Coconino Dirty Century May 24th

azepicriderandrunner · 04-21-2008

When: May 24th 2008, 6:30 am
Where: TBD. Check the website in upcoming weeks for more information on starting location.
What: A 100+mile endurance mountain bike race/ride that will connect singletrack and dirt roads between Flagstaff and Sedona. This is Arizona's only dirty century.

There will be a chance to refuel in Sedona before heading back on a different route to Flagstaff, via the Arizona Trail. We will be ending at the Flagstaff Brewery. Check the website for more info. Race is capped at 74 people.

azepicriderandrunner · 05-15-2008

GPX file, cue sheets, and maps are on the AES website. Also, note the starting time has been changed to 6:00am. I pre-rde the course last week before it snowed! in Flagstaff on Tuesday. You can read about the ride here and check out the pictures. Unlike other AES races, this course does have quite a bit of forest roads/paved roads, soooo if you are looking for a race that has tons of singletrack, this is not for you. That said, if you are looking for a dirty century ride with unbelievable views and some sweet, fun singletrack and want to ride 100+ miles through some pine trees with like-minded endurance riders, this is your race.

Finish line at the Flagstaff Brewery.

Arizona Trail from Mormon-USGS Observatory: This section of the trail has recently been damaged by horses and cows, meaning that the trail is a little harder to ride, hence the earlier start time.

ionsmuse · 05-20-2008

Bump.

I must be recovering, as I'm actually looking forward to riding this weekend.

And check out the forecast! Pack the rain jacket, it might be a chilly start!

azepicriderandrunner · 05-22-2008

Snowing in Flagstaff now. It is going to be a cold start for sure, maybe until we drop off down to Sedona.

Timo · 05-23-2008

Do you guys think those trails will be dry enough to ride?

azepicriderandrunner · 05-23-2008

From Flagstaff native and singlespeed god, Nathan....

There's about 3 inches of snow on the ground as I write this and it's still coming down. It's supposed to keep snowing through the night with a snow/rain mix through the day tomorrow. Storm's rolling out tomorrow night (supposedly).

Could be kind of a mess for the race tomorrow, just some food for thought.

I'll keep you posted on weather and what the plans are looking like. I am relying on locals in Flagstaff, specifically Nathan, to make the call on what we should do about the race.

Update: After chatting with Nathan, I think that much of the singletrack will be unrideable, especially Munds Wagon TR and the AZT just north of Mormon Lake, ergo, we have decided to postpone the race until further notice. Rather than driving to Flagstaff to ride in unrideable conditions, many of us can just ride close to home this memorial day weekend.

ionsmuse · 05-23-2008

Looks like I'll be packing the singlespeed after all.

PS:
Since Donkey already hauled out, we'll be riding, something. Starting from somewhere up there, likely not as early (brrrr).

brink · 05-23-2008

I am up here in Flagstaff and will probably do most of the loop. Plan to hit FS roads where AZ trail is too wet. Anyone else up here and/or have an alternate plan?

azepicriderandrunner · 05-23-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by brink

I am up here in Flagstaff and will probably do most of the loop. Plan to hit FS roads where AZ trail is too wet. Anyone else up here and/or have an alternate plan?

Ionsmuse is going to call me in a few to talk about alternatives, possibly some riding in Prescott or Sedona.

brink · 05-23-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by azepicriderandrunner

Ionsmuse is going to call me in a few to talk about alternatives, possibly some riding in Prescott or Sedona.

Okay. I have your number and will touch base later. I am probably going to have to stay in Flagstaff to ride, though.

ionsmuse · 05-23-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by brink

I am up here in Flagstaff and will probably do most of the loop. Plan to hit FS roads where AZ trail is too wet. Anyone else up here and/or have an alternate plan?

Alright. Brian from SoCal is in Flag too, so we're riding. Meet at 0630, south Late for the Train (just north of the interstate, on the east side of the road). See what the weather is, head out from there.

Yeah, I'm bringing the ss...

donkey · 05-23-2008

Like Dave said above.....I didn't drive all the way out here from SoCal to sit around and mooch free wireless from a coffee shop! I'm here to ride!

6:30 at the coffee shop.....we'll find something to ride.....even if we have to drive down to Prescott!

B

brink · 05-23-2008

Okay, 6:30 at Late for the Train.

ionsmuse · 05-24-2008

Rob, hope you made it out okay. Also hope that the anonymous set of tracks (first tires, then cycling shoes) ahead of us made it out, too. Was that a cyclist we saw in the side-by-side? Nathan?

42 miles. Brrrrrr. Mud.

alizbee · 05-24-2008

well... it was aptly named at least. Looks like you all got real nice and dirty. Hope you stayed dry and warm.

Crazy spring we are having in the west this year.

brink · 05-24-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ionsmuse

Rob, hope you made it out okay. Also hope that the anonymous set of tracks (first tires, then cycling shoes) ahead of us made it out, too. Was that a cyclist we saw in the side-by-side? Nathan?

42 miles. Brrrrrr. Mud.

Yep, I made it out...cold and muddy. Turned around at the stuck 5th wheel with the guy pushing his bike going for help.

See you up on the North Rim.

azepicriderandrunner · 06-04-2008

New date is June 28th, two weeks after the Kaibab Monstercross.

brink · 06-23-2008

Is this still a go for June 28th?

azepicriderandrunner · 06-23-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by brink

Is this still a go for June 28th?

Yes, I will be arriving on Friday night. Presumably there will be a lot less people attending this re-scheduled, possibly a handful of us. The weather looks nice this time

brink · 06-23-2008

Great! Count me in.

azepicriderandrunner · 06-29-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by brink

Great! Count me in.

Results are up. While not the hardest dirty century ride I have ever done, it was very, very challenging at times, specifically the last 20 miles on the AZT north of Mormon Lake. If you have never ridden this section of the trail, I encourage you to do it. You pass a few lakes, some of the most rocky, flat singletrack in the southwest and finally some nice views of Lake Mary and Walnut Canyon.

Those interested in racing/riding more in Flagstaff, there is a new Flagstaff series this summer. Check out the links over at handlebar sandwich's blog. I think the next one is July 12.

ionsmuse · 06-30-2008

Nice job gents; fast times on a tough course.

I, alas, am retired from long rides.