2012 AZT 300/750

[AZTtripper]

http://www.topofusion.com/

Topofusion is the Official Mapping program of the bikepacking world. Just kidding but those in the know, know that AZT race director and bikepacking site owner Scott Morris writes TF. I have been using it for years and thinks it's the greatest, but I should add that having known Scott for years now my choice is somewhat prejudicial.

I have looked at Google and sometimes they do have a newer image but not always. Especially away from cities their images are no better and sometimes worse then what comes up with TF. TF also has My Topo and Open Street Maps. My Topo gives Forest Service road numbers and Open Street has most all of the city streets named. Between the two I was able to write up the, still in the works, AZT cyclist data book.

Pretty sure you can do what you need to with TF even in demo, free, mode. Tho there is always some squares that say demo if you move around, the squares change, you'll eventually see everything. Of course if you like what you see it's worth the $$.

That's my shameless plug for my friend Scott's mapping program.

[JCarr13]

Bummed Scott doesn't have a Mac version though. Anyone have any suggestions for getting the most from my Etrex 30 while using a Mac?

[tanman1337]

That's the exact setup I have to deal with right now too... I wish there was a Mac version too, but I'm pretty sure that's not gonna happen. I have just been using Basecamp with Birdseye Topo and Imagery. It has been doing ok for now, but I wish I could use TF. You could always get the "Parallels" program for you Mac and then you can run either Mac OS on startup or Windows. I heard it works pretty well and in that case you could boot up with windows and run Topofusion.

[tanman1337]

Quick question, do you guys know when we will have the URL for the actual SPOT page that shows all of the racers? Is it just going to be a link off of Trackleaders or is it going to be a SPOT website?

[ScottM]

Quick question, do you guys know when we will have the URL for the actual SPOT page that shows all of the racers? Is it just going to be a link off of Trackleaders or is it going to be a SPOT website?

It'll be here and replace the 2011 tracker:

http://trackleaders.com/aztr

Which right now contains some nice split / pace info for those planning...

TF on Mac is possible via VMWare Fusion or Parallels -- but that's a bit of a process to get going.  Unfortunately I don't have a good alternative to recommend, just the Garmin free ones already mentioned.

Thanks for the plug, Tim.

[tanman1337]

I don't remember where I can find the actual real time SPOT tracker for past AZT events. I remember watching everyone racing at once and it shows basically a SPOT replay. Do you guys have a URL for that? By the way, thanks for the Trackleaders URL Scott

-Tanner

[AZTtripper]

Tanner are you thinking of the Vimeo that Scott made that shows everyone moving thru the course?

I think it's near the end of last years thread. Seems like there is one near the end from the year before as well.

Tim

[tanman1337]

Yah, that's what I was thinking of Tim. So, he made that after the race was over?

[AZTtripper]

Yeah its a couple of days or more after. Pretty sure its just near the end of that years discussion thread. Should be pretty easy to find.

[ScottM]

You can check the trackleaders vimeo account to find them too:

http://vimeo.com/user3127499/videos/page:1/sort:newest

Also, you can do your own replay's using TopoFusion's SPOT replay interface:

http://topofusion.com/trackleaders.php

Most of the historical events are there.

[mb]

Bummed Scott doesn't have a Mac version though. Anyone have any suggestions for getting the most from my Etrex 30 while using a Mac?

I have the TopoFusion Pro and I tried using it on my MacBook Pro which had partitioned HD and running VM Ware with Windows XP.  It was finicky and I eventually gave up. As it happened I got a PC from work running Window 7 so I moved it over there.... shhhh. It is working great - fast, simple and trouble free. Topo Fusion is awesome!

[mb]

Question on maps from and out of state rookie? I have printed the excellent AZT maps from the AZT site.  For those who haven't seen these, they are great and they match points on the trail to points on the route profile, and list water points and trail access points. I printed double sided color on National Geo waterproof paper. I have Topo Fusion and I have imported the GPX file for AZT 300 int Topo Fusion. I will be carrying a Garmin Oregon 450 with route loaded. So, my question is..., should I also be looking to print maps of the route or possibly parts of it to augment or replace my AZT map?

Thanks

Mike

[AZTtripper]

Mike I think you already have more then most people will. Seems like most just use a GPS with the track loaded and the cue sheet. But it can't hurt to print up the sections where the detours are. GPS units have failed in the past, people accidentally delete the track, shit happens.

Also in the past I have suggested carrying copies of the back road atlas or gazetteer type maps for resupply or escape navigation. But if your GPS unit has a base map that will likely do. But having a lager scale map can be of use as it's quicker then trying to figure a route off of the small screen. If you do print out the detour maps those should give you some of the area's of resupply as well.

Best of luck we're getting close now.

Tim

[fastmtnbiker33w]

I picked up an Etrex 20 and got everything loaded up.  This weekend I'm going to erase everything, load some local maps and a local track from TF, and make sure I know what I'm doing with it.  Then I'll erase everything again, load up AZ maps and the AZT track and head to Parker Lake.  I've also got the cue sheet, but no map. 

The Etrex 20 is an interesting beast.  My manual is weak and I've found much more info online.  Scott's tutorial on loading maps is easy to follow.  I thought the gps would be this super intuitive magical device.  NOT.  I've done EVERY big ride with it since I got it, so I'm getting more comfy with it. 

Now it's all about keeping the fingers crossed in relation to daytime highs.  I've developed an heat management plan.  Being a big tall white boy doesn't help me in the desert.  Even living and riding in the desert doesn't help me that much.  I may be siesta'ing on a regular basis and burning the torch a bit if it's anything like last year.

[ScottM]

Borrowing from Brendan at the Stagecoach 400:



It would really help us, if you know you're racing and are using a SPOT, to get paid/signed up ASAP.  We are shuffling SPOTs around and trying to get organized.

I'll post a start list here in a few days as extra motivation to 'sign up' (remember SPOTs are optional, but in practice almost everyone carries one).

Here's the link:

http://trackleaders.com/aztr-signup

If you don't get the auto-response email back in a few minutes, let me know.

Thanks.

[dream4est]

Sorry Scott I just signed up this morning but was always in just being lazy. 13 days and change until AZT 750. The singletrack race/ride of a lifetime. I will see you all at the start. Thanks to Marshal and Beardog- the Colorado contingent will be dialed in and ready to roll at the border.

[tanman1337]

Yah, hopefully it isn't going to be in the 90's like here in Yuma today

[ScottM]

Yah, hopefully it isn't going to be in the 90's like here in Yuma today

Yeah, it's hard to imagine that it won't at least be 80's and full on sun.  But, you never know...

[tanman1337]

Yah, you know how AZ always has that false spring and all the new growth ends up freezing again... I hope that happens this year.

[tanman1337]

Hey Scott, should I look for the 2012 cues to be on here or on the AZT site?