 Topic Name: First Ever Arizona Trail Race
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Reply #120 on: March 24, 2010, 09:30:11 PM
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Furgy
Posts: 3
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« Reply #120 on: March 24, 2010, 09:30:11 PM » |
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AZTripper may be on to something. I was a river guide for years and there will always be empty trucks heading south from Lee's Ferry. Several companies launch every day after May 1. Some will go to Page, but many will go to Flag. Most of the drivers would probably welcome the company and some good stories. Your best bet would be to ride to the Ferry and just walk up to the boatmen rigging the boat and ask who the driver is and take it from there. Most of the drivers won't stop for a hitch hiker so you are better off talking to them before they leave the Ferry. You may also want to stop by the Hatch River Company warehouse (next to Cliff Dwellers on 89A) and see if they have any trucks headed to Flag.
Cliff Dwellers does cater to fishermen, but the economy has hit them hard and if they won't accommodate you as a business, I'd ask if there were any employees that would drive you in their personal car on their day off. Most of those people will jump to make a little extra money.
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Topic Name: First Ever Arizona Trail Race
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Reply #121 on: March 30, 2010, 12:31:22 PM
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wookieone
Location: Gunnison, Colorado
Posts: 310
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« Reply #121 on: March 30, 2010, 12:31:22 PM » |
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Any word on snow melt? Just a wondering, thanks Jefe
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Topic Name: First Ever Arizona Trail Race
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Reply #122 on: March 30, 2010, 01:15:04 PM
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tRoy
Location: Flagstaff,AZ
Posts: 92
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« Reply #122 on: March 30, 2010, 01:15:04 PM » |
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The snow is melting... but still a lot of snow left especially on N. facing slopes and in sheltered gullys/canyons.... These pictures were taken during a splitboard tour on March 21st, 2010. This picture (from Saddle Mtn.) looks south towards the Kachina Peaks. The AZT is under snow down in the flats.  This (when the snowmelts) mountain-biker, Rico is riding on top of ~4 feet of snow on an East facing slope of Saddle Mtn. at about 8600 feet elevation.  3-6 inches of snow in the 8000ft range are forecast for this week... Right now I would say that ~100 miles of AZT around here are 80% snow and mud... more if you include the AZT N. of the grand canyon.... Wish I could give you a better outlook... but maybe April will see no snow and very warm days... |
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« Last Edit: March 30, 2010, 01:27:40 PM by tRoy »
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Topic Name: First Ever Arizona Trail Race
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Reply #123 on: March 30, 2010, 10:23:35 PM
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ScottM
bikepacking.net admin
Location: Wherever the GeoPro is parked.
Posts: 2863
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« Reply #123 on: March 30, 2010, 10:23:35 PM » |
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Thanks for the report and pics, Troy. Even the Catalinas are still buried -- I saw a photo showing 4-5 feet still at the top of Lemmon.
Here's to a warm spring. Today was a good start! ~88 degs in Tucson.
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Topic Name: First Ever Arizona Trail Race
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Reply #124 on: March 30, 2010, 10:24:20 PM
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ScottM
bikepacking.net admin
Location: Wherever the GeoPro is parked.
Posts: 2863
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« Reply #124 on: March 30, 2010, 10:24:20 PM » |
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In other news, CTR and GDR vet Brad Kee called me today and said he has bought tickets and will be going for the full AZT.
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Topic Name: First Ever Arizona Trail Race
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Reply #125 on: March 31, 2010, 09:45:06 AM
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tRoy
Location: Flagstaff,AZ
Posts: 92
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« Reply #125 on: March 31, 2010, 09:45:06 AM » |
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In other news, CTR and GDR vet Brad Kee called me today and said he has bought tickets and will be going for the full AZT.
that is the spirt! I say if you are on the fence then go for it!!!!! if ya ride your bike at night, the mud and much of the snow will be frozen over... flowing creeks everywhere (not always the case here) and it could be like a tropical vacation compared to MC's adventures. |
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« Last Edit: March 31, 2010, 10:54:21 AM by tRoy »
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Topic Name: First Ever Arizona Trail Race
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Reply #126 on: March 31, 2010, 10:49:01 AM
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dream4est
Posts: 594
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« Reply #126 on: March 31, 2010, 10:49:01 AM » |
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I am in as well Scott. I have a few questions for you and the other racers though.
1. What would be the cheapest gps unit to use that would work for this route? Garmin etrex legend hcx? I have seen that one for $167. Do I need the vista hcx with the compass or will the legend do ok? Anyone want to sell me one used?
2. Anyone from Colorado/Utah want to offer a ride to Tucson/the start? I am in Idaho Springs but can drive to wherever to catch a ride. I could also have a ride to the start and from the finish (my girlfriend) if someone in my neck of the woods wants to split the gas.
I have my bike/gear ready and just need a gps and new lighting. I am also pretty psyched to ride the AZT as I have never ridden even one inch of Arizona. This should be a great start to the season for me, which will also include the Grand Loop, The CTR and maybe TU and Coco250.
Mark C.
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Topic Name: First Ever Arizona Trail Race
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Reply #127 on: March 31, 2010, 04:16:19 PM
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jonesy792
Location: Tucson AZ
Posts: 201
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« Reply #127 on: March 31, 2010, 04:16:19 PM » |
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the legend should work fine, I have the vista and I have never used the compass feature
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Topic Name: First Ever Arizona Trail Race
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Reply #128 on: March 31, 2010, 07:01:48 PM
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AZTtripper
Moderator
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 1732
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« Reply #128 on: March 31, 2010, 07:01:48 PM » |
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I would think that with any GPS and the cue sheet any one can figure it out, one of the only problem spots I remember from my 06 trip was knowing if the track meant look for single track or ride the road. By having the cue sheet those parts should be easy to figure out, once you are on the AZT proper you will have official signage to help.
The only place I had any trouble was finding the single track next to the highway north of Payson. Scott had told me about it but that was like 3 plus weeks before and we had discussed the whole route in one meeting no notes. For the other 800 miles I pretty much just followed the track.
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Topic Name: First Ever Arizona Trail Race
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Reply #129 on: March 31, 2010, 07:35:00 PM
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ScottM
bikepacking.net admin
Location: Wherever the GeoPro is parked.
Posts: 2863
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« Reply #129 on: March 31, 2010, 07:35:00 PM » |
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Yep, Legend HCx will do just fine. Where did you find it for $167? I may refer others to the same place.
We'll work out some rides from Tucson, both to Parker Lake (for the 300) and to Sierra Vista (full AZT) when the date gets closer and we know who is coming for sure. I think staying in Sierra Vista the night before still makes the most sense for full AZTers, though I need to give it a little more thought.
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Topic Name: First Ever Arizona Trail Race
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Reply #130 on: March 31, 2010, 08:00:10 PM
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dream4est
Posts: 594
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« Reply #130 on: March 31, 2010, 08:00:10 PM » |
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Topic Name: First Ever Arizona Trail Race
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Reply #131 on: April 01, 2010, 07:21:48 PM
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krefs
Location: Prescott, AZ
Posts: 492
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« Reply #131 on: April 01, 2010, 07:21:48 PM » |
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So let's hear everyone's bike portage ideas...
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Topic Name: First Ever Arizona Trail Race
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Reply #132 on: April 02, 2010, 10:51:17 AM
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dream4est
Posts: 594
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« Reply #132 on: April 02, 2010, 10:51:17 AM » |
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I am using the Dakine Nomad pack, which I have used for most of my bikepacking trips. While not very popular compared to the Osprey Talon 22, it has a sweet feature for bike portage. The helmet holder clips right to the top tube and upper seat tube junction and within seconds I am carrying the full bike. It does not move and the pack holds the bike away from the body quite well.
I was thinking of getting the Osprey but since the Dakine requires no straps to hold a bike I will stay with it. It feels comfortable up to 16-17 lbs but I go with about 12.5-13 lbs. I would guess that the Osprey is more comfortable loaded but with some added shoulder padding the Dakine feels good to me. The Nomad weighs about .6 lbs more than a Talon 22 (1.8 vs. 2.4 lbs).
A slightly modded Talon 22 would work well and be still be light. Maybe add some straps/clips in similar fashion to the Nomad's helmet carrier? If I was really gunning for the leaders that would be my strategy but for me my heavier but reliable pack will work. I already have felt the burn from taking "test" items out and having them fail too many times.
In order to ease my mind about extra pack weight I removed my pad for a superlight one and saved 10 oz. so I ended up about even keeping the Nomad and not moving to the Osprey.
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Topic Name: First Ever Arizona Trail Race
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Reply #133 on: April 02, 2010, 03:06:19 PM
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marycycle
Posts: 17
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« Reply #133 on: April 02, 2010, 03:06:19 PM » |
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Re: Garmin etrex legend hcx--amazon says the weight is 2 lbs? That means the weight of the box, unit, and accessories, right? I can't imagine that the unit weighs 2 lbs. Thanks for the tip and the link, I am researching GPS units for my AZT300.
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Topic Name: First Ever Arizona Trail Race
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Reply #134 on: April 02, 2010, 06:34:33 PM
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dream4est
Posts: 594
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« Reply #134 on: April 02, 2010, 06:34:33 PM » |
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I think the legend and vista both weigh 5.5 oz. plus 2 AA battery. I am gonna pull the trigger on the legend.
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Topic Name: First Ever Arizona Trail Race
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Reply #135 on: April 05, 2010, 08:50:03 AM
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krefs
Location: Prescott, AZ
Posts: 492
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« Reply #135 on: April 05, 2010, 08:50:03 AM » |
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Any thoughts on getting down to Tucson on Weds or Thurs from Phoenix? I'm contemplating flying in, trying to find a shop near the airport that'll let me put reassemble my bike and leave my bike box there, and then heading south...
...not that I'm ready to commit to racing or anything.
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Topic Name: First Ever Arizona Trail Race
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Reply #136 on: April 05, 2010, 10:07:38 AM
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Topic Name: First Ever Arizona Trail Race
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Reply #137 on: April 05, 2010, 01:18:15 PM
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AZTtripper
Moderator
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 1732
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« Reply #137 on: April 05, 2010, 01:18:15 PM » |
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Any thoughts on getting down to Tucson on Weds or Thurs from Phoenix? I'm contemplating flying in, trying to find a shop near the airport that'll let me put reassemble my bike and leave my bike box there, and then heading south...
...not that I'm ready to commit to racing or anything.
Good chance somebody may be making the trip anyway if not there are several shuttles to and from Tucson/Phx airports. Not sure what they charge but most pull trailers and have plenty of cargo space. Here's one that does Flag as well http://arizonashuttle.com/ and one that does Sierra Vista http://www.arizonasunshinetours.com/shuttle.html |
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Topic Name: First Ever Arizona Trail Race
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Reply #138 on: April 05, 2010, 01:25:58 PM
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tRoy
Location: Flagstaff,AZ
Posts: 92
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« Reply #138 on: April 05, 2010, 01:25:58 PM » |
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...Right now I would say that ~100 miles of AZT around here (Flagstaff) are 80% snow and mud... more if you include the AZT N. of the grand canyon...
We had a warm week and I am going to knock that snow and mud percentage down to 65%. |
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Topic Name: First Ever Arizona Trail Race
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Reply #139 on: April 05, 2010, 02:10:16 PM
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OurManInTheNorth
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 101
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« Reply #139 on: April 05, 2010, 02:10:16 PM » |
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Weather sounds about the same as here then!
Scott - is there going to be a cue sheet for the full AZT? just trying to work what to do (maps, second GPS) as a back up for navigating...
Still looking for a lift share from Flagstaff to Tuscon wed or thurs, Randy what were your plans?
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