I do admire his brazenness. Hopefully he's got room for the main course!

Here's a comparison of the bag in its pocket stuff sack, lightly compressed with my finger, next to a small, jetboil fuel canister. With a proper compression sack, you could probably get the volume to about 2x that of the fuel canister. That's not too bad!

Your ridiculous band is playing a block party?  That's the best reason I've ever heard for finishing the AZT up fast.  Awesome.  Go swiftly!

Hanging out in Boulder after the race? Com'on down to Denver! It's a Science Fiction-themed show! MAY THE FORTH BE WITH YOU!

If I make it to the end of the 750 how does someone get there to pick me up? It looks like all dirt roads around there.

My plan is that there is no plan!

I may ride to Page and try my luck hitchin' back to Denver, if not only Durango. If I feel sprightly, I may, "C-Money" it to Durango (tis only 260 miles on boring featureless desert highway - pishaw!), or farther - who knows. The most attractive HW to my AZTR rookie mind that works for me is the one outta Page, to the Four Corners, and then into SW CO.

If anyone is in Durango that wants a co-pilot to Denver (or Summit - or anywhere on the i-70 corridor where I can pick up a Greyhound), I'm yer man. Happy to split out gas and pick up a dinner or something! I'm hoping for ~10 day finish, but let's not let me get ahead of myself. Need to be in Denver by the 4th of May as my ridiculous band is playing a block party!

The Patagonia Mountaineer cut rain jacket is one of my favorite piece of kit, mostly for the simplicity of the design: hand pockets, pit zips, hood, cinches for the hood and waist- and that's it. I don't even think it has like an iPod pocket or anything. You can def. find other jackets that pack down smaller, but the Patagonia doesn't do too bad. As far as warmth goes, it's a pretty "cold" jacket. You wouldn't mislabel it a soft shell by any stretch of the imagination. The cut is def. fitted, which is nice, when you're a lanky biker dude.

http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/mens-torrentshell-waterproof-rain-jacket?p=83801-0-514

I like understated looking things and garments (other than my kit) that aren't biking-specific. I also like how the logo is already barely visible, which saves me a step of sharpie'ing it out. I did not know about this little feature:

Stows in self-stuff handwarmer pocket with carabiner clip-in loop; Re-engineered pattern for improved fit have to check that out, when I get home.

Usually, I shy away from Patagonia stuff, as it's  usually WAY expensive, and relegate myself to searching for the elusive brand at second hand stores, but getting a good rainjacket is a good thing, if you want to stay relatively happy and dry. Pit zips, man - don't leave home, without them.

Yeah, it's working for me on w/v2.3.6 of Android. It's a web-based app, so nothing to download,

I took a gamble on getting some 35mm Small Block 8's (after the positive experience on the TD w/~2.1's) to turn my CrossCheck into a Gravel Grinder rig and was pleased they worked exactly as I hoped (AWESOMELY!). SM8's on all the bikes!

If they made them  at around a 40 - 45mm, they'd be freakin' perfect light touring, Forest Service Road poke-about rig - everything I want the FireCross's to be, but aren't (as they're super slow and way too aggressive)

Looks like Cjell is on his way, only 700+ miles to Sierra Vista. Will he make it on time? only time will tell.
http://trackleaders.com/aztr13i.php?name=Cjell_Money

I think some beers are in order for him, no matter how close or far he gets!

What Mark said Especially the point about 285 being a stupid place to ride bikes on (that part anyways). There's OK parts of 285, where there's a shoulder, but I fear the traffic is just going to get worse, every year, it being the backup way to the mountains.

The only reserve is that it *is* extra 50 miles of twisty, sandy in parts forest roads, so don't expect to plow through it, in 45 minutes, which seems to be the consensus on what you can do 285 NB. There's no way historical times are not going to be comparable, especially NB. 

(and pretense again, I'm about 25% "in" for a CTR ITT, which isn't much traction, I understand)

"Tribal pressure" doesn't appear to have worked so far...

There's some truth to that, and maybe that means we need some attitude adjustment, and realize how incredible something like the Colorado Trail *is* and be more stewards to it, rather than merely exploit the trail. I think the best thing to do would be to cast any donations in a positive light - so perhaps on the forum/or your blog post your little, "Just sent over MY donation to the CTR! Feeling good about the race!", and maybe that example will help others to follow suite. I think getting the word out that the CTF really really needs the funds, or - guess what? The Colorado Trail ain't gonna be what it used ta be isn't the worst idea, either. With the idea being to nudge people into doing something we should all ("all" being, those who use the trail) probably be doing, anyways.

I'm using the framework used for underground music shows, that double as fundraisers: Everyone is allowed, there's a "Highly" suggested donation, no one is turned away. There's some that don't pay (or pay very little), most people pay the suggested, and there's some established people in the, "scene" that have been around forever that usually pay a little, or a lot more than they have to. But the only person knowing all this, is the doorperson.

I also want to reiterate if Stephan wants this, no matter if it's suggested or mandatory, and I put my hat in for the race, I'll be happy to pay (or get a CTF membership, etc) - especially since it's a trail so close to where I live. I think it's a great cause for the "race" to rally towards.

[So, I'm considering declaring a $50-$100 donation to the CTF as mandatory for participation in the CTR this year. Please discuss.]

So, I'm considering declaring a $50-$100 donation to the CTF as mandatory for participation in the CTR this year.  Please discuss.

I like the idea in general, but is there a way you could phrase it to be a, "HIGHLY highly suggested", with social and tribal pressure to do so, (instead of mandatory) donation?  Personally, I would def. give $50 to the CTF if I decide to race, but those with a tighter budget are going to be turned off. I'm thinking people that are perhaps in school, without a study stream of income. If it's mandatory, it won't turn me off, as I think the CTF are doing good, but there are many other ways to contribute to them - trailbuilding, going to their fundraisers - I would almost say that utilizing the trail - or even taking pictures and sharing them supports the CTF.

One more thing to weigh in w/285 is the construction going on, just East of Idaho Springs, on one of the I-70 tunnels. I think more people are getting the idea that 285 is an interesting alternative to I-70 to get in the mountains from Denver, for the weekend.

Here's a link to the detours on a map:

* 285
http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/display/1365652706-20640-65.128.101.60.html

* Tarryall
http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/display/1365652764-20652-65.128.101.60.html

I'm fairly certain I've been on Tarryall (or something similar) - looks like it skirts around Lost Creek Wilderness?

I'm only in for a, "maybe, if things align" status for the CTR this year - and only then for an ITT (probably), but it does seem that if you're going NB, that the time you hit 285 is going to be all over the place, and 285 is bad enough during the day time, it's certainly not something I'd suggest at night.

sunscreen - any suggestions? I generally don't use it. I have a theory that I get more of a burn when I use it? maybe its what I'm using, "sport - sweat proof" Anyway, for this event I will get something. mainly for face, neck, ears, legs. I will use a long sleeve for arms.

I'm pretty pale, and my personal choice these days is SPF100+ spray on, waterproof stuff - whatever variety is close at hand. On the TD, I found that after applying it for multiple days, it's almost impossible to get off, and dust would stick to me, giving me a faux tan. I only realized this, when taking a shower! I thought though, "eh, dust is pretty good at blocking out the sun, too!"

I'll get some absolutely opaque stuff for my nose, which is also pale, and enormous. Don't forget about your lips, too.

I'm also excited and also like bikes, we should go for a ride together sometime!

That, I believe, is a spectacular idea. Maybe a little hike down to the river, too?

[D]

OK! I've officially thrown in my hat for the AZTR 750 - no more just talk. I'm looking forward to being humbled by the unique challenges of the AZTR (as compared to the Tour Divide, for example) as I am more of a cold-weather mountain yeti, rather than a desert coyote and I haven't, "Mountain Biked" (saved for ill-advised trips on the Crosscheck) in like, 9 months. Hope to get some singletrack riding in beforehand, but I'm guessing you'll see me with crampons lashed to my boots and an ice axe in my hand, rather than epic trips to Buffalo Creek. ...well, actually, that sounds pretty good, too!

No real goals for the AZTR for me, except to have a ton of fun and to enjoy the desert solitude. Finishing really isn't all that of a priority (worried more about bike mechanicals than fitness), but hell if I miss out on the Big BDitch! Looking forward to seeing y'all on 4.19.13, (which is also my birthday!)

And help me, I'll be (curmudgeonly) purchasing a GPS soon.

Ray: Thanks so much for communicating with me about the shuttle you so graciously set up - I'll be joining Mark on the long car ride to the 750 start, which logistically is far more simpler - thanks for offering me a seat, Mark. We'll have a ton to talk about!

Anyways, can you tell I'm excited?! Bikes are totally awesome.

Are you kidding, that's absolutely perfect, I'll PM you, as it's getting late.

I'm considering flying into Phoenix (cheap!) and taking Ray's shuttle (if you still got room, Ray!) from the AZTR 300 terminus to the AZTR start, and then riding to the start of the AZTR 750.

* Riding to the 300 termius from the airport: Any tips? I was thinking of flying on the 17th, and getting a cheap motel (put the bike back together), and perhaps even get a shuttle from the motel out of the airport, put the bike together and ride out early in the morn, for a ~60 miles, mostly pavement ride. Any routes out of the city/'burbs better than others? Nothing looks incredibly too fun.

* I'm assuming the ride to the start of the 750 will be relatively easy to do in the dark. Looks like... one turn. Something a simpleton with the route loaded in a Garmin should mess up?

Breck to Como is a really nice section, and Salida beyond seems almost silly to miss out on, but South Park can be a little sparse in the landscape and if the wind comes up, it can be both detrimental to your forward motion, as well as your self-esteem.

Steamboat to Kremming is a fun section as well. After that, the road really widens out, and then you're ...9(?) to Summit County, which isn't so fun.  

The 20-ish miles N of Del Norte is fun, as is the Indiana Pass after Del Norte, if you want a really good challenge. Not sure what the truck traffic is or will be, I've always hit it on a Sunday, or at night.

I'd almost suggest making a loop out of it - you could start from Salida, and go to the top of Marshall Pass, and then take the CT down it, back to Salida, or Buena Vista, or go all the way to Leadville. That would be a righteous way to go. You can do some research on the Vapor Trail race route as well. Salida is an excellent homebase for MTB adventures. Making a loop from Steamboat is also very possible.

http://fastestknowntime.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=midatlantic&action=display&thread=6

http://fastestknowntime.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=pacific&action=display&thread=29

If there's a track, there's a FKT. Striving for a  FKT is def. not an obligation for any track. But people do give it a go. "Official" times on these tracks are sort of weird idea.