Yeah, I opened the route map this morning. It's kind of humorous to note that, after studying the route for a decade, it only takes a glance at it to notice that "something's different". The NM changes are interesting and I wonder if these will be "this year" changes only due to local circumstances or if the goal is to make them permanent.
I also wonder at the impetus of Matt and Scott (and whoever else does the route-finding) to deviate from the original GDMBR. I suppose the changing landscape - construction, conservation & traffic issues, etc. - forces some changes, but as a purist (whatever THAT means), my wish is to keep the race route as close to the original route (as created by the ACA) as possible. And I still believe the Koko Claims hike-a-bike section has NO place in a cycling race!!
My next task is to map the new sections and see what height/length changes are present. Good stuff!!
Now let the excitement begin...and the dream of one day "taking the start" continue.
