I'm planning to race this year and with the 2013 group start heading eastbound, my vote would be to stick with 285. Should be a quick drop on pavement and hopefully not at night?! But after reading of this epic sounding road construction on the Tarryall detour, my vote may be moot now anyways….? Maybe a good idea though for the next time the group heads westward. Stoked to see you all out there!!

CTR 2013 timing?

All I'm saying is, the Perseid meteor showers peak on August 12th 2013, and there is a full moon on August 20th. For the 'normies' in the race who take about a week or longer to finish, starting the race on Monday the 12th would provide for some mighty fine meteors during the first couple nights on the bike, and an awesome full moon for the finish. Maybe it's too early to chat about the 2013 start date, but Im just saying, it'd be pretty cool if those events happened during the race (which I hope to be officially participating in next year

We should all rally for a Durango group start in 2013! After completing it twice from Denver,  the eastbound version now seems like a cool way to mix it up. The solo ITT could always happen but the momentum of the group is way cool I've found. I live in Durango and would be happy to help coordinate a good starting place.... 

I like the idea of doing the CTR on the week of the full moon. Although I have other reasons for choosing this week, I think the moon light could be nice later in the week. My only hesitation would be that the monsoon could be a bit sketchy during the first week of August.  But last year in the southern mountains, August was better then July. It's a role of the dice either way.