2010 Arizona Trail 300

[jonesy792]

There has been a lot of talk about the full monty version but not much about the shorter and "easier" version for us lesser mortals.  So who is lining up on april 23rd?  Is anyone else planning an ITT? (I'm going to give it a shot in a couple of weeks)

Discuss

[jeremy11]

I'm considering the AZT 300, since August is full for me, and trying to fit in the CTR won't work.  The 750 would be fun, but would be more time off work, and way harder than anything I've ever attempted on a bike....
Figuring out a vehicle shuttle will be the trick.

[jonesy792]

Yeah shuttles should be interesting.  I'm pretty sure I can con someone into giving me a ride to the start, getting back from superior may require some hitch-hiking or a century road ride back to tucson....

[jeremy11]

yeah, I thought about just driving to the finish (to commit and save gas) then hitch-biking to the start.... 

[AZTtripper]

Getting your car to the finish would be a good plan. As things get closer people usually start planning a ride down to the start. If there are several coming in from out of state meeting up at the finish and then carpooling in to Tucson is a good start.

[AZTtripper]

Jonesy I have been thinking about a bikepacking trip some time in the next month. I am thinking of linking the AZT starting near Pistol Hill and then south to Box canyon road and then head for the Elephant Head trail down to Patagonia then back up the east side and back on to Pistol Hill looks like about 180 miles.

[jonesy792]

Awesome, so you're doing a lollipop 'round the Rita's?  I take it that you've figured out how to get around the wilderness on the east side.  Maybe I'll see you on the trail

[ScottM]

Thanks for starting a 300 specific thread.  I'd been meaning to, as I have been getting a lot of interest in the event in the last couple weeks.

I will get the 2010 course finalized within the next week.  Outline of changes:

1) New AZT singletrack instead of Highway 83.  You will only cross 83, not ride on it at all.  Part of the new route is dirt road (about a mile), and about a quarter mile of it is steep, unfinished "construction path."  The rest is legit AZT.

2) Reroute onto dirt road/trail in Tucson.  Keeps the route on less traveled roads, and Freeman Rd just recently got a nice bike path added to it.  This means that the grocery stores and Mickey D's in Tucson are now off route.  However, if you ride out and back to them, you will still end up with the same mileage as you did on the old route that took you right to them.

3) Significant route change in the Catalinas.  Climb Bug Springs trail, ride some nice forested stuff into Summerhaven, then skip the difficult part of Oracle Ridge.

[AZTtripper]

I was wondering if these changes were still in the works, skipping hwy 83 yes, the Tucson reroute looks good also, and the Catalina swap also picks up some good stuff.

In comparing the full version track with last years 300 I figured you would pull it all together for the final version. I assume that every one will be on the same course. Like using the non AZT single track in Oracle State Park thus putting Oracle closer to the course.

Jonesy no good way around the Wilderness my plan was to just head up the hwy to Sonoita. There is a possibility (looking at "The Map" by Arizona Off Road Adventures now out of print) of a dirt road just south of Gardner Canyon road. Looks like it takes you all the way out to join into Hog Canyon and then joins Gardner far enough out to get to the Flume Trail out at the start of single track. This puts about 12 miles of pavement on the route but also gives a second chance at resupply. The other option I am looking at would be to take Gardner but then cut off to Fish Canyon and "B" line out to K Camp and then maybe short cutting things on the way back into town.

Oh and it's starting to look like I might get to do the 300 this year I really need to get it finished again. I would like to try for the full meal deal but as it looks like they will get snowed out up north and I am not sure it is worth the investment this year.

[ScottM]

Yep, full and 300 will share the same course.  That way if you "sign up" for the full and get "tired" by picketpost you can count yourself a finisher of the 300.  That way a 750 rider can win/place in the 300, too.

Hog Cyn does go through, but is technically not publicly open at the south end, by HWY 82.

[AZTtripper]

That's what I thought it would be I was just surprised to see the discrepancy's in the two tracks but then I saw that you still had Oracle Ridge and figured you would still make some changes.

Not Hog it is one more north actually north of Sonoita the map shows it going trough with one way private and another way open then joining into Hog out near the end. It doesn't save any road but it would set you up to get the full Flume Trail. Just like the 300 gets the full Elephant Head Trail but this one gets both.

[ScottM]

I've been looking at the numbers (and recalling the mind numbing pain) ... and I cannot decide if axing Oracle Ridge is the right thing to do for the soul of the Arizona Trail 300.

[Marshal]

I've been looking at the numbers (and recalling the mind numbing pain) ... and I cannot decide if axing Oracle Ridge is the right thing to do for the soul of the Arizona Trail 300.

Oracle Ridge is sort of a key element to the "fun" of the AZT 300, I would leave it in unless it's replacement it truly top notch

[jonesy792]

Can we enact a snow clause like with the north rim?

[wookieone]

I must say, I liked Oracle Ridge, but I happen to like to hike a bike, would the New Trail be faster or easier? I am down for what ever the powers that be suggest, but Oracle Ridge definately seperates the men/women from the boys/girls. Speaking of which, where are the bikepacking ladies? I want to see a female throw down on the AZT. Jefe

[ScottM]

Can we enact a snow clause like with the north rim?

Oohh.. it does affect you, huh.  Unlikely to be snow there come April, but in two weeks...

[AZTtripper]

Oracle Ridge is sort of a key element to the "fun" of the AZT 300, I would leave it in unless it's replacement it truly top notch

The replacement being a road though dirt it is still a road. It's only a better option if the snow level prohibits being able to safely proceed on the trail. Most likely the snow will be mostly clear by the third weekend of April. I think a snow clause would be reasonable if there is going to be one on the 750 but it would have to be like 3 plus feet of banks. In those conditions the road can be iced up and some what exciting.

[jonesy792]

Oohh.. it does affect you, huh.  Unlikely to be snow there come April, but in two weeks...

Well seeing as I have practically zero bike fitness right now the chance of me getting far enough to use that clause is slim...

[ScottM]

Well seeing as I have practically zero bike fitness right now the chance of me getting far enough to use that clause is slim...

Positive Mental Attitude?

Thanks for the comments re: Oracle Ridge everyone.

[wookieone]

Hey Scott, without Oracle Ridge, how would you keep your ears warm?