AZTR - 300 and 750 Race Discussion Thread - 2015

[WyoRacerX]

Major Congrats Ray at getting that monkey off your back, I guess I didn't realize that you had not finished the 300 before.  Another amazing ride from the alien?! Kurt Refsnider.  someone needs to grab his ride and fill it full of lead next year, I think he could use the challenge. Even more congrats to those that attempted, finished or not.  The AZT virus has bitten you and got you on the trail, those that finished want more, those left on the side want it even more.  Sorry, I don't think there is yet an antidote. 
Dang I wish I was there this year but I did enjoy another Trackleaders/Bikepacking.net/MTBCAST week of endurance racing.  I'm hoping for a full recovery from neck surgery to be out there next year mixing it up with all you crazies.  Maybe I'll even stop to enjoy a swim in the Gila like I've heard several riders talk about if I get too hot.

WyoRacerX
2014 AZT Fatbike finisher
2015 Year of ACDF recovery
+2016 business as usual

[schillingsworth]

Scott,
Thanks for clarifying the timing, it all makes sense now!! So, I took a drive over to Picketpost this afternoon, first I saw Gunther Desmedt flying down the US60 shoulder (I did a U-turn and gave him a high five as he rode by), then over at the trailhead I saw Todd Denham finish around 5:20p, he was so excited to have made it - very cool to see. I think his weird stray point may have triggered an early finish time?

Then Scott Jones came back to the trailhead from his siesta in Superior. I asked him about his finish time this morning - 8:36a!! So, he met his goal of a sub 4-day finish on the 300 based off the PCL time of 8:50a, Congrats Scott!! (3:23:46) Of course it will be over 4 days on the standings since he is a 750 rider with a 7a start time. (4:01:36). We chatted for a bit, then he took off towards Queen Valley.

Next in was Mr. Caminiti, looking a bit shelled, but stoked to have his best 300 time? It was funny hearing them marvel at how we locals ride the Picketpost to Kelvin section as a day ride. Trust me, it's a bit easier on fresh legs, no bikepacking gear and the opposite direction!!

There was a fourth rider to come back to Picketpost, Matt, who finished a few hours earlier, but was riding stealth mode. Hopefully, he'll send in his finish time to be included in the Class of '15. He was the other rider in the Thursday evening shuttle with Ackerman, Tom Wolf & Montana Miller, perhaps one of those fellas knows his last name.

Greg Hardy's parents were also out there waiting for his arrival, nice folks.

I really only intended on tracking Scott down to give him a congratulatory high-five, but it turned into an esciting afternoon out at Picketpost. Way to go fellas!! Keep cranking for those on the 750. I'll try & post a few pics in a minute.

[dream4est]

Man that was tough
4:09:04
Or something like that
I was the last one out of PCL at the 300 strt
Dead last to ?- I'll take it

4 straight 300 race finishes
New standard

In gold canyon
Could barely function at gas station
?!!
Now okay laying next to bashas
Tomorrow is anther day - that's what Leila always says
Nothing else I can do tonight - crushed

[dirtvato]

Todd Denham here.  Thanks John for clarifying that time. It's not really important to me though.  Finishing this race was all I wanted out of it.  John S, Scott J and I were chatting at PP this afternoon.  My observation was that it doesn't matter how much research you do- race reports, route viewing from every digitized angle (thanks Scott) and even pre-riding some of it, you just can't get even a rough understanding that this trail is going to kick you hard (really) and then reward you thoroughly in some way.
 The encouragement and the camaraderie among racers was fantastic.  Big thanks to Michael A, Greg H, Eric D, and ghost rider Sam ? from Tuscon who I rode with on and off the first days, for the encouragement.  Began to ask vets during the race why they came back.  No clear answers but I stated that no way I would ride it again.  Too hard.  Too much HAB.  Started cussing the trail outloud in the canyons nearing PP because the 100' up, 100' down with no trailhead in sight thing was pissing my off (funny that 2 other vets said they did the same thing today)! I was way done and the trail wasn't. When I finished and was rolling towards John taking my pic, it was like the whole thing wasn't so bad. Hope to see you next year, for some reason and closer to 4 days and less change, not  that it matters
Sorry this is long.  
Delirious from sleep deprivation!

[mtbcast]

Arizona Trail Race ’15 – Mark Caminiti called in last night from the 300 finish! He’s getting some food before moving on to Payson!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/calls/

[AZTtripper]

It was funny hearing them marvel at how we locals ride the Picketpost to Kelvin section as a day ride. Trust me, it's a bit easier on fresh legs, no bikepacking gear and the opposite direction!!

There's only 2 sections of the trail that I feel aren't worth day riding, Oracle Ridge and High Line. To me those 2 are just not worth day riding, I would only bother if I were doing the full trip or trying to put together the whole trail in segments. Otherwise there's just too much better riding out there. PP to Kelvin or just a O and B from PP to the Plateau and back.

Funny thing from back in the day, the original guide book said the opposite. That certain sections would make good day rides but not worth doing in a tour. I felt the opposite. The fun easy stuff I would do over and over again, the hardest shittiest parts I just can't get myself to do.

Oracle Ridge down to Dan Saddle and then down the mine road and back up the Control road is a good day ride. I have thought about doing the whole thing just a day ride but can't get worked up for it.

[bmattingly]

Looks like Denberg rode through the night with no or little sleep.  I think J slept.  I went for a ride last night after work in Flagstaff.  It was cold and windy.  Likely a tough night for both.  The riders will be loving the sun this morning and the super single track sections coming up for miles.  Today  should be enjoyable for both as they roll through Mormon Lake, Marshall Lake to Flag section is really good and then miles of good riding west of Flagstaff up past the ski area.  Both will have 2 good food options for refueling.

Amazing how they are so far out there in the wilderness but also real close to each other.  Exciting.  These guys are really putting it all out there.

Can anyone shed some light or share some info on Denberg?  He's got to be tough as nails. 

[mtbcast]

Episode April 7, 2015 – Arizona Trail Race Day 5 true ups as we hear from more finishers and check in on the 750 milers!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/podcasts/

[schillingsworth]

Good to see Cassi on the move this a.m. She just dropped in off Tiger Mine TH, 93 miles of desert bliss ahead!!

[joeydurango]

I'll share some info on Denberg - he's one of the nicest guys I've ever met.  Always cheery with a ready smile and easygoing demeanor.  Super good guy!

[hikeabike]

Jeffrey Tomassetti's spot has not been working well, but he reached Picketpost at 7:51am today (4/8).  Now onward for the remaining miles!

[ScottM]

Denberg is a multi-year AZT veteran.  He finished his 750 ITT at 8:12:05 last year, a mere 4 hours slower than JayP's winning time.  He's also on the short list of triple crown finishers (http://www.bikepacking.net/triple-crown-of-bikepacking/) having completed all 3 classic routes.

He had a heart-breaking DNF in the 750 a couple years back when he emerged from the Grand Canyon missing the ratchets (or end caps?) from his rear wheel.  His bike was inoperable, so he had to hitch and call it quits, even though only the epilogue remained.

We know he bested Jefe Branham in a snow-bike race this year, and has been following LW Coaching training plans, so he's got good fitness.

And most of all, we know there's a fierce battle going on between JayP and him.  Neither is letting down.  Both just detoured to Mormon Lake, surely for food -- with Denberg running just ahead, but not far enough to not be seen by Jay while dropping down.  This one is getting GOOD.

750 record stands at 7:06:35, set by Kurt.  His split is 5:03 into Flag.  I think they will be in just behind that.  They did have to ride a bit more trail around Happy Jack / Mormon Mtn than Kurt, since 2010 was a high snow year.

It's going to be a cold night out there.  Temps are 10-15 degrees cooler today.  Awesome for those out in the Black Hills, the Gilas, or the Apache Trail.  Not so good for everyone that'll be up on the rim.  24 degrees for a low in Flag.

[Walkurtalk]

Go Alice!  Love seeing her rip through this thing.....

[ScottM]

Go Alice!   Love seeing her rip through this thing.....

Heck yeah!  Alice is running ahead of (your) record pace.  Reports were that she was shocked (pissed?) by the amount of hike-a-bike during the 300, but it doesn't seem to have slowed her down.  The next challenge for her, of course, is 'the' Highline.

Just heard from Sam Aspacher who finished yesterday morning (he was not tracking on Trackleaders).  Quote from Sam:  "Never in my life have I had to fight harder to complete something."  

[bmattingly]

Joey, Scott,

Thanks for the information.  I thought he may be the guy who ran such a strong race a couple years ago and lost a part in the canyon.  He sounds like a well trained thoroughbred with a great friendly demeanor.  Awesome.

I think refuel and resupply time in Flagstaff is going to be key.  Last night was very cold too and its very windy here today.  Also if Denberg did not sleep at all that may catch up with him.  They both should hit Flag well before dark.

And J is a beast.  We passed each other last year on the highline on my backwards 750 ride.  In our brief conversation he said he was going to ride in the dark until he passed out.  

Wish I had a half day off so I could go ride a few miles closeby.  They should be having a blast on the miles of smooth flowy single track getting to town.

I have gratitude for your website to watch this unfold.  Would always rather be a participant than a watcher but I have to earn a buck.

Go guys go!

[geekonabike]

Good to see Cassi on the move this a.m. She just dropped in off Tiger Mine TH, 93 miles of desert bliss ahead!!

90lbs of sheer determination hauling 55lbs of bike up to PP, I'm in Awe!

[Eszter]

Has anyone heard from or seen a gal named Colleen (I think)? She started about 30 minutes before the Grand Depart and isn't tracking. She was wearing cool socks...that's all I remember from watching her ride off.

[markphx]

Hats off to Josiah Morgan. He got a nice late start at 8:30 a.m. with 5 miles still left to pedal before crossing Hwy 260 and it looks like he gained the Mogollon Rim at 5 p.m. Not bad for a roadie from Oklahoma!

[Flagster]

Just cheered Jay and Aaron through the "sams club section" of Flagstaff around 545PM.  Both headed to the bike shop for shock repairs...
Jay came through a few minutes before Aaron who I almost missed/let pass by since he had so little on his bike.  No wonder he isn't sleeping he probably doesn't even have a bag...

[geekonabike]

Has anyone heard from or seen a gal named Colleen (I think)? She started about 30 minutes before the Grand Depart and isn't tracking. She was wearing cool socks...that's all I remember from watching her ride off.

Last I saw her was two days ago 1/2 way up Lemon. From the tracking I'm assuming Colleen & Cassi are name & nickname. They were cool socks & a good move if you already have enough 'AZ PinStriping'.