AZT 157: Enduro Edition

Executive Summary

A mostly underprepared man takes on extreme physical challenge for unknown reasons.

AZT

Even after last time and sufficient time had passed, I thought it might be fun to try to bikepack the Arizona Trail 300 again. My friend Jake somehow also thought this a good idea and we made plans to go.

Day 0

Sleep now

Parker Canyon Lake

Day 1

After waking at the unholy hour of four, we headed out.

.

The beginning.

Last time, we mostly stuck together. This time we agreed to each ride our own ride. I wanted to take the Canelo Hills slow to conserve energy. Jake got ahead of me a couple of hours into the ride and I figured I would catch up to him soon enough.

Required succulent photography.

Plenty of views.

Lots of nice trail.

I made pretty good time and arrived at Highway 82. Headed up Hog Canyon and a bunch of dirt roads to connect back up to the Arizona Trail. I reached Kentucky Camp and took a nice break.

Getting warmer.

Flume Trail in daylight.

The Money Shot near Kentucky Camp.

As it grew dark I tried to catch up to Jake. I rode until 11 and found a not-completely terrible spot next to the trail and set my alarm for four again.

Day 2

This being the enduro edition, I went down hills as fast as I could and climbed just about as slowly as I could! I saw a glipse of Jake early in the morning, but he didn't see me and I figured I would see him at La Selvilla when he stopped to get water.

Sunrise near Tucson.

Bombing the downhills.

Can't go over it, gotta go under it.

It takes all kinds.

I was getting warm so was glad to reach La Selvilla and fill up my water. No Jake. I wouldn't see him again on this ride.

Reptile.

Getting warmer again.

Fast and flowy Pistol Hill.

Roll over gates are nice.

Hope Camp is not nice.

By the time I left the trail, I was done. But I made a rule that I couldn't think about quitting until I reached Tucson, since I would have to get there either way.

I finally made it to town and ordered some food at Rocking K. I took a good break and talked it over with my wife. I decided to load up and keep going.

Real food.

Loading up with water in most of its states.

I road through the outskirts of Tucson and made my way past all the influencers and unresponsible gun owners on Reddington road.

It's not about how fast you get there...

It's not about what's waiting on the other side...

It's about the climb.

Doe, a deer.

Never-ending jeep roads in the dark.

This seems like an OK place to stop.

I was having trouble eating by this point and decided to make an early camp.

Day 3

I tried to get up around five, but felt slow and sluggish. My GPS didn't want to turn on, but finally did after thirty minutes.

Don't scare me like that little buddy!

Glamour shots by Deb.

I made decent time through the Molino Basin and even had some fun downhills!

Some more enduroing.

Making friends.

Reptile.

No water, no problem.

I like to push my bicycle.

I was really struggling by this point, but figured I would soon refill my water and then eat some real food in Summerhaven.

Unfortunately I was only able to pedal for a few minutes before becoming exhausted and my knee started to hurt.

After several hours of this I realized I would not reach Summerhaven in daylight. This whole thing is an artificial construct for pushing one's limits. It can be hard to decide where the line is.

I decided I would keep going unless someone stopped and offered a ride.

Not long after, a nice couple stopped and offered me a ride. I decided it was better to go back to Tucson than take my chances on top of a freezing mountain.

I managed a picture of the vast expanse.

Never-ending paved road.

Looking fabulous after a burrito and a nap. Definitely not a creepy guy camping in a public park next to a girls soccer practice.

Conclusion 

So... maybe I should have listened to my wife when she said I hadn't prepared enough. But I was riding about 18 hours ahead of my pace from 2017, so I am happy about that. I was pleased with most of my gear choices and my body performed OK, until it didn't. It also rekindled my interest in doing some longer, more adventurous rides. My next one will probably be a little shorter.