Tag Archives: self supported

The Tusayan Tussle – Arizona Endurance Series

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The Tusayan Tussle

The Grand Canyon Stagecoach Line is a true backcountry Arizona adventure, starting in Tusayan just outside the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Choose between a 60-mile or 94-mile route, combining remote Forest Service roads, doubletrack and miles of the Arizona Trail through the high-country forests surrounding the Grand Canyon.

The 60-mile loop follows fun doubletrack to the historic Moqui Stage Stop before picking up the Arizona Trail for the ride back to Tusayan. It’s an epic route without requiring an epic-race résumé.

Want the bigger day? The 94-mile route includes roughly 40 miles of nearly traffic-free Forest Service roads before returning on the Arizona Trail. Near the end, riders reach Grandview Lookout, where those willing to climb the tower earn spectacular views and a time bonus. Take a selfie at the top for proof. Afraid of heights? The climb is optional.

Like other Arizona Endurance Series (AES) events, this is a fully self-supported ride. Riders need to carry what they need and be prepared to filter water if necessary. This isn’t an organized tour with aid stations every few miles. Self-sufficiency is part of the adventure.

Remote dirt roads, the Arizona Trail, high-country forest, virtually no traffic and the Grand Canyon just down the road. If your idea of a good ride involves a little adventure and a lot of Arizona, this belongs on the list.

August 29, 2026 | Tusayan, Arizona
60 Miles: 7:00 a.m.
94 Miles: 6:00 a.m.

Tussle

Route:

The Tussle will be a loop rather than the out and back. The route will be ridden in a counterclockwise fashion with the route consisting of 25 miles of scenic remote forest service roads, 35 miles on the Arizona Trail and 1 mile of asphalt/concrete riding through Tusayan back to the finish.

****Grandview Lookout will be on the route approximately 16 miles from the finish with a requirement to climb it. The views are worth the climb up. If you fear heights, you don’t have to climb it. ******* Time bonus for the ones that climb it. Selfie pic for proof******

Fully self-supported ride. Russell tank has water and can be filtered if needed. There will be NO water drop unless we have a volunteer drop and pick up at Russell Tank. Russell tank should have plenty of water for filtering with all the monsoon activity.

Tusayan_tussle_short_route

Tusayan_tussle_long_route

Please sign-up below with the link as well as commenting if you are interested in camping a 1-2 nights.

Kentucky Camp – Arizona Endurance Series

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When:
October 24, 2026 at 9:00 am (9:15 start time for those doing the short course)

Where:
Kentucky Camp, 40 miles south of Tucson. Google maps link here.

What:
There are two options for this race, (1) a 29-mile lollipop or (2) a 46-mile figure 8. There will be camping available and a post-race party in the area for those that would like to grill. This year, we are doing the Kentucky Camp as a charity event for the Arizona Trail Association. If you want to ride and are not a member, please become a member here: https://aztrail.org/get-involved/join/ 

GPX files and maps:

Kentucky_camp_long_route

Kentucky_camp_short_route

For help uploading the GPX files to your GPS see: http://topofusion.com/tutorials/uploading-tracks.php

Using a GPS is highly recommended!

Coconino Stage Bikepack – Arizona Endurance Series

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Coconino Stage Bikepack

IMG_4963

When:
October 10-13, 2025

Where:
We will be meeting on Friday, October 10-13, 2024 at 7:00am in Flagstaff, downtown at ‘The Place’ (21 S Milton Rd). We eat a big greasy breakfast, chat a bit and then we ride! The actual starting time for the first stage (and every stage) is open-ended.

What:
The 250-mile route has about 40-50% singletrack, some of which is pretty darn technical, and about 33k of climbing. The route is: Flagstaff-Sedona-Mingus Mountain-Williams-Flagstaff. Those that have never ridden in this area, you are in for a treat!

Live tracking link will be listed at: http://trackleaders.com

Carrying a SPOT tracker is optional. You can add your own SPOT/InReach to the tracking map at the following link (email info@trackleaders.com to inquire about a rental device):

https://form.jotformpro.com/trackleaders/long-trail

The (old) forum:
http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php?topic=10860.0

GPX: GPS and Cue Sheets can all be found here.  The file CLR22_v2_10k_simplified.gpx is the latest version of the route. The 2013 files are current for the cue sheets and waypoints.

For help uploading the track to your GPS see TopoFusion’s uploading tutorial.

Please note: it is very important that you upload both the GPS track (line) AND the waypoint file. The waypoints define where stages start and end, as well as help everyone regroup at the end of each stage.

Bikepacking.net route description

Self Supported Stage Bikepacking

The Coconino 250 is a self supported stage bikepack. The usual rules for self-supported bikepacking apply (see AZT 300, CTR for examples), with one exception: there are locations on the route where stopping is allowed and as long as you are there, the ride clock is not ticking.

This makes the event into a quasi-stage ride. Riders may ride from one stopping location to another, then rest the night before the next ‘stage.’ However, stopping is not required at any of the points. The option of a non-stop ride is still open.

There are 4 stages, with 3 “stage stop” locations. The first two are camp sites, with no water or other services available (but fantastic views!). The third is the town of Williams, where most racers opt to share motel rooms. You can also camp on nearby national forest, if desired.

Each rider’s time will be computed as = the total time on course minus the total time spent in designated stopping locations. Because of this it is important that you carefully log your time in and time out. Bring a piece of paper to do this, and if you can collect a GPS track for backup, even better.

The idea is to promote camaraderie, lessen the physical ‘impact’ on participants, and also experiment with a new format.

The stage stops are marked as waypoints in the course GPX file and also denoted in RED on the cue sheets.

Pictures

You can drool over some pictures on Scott’s website: http://www.topofusion.com/diary/2009/06/29/coco-ming-o-bob/

Please use the signup form below, and post in the bikepacking.net forum if you plan on attending.

CLICK HERE FOR RESULTS

Comments, suggestions, heckling can all be made below. Or on the forum.

Arizona Trail Race

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Racing the Arizona Trail

The AZT300 & AZT800 will start concurrently at border monument 103, the rider limit is 60 total riders.

Please check the Announcements page https://azt300-800.com/announcements/ for any last minute updates, registration & important information.

Suggested Start Date: Thursday October 16th, 2025. *ITTs are always encouraged!!
(3rd Thursday in October each year) *Registration opens one month prior to the Grand Depart
Choose your poison: 300 miles / 800 miles
800 Start: 6:00am Mexican Border monument 103.
300 Start: 6:00am Mexican Border monument 103.
Rider limit: 60 people, combined, in both events
No entry fee, no prizes, absolutely no support

Tiger Mine TH
Tiger Mine trailhead near Oracle

The Arizona Trail Race is an unofficial challenge that takes place every autumn on the cross state Arizona Trail. Two distances are available. The Arizona Trail 300 is a 300 mile event that has been held every April since 2006. The Arizona Trail Race 800 is the complete traversal (Mexico->Utah) and was offered for the first time in 2010 as the AZTR750. Both events are run concurrently, starting on the same day, same time from border monument 103.

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. We’ll probably compare times afterwards, but more importantly, we’ll compare experiences — the highs and lows the trail and mountains offered us.

All we provide is a route, a suggested start time(*) and tabulation of results. Period. There is no race organization, no checkpoints, no support system, nothing. You are completely on your own, just as you would be if you chose to ride the Arizona Trail, or any other trail, on any other day.

(*) Anyone is welcome to ride the route at any time. We provide a suggested start date if you want others to ride with/against. ITTs (individual time trials) are encouraged and will be ranked with that year’s results.

If you want to be included in the “results” you need to follow the rules of self-supported travel set on the rules page, ITT riders included. This means things like support crews and water caches are not allowed. This is done in order to ensure a level playing field.

Martinez Canyon

SPOT Tracking

Each year the race is tracked by trackleaders.com, providing a live map, elevation profile and other stats that can be used to follow along. Carrying a SPOT and being tracked by trackleaders is not mandatory but encouraged.

Support the Trail

There is no entry fee, and no registration, but all racers are strongly encouraged to join the Arizona Trail Association. Please help support the organization that has worked so hard to construct, maintain and promote this amazing trail across the state.

Membership is only $35. To join, go here:

http://www.aztrail.org/membership/join.html

Contact

Please consider posting your questions to bikepacking.net’s Ultra Forum. There is a yearly forum thread there with common questions asked and answered. There’s a helpful community of AZT riders that can help, and that way your questions (and answers) can help others with the same questions. Also the AZTR Director will post updates and last minute info there in the weeks leading up to the start.

There is a private Facebook Page that has tons of info. Check them out on FB Arizona Trail Race (mtb)

Questions?? Start here: AZTR FAQ & ATA’s Mountain Biking resource

John Schilling – azt300.750@gmail.com

THE SPIRIT WORLD 100

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Dear gravel riders, soul surfers & anyone who uses the bike to escape time… 

We are Heidi Rentz & Zander Ault

We’re co-creators, gravel cyclists, chefs & party animals. We’re so freaking excited to see you in Patagonia, Arizona for a gravel road race that has inspired every aspect of our lives.  

The Spirit World 100 is a down home gravel road expedition that has been in creation for 4 years. We’ve been exploring the outer reaches of our abilities to be spirited entrepreneurs in an attempt to bring something from another universe to the event scene. Our main goal is to connect more people through our contagious love for riding bikes, cooking and throwing a mean party. Now, we just need all you special humans to bring your creative and powerful energy to the desert southwest.  

The Spirit World 100 and 50-mile course options are 2 of our most coveted and adored gravel routes in southern Arizona. Each course option is a reflection of the thousands of hours we’ve spent soaring through the San Rafael Valley since 2015. In order to showcase one of the Nations best remote and purely quiet destinations, we have partnered with the Town of Patagonia to invite riders and their families to the high desert. Obsessed with the landscape of the borderlands region, we’ve studied the maps of this area and are working closely with regional government, land management and private entities to make this place more accessible for the entire gravel cycling community. We want to help redefine the future of outdoor recreational tourism in the greater Tucson and borderlands region of The Copper State and The Spirit World 100 will be a key player in this mission.   

If we said this wasn’t a race, we’d just sound ridiculous. Any time you place 100’s of riders on the start line, it’s a race! This race is a place to find the answer to why challenging ourselves in unfamiliar conditions is so sought after. We’re only human and we were put on this earth to move, sweat, be affected and feel the power of confidence that our raw and natural surroundings can instill. The Spirit World 100 is a celebration of exactly what you’re searching for every time you jump on your bike. You’re welcomed in, wholeheartedly. 

Tucson, Arizona is our home. When we aren’t there, we’re hosting private gravel and road cycling camps around the globe. For sometime now, we’ve wanted to create an event that everybody felt comfortable committing to. Cycling camps aren’t for everybody. They may never meet your personal schedule or provide enough of what you’re looking for in a vacation. The Spirit World 100 has been designed to deliver fun, challenge and growth oriented human interaction over the course of 4 days. We couldn’t be more excited to show you Patagonia, Arizona and the San Rafael Valley. See you in The Spirit World!

Teeth to the wind,

Arizona Trail Race

, ,

Racing the Arizona Trail

The AZT300 & AZT800 will start concurrently at border monument 103, the rider limit is 60 total riders.

Please check the Announcements page https://azt300-800.com/announcements/ for any last minute updates, registration & important information.

Suggested Start Date: Thursday October 16th, 2025. *ITTs are always encouraged!!
(3rd Thursday in October each year) *Registration opens one month prior to the Grand Depart
Choose your poison: 300 miles / 800 miles
800 Start: 6:00am Mexican Border monument 103.
300 Start: 6:00am Mexican Border monument 103.
Rider limit: 60 people, combined, in both events
No entry fee, no prizes, absolutely no support

Tiger Mine TH
Tiger Mine trailhead near Oracle

The Arizona Trail Race is an unofficial challenge that takes place every autumn on the cross state Arizona Trail. Two distances are available. The Arizona Trail 300 is a 300 mile event that has been held every April since 2006. The Arizona Trail Race 800 is the complete traversal (Mexico->Utah) and was offered for the first time in 2010 as the AZTR750. Both events are run concurrently, starting on the same day, same time from border monument 103.

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. We’ll probably compare times afterwards, but more importantly, we’ll compare experiences — the highs and lows the trail and mountains offered us.

All we provide is a route, a suggested start time(*) and tabulation of results. Period. There is no race organization, no checkpoints, no support system, nothing. You are completely on your own, just as you would be if you chose to ride the Arizona Trail, or any other trail, on any other day.

(*) Anyone is welcome to ride the route at any time. We provide a suggested start date if you want others to ride with/against. ITTs (individual time trials) are encouraged and will be ranked with that year’s results.

If you want to be included in the “results” you need to follow the rules of self-supported travel set on the rules page, ITT riders included. This means things like support crews and water caches are not allowed. This is done in order to ensure a level playing field.

Martinez Canyon

SPOT Tracking

Each year the race is tracked by trackleaders.com, providing a live map, elevation profile and other stats that can be used to follow along. Carrying a SPOT and being tracked by trackleaders is not mandatory but encouraged.

Support the Trail

There is no entry fee, and no registration, but all racers are strongly encouraged to join the Arizona Trail Association. Please help support the organization that has worked so hard to construct, maintain and promote this amazing trail across the state.

Membership is only $35. To join, go here:

http://www.aztrail.org/membership/join.html

Contact

Please consider posting your questions to bikepacking.net’s Ultra Forum. There is a yearly forum thread there with common questions asked and answered. There’s a helpful community of AZT riders that can help, and that way your questions (and answers) can help others with the same questions. Also the AZTR Director will post updates and last minute info there in the weeks leading up to the start.

Questions?? Start here: AZTR FAQ & ATA’s Mountain Biking resource

John Schilling – azt300.750@gmail.com

THE SPIRIT WORLD 100

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Dear gravel riders, soul surfers & anyone who uses the bike to escape time… 

We are Heidi Rentz & Zander Ault

We’re co-creators, gravel cyclists, chefs & party animals. We’re so freaking excited to see you in Patagonia, Arizona for a gravel road race that has inspired every aspect of our lives.  

The Spirit World 100 is a down home gravel road expedition that has been in creation for 4 years. We’ve been exploring the outer reaches of our abilities to be spirited entrepreneurs in an attempt to bring something from another universe to the event scene. Our main goal is to connect more people through our contagious love for riding bikes, cooking and throwing a mean party. Now, we just need all you special humans to bring your creative and powerful energy to the desert southwest.  

The Spirit World 100 and 50-mile course options are 2 of our most coveted and adored gravel routes in southern Arizona. Each course option is a reflection of the thousands of hours we’ve spent soaring through the San Rafael Valley since 2015. In order to showcase one of the Nations best remote and purely quiet destinations, we have partnered with the Town of Patagonia to invite riders and their families to the high desert. Obsessed with the landscape of the borderlands region, we’ve studied the maps of this area and are working closely with regional government, land management and private entities to make this place more accessible for the entire gravel cycling community. We want to help redefine the future of outdoor recreational tourism in the greater Tucson and borderlands region of The Copper State and The Spirit World 100 will be a key player in this mission.   

If we said this wasn’t a race, we’d just sound ridiculous. Any time you place 100’s of riders on the start line, it’s a race! This race is a place to find the answer to why challenging ourselves in unfamiliar conditions is so sought after. We’re only human and we were put on this earth to move, sweat, be affected and feel the power of confidence that our raw and natural surroundings can instill. The Spirit World 100 is a celebration of exactly what you’re searching for every time you jump on your bike. You’re welcomed in, wholeheartedly. 

Tucson, Arizona is our home. When we aren’t there, we’re hosting private gravel and road cycling camps around the globe. For sometime now, we’ve wanted to create an event that everybody felt comfortable committing to. Cycling camps aren’t for everybody. They may never meet your personal schedule or provide enough of what you’re looking for in a vacation. The Spirit World 100 has been designed to deliver fun, challenge and growth oriented human interaction over the course of 4 days. We couldn’t be more excited to show you Patagonia, Arizona and the San Rafael Valley. See you in The Spirit World!

Teeth to the wind,

Kentucky Camp – Arizona Endurance Series

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When:
November 25, 2025 at 9:00 am (9:15 start time for those doing the short course)

Where:
Kentucky Camp, 40 miles south of Tucson. Google maps link here.

What:
There are two options for this race, (1) a 29-mile lollipop or (2) a 46-mile figure 8. There will be camping available and a post-race party in the area for those that would like to grill. This year, we are doing the Kentucky Camp as a charity event for the Arizona Trail Association. If you want to ride and are not a member, please become a member here: https://aztrail.org/get-involved/join/ 

GPX files and maps:

Kentucky_camp_long_route

Kentucky_camp_short_route

For help uploading the GPX files to your GPS see: http://topofusion.com/tutorials/uploading-tracks.php

Using a GPS is highly recommended!

Coconino Stage Bikepack – Arizona Endurance Series

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Coconino Stage Bikepack

IMG_4963

When:
October 10-13, 2025

Where:
We will be meeting on Friday, October 10-13, 2024 at 7:00am in Flagstaff, downtown at ‘The Place’ (21 S Milton Rd). We eat a big greasy breakfast, chat a bit and then we ride! The actual starting time for the first stage (and every stage) is open-ended.

What:
The 250-mile route has about 40-50% singletrack, some of which is pretty darn technical, and about 33k of climbing. The route is: Flagstaff-Sedona-Mingus Mountain-Williams-Flagstaff. Those that have never ridden in this area, you are in for a treat!

Live tracking link will be listed at: http://trackleaders.com

Carrying a SPOT tracker is optional. You can add your own SPOT/InReach to the tracking map at the following link (email info@trackleaders.com to inquire about a rental device):

https://form.jotformpro.com/trackleaders/long-trail

The (old) forum:
http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php?topic=10860.0

GPX: GPS and Cue Sheets can all be found here.  The file CLR22_v2_10k_simplified.gpx is the latest version of the route. The 2013 files are current for the cue sheets and waypoints.

For help uploading the track to your GPS see TopoFusion’s uploading tutorial.

Please note: it is very important that you upload both the GPS track (line) AND the waypoint file. The waypoints define where stages start and end, as well as help everyone regroup at the end of each stage.

Bikepacking.net route description

Self Supported Stage Bikepacking

The Coconino 250 is a self supported stage bikepack. The usual rules for self-supported bikepacking apply (see AZT 300, CTR for examples), with one exception: there are locations on the route where stopping is allowed and as long as you are there, the ride clock is not ticking.

This makes the event into a quasi-stage ride. Riders may ride from one stopping location to another, then rest the night before the next ‘stage.’ However, stopping is not required at any of the points. The option of a non-stop ride is still open.

There are 4 stages, with 3 “stage stop” locations. The first two are camp sites, with no water or other services available (but fantastic views!). The third is the town of Williams, where most racers opt to share motel rooms. You can also camp on nearby national forest, if desired.

Each rider’s time will be computed as = the total time on course minus the total time spent in designated stopping locations. Because of this it is important that you carefully log your time in and time out. Bring a piece of paper to do this, and if you can collect a GPS track for backup, even better.

The idea is to promote camaraderie, lessen the physical ‘impact’ on participants, and also experiment with a new format.

The stage stops are marked as waypoints in the course GPX file and also denoted in RED on the cue sheets.

Pictures

You can drool over some pictures on Scott’s website: http://www.topofusion.com/diary/2009/06/29/coco-ming-o-bob/

Please use the signup form below, and post in the bikepacking.net forum if you plan on attending.

CLICK HERE FOR RESULTS

Comments, suggestions, heckling can all be made below. Or on the forum.

The Tusayan Tussle – Arizona Endurance Series

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The Tusayan Tussle

Image result for photo from fire tower grand canyon

The Tusayan Tussle

When:  The 100 event will start at 6:00 a.m. The 60 mile event will start at 7:00 a.m. on August 24, 2024

Where: The start/ finish will be on Forest Road 302 located on the south end of Tusayan, half a mile east from the roundabout on Hwy 64.

Lots of parking and lots of camping options right at the start/finish area on both sides of FR302.

image.png

The routes:

Option #1: 60 Mile route that is a loop with fun double track all the way to the turnaround at the historic Moqui Stage Stop and follows the Arizona Trail all the way back to Tusayan. An epic ride for any ability.

Option #2: 94 mile route that includes 40 miles of double track forest service roads with literally no traffic all the way to the turnaround where you will ride the Arizona trail all the way back to Tusayan.

****Grandview Lookout will be on the route approximately 16 miles from the finish with a requirement to climb it. The views are worth the climb up. If you fear heights, you don’t have to climb it. ******* Time bonus for the ones that climb it. Selfie pic for proof******

Fully self-supported ride. Russell tank has water and can be filtered if needed. There will be NO water drop unless we have a volunteer drop and pick up at Russell Tank or elsewhere. Russell Tank is a reliable filtering tank.

23

Where: The start/ finish will be on Forest Road 302 located on the south end of Tusayan, half a mile east from the roundabout on Hwy 64.

Lots of parking and lots of camping options right at the start/finish area on both sides of FR302.

Tussle

Route:

The Tussle will be a loop rather than the out and back. The route will be ridden in a counterclockwise fashion with the route consisting of 25 miles of scenic remote forest service roads, 35 miles on the Arizona Trail and 1 mile of asphalt/concrete riding through Tusayan back to the finish.

****Grandview Lookout will be on the route approximately 16 miles from the finish with a requirement to climb it. The views are worth the climb up. If you fear heights, you don’t have to climb it. ******* Time bonus for the ones that climb it. Selfie pic for proof******

Fully self-supported ride. Russell tank has water and can be filtered if needed. There will be NO water drop unless we have a volunteer drop and pick up at Russell Tank. Russell tank should have plenty of water for filtering with all the monsoon activity.

Tusayan_tussle_short_route

Tusayan_tussle_long_route

Please sign-up below with the link as well as commenting if you are interested in camping a 1-2 nights.