Sleepless Arizona Trail Race

Circa 300 miles of Arizona Trail is a long distance considering mountain biking race but on the other hand the distance is not long enough for epic expedition. This time I wanted to feel a taste of a race, having fun on the trail at the same time. However, nothing is as it seems. This race, as summarized by Steve Wilkinson, has teeth; I would say that it has thorns not only in metaphoric sense but also literally. Thorns, which caused that I almost did not finish.

AZTR 2012

Arizona Trail is calling

Start: Friday, April 13th, 2012 - 9am
AZT Trailhead, Parker Canyon Lake

The Arizona Trail Race is a self supported, wilderness mountain biking race held on the cross state Arizona Trail. Two distances are available: 300 miles and 750+ miles which is complete Arizona state traversal. I am attempting to ride the shorter route. The race follows the Arizona Trail as closely as possible from Mexico to Superior, AZ, covering some 300 miles of varied terrain (elevations range from 1600 to 8100 ft). The trail surface is primarily singletrack, but the race will detour on dirt and pavement to bypass wilderness areas the trail passes through.

This is not an organized or sanctioned event in any way. It's simply a group of friends out to ride their bikes on the same route at the same time. For many this is not as much a race as a personal adventure. It is big, tough and intimidating . Finishing is a huge challenge. Only about half of daredevils showing at the start line or even less is able to finish.

More information about the race can be found here:

http://www.topofusion.com/azt/race.php 

You can find there a link to live tracking webpage. Racers carries SPOT satellite messengers showing their positions so you can follow “dots” on a map. However, SPOT devices mainly serve as a line of communication with friends and rescue teams in the case of an emergency situation.

Men’s course record has been set in 2010 by

Kurt Refsnider - 2days 8h 45min

Women’s course record has been set in 2011 by

Lynda Wallenfels - 3days 4h 5min

Lynda is the first female AZT 300 finisher!

Wish me luck!

Pawel

CTR - gear list

Bicycle: Pivot Mach 5

Bags:
- Carousel Design Works escape pot medium
- Carousel Design Works roller bar bag medium
- Carousel Design Works top tube fuel bag
- compression sack: Seatosummit event XS

Colorado Trail Race or soul seeking

Start: Monday, 2 August 2010, 6.30am, Denver (near Indian Creek Trailhead)

Finish: Durango (Junction Creek Trailhead)

I always wanted to do epic mountain biking expedition, far from civilization, on trails among mountains, forest and lakes, exposure to nature absorbing landscapes. It is time to realize dreams; it is time to undertake challenge of conquering wild terrain of Colorado. It is time to find fight and investigate psycho-physical capabilities; it is time to look at nooks of my soul...

Colorado Trail Race (CTR) is a self-supported ‘race’ without fee and without prizes.
Each participant is unaided; there are no pre-arranged accommodations and buffets. Each participant carries along a stuff which in his opinion is worthy and ride the bike he likes. He ought to follow strictly marked route. In sum, rules are formulated in the manner that everyone has equal chances in the race.