5 Comments
This coming weekend Salsa sponsored rider Kurt Refsnider and I will have our bearings set to the southwest for the AZT 300 (Arizona Trail 300).
Kurt is a two-time record holder for the AZT 300 and is well versed in both the course and desert riding. I, on the other hand, am a complete newcomer to the event. The AZT race proper is roughly 6 years old and watching it from the sidelines has only heightened my interest in experiencing it. I am excited to meet some individuals that I only know by name and reconnect with others that I met two years ago during the Tour Divide.
Follow along here, or right here as our bluedots trace their way north. Note that there are 300-mile and 750-mile courses. We'll be racing the 300.
There will likely be discussion about what is happening during the event on the bikepacking forums. It may yleld some perspective to read comments from riders who have been on the course and understand what the terrain is like. In some ways it is almost like listening to a ball game on the radio. Pretty cool for ultra races.
I'll be riding a pre-production sample of our Spearfish with a newly crafted frame bag from Revelate Designs. With less frame bag space I'll be racing with a backpack for water capacity and food. After this past weekend's Raganarok 105 (or was it the Ragnarok 111) race I'm feeling good about where my fitness is at. The desert air, elevation, and terrain are all variables I can 't fully predict. The only thing left to do is try.
Look for a few photos, a report, and a breakdown of my kit when I return. Until then, I'm out of here.
Comments
captain bob | April 14th, 2011
Good luck Joe and Kurt! Hope you have a great time too!
Tim Ek | April 14th, 2011
You’re ready! Go get ‘em.
Erik Mathy | April 14th, 2011
Heck yeah, Joe! You’re going to do great, man. We’ll be watching and cheering you on!
Errin | April 15th, 2011
Good luck Joe!!
Tommy Mac | April 16th, 2011
Looks to me like you’re killin’ it - keep it up!