AZTR: Fall 2021 Race Discussion

[schillingsworth]

An interesting turn of events for those two, good for them respecting the closure time. John or Scott, wouldn't the riding more AZT clause have allowed them to continue north from Ptown and rejoined at Hog canyon. It can't be faster and if it makes it possible for someone to continue in active mode it would possibly ensure that riders aren't tempted to push the closure time.

Tim,
Scott & I were discussing exactly this. Going forward, riders will have the option to stay on the legacy AZT to Patagonia, then SR82 to Hog Canyon (new singletrack when complete) if they are up against the sunset closure of the route. It's tougher & longer, so no time advantage there. Similar to the CTR and the Leadville bypass. We heard folks from Patagonia will continue to maintain the legacy section of AZT.

[schillingsworth]

FYI: Adam Hale's SPOT batteries had died, he recently pinged so perhaps another rider gave him some spares??

[TLett]

That was actually me wearing sandals. Alex might've too, but he camped right next to us and I believe he was shoed. Anyway, they were actually pretty good for the first 15-20 miles. I changed to shoes after that. Then we scratched.

TL;DR scratch report:

I'm sure a better rider could've handled my bike through the gnarlier rocky bits; I couldn't. I love my bike, but we were at our limit and on track to finish way after I ran out of vacation time. Tom being the excellent human that he is called an audible with me and we ended up riding the Sky Island East Loop with the time we had left, which was a way better conclusion than just calling the game and grabbing a hotel in Tucson for a couple days. Would I ride it again? If someone loved my old Toyota space van enough to trade me a sprinter and one of Chumba's actual mtbs, then absolutely. Until then, I'll have one bike and a slow van and I'll keep riding it wherever I can and see what sticks. (Probably closer to home for a while though - 80's van gearing made for a very slow 2000+ mile round trip).

Congrats to the finishers and good luck to everyone still out there.

[AZTtripper]

That was actually me wearing sandals. Alex might've too, but he camped right next to us and I believe he was shoed.
Congrats to the finishers and good luck to everyone still out there.

Thanks for the update, I wasn't sure who we saw in sandals but it got our attention. Considering the trail conditions and that so many had gaiters or full pants on the sandals took us aback.

Glad to hear things worked out and you had a good ride, you had us wondering when you took off out of Ptown on the original route. It's happened before that someone loaded all the tracks available and got off course on the wrong track.

Older cars rock, you can actually work on them.

Tim

[TLett]

Considering the trail conditions and that so many had gaiters or full pants on the sandals took us aback

Yeah. We got the gaiter memo after our budgets were pretty much exhausted and just said to hell with it. One of the narrower HAB sections was actually what made me put shoes on.

Older cars rock, you can actually work on them.

Truth. The flip side is 60 mph uphill and the terror you feel when your radiator light comes on rolling into Albuquerque. Fortunately, looks like a pinhole or cracked overflow, so the hardest part will be tracking it down.

[schillingsworth]

Taylor, thanks for the update and also glad you found a suitable ride for your time in the desert.

We have our first 800 rider in the Canyon!! Go, Garrett, GO!!

The 800 field keeps slimming down, but a solid crew is crankining northbound. Looks like Nate hit the Goldridge descent in the 0-dark-30 hours before sunrise today. Chase should get through it in daylight.

The final couple of riders on the 300 will reach Picketpost in a few hours, gutty effort out there to all!!

I'll start getting the results posted later today.

[schillingsworth]

Here's a fantastic AZTR race report by Eszter over at Bikepacking.com

[mtbcast]

Forgot to post these here earlier:
#AZT21 -  Overnight: Alexandera Houchin called in with a two-fer entering and leaving Apache Junction, and Lindsay Noh called in Martinez Canyon!
http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/azt21/

[mtbcast]

#AZT21 -  "Jolly Goodtimes"  called in earlier hunting a hub bearing in Apach Junction!

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/azt21/

[taprider]

Garrett's dot shows that taking the trail on the North Rim, compared to the road, is only about 4 to 5 hours longer
I'm surprised. I thought the trail would be much slower
Must be in great condition.

[taprider]

How come Nate does not appear on Race Flow on TrackLeaders?
Is he asterisked or something?
Also, has he been having bike trouble?

[phatmike]

How come Nate does not appear on Race Flow on TrackLeaders?
Is he asterisked or something?
Also, has he been having bike trouble?

I wonder if he doesn't show up because he is currently "off route" in Flagstaff proper. Looks like he stopped at the bike shop there but he's on the move again.

[taprider]

He has not been showing up for days, even when on route
Or maybe whenever I look, he is off route

[mtbcast]

#AZT21 -  Alexandera Houchin called in from Jakes Corner earlier today!

http://mtbcast.com/site2/category/azt21/

[bmattingly44@yahoo.com]

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.

[AZTtripper]

Garrett's dot shows that taking the trail on the North Rim, compared to the road, is only about 4 to 5 hours longer
I'm surprised. I thought the trail would be much slower
Must be in great condition.

Once you get out of the Park the trail up there is pretty sweet and mostly faster rolling in general. Inside the Park there's a bunch of steeper utility cut stuff but even that is mostly riding with minimal HAB. It will be interesting to see how the grand depart leaders do with it.

[bmattingly44@yahoo.com]

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!!

[AZTtripper]

And thanks to Dale for including mountain bikes in his vision.

[taprider]

Is Alexandera OK?

[phatmike]

Is Alexandera OK?

I hope so. It's been a real challenge out there for her according to her calls into mtbcast. Just starting this beast with a bad ankle is inspiring, but  it has definitely impacted her but she has been continuing to push. I got the feeling from her calls that she really wants this... and she is one tough person. Hopefully her batteries are dead...