I feel angry and sad for the dark cloud controversy that has occurred because of one person's ride and the the choices that were made on how to ride it.  The AZT 300/700/800+ rides are super fantastic adventure experiences by bike that many people have done, or attempted to do, for over a decade now.  These rides are beautiful and bring out the grit in those that complete.

Scott and John have done a SPECTACULAR job creating and managing this ride, putting countless hours of their time, and I believe overall wanting people to have a great experience on this long, isolated route.

I've spent a good deal of time on a few 300s and a 750 and have great memmories for the beauty, the suffering, and the experiences.  I've thoroughly enjoyed meeting and riding with other people too.  My 750 ITT was pretty dam isolated.  Not alot of people out there heading southbound.  Can't imagine my fiance showing up to meet me daily for a video.

I think Outside Magazine's article is very thorough giving both sides of the story.  After reading that article and these posts I think way too much attention is cast on the rules and not enough on one persons self promotion attempts and ego.  The negativity from one ride casts a dark cloud on an event that many people love.  When a race director shows up while ride is going and warns of rule violation it would be wise for a team to honor the warning rather than blow it off.  I think the RD went above and beyond.  Relegation stinks but the RDs have to manage a race for consistency I believe.

Thank you Scott and John for helping many of us expereince a life enhancing event.  You rock!!!!!

Loved the call in from Alexandera.  Amazing persistence and strong spirit.  I love it.

Good luck to you and the rest.  I hope the weather holds out.   

Good job Chase,  Way to push to 2am.  That is some serious wilderness out  there on the N. Rim.  Impressive run.  Joe is closing in on Jacob Lake which will be a great fuel up spot for him, Good job Joe.  And good job Brad making it past the N. Rim.

You all deserve mucho positive energy.  Way to go!!!!!!!

A couple summers ago I was riding with my daughter on the AZT North of the North Rim.  We rode up on one of the biggest trees I've ever seen in Arizona.  Truly amazing and huge.  Shortly afterwards I met someone who told me a story of Dale Shewalters earlier trips on the Arizona trail maybe backpacking.  The person told me at the end of a long day he prepared to pitch his tent at the base of a large tree but decided to move his tent somewhere else.  A big lightning storm moved in that night and struck the large tree he almost camped under.  Likely a good decision adding to his health or mortality.  Dale had the vision and inspiration to start the AZT project and see it to fruition.  It will be enjoyed for many generations to come.  Aho Dale!!

Great article and pictures Eszter! 

The 800 crew is looking lean.  The weather up on the rim has been gorgeous during the day and cold at night.  Should be good through the weekend.  I'm cheering on the second place rider from Flagstaff, my hometown.  I don't know her.  If she keeps cranking she will make Flagstaff later tonight for a much needed rest.

Good luck all.

Super nice weather today in Flagstaff.  Only enjoyed 20 minutes of sun time to eat lunch for work break.  I need more free time to pedal.

Go all!!!

Hey Erin,

Good job on the CTR last summer.  I read your info and nice pictures.  Sounds like a blast.  I'm looking forward to some alpine single track.  Getting close now.

Good to hear from you.  Thanks for the message.

Brad

Thanks for the info.  Those darn fires.  I have my GPS track loaded and I hope that we are not required to reload the GPS after modifications.  I don't have the apps and loading tracks is tough for a non techy.  A writeup would be great.  I'm confident the locals know good options for a reroute if required.  Looks like some have already been suggested.  Getting to Silverton earlier would be good. The riding out of Silverton looks tough. 

Can anyone recommend a hotel or rental car place close to Waterton Canyon?  I've spent time in Boulder climbing but I'm not familiar with Denver.

Brad

Hey all,

Does anyone have a residence or a contact in Durango for possibly parking my vehicle for a week?  Happy to compensate someone for the space.

Brad Mattingly, Flagstaff

Hey Mark,

I'm sending you lots of love from Northern Arizona.  Good job on the race.  Sorry about your experience of rude people in AZ.  Maybe the heat and City stuff lead to people being lame.  Maybe they are stressed or unhappy.  I totally agree with you, you are as important as the person in the rich car.  Cheers.

With the other lengthy discussions on TD lets just give Matt, Scott, and I think Stephan a ton of gratitude for their creations and energy that help many experience hours of excitement, suffering, joy, jubilation and many other adjectives, annually.  Thank you guys a bunch!!!

Mark C.

You are the man!  I checked your location last night and wondered if you would push on to Brush Mtn.  Great job.  You are putting in some serious miles.  Its awesome that you keep doing something you are passionate about.  I cheered you when I read you made it that late into the night.

Awesome!!  Keep rollin!

Hi Dana,

I live in Flagstaff and plan to drive and leave my ride in Durango somewhere.  You can carpool with me.  Also it looks like you live in Flagstaff.  I've been training hard.  Are you interested in doing some training rides?  Wed, Saturday, and Sundays are good training days.  Will also do some night riding soon w flexible days of week.  Give me a call.  My number is 525-6088.

Brad

Snowing last night, today and tonight in Flagstaff.  I will likely go check out the snow depth around Aspen Corner and post by Wednesday.  Will be intersting to watch the 750 this year.  Good luck to all.

Joey, Aaron,

Great beta.  Thank you so much!!

Huge congratulations for Eric Foster and Forest Baker for their Triple Crown Finishes.  Eric is a good friend from Flagstaff.  He did the AZT 750 with little training but was fit as a fiddle for the CTR.  I watched his progress on all 3 races.  The 3rd race was torture because I don't like observing adventure from the sidelines but work is demanding.  Eric is 23 years old and just got into endurance mtn biking about 3 years ago.  His downhill skills are scary because of his BMX racing experience as a kid.  Eric is very motivated and has excellent mechanical aptitude.  I think he may get some more Colorado riding opportunities sometime in his near future.  Glad to see a couple Arizona boys (Max too) throw down. 

Good job!!!

Hey all,

Just got a call a couple hours ago from Eric Foster.  He crashed his  bike hard coming down a downhill section about 4 miles outside of Breckinridge.  He cracked his helmet and fully tacoed his front tire and has some road rash but is ok.  After fueling up he planned to ride through tonight to beeline to the finish.  He sounds psyched, confident, and is having a good time.  Very glad to see Eric fully going for the triple crown.

Huge congrats to another Arizona rider Max Morris.  Way to go and good job representing our state.

Both of you guys rock!!!  And all the other finishers too!!