General Route Reminders
There are certain elements of the route that everyone needs to be aware of. Please take a moment to look over this information.
RAAM Time v. Local Time
RAAM and RAW operate on two different time modalities, RAAM time and local time. RAAM time is Eastern Daylight Time and is the time we use to report everything in the race, including time stations. All penalties, TS, warnings, start and finish times, as well as, other reports use RAAM time. Be sure you have at least one clock set to it.
The local time comes into play for direct follow rules. Local time varies from place to place, depending on the time zone you are in and the state. AZ doesn't do daylight savings time changes, so it is currently on Pacific Daylight time until you enter the Navajo Reservation which is on Mountain Daylight Time. You need to know where you are to recognize the local time. Smartphones will be helpful with this.
Tribal Lands and Police
You will be passing through and right by several Native American reservations, including the largest reservation in North America, the Navajo Reservation. Be aware that you are on sovereign lands. Be courteous and respectful. It is rude to take pictures without asking. Do not defile their lands or leave trash on the side of the roads. Do not point at people as this is also considered rude.
Tribal Police are law enforcement, and they can ticket and arrest you just like any other law enforcement organization in the US. The laws on tribal lands may not be the same as those of the state. Always be respectful.
Tribal lands often do not have fences. Wildlife and livestock move freely across roads. Watch for potential dangers.
CREATIVE COMMONS VIA PIXABAY
The Navajo Reservation
The Navajo Reservation is a wild and beautiful place, but it is also dangerous if you do not pay attention to your surroundings. We strictly enforce Race rules across the Reservation. You must use direct follow from the moment you enter that Reservation until you leave it at all times, day and night, with no exceptions. Unfortunately, drunk driving is a fact of life on the Reservation. You must be ready to protect your rider. Riders without a follow vehicle will be stopped and held until a crew arrives. There will be no time credit for this. You will be penalized and possibly disqualified.
There usually are no fences on the Reservation. Be prepared for livestock, especially sheep, to be right on the side of the road or in it. Sheep herds mean working dogs. These dogs are trained to guard the flocks - even from you. Stay away from livestock. You need to understand that these sheep and all livestock may represent a family's entire form of income, so be careful.
There are also wild dogs packs on the Reservation. These dogs will attack a rider. You will likely also encounter herds of wild horses and many other animals. There are many cattle grates in the road, so be careful. They will take down a rider. You can encounter them anywhere, especially near the edges for the Reservation.
Summer is the time of the hard rains on the Reservation. Be attentive to the weather and aware of potential flash flooding.
Weather in Arizona
Heat is always a factor for RAAM, and the first you will face will be in Arizona. Expect daytime temps to range from 100F/37C to 115F/46C (and that is only the air temperature. It doesn't take into account the heat of the asphalt you are riding on. Make sure you are paying attention to the condition of your rider. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Never go into the desert without plenty of water on hand, including for your vehicle radiator.
Do not park cars on the side of roads in dead grass. The heat of your engine will cause a wildfire which will consume your vehicle. To add to the situation, the State of AZ frowns on those who start fires. You will, at the very least, get a substantial ticket. Please keep it on dirt or pavement.
Animals, Colorado, and Wolf Creek Pass
The danger of hitting an animal is always present anywhere on the RAAM/RAW route. For those of you who have no experience with this, know that hitting a deer or a cow, even at a slow speed, can render your car undrivable.
Colorado will be a respite after the heat of AZ. Make sure you are obeying direct follow rules in CO. Do not impede traffic. The traffic between TS 15 (Durango) - TS 16 (Pagosa Springs) can be substantial as drivers hurry to work. Angry commuters have and will call police about riders or crews blocking traffic. You will get a traffic ticket and a penalty.
There are several mountain passes in CO. The most serious is Wolf Creek Pass. Be extremely careful on these passes. The climb is significant, and the descent is fast. The danger of encountering deer or elk crossing the road is substantial. You might also come upon a car taking a turn wide and veering into your lane. Riders and drivers need to be awake and alert.
Fires
Wild fires can happen at anytime on the route. You need to be aware of these. Be careful that you do not start one by accident. There is an interactive at this link that you can use to keep track of where most of the active fires are. https://www.fireweatheravalanche.org/fire (this map can be customized and shows weather. You do not have to register or pay. Just close the donation window)
Never approach an active fire or try to drive through a fire that is crossing the roads.
Be sure to check the Weather tab for more information on weather on RAAM/RAW.