9th Annual Aussie Run! Sat. 9/10 - Deer Creek & Saints John
OK, here we go again! The ninth annual Aussie Run will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2016. If you want to go wheeling and have an empty seat or two (or more), this is a fun event! This year we'll meet in Keystone at 9:00am (in the NW corner of the parking lot south of Gondola Rd.) and run Deer Creek and Saints John, with a possible alternate route up Radical Hill. It's got some spectacular scenery, has an easy meeting spot, and it's hard to beat it for a place to eat lunch (with mountain goats)!
What is the Aussie Run?
Well, as some of you know, I’m an elementary school teacher. In 2006, I participated in a teacher exchange to Australia. Basically, an Australian teacher and I swapped jobs and houses for a year. While my wife and I were there, we were constantly amazed at how people went out of their way to show us their favorite parts of that incredible country. When I got back, I vowed I would do the same thing for the Aussies on exchange to Colorado, and the Aussie Run was born. I got some willing volunteers together (you awesome folks) who had a few empty seats in their rigs, piled in some teachers and their families, and had a great day wheeling in the Colorado mountains.
How does it work?
I compile a list of volunteer drivers who have available seats in their rigs, and passengers who want to ride along. We meet in an easy-to-find place, match up passengers with drivers, and head out for the trails. It’s usually a full day with lunch on the trail, and returning to the meeting spot around 4pm. After that, people have often stopped for dinner or drinks on the way home, but that’s up to each individual.
Things to be aware of:
Every year, we have had more empty seats than passengers. This is intentional, as unexpected things happen and it would be really disappointing for someone to drive up there and not get to go. Having a few extra seats also provides a safety margin in case a vehicle breaks down. What this means for drivers, however, is that there is a chance you might be wheeling by yourself. Rest assured, though, that there will be time to meet and chat with the exchange teachers at the meeting spot, photo stops, lunch, and possibly dinner.
If you do get a passenger, be prepared that they might not be Australian. I organize the passengers for this run through the Colorado International Teachers’ Exchange League (CITEL), and all members are invited. This means that the passengers may be teachers here in Colorado on exchange from another country (not always Australia, though the majority of exchange teachers are Aussies), or Colorado teachers who, like me, have been on an exchange in the past. I’m sure you’ll find that all of them are adventurous and thankful for your time and willingness to help out!
Also, please be aware that this is NOT a hardcore wheeling run. Most of the passengers have never driven on anything more difficult than a dirt road before, and what may be a routine shelf road to you may be at the limit of their comfort zone. The emphasis is on conversation and having a good time, not conquering a rock garden or avoiding a near-rollover. The safety of passengers and drivers is a priority at all times during this event.
How do I sign up?
Simply message me with these things:
your real name (first is OK)
what you drive and how many empty seats you’ll have
a good contact phone number
your email address
I’ll send you an email with a map to the meeting spot and any other information needed for the trip, and I can answer any questions you may have. I'll update the driver list at the end of this post as people sign up.
One more thing:
THANKS. I could never say it enough. I cannot run this event without awesome people like you who want to share our beautiful backcountry with others, and are willing to do it without compensation of any kind other than a handshake and a smile. You rock!
Kyle
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