AZTR - 300 and 750 Race Discussion Thread - 2015

[cmn529]

Tom W, or anyone that has his number-  I can pick you up at Freeman and take you to PP this afternoon.  You can call/text me at 720.217.7558 to let me know if you still need a ride.

Nice job and still one heck of a ride!

Chrissy

[mtbcast]

Arizona Trail Race ’15 – Joey Ernst called in with a finish call!

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/calls/

[mtbcast]

Arizona Trail Race ’15 – Aaron Denberg called in from Tonto Basin!

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/calls/

[mtbcast]

Arizona Trail Race ’15 – Garrett Alexander called in to say he is OUT!

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/calls/

[mtbcast]

Arizona Trail Race ’15 – Michael Ackerman called in to say he is OUT!

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/calls/

[bmattingly]

This morning I saw a weather report for Flagstaff.  Temps are suppose to drop below freezing Wed night with a chance of moisture.  When you get on top of the Colorado Plateau expect cold nights.  Its been pretty windy around here recently (common for springtime). If you build fire to stay warm be careful because the forest is very dry now.  I think daytime riding will be ok if the wind is not to high. 

I had dry conditions last year but 2 very cold nights on the plateau and 1 just outside of Pine.  I think Scott n Ester had some suffering on the North Rim tour they did last year.

Good luck n keep crankin.  I'll be cheering you all on.

Brad M

[ScottM]

Thanks for the conditions report, Brad.  It is amazing how much the weather changes once up on the rim.  Every time I have raced or toured the trail the nights always seem bitterly cold.  I remember JP commenting how cold he was last year.  Hope that moisture doesn't turn into gumbo mud for our 750ers.

Per a report from Shannon Marshal on FB, Neil did hold Darren off for 2nd place.  He was riding a singlespeed, meaning he claims the SS record, previously held by Shawn Gregory at 2:12:50.  Congrats Neil!  Solid, solid ride.

Several scratches reported here by Joe Polk of MTB cast.  Looking like lots of finishers today, too -- at the 3 days and change mark.

[mtbcast]

Arizona Trail Race ’15 – John Fairbairn called in from Summerhaven!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/calls/

[geekonabike]

Geekonabike aka mike kunnecke is iDNF with multiple issues chief among them a broken rear axel.
 Limping back to picket post via roads.
 

[ScottM]

Geekonabike aka mike kunnecke is iDNF with multiple issues chief among them a broken rear axel.
 Limping back to picket post via roads.
 

Roger that, Mike -- sorry to hear about the issues.  We'll keep tracking you as a scratch until you get to PP. 

[Bug Shield]

Geekonabike aka mike kunnecke is iDNF with multiple issues chief among them a broken rear axel.
 Limping back to picket post via roads.
 

I's wondering what caused you to depart the course.  Sorry to hear of your troubles, Mike.

[mtbcast]

Arizona Trail Race ’15 – Alexis Ault called in with her finish call and final thoughts.
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/calls/

[Artec]

Hey there folks, I recently moved to a house on Turquoise Dr in Flagstaff putting the AZ trail literally on my doorstep. If any 750 riders need anything (moral support, beer, cookies, etc.) feel free the knock on my door as you ride by. Water spigot is up for grabs, right side of house.  I'll put a sign on the trail, gusting pretty hard here so It might blow away.  The number is 890, few doors up after you turn on turquoise.

Cheers, Artec

[ScottM]

Hey there folks, I recently moved to a house on Turquoise Dr in Flagstaff putting the AZ trail literally on my doorstep. If any 750 riders need anything (moral support, beer, cookies, etc.) feel free the knock on my door as you ride by. Water spigot is up for grabs, right side of house.  I'll put a sign on the trail, gusting pretty hard here so It might blow away.  The number is 890, few doors up after you turn on turquoise.

That is a nice offer, Artec, thanks.  I appreciate the spirit of the offer, but the idea of the race is that people traverse the AZT self-supported, with only what is available to everyone, regardless of there being a race going on (commercial services, basically).  But, by all means, sit out on the front porch and cheer our heroes on!

Lots of finishers today, including 2nd and 3rd in the women's race -- Alexis and Alice!  Alice signed up for the 750 and is in Superior now -- not sure what that might mean.

JayP and Aaron are both resting and refueling in Payson right now, with Aaron arriving several hours earlier.  They both pushed HARD through the 300, so perhaps it is time for a little re-grouping in town.  It should be an interesting race to watch develop tomorrow.

MikePro let me know he has scratched from the 750.  He walks away with a solid time in the 300, though.

John Fairbairn passed the Red Lantern over to Cassi Morelock, who has been updating on FB.  She's in it for the long haul and also has a great attitude.  Go Cass!

[swami29]

I understand Ron Thomson and Rich Wolf made it into Oracle. Good riding fellas. I know Ron had a bit of a crash first day out but he seems  to be rallying as I know he can. Keep after it . I really am envious of you racers out tearing it up.  Just remember to go the right way after Beehive unlike I did last year!

[mikepro]

Alice signed up for the 750 and is in Superior now -- not sure what that might mean.

MikePro let me know he has scratched from the 750.  He walks away with a solid time in the 300, though.

Alice back on route after quick resup in Superior.  Solid, solid field of riders out there this year.

As for me, residual effects from a snapped saddle rail early part of first day halfway thru Canellos, proved to be my undoing for the 750.  Very happy with a 300 finish given the saddle and riding position changes I dealt with, esp on such a demanding (and long) trail.

[mtbcast]

Arizona Trail Race ’15 – Rich Otten called in with a finish call!

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/calls/

[bmattingly]

How about those 750 Warriors out there.  Denberg and JayP are crankin.  Jay is going to be able to access food in Pine where Denberg likely could not. This may be a good strategic move.  Prior years a few riders have run out of food before Mormon Lake. After Pine its a very long haul up the rim via the Highline segment and on to Mormon Lake.  Once they climb onto the rim they will enter the BlueRidge Wilderness.  Lots of wildlife including elk and bears and thick forest.  Very scenic. 

And Mark C.  Crankin late up through Ripsey.  Very impressive.  Last year on Ripsey my body felt like it was consuming itself because I was so hungry.  That section has kicked my ass a couple times.  Mark is  the man.

Hard getting ready for work when so much positive riding is going on out there.

Updated weather still calls for cold night and wind Wednesday night but no moisture.  This is good news for trail surface.  Staying warm at night will be important strategy.

[joeydurango]

Back home in Durango.  I'm sure glad the tracker has the replay function, because there has been some interesting racing going on so far this year.  Nice work, everyone!

Rode for quite a while on the first day with JayP and went back and forth with Aaron Denberg the entire time.  They are both crushing it out there on the 750!  Denberg has an EXTREMELY light setup and is traveling with what looks like next to nothing.  He said he'll have to buy extra clothing in Payson to deal with above-the-rim weather conditions!  For the record, I did not quite catch Denberg by PP trailhead - I was right behind him, and he rolled off just a minute after I arrived.

Scott, also for the official record, I was two minutes slower than the tracker claims, so 2:11:19.  And Boatman came in by my GPS at 2:11:26.

What an awesome race.  So different for me, coming from high country, to cruise through desert instead.  Also extremely intimidating at times - yesterday in the Gila canyon I was actually concerned about my condition, as it was super hot (by Colorado standards) with intense sun.  I crept along those fifteen miles, semi-aware, worried about food, water, and lack of sleep, and when I found Denberg by the river at the beginning of the climb I just jumped in the river and laid down for a nap.  Thankfully when I woke up I was ready to charge to the finish!

As always, one of my favorite parts of this sort of thing was getting to know the people I happened to ride with.  Boatman, Denberg, JayP, Hunter, Neil, Darren, Dejay, and anyone I forgot, thanks for the conversation and inspiration!  And Scott, Ez, and anyone else who has made this event what it is, thank you!  Cheers, see some of you at the CTR,
-Joey

[mtbcast]

Episode April 7, 2015 – Arizona Trail Race ‘15 Day 4 true ups as we see a couple of more scratches and more finishers of the 300mi portion!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/podcasts/