It started as a way to link the AZT with CDT. Then it grew into a thru-hike in its own right — a remote route linking two sprawling megalopolises. Phoenix to Albuquerque — in 700 miles.
Brett Tucker is the mastermind behind the GET. Ever since I read his glowing introductory page, I knew I would attempt it by bike, sooner or later.
Read that glowing page here:
The reality of the trail is a little harder to grasp. It’s coming slowly to me as I study and learn. But perhaps the largest reality is that Brett’s a hiker, and he has laid out a hiking trail.
Wilderness areas are not much of a problem. The detours are fairly obvious, not insulting (e.g. dangerous/nasty/long like some are on the CT and AZT). I’m more worried about what’s on the route. The GET favors water, which means it follows drainages, often with no trail. Fording and sand become the reality of life.
Steep, eroded, overgrown, burnt trail — yep, I expect some of that too. I’m approaching it more as a hiking trip with bike along for the 2-tracks and 4wd roads. Any good/fun singletrack I run into is just a bonus.
What is very exciting about this route is that it’s mostly new to me. Some of the areas it covers look very interesting indeed. I can’t say I’ve ever ridden down a slot canyon (that’s open to bikes!) before.
I spent Saturday supervising an Eagle Scout’s project on the AZT. The members of the troop were quite obviously members of a certain Utah based religion. No problem with that, I just couldn’t help but feel sorry for some of the kids. Some reminded me of myself at that age. I earned my Eagle by cleaning up campgrounds and trailheads in Moab. What’s funny is that these kids worked harder and were easier to tell what to do that any kids I’ve ever worked with. Well behaved. Loyal, right? Or was the word automaton?
I packed my own lunch, but happily let it sit as the Eagle scout’s mom delivered Hot ‘n Ready pizza to the work site. This meant I was well fueled for my post-work spin on the AZT. The two days of rain left the trail a little sticky/slow, but still fun to ride. The more it’s ridden, the better. Unfortunately, someone decided to ride it during or right after the rain, and left a good sized rut in some of the clay-ish sections. You don’t have to wait long for things to firm up in southern AZ (I couldn’t see my tire mark next / on top of his), so it’s really a shame when someone does something stupid like that.
My feet made me turn around earlier than anticipated. Not a bad thing, because when I got back early the phone rang. It was Mr. Grand Enchantment himself. He’s currently on the trail, resting/refueling in Safford. We spent the next two hours going through the route. He seemed pretty excited that I was thinking about attempting it, and he filled in a few key holes in my map work. He seemed like a great guy, and one thing is clear: he’s passionate about his trail. It certainly shows. The amount of time he’s put into the website and companion map CD is pretty astounding.
So the plan is as follows. Start the AZT 300 with everyone on April 13th. When I get to round about Mammoth, I’ll head east to ride the legendary Rug Road, the clear bike detour around Aravaipa Wilderness. From there it’s GET all the way to Albukirk, if all goes well.
This trip is going to be interesting in many ways. It’s a tour, not a race, but going solo I know the pace will be rather fast. Food/water dictate a certain pace anyway. But I’ve never done a long solo tour like this. Solo races, yep. Long tours with a partner, yep. But not solo and touring. I don’t know how it’ll go.
So in that sense it’ll be an experiment. The route itself is going to be an experiment, as well. I’m perfectly willing to accept the outcome that the route is simply not very feasible on a bicycle (for me, anyway). I may get cast away like so much rubbish. I may end up detouring on roads.
I’ve been a little frustrated lately that I haven’t done many adventurous rides this winter. I guess I’ve been saving up for this one, because I think it’s going to have plenty in the adventure category. Now my feet are slowing me down, but I think they’ll be OK by April 13th.
One thing is certain: this is what I want to be doing — giving something like the GET my best shot. This is what I live for. But I still wonder why that is so, at times. I wonder about a lot of things.
I can’t wait to be out traveling by bike again. No more computer, no more distractions. Just a route to follow, a world to explore, and fresh air. Get up the next morning and head out to see what’s around the next corner. Does it get any better than that?
Scott – I had no idea you maintained a blog until you left a link, thanks for that. With your literary knack and abundant subject matter I’ll be reading!
Into the (mostly) great unknown, that’s the stuff of dreams. As I was pre-riding the GL route this weekend I was in the grip of the moment from word go…that’s one of the most attractive parts of this type of riding. It consumes you, in a healthy way (?).