You have the option of running a given route in forward or reverse direction (reverse meaning from from finish to start compared with the original cue sheet).  For an out-and-back route, the forward and reverse directions are identical, of course.  To start from the turnaround point of an out-and-back route, you need to submit that as a separate route.

To certify your route (see below), you need only submit materials for one direction, unless you would use different control locations or different road segments in the reverse direction.  While running the route in reverse can provide a refreshingly different experience for the rider, bear the following in mind:

• Control establishments may not be open at the appropriate times when riders encounter them in the reverse direction.
• Traffic, weather, and other “environmental” factors may be problematic in the reverse direction.  For example, a quiet, cool, and clear mountain stretch in the morning can become a high-traffic, hot, and potentially stormy segment when encountered later in the day.
• Some turns that are easy and safe in one direction may be difficult, dangerous, or illegal in reverse.
• One-way road segments may make it illegal to ride the route strictly in reverse.

So you may have to adjust your reverse course slightly, or in certain cases, reversing the route may be unsafe, unattractive, or unfeasible.  It is up to you to make these determinations, as it is your responsibility to design safe, passable routes in the primary direction.

[3/2010]