Coconino 250 Stage Race 2010

[ScottM]

Alright folks, the 2010 Coconino 250 Stage Race is coming right around the corner.  Just a tad over a month away.

Start date is Saturday, October 9th, 2010 from Flagstaff, AZ.  This is probably my favorite bikepacking route, though I am certainly biased since I helped create it with the indefatigable Chad Brown.

The stage race format (still 100% self supported) is an interesting concept, and one I hope to see flourish a bit this year.  If you aren't familiar, the way it works is that there are designated "stopping/sleeping zones" on the route where you can stop and the clock stops as well.  Last year almost everyone slept a night at each spot, but you can leave whenever you wish, or not stop at all.  This brings a little strategy and a lot of camaraderie into the mix.  There are 3 stage stops total, making for a pretty reasonable 4 day ride, at ~60 miles a day.

Here's Lee Blackwell watching the world turn pink from Stage Stop #1, overlooking Sedona:



So, who is in?  Both Chad and I will be there.

Resources:

AES official race site: http://rockyroad5050.wordpress.com/5-coconino-250-and-350/
Bp.net's route description: http://www.bikepacking.net/routes/coconino-loop/

[maadjurguer]

I'm out to much disapointment....just found out today  my wife has a week long commitment starting that Sunday which I can't get out of......ride strong folks.  I may have to ride this the following week solo if I'm still unemployed.

[jimfab]

I would love to give this one a shot but work is gettin in the way. I may feel a cold coming on that week......... I do have a bunch O time off the next week... Madd i may be with you on the week after? I will see what kind of schedule magic i can work out to make the group start. I like the new time format.

Rock on - jim

[krefs]

Boy do I wish this wasn't such a long drive from Boulder...

[Carney]

Dang - my excuse is pretty lame......Moab 24..... boo, hiss, I know, what can I say, I like 400 people group rides on sandy jeep roads.

Anywho - Not to hijack the thread, but what's the possibility of this route still being open later in the fall (late Nov.). The brother and I are looking for some touring possibilities and if I'm not mistaken, there is a detour around the high point of the route should it snow?

Wish I could make it down as it looks like a lot of fun!

[DaveH]

Late Nov would be a crapshoot.  If it doesn't snow on the rim you'd be good to go.  It would be darn chilly tho - it was below freezing in the early AM when I did it around Oct 20ish.  Late Nov I'd expect lows in the teens near and above 7k.  Not an issue at tour pace tho.

I bet you could incorporate the southern half of the route with some other trails south of the route for something more predictable in the winter, but that's thinking outside the box.

Oh, and Kurt - that doesn't sound like an excuse why you aren't going, more like you aren't looking forward to the drive

[AZTtripper]

I am hoping to make this one again it is a great ride and the stage option made for some good times in camp as well.

[elobeck]

newbie coconino questions....somebody? Buehler?

1_What's a Coconino?
2_Water on route?
3_any other course newbie suggestions?

[AZTtripper]

newbie coconino questions....somebody? Buehler?

1_What's a Coconino?
2_Water on route?
3_any other course newbie suggestions?

1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconino_Sandstone

2 There are a couple of sources on day one the main one being on the west side of I-17 at the A-DOT picnic area be sure to carry enough for the night if you are staying at stage stop one. Also we need to find out if they have fixed the water in the camp ground on top of Mingus. It would be great to not have to carry so much up there. Stores in Sedona and Cottonwood and a spring that should be marked after Mingus as well as the Verde River before the climb from hell back up to the pines.

3 watch out for Chadism's ie fun pieces of single track that parallel dirt roads it's makes for fun riding but it pisses you off when you know the road would be easier.  

[DaNM]

Long time no see yall. I hope to make it down from Colorado. If Loveland ski area opens I`ll have to work. It would be great to see some new terrain.

[DaNM]

And we ought to car pool down there.

[Lee Blackwell]

I'm in, it's a good ride!

Lee

[AZTtripper]

Looks like the no water on Mingus yet oh well.

[Lee Blackwell]

thanks for that water info, guess I'll be carrying a full load out of Cottonwood.

[YuriB]

I'm time constrained this year but I'll be out and about and may camp out with you guys the 1st night.

[bmattingly]

Hey all,

Brad from Flagstaff here.  I'm in and look forward to meeting many of you.  For those of you in do you plan leaving The Place in Flagstaff at 7am or meeting at 7, eating first and then leaving??  Weather is forcaste to be good.  May be a bit hot  in Cottonwood before heading up Mingus.

Brad

[Lee Blackwell]

my plan is meet at 7, order some breakfast and roll out after breakfast. Of course it is self timed anyway so you can start when you like!  I'll likely roll out at 8 or so.
Lee

[DaNM]

I`m with Lee here. The breakfast joint should be in a sleep zone. The first day looks to be an only 6 hours or so, we should all have hang overs and the thru riders... Optimal start time for all. An  open start time is an unstressful twist. Keep it fun to the max.

[ScottM]

Yep, there is no set start time for stage 1, just like the rest of the stages.  Brings a little strategy in, perhaps.

SPOTS - We will have a trackleaders tracker going for the race.  If you have your own, please email me the share page URL (if I don't already have it).

If you'd like to rent one, they are $25 from trackleaders.com.  Please let me know (smorris@topofusion.com) ASAP if you want one.  We should have enough for everyone.

Thanks, more later.  Heading back to Tucson now.

[Chad B]

GPX file is staying the same. Check the AES website for the cue sheets/GPX

Some changes have been made to the Walnut Canyon section of the AZT. These will be signed with AZT signs. Additionally, the road outside of Williams has been moved about 100 yards to the east. If you get there, you will see the change. They were working on it while I was doing my ITT. Very minor change and you will see it.