Crazy 88
Mark your calendars, the 2009 crazy 88 will be on 8-8-09!
General Description:
The Crazy 88 is an endurance mountain bike race around the San Francisco Peaks and Flagstaff. It’s 88 miles of amazing riding through every kind of terrain you could care to ride in northern arizona. The course has everything from forest roads through picturesque aspen groves to swervy singletrack through high-desert. In keeping with the theme, the course is approximately 88 miles long and in configured in a big figure 8. The start/finish and midpoint of the race is the parking lot at the top of schultz pass. The course uses some well-used trails and some not-so-well used trails, and is over 50% singletrack.
This is a grassroots event and therefore has no entry fee and a rider limit of 74 people. Both of these things keep us out of trouble with the forest service, and keeps us from needing permits. If you want to make sure you have a spot on the starting line, leave a comment at the bottom of this page.
Disclaimer: Although there are aid stations, this should be considered an UNSUPPORTED RIDE as you will be riding through remote areas which have many natural hazards. Be sure that you are capable of getting yourself out of whatever trouble you get into if you plan on doing this race.
Course:
The course will remain generally unchanged from 2008. You can see an overview of the course below as well as a download of the cue sheets from last year. As pre-rides start happening and the course is finalized I’ll update the cue sheets accordingly.
Cue sheets are as follows:
PDF Format (2 pages, one per loop)
Excel Format
For the so inclined, here’s a preview, click through to download the kmz file off google maps.
And finally, a nice little elevation profile, about 10,000 feet of climbing, yee haw!
Other Details:
As I’m just starting to put together plans for the event, other details are tentative at best, but here’s a few talking points for everyone to mull over as I finalize everything:
- I’m working on 2 additional aid stations to help keep some folks feeling frisky for the whole race. I understand 44 miles is a ways to go without support, so tentatively I’m working on one on the back of the peaks, and one somewhere near walnut canyon.
- Stu from Sendero Cycles has been asked (and accepted) to come up with something in the “bad-ass trophy” department for this year. I have given him little to no restrictions on what to make other than “ninjas and bikes”, so we can all be amazed on race day when he shows us the goods.
- As a lot of folks wanted to just do the first half last year, I’m thinking about a 44-mile option with a later start for those who know that they only want to do the first lap. This will put everyone in at the finish line closer to the same time for more widespread partying and general enjoyment. Thoughts?
- Yes, there will be an after party. Yes, you should bring your camping gear. And yes, there will be beer. What kind of a bike race doesn’t have beer? I’m planning on doing another couple kegs of homebrew, and I’m sure we’ll scrounge up some other beer sources as well.
- I’ve got some emails out already for prizes from some companies, and also for some more food/drink support for the race. Since I’m more on top of it this year, we should have some schwag to give away. And who doesn’t like schwag?
- I’m looking for some volunteers to help out with the aid stations and general race support. If you’re interested or know somebody who would enjoy heckling from an aid station, let me know either via email (nathan at handlebarsandwich dot com) or via a comment below.
If you want to see results and details from 2008 check it out here.



I’m in.
- Gregory
Link | May 7th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
planning on it, last year was so much fun!
- Jason
Link | May 7th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
I’m in.
- Rhys
Link | May 9th, 2009 at 7:21 am
I’m in
- Josh
Link | May 9th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Can’t wait!!
- Jeff
Link | May 12th, 2009 at 6:07 am
Whewww-Whoooo!!!!
- Nancy
Link | May 12th, 2009 at 6:33 am
missed it last year….won’t miss it again!
- James
Link | May 12th, 2009 at 6:45 am
We are in!
- Tiffany and Will
Link | May 12th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Count me in
- Spencer
Link | May 13th, 2009 at 11:19 am
i can’t miss this one. im in!
- simon
- simon z
Link | May 13th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
I’m down for the 88.
Cheers,
MK
- Matt K.
Link | May 14th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Nate,
I Rode some new azt this weekend and it looks like you can sub ~5 miles of forest road with singletrack by jumping on the AZT near Potato Tank off FS418 and taking it all the way to the “Sherwood Forest” trail. If you are around for the 3 day weekend perhaps we could get out there for a ride and scout. just trying to help and really how could you not sub dirtroad for singletrack. cheers, t
- tRoy
Link | May 18th, 2009 at 9:01 am
That sounds awesome. I would love to check it out. I’m not gonna be around this weekend, but maybe next?
- Nathan
Link | May 18th, 2009 at 9:19 am
I’m in!
Kevin
- Kevin Donnellan
Link | May 29th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Well if Nancy(AKA Kevin Donnellan)says she can do it, then hell, count me in!!!
Rainman
- Raymond Papineau
Link | May 29th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Im in. Are there cacti? There won’t be many left by then at least. Think chainsaw and blow torches. Contact me about sponsors. I rep a couple lines and can Help.
- Travis McMaster
Link | May 29th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I will bring the bandages Rainman ! You are going to need them , I am in !
- Milt Singleton
Link | May 29th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
I’m in too! Sounds like a great training ride for our trip to Fruita in September. Thanks for the invite…
- Steve Larson
Link | May 29th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Awesome! Thanks for the invite — this will be a great training ride for our trip to Fruita.
- Steve Larson
Link | May 29th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
Thanks for signing up guys, should be a good time!
Travis - There are cacti, but as part of the course prep, I will be personally removing all the needles on each of the cacti tat line the course with a pair of tweezers.
Seriously, though, there really aren’t any cacti, we’re at too high of an elevation here.
- Nathan
Link | May 30th, 2009 at 1:23 am
I’m as well.
- Kurt Mindy
Link | June 1st, 2009 at 5:33 pm
I’m in for the 88.
Judd
- Judd Rohwer
Link | June 1st, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Count me in.
-frog
- frog
Link | June 1st, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Who wouldn’t want to ride 88 miles on a fine August day. I’m in.
-Matt
- Matt
Link | June 2nd, 2009 at 5:50 pm
If Raymond Papineau can do it so can I.
It’s ON - oh It’s ON !!!
Bring the RAIN!!!
- Tom Stack
Link | June 7th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
I,m in.
- Matt F
Link | June 8th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
It is all good stuff. I am in.
-A
- Andy Stevenson
Link | June 9th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
I’m in.
- Chad
Link | June 11th, 2009 at 8:13 am
We are in for the 44.
- Kim and Tony
Link | June 15th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
I’d be up for 44 if you’re offering it.
- ScottN
Link | June 24th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Sign me up for the 44. YOu wouldn’t have to worry about a later start time, it just gives my slow a$$ more time or more time with the post ride beer!
- Brianc
Link | June 25th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Good to hear everyone getting all psyched for the race. To those who are doing just the 44, you’re welcome to start with the 88ers at 7am if you want, but I think I’ve had enough interest to do a separate start for the 44-only riders at 9am. If you’re around flag, keep your eyes peeled in the next week or so for the official race flyer showing up at your favorite cycling-related establishments.
- Nathan
Link | June 25th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
It the wackis and BrianC are in, then add one more for the 44!
- Noel Garza
Link | June 25th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
If Elno is in then I’m in for sure! Add another to the 44.
- BrettN
Link | June 25th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Well, if Noel, the Nowacki’s, and BrianC are in, I’m in for 44 too.
- Aaron S.
Link | June 25th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I will be making the trek up from HOT Phoenix to do this ride
enjoy some beer and meet to people!!
Count me in for the 44 for sure…if it’s a good day…MAYBE 88!!
Beverly
aka: the bevinator
- Beverly Rogers
Link | June 29th, 2009 at 9:33 am