Coconino 250

Wow!!

I plan to post a write-up about this epic weekend, but I'm still in withdrawals from riding and simply being outside, so for now, I'll sum it up in a few words and post some pics...and then head back outside to play.

Coconino 250 Bikepacking Race -- 250 miles of bikepacking. Self-supported.  Over 33000Ft of elevation change, to include 3 pretty significant mountain 'ranges'.

wow
fun
hard
smashingly hard
too long
too short
gorgeous days
frigid nights
violent shivering
hot fire
sweet singletrack
sweet singletrack at night
grinding fireroads
mountains
more mountains
killer climbs
ecstatic climbs
fun descents
scary descents
clear river
bleach water
via coffee packs galore
burnt bike shorts
loyal bicicleta
breakfast burritos, 2 days old
cows
elk
deer
skunk
more elk
bear scat
tarantulas
new friends
better friends
sunset full moonrise for 1000+ drop off schnebly straight home

although, after all that, home seems to be back 'out there', not 'in here'.

later....

My trusty steed.
Phantom Pack Systems served me well.

Endo on the switchbacks.

                     Long sustained climb up Mingus. Can you see any riders ascending?

   

Hike-a-bike (HAB) sucks.  Doing it w/double your usual bike weight, double sucks. 

(Btw, SM&CB routiers are cruel!)

Out near the old Perkins homestead.

After a point, you don't worry too much about taste, just making sure ya get all that you need.  That's a messy mix of river water, bleach, greensuperfood, 1/2 Hammer Heed and of course CAFFEINE! :-)

              

Somebody was trying to be a good friend and hang the girl's shorts by the fire to dry off, but he forgot to factor in that random gusts of wind that might blow the makeshift-stick-hanger right into the fire.  Fortunately, that same friend had some spare duct-tape and voila.  Cat-eyes.  (Yep, she kept the shorts!)

Cruising w/4 YEARS of gear (thank goodness). San Francisco Peaks on the far horizon.

Photo from Cocomingus (scott & chad) from bikepacking.net....same sunset view!
Incredible.

Thanks Scott, Chad, et al (Arizona Endurance Series AES) for an epic weekend.

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