Coconino 250 in May anyone?

[Foster]

I got my first endurance mountain biking experience this last weekend, actually first mountain bike race ever on the AZ-300 and now I want more of it.  I am going to do a ITT on the coconino 250 right after finals are out.  Somewhere around the 13th of May.  If anyone is thinking about doing the ride let me know maybe we can start at the same time.  It would be cool to get a small group of riders to go.  I won't be doing it in stages and will go until its all done.  Should only be about 3 days of riding if everything goes smooth. 

Eric

[Chad B]

Rhino's Pictures for you to enjoy from his Coco ride last weekend: https://picasaweb.google.com/107936475700105618486/RhinoBPRCoco15apr11?authkey=Gv1sRgCP30ldeC7JzYZw&feat=email#

I will be up there toward the end of May, assuming weather permits. Might try to do a fast ITT again.

[Foster]

Thanks for the link to the pictures, can't wait to ride it.  Looks like there's still a little snow out there, I am guessing that it will be completely gone by the time I go to do the ride.  Weather should be in low 70's in the high elevations and mid 80's in the valleys, great weather. 

[rhino]

We had temps higher than 80's. I am a lizard and sun burned. Being a tough guy, and following self support, I was too proud to borrow lotion and not smart enough to remember to buy it. Ran low on water from Perkinsville to Williams. Should be good in May, June would really be pushing it for me.

[Foster]

Good to know about the temps, anything should feel cool though compared the the 97 degrees for 2 days on the AZ-300 this year though, that about killed me.  I'm looking forward to riding through some trees!

[jimfab]

Rhino, Those frame bags are Friggin Sweet! 

I may be game for some coco in May depending on weather and how it matches up with my work schedule. Although, I drove through the Kaibab yesterday and would sure like to get back there again soon to ride. Just too many choices around here. 

[Foster]

Did stage one and then down to Sedona today, lots of wind but good riding temps once I got moving.  There were a few snow piles near mormon mountain other than that 90 percent of the trail is bone dry now.  Was able to move really fast cause the very small amount of hike a bike.  Overall had a good ride and enjoyed the trails.

One question, is it feasible to make it up Mingus Mountain on day one?  About 16 hours of riding a day is what I am shooting for.  Looks to be about 100 miles to the top of Mingus. 

[Dave-W]

Eric,  I will be starting the loop on May 13th myself.  I fly in to Phoenix at about 10 am and will be taking the shuttle to flagstaff getting in around 1p - 2p. from there I will getting my bike from a local shop then hitting the trail by 3p if all goes well.  I have planed to spend 4 nights out.  If you would like to meet up let me know. 

Dave

dweyer (at) bellsouth (dot) net

[Foster]

That's great you'll be riding it the same time.  I'm not sure if I will be able to join you.  If I can't get off work then I will be riding it at a fast pace, only have 3 days off work for that weekend.   But if I get my vacation time that I requested I might join ya and do it in stages.

[AZTtripper]

One question, is it feasible to make it up Mingus Mountain on day one?  About 16 hours of riding a day is what I am shooting for.  Looks to be about 100 miles to the top of Mingus.  

Anything is possible, but that HAB on Mingus at the end of a 16 hour day is going to be brutal. There are several flat spots along the way but at some point you will be committed to finishing it.

Tim

[Dave-W]

If I can't get off work then I will be riding it at a fast pace, only have 3 days off work for that weekend.   But if I get my vacation time that I requested I might join ya and do it in stages.

My plan is to leave on Friday the 13th about 3p and get back to flagstaff about 3-4p on Tuesday the 17th (not the best way to brake up the ride but I will be coming from South Florida, and it takes a long time to get there)  You are welcome to join me for all or part of the ride.  I will generally ride hard until I find something cool to look at then stop.  or maybe we can meet up after I get back to flagstaff and talk about the ride.


BTW Great job on the AZT, I will see you there next year!

[Dave-W]

Eric - I see that you live in flagstaff, what kind of tempatures can I expect on the loop?  Just want to make sure don't over pack but want to stay warm if needed.

Thanks for your help

Dave

[Foster]

Hey Dave-Lately it has been very windy every day and the highs have been in the 60's and lows in the upper 20's to upper 30's, typical spring weather for flagstaff.  Afternoon riding is nice and it warms up fairly quickly in the morning, the wind could be the big factor.  I can give you a better idea of what to bring for the ride once it gets closer to the 13th.  By then I will have a better idea what the weather will be like.  Cause for all I know right now we could get a random snowstorm that weekend, the weather here is highly variable in the spring.  Crossing my fingers for no wind and good temps though. .  I see you are coming from florida, how are you with cold weather?

[Foster]

Average Temps

8000 feet:  56 degrees high  29 degrees low  This is for Mingus and Bill Williams Mountain

7000 feet:  66 degrees high  33 degrees low  While on the rim

3300 feet:  86 degrees high  50 degrees low  Verde Valley area

This is the range of temps you can probably expect, this should give you an idea of clothes to bring.  I was looking at some very long range weather models today, looking like it could be warmer than normal with ridging taking place.  Warmer temps will be a good thing, less to carry.

Not sure how long you are going to be around in flagstaff but if you need a place to crash let me know, I have a place in town.

[Dave-W]

Thanks for the good info on the local temps. That is what I needed to get an idea of What to bring.  Good thing because, I was not expecting it to be that cold. 

All things considered I do well in the cold, but it will be a shock to my system coming from Florida where we had a heat index over 100* yesterday, and have not seen lows below 60 for over 2 months (at night).

Do you get much rain this time of the year?

[Foster]

May and june are the 2 driest months in flagstaff so we most likely won't see any clouds at all...except for the usual large plume of smoke from wildfires. 

[Foster]

Looks like weather will be dry the whole time.  Looks like pretty warm temps too.  I would plan for temps in the low 90's for the verde valley and 70ish for the mountains.

[Dave-W]

What kind of time did you get off for the weekend?  Are you still going to do the loop or just part of it?

I sent my bike a few days ago to absolute bike shop in flagstaff, if all goes well,it will be built and ready to go when I get there.

Thanks for the update on the temps.  I am still going to bring a coat, leg and arm warmers for at night and mornings.

[Foster]

Hey dave,

Looks like I only have friday thru sunday to complete the ride.  Didn't end up getting time off on monday and tuesday.  I have been training hard and riding around 300 miles per week with lots of hills so I am about as ready as I'll ever be.  The past 3 weeks I have been going and doing the course. I went and did it in 4 segments just like they do in the stage race in october, there is some great riding and great scenery to look at so you won't have any problems finding cool stuff to do.  The course is also highly rideable too so you can make really good time, there is very little HAB.  I averaged at 8mph overall doing it in segments.  If I could do that pace for 30 hours strait that would be amazing but I don't think that is going to happen, that would kill me after 100 miles.  I plan to take 3 days to do the ride.  If you wanna cool place to camp then I would shoot for making it to the end of the first stage, its a great spot to camp with great views, then the next morning you wake up to mile and miles of awesome downhill riding. 

We should meet up and talk about our experiences when you finish yours though, that'd be cool.

Eric

[Dave-W]

So your plan is to ride for about 10 hours a day for 3 days or are you going nonstop (or as long as you can) for an ITT of the course.

I was going to ask you where I should camp the first day, because I will only be able to ride about 5-6 hours the first day and will not make it to the end of the 1st stage. (which should be about 40 miles in if I go by your avg. 8 mph)

How quick is the trail in the beginning?  

My goal for the 2nd day was to make it from that point to the end of the 2nd stage and camp out. Do you thing that is doable?