Less rain with full moon? Aug 1 2012 full moon.   Aug 31 2012 blue moon.
If my prediction is true next week will be a less rainy week on the trail.
Best of luck to all the racers!

Ride strong eTurk and avoid the lightning on the sections 22 and 23. Enjoy your Durango to Denver 2011 CTR . Extra posts of eTurk pictures. http://www.dogboydan.com/dogboydan/images/CTR_2011/CTR_2011.htm

My weather predictions
The rain will subside next week Aug 8-12 2011, full moon Aug 8 2011
Full moon Monday Aug, 1 2012 - will be a dry and excellent weather year (for Aug 1 start date) as it was in 2009 for the CTR.

Stefan, you have done a great up job putting the whole CTR together! Whatever the start date, direction and route the awesome sprit of the great adventure of such a huge solo race will always be there. What a sweet thrill we all can enjoy for free. Thank you.

I voted - start date Aug 8. Over the last years I have observed less rain at night in the Colorado mountains when there is a full moon. Also the light from the moon makes night riding and camping a little easier.  The later start date helps snow melt. I choose less snow over extra hour of sunshine.

Direction of travel - Durango to Denver
With the direction from Durango to Denver the shuttle from Denver to drop off racers in Durango can be on a fixed date making it easier for scheduling. This Durango to Denver direction makes the logistics easier for the riders who make it Denver. However if a racer drops out before Buena Vista on the way to Denver, the logistics of a shuttle to Denver are harder. Compare a shuttle from Lake City to Denver verses a shuttle from Leadville to Denver. In keeping with the last changes to the race that make it more difficult (adding Tenmile and Cataract) it seems like reversing the direction would the way to go.

On Monday Eddie (CTR veteran 2008) and I (CTR veteran 2009) rode up to just shy of Kokomo and stayed overnight to cheer on the racers. We had a great night with our buddies Nick (CTR veteran 2009) and Greg who are on a pleasure ride from Indian Creek to Salida. On Tuesday Greg and John (refer to previous entry by john reply # 43) rode up from Copper and joined us too, they continued on down the trail on a loop ride back to Copper.

We were able to see most of the leaders just below the summit of Kokomo pass.

At an unknown time Ethan rode by in first place- It must have been at night when we were sleeping. Eddie had his tent set-up just a few feet off the trail but did not see Ethan.
8:30 am Jesse and Jeff K came by within 15 minutes of each other. We spoke to Jeff K - high sprits and happy.  Did not get a chance to chat with Jesse.
10 am David Harris came by with a big smile and a wonderful outlook.
11 am approximately Eszter and Steve came by both rolling along with more great attitudes.

at 1 o'clock Eddie and I rode down to Copper and we saw a group of three riders suiting up for rain near the ski area and a fourth just behind. All these guys had smiles that could not wiped off by the rain. I  think that is the best way to do this ride - with a great attitude.

From just about all the racers we spoke to they said Georgia pass was very wet and RAINY. I hope the clouds clear and rain drops and lighting disappear for the remainder of the race.

Congratulations to ALL the racers for putting out the effort to make it to Durango. It is a long way to the end and I consider it a personal win just to give it an honest try no matter how long it takes or how far you get. Keep on riding with those smiles and enjoy.

Special thank you to Stefan for doing an awesome job putting on such a great race.

Dan Joseph

Moon CTR 2009
OK I have not done the race yet. I think my vote should not count. I voted not to change because I fear change without reason.
However I am glad to see that the start date of 2009 Aug 2 is just 4 days before the full moon on Aug 6 2009. That will help everything at night including night riding.
Note in 2008 start date was July 28 and the new moon (dark nights) was 4 days later Aug 1 2008.
I like to see the start date selected to take advantage of the warmest weather and the brightest moon.

I think a good start date for 2010 is Sunday July 25 - full moon is July 26
2011 full moon is Aug 13 the next day is Sunday is Aug 14

I fear change without reason.
I vote to keep it the same so each year's results can be compared to the others.