon trails, why is it we hammer up the pave to Summerhaven? Are all the other trail options just too steep to bike for us tired 'n' loaded-down bikers? Not to imply in any way that the course, current or former routes, isn't hard enough...

[aarond]

Not sure, but I think a lot of the Mt. Lemmon pavement is to avoid the Pusch Ridge Wilderness.

I just signed up for AZT 750, rented a SPOT and had enough left over to renew my membership at aztrail.org as an 'Ironwood' member.

Cheers!

[mikepro]

I'm planning to head out on 'the trail' in a few short days.  Eszter and I are planning to tour the 750 route (more or less)

Make sure to bring plenty of yellow ribbon tape to mark the course for us.  Thanks.  

[ScottM]

Adding trail going up Lemmon crosses my mind most years, but it's steep and would be full of HAB with bikepacking gear.  It is now the "Pusch Ridge Wilderness Bypass", but it's a burly, burly route, even going down.

I'd be happy to hear some opinions for it, but I am guessing most people that know it would agree that the pavement is hard enough.  Maybe some year in the future, though....

[ScottM]

Got 6 signed up for tracking the 750 already.  Woot!

The tracking map is up, with only us on it, if anyone wants to follow along:

http://trackleaders.com/aztr14

[JosiahM]

Got 6 signed up for tracking the 750 already.  Woot!

The tracking map is up, with only us on it, if anyone wants to follow along:

http://trackleaders.com/aztr14

are you guys planning on touring/racing together? before the mass start?

[ScottM]

Touring it together, looking to optimize mexican food and ice cream quotients.  Back before race start.

[JosiahM]

Touring it together, looking to optimize mexican food and ice cream quotients.  Back before race start.

750?
I'm sure you both will still "tour" it faster than most of us mortals could race it.
have fun out there.  you are sure to have plenty of us following your dot.

[ScottM]

750, but no strict adherence to the route.  We'll skip some stuff, and add other sections at our whim.

[ScottM]

For 750 riders, here is a map showing the closed section of AZT by Mormon Lake:

http://www.aztrail.org/Mormon_Lake_Trail_Closure_July-2013.pdf

This is different than last year's detour, and given the date on the filename, likely changed.  I'll see what it's like on the ground up there.

[schillingsworth]

edit- Off 32 and Apache Trail to the east- one can see that with a few dirt connectors one can ride from gold canyon to lost dutchman in the neighborhoods. One couldnt drive it- but a bike looks like it could connect the pavement with little dirt social connectors. That would save 4-5 miles on busy highway with small shoulder. mtn view to right n arroyo seco to e lost dutchman to n val vista gets you right to lost dutchman- saves 3ish miles or so.

That may work, I'd be a little concerned that Arroyo Seco doesn't go through, but it sure appears to on satellite. I was riding around over there a couple months ago and couldn't believe how many of the dirt roads had been fenced off by property owners, they all looked good on imagery!!

I'll be out in Gold Canyon this afternoon and if I get a chance I'll try and check that option out.

[bmattingly]

Hey all,

Brad from Flagstaff here.  I'm in for the 750.  I will try to go ride the Mormon Lake section (closure) in the next 2 weeks and then post afterwards.  Up on the rim weather lately has been beautiful days and cold nights with less wind than many springs here.   

Cheers

[dream4est]

AZT hikers have been updating the Fred G. water table.

http://www.fredgaudetphotography.com/aztrail/watercurrent.pdf

[bmattingly]

750 riders,

I rode Mormon lake yesterday to check on the closures.  The closure is well marked with a footwide orange sign which diverts you on the forest service road down to payment then back to a dirt road to get back to the Az trail.  Forest was pretty dry out there but very rideable.  For those of you that have not ridden this before both ends of the lake have some excellent singletrack in the pine trees.

Does anyone know who else is doing the full enchilada?? 

Also does anyone have spot rental information for the race?  I normally go through Scott but he is out on the trail for a while.

Brad

[bncrshr77]

Post 129 on page 7 has the trackleaders signup info.  Thanks for the info on Mormon lake!

[cmn529]

IN for the full enchilada and joined ATA.

Is it better to ship poles, shoes, etc for the big ditch hike to Grand Canyon USPS or Tusayan?  Any preferences?

[Walkurtalk]

I shipped to Tusayan without any problems. Located in a marketplace with a good grocery store next to it and lots of room to spread out gear or whatever. Don't know about GC USPS....

[-dan]

driving my mostly empty pick up truck down to Tempe AZ from Oakland thursday the 10th after work, coming back on the 17th.  if you need a ride, i've got room for one person up front.  i have a ride to the start line on saturday the 12th for an AZTR 300 ITT roll out sunday morning - truck is staying in Tempe.

since we're starting a little late, if we catch you, you gatta do a shot of whiskey with us.

[ScottM]

Hey-yo,

Checking in from Pine, AZ... perhaps one of the best towns along the 750 route.

What a joyous return to the AZT ... and to hike-a-bike... out of the little community below Oak Spring.  Talked to Rick and Bev at the first house on the right.  They were keen to hear more about the race and apologized for the state of the trail we were about to hit.

We quite enjoyed it, but then we knew resting in Pine was ahead (I have to work a ski race tonight, so have to be online).

I do have a few places I want to improve the track, and one change to the course.

Both the 300 and 750 routes will be changed to *not* go to the Kanally Ranch house in Oracle State Park.  They'll stay on the AZT, as it has in some years past, popping out to cross AZ 77 at Tiger Mine.  They seem pretty serious about the park being closed on every day but Saturday, so we need to stick to the actual AZT.

I'll have a new track out, or might be able to get Tim or Chad to get it out for me.  So there will be a new revision the week before the race.  Watch for it.

Otherwise everything has been good thus far.  On to Highline tomorrow!

[rick miller]

Hey AZT 300/750 goers. Just wanted to offer a shuttle service as suggested by Jeff above. We have a big 15-passenger van converted to haul 8 riders, their bikes and all the junk that goes along with a bike packing epic.

We will provide a shuttle on 4/10 from Picket Post to Parker Canyon Lake proper. Our driver will stay the night a PCL with a giant cooler and kitchen so you can blow it out the night before and the morning of...

We're asking 60-bucks (pays for gas and driver, kitchen and cooler space for your beer and food.) We need at least 6-riders to make it happen. Send PM or e-mail info@sonoranmtb.com for more info.

Just got an email from Rob that he still has room in the van.