I think 2015 was the first year for that earlier turn off of Togwotee Pass. Once you made the push up to the top, that entire section of the route was absolutely beautiful. Decent two track just wandering it's way across the CD. The fields along there were in full wildflower bloom and the smell was absolutely intoxicating. One of many favorite memories of my race that year.

Yep, that section is on the CDTbike route is super rad.  Matthew added it to the TD route in 2015, along with Wamsutter.

Looking forward to getting this party started in less than a week.  GD is going to be huge!

The asterisk usually only matters for records, and those are not all that well defined, either.

But, you have a good point.  It's been an unresolved question since the inception of the 750 -- should the date be chosen to maximize full course potential, or give everyone (750's included) a better chance at making it through the southern half of the state?  I can't really say a clear vision of what's 'best' has ever formed in my head.  That's why generally I just try to maximize moonlight in April.  2018 won't be the first year that the full moon has been awkwardly placed, though, so that strategy is not, shall we say, 'bomber.'

You are right, the weather is highly variable in the spring.  No guarantees, and there are always hot period in March.  But there is still something to the average temp, which does trend upward through April.

I like the idea of earlier, but if it's a normal or high snow year, it'll mean snow detours and such for the 750, which isn't always such a bad thing, I suppose.  90% of the route (not including the north rim here) seems to be rideable even in early April.

For what it's worth, we'll be going off the same time as the race next year from Stateline, but we can be excluded from the race. I don't want to suck up any entries or resources! If you need us to go off sooner/later than the race, just let me know and I can plan around it.

The real concern is the congregation of people at Parker Lake and at the Mexican Border. That's where we may have issues with the 75 person limit.  So I do ask that people that don't intend to do the race as laid out choose to start at a different day.  Since you're going southbound (right?) that is fine.

The other impacts to caches, other trail users, trail magic, other spectators, etc are more of a concern on the 300 portion, so once again starting from the Stateline CG is fine.

Speaking of which, when is the grand depart scheduled for in 2018?  I see the full moon is 31 March.  Did the Thursday start idea gain traction for next year?

I do think it'll start Thursday, perhaps Weds.  That moon timing is a little problematic for trying to keep it in the middle of April.  Waxing moon would put it more like April 19th, with only those in the 750 actually getting a full moon. 

March 29 would be the other idea, somewhat unprecedented, but also Easter weekend and sweet timing with the full moon. Heat was the biggest cause of the scratch rate this year even on the 7th, which suggests we move earlier.  We're about due for another snow year!

Thoughts?

I had planned to do the full 300 this year but stuff came up at work which would not allow me the time off to finish the race (I somehow doubt that I could have finished by Sunday night), so at that point for me rules were out the window and it was a just a long ride with friends.

I think that this attitude holds true for many others who do the AZT'R' at a touring pace. For them it is more about completing a long-ass ride and riding & camping with their friends for a week rather than sticking to the rules laid out for the people taking it seriously and treating it as an actual race. Unless there is a penalty of losing an entry fee, or not being able to participate in future events I doubt that this attitude will change for that crowd - and I certainly hope that it does not, as that is what makes these events so awesome!

Fair enough, I appreciate the perspective.  I certainly support the idea of a long ride with friends. The issue I have is that as the 'event' grows and reaches the 75 person limit, I tend to lean towards giving those 75 spots to people intending to do the race as laid out, since a big ride with friends can be done any other day without impacting other people. It's an unfortunate consequence of the growth of the event.

It's a fair question, for sure. Increased numbers mean increased pressure on the route, in aspects beyond availability of services.

It's hard for me to imagine 500 GD riders being sustainable or reasonable!

Thanks.  I'm one of the those curmudgeons who don't have a Facebook account and are always out of the loop in all social gatherings.

If you've sent in your LOI to tourdivide.org using the contact form, you should have already rec'd the registration link, or will be getting it soon.  People are signing up, it's getting close!

Good advice, Brad.

Addy - there's usually a cool window or two (of ~3 days if you're lucky) in May.  But there's no way you could predict it -- you kind of need to be local, or around, in order to snag it.

Cooler windows in the month of May can sometimes be golden.  Kurt's 2010 seven day time started this time of year.

Go Aaron!

Do you know if they gained/lost time in comparison to the regular route when riding this bypass?

Definitely slower than the original route, and I would imagine slower than the majority of the field, which took the more straighforward HWY 60 route.

Fiona wrote back quickly (thanks!) on the dirt route:

"Yeah we took the dirt roads around it.  The directions were great and easy to follow due to being signposted with road numbers.  They were dirt tracks, ride able all the time and decent surface.  Not exciting to ride but better than a busy road and great views.  hope that helps a little."

Scott,
I'll try & get over there this weekend and do an out-n-back on it. Gotta update the AES & Queen's Ransom routes anyway.

That'd be great.  I had to make some educated guesses on the 'best' road in a few places.  If there's any way to improve it, let me know.  On the aerials, Kurt and I saw water in one of the washes (due to a marked spring on the map) which would be pretty sweet, though I think it would be some bonus climbing.

Hopefully by next spring Hewitt will be open again, to bikes at least. 

Cool.  Useful, for sure.

Hewitt Station is still not viable, and this reminds me that ATA is waiting for a report on the dirt bypass that I threw together.  I know some of the Brits took it.  Anyone else have feedback on it?

Seemed like it went OK for them, will follow up by email.  Then ATA can update their map and the MTB databook.

Thanks Mike.

Race status marked as scratched

http://trackleaders.com/aztr17i.php?name=Alice_Drobna

Her shoes blew apart, and she didn't like the idea of getting a new pair to ride and hike the canyon in.  She mentioned it was insanely hot and brutal, as always. 

Actually that 2:16 is a bug for ITTs.  He started yesterday.  I bet a lot of the 6 hrs stopped time was in the canyon, where, from a tracking perspective, racers aren't moving.  I bet he's hardly stopped.

Two 'AD's on course Aaron heading south and Alice coming up to Mogollon Rim. Where will the AD spike happen, somewhere between Flag and Tusayan?

Should be an AD spike today, indeed.

Denberg is lighting it up, as expected.  From Utah to Coconino Rim in 24 hours?!

Alice could indeed ramp it up and still best her previous time.  With an overall average temp warmer than during the Grand Depart, the 300 was surely a tough go for her.

We have Aaron Denberg loading up for a SoBo ITT, starting tomorrow.  You know he wants a *fast* time on this route, bad.

I saw a giant plume of smoke just north of the peaks today, but was relieved to find it was prescribed:

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5047/35079/

It should blow east, sparing our riders (if they make it before it's out).

Unofficial word is that the NR pavement closure is not likely to be enforced (for now...).  Standby for a request that we send a bunch of letters to the Superintendent's office, requesting they strike the new closure and rule.

Congrats, Evdog -- solid finish.  Thanks for taking the time to writeup the experience.

Funny how the brain nearly immediately starts chugging away on what can be done better/faster next time, even as it is begging for their never to be a 'next time.'  See ya next year.

Mike's almost in!  Jeff and Rhino got out early from Phantom and are making good time towards the big climb.

Jeff and Rhino may have been the first to get permits to camp.  It was good to hear that they were granted permits (instead of being told 'NO').  At the last minute a ranger ran out to tell them about the road closure and that they would have to *walk* their bikes out of the park (!).   This is all per Nancy, so third hand, at best.

Still, at least there's a fully legal option. 

Also congrats to Derrick Perrin on wrapping up the 300 last night for a finish time of 8 days, 10 hours.  That's some serious stick-to-it-ness, in his second attempt at the route.