Tour of California

[PaloAltoCougar]

On Tuesday, the 17th, the Tour of California Stage 3 follows a route that we have ridden multiple times (Calaveras Road and out toward Patterson Pass). We do this on separate days of course, and at probably less than half the speed the peloton will go. I'm thinking of bagging work that afternoon and riding/driving out to a particularly hilly spot and watch the tour go by. Is riding one's bike to a viewing spot analogous to taking one's mitt to a baseball game?

Any tips or recommendations for my behavior, signage, dress? Open fire.

http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/Route/stages/stage3.html

It should be memorable seeing Lance, Landis, and several other prominent riders climbing the same grade I do on Saturdays.

[RC Vikings]

I think you have two options here. The first one is to ride your bike and wear your old cycling team jersey. The second option is to dress up like the devil and run beside the riders when they ride by. I'm pretty sure Creek would go with the second one.

[creekster]

I think you have two options here. The first one is to ride your bike and wear your old cycling team jersey. The second option is to dress up like the devil and run beside the riders when they ride by. I'm pretty sure Creek would go with the second one.

I hadn't even thought abotu that! I could be the califronian Didi Senft (or however he spells that)! What a great Idea. I amy try this otu. Seriously. I bet I could be on TV!

[bluegoose]

The more I think about this, the more excited I get in anticipation of seeing creek and PAC on Tuesday's ride. Perhaps PAC can don a matching angel costume to go with creeksters devil outfit. It could be huge (the publicity, that is, not the outfit size).

A buddy of mine will likely be heading down from Redding for Tuesday's stage. His friend lives somewhere in the East Bay and his cycling club is riding the stage either right before or right after the tour comes through and is then watching the peleton come through.

[PaloAltoCougar]

My wife and I just returned from Calaveras Road where we watched a bit of today's stage. It was raining, a little windy, and 47 degrees, but we had a great time. There were only 25 or so fans at the spot we picked, approximately 20 miles into the race, and the course was empty for five miles either side of that.

I had never attended a cycling event like that and it was very interesting. Just ahead of the entourage, a Livestrong van pulled up and handed out Livestrong posters and boxes of huge chalk sticks, encouraging us to write messages of support on the road. I was going to write "CUF!!!", but wussed out. Most were writing "Lance", "Levi" and "O." I went contrarian and wrote "Zabriskie,", although I couldn't pick him out of a line-up and for all I know he's a total jerk. The rain then picked up and pretty much undid our handiwork anyway.

Then squads of CHP motorcycle cops, patrol cars, and a couple dozen AMGEN support vehicles came along. A couple of the lead vehicles were announcing who was in front and how far behind the riders were. We stood at the top of a short (1/4 mile) climb. Four riders, none whose names I recognized, were in the breakaway group, followed by the peloton of 100+ riders. We saw Lance and, I think, Levi, near the front of the bunch, but didn't recognize anybody else.

Even near the top of a climb, they seemed to be doing close to 20. After the final stragglers passed us, we hopped in the car and followed a mile behind. But we were stopped by the CHP to allow an ambulance, with sirens blaring, to pass us on the narrow road. I don't know if there was an accident ahead, but I'll tune in tonight.

Mrs. PAC took video with her camera, and I may excerpt out a couple of stills for later publication.

[BigPiney]

Sounds like fun. I would like to see this some year.

So how did the devil suit work out for you?

[Soccermom]

My wife and I just returned from Calaveras Road where we watched a bit of today's stage. It was raining, a little windy, and 47 degrees, but we had a great time. There were only 25 or so fans at the spot we picked, approximately 20 miles into the race, and the course was empty for five miles either side of that.

I had never attended a cycling event like that and it was very interesting. Just ahead of the entourage, a Livestrong van pulled up and handed out Livestrong posters and boxes of huge chalk sticks, encouraging us to write messages of support on the road. I was going to write "CUF!!!", but wussed out. Most were writing "Lance", "Levi" and "O." I went contrarian and wrote "Zabriskie,", although I couldn't pick him out of a line-up and for all I know he's a total jerk. The rain then picked up and pretty much undid our handiwork anyway.

Then squads of CHP motorcycle cops, patrol cars, and a couple dozen AMGEN support vehicles came along. A couple of the lead vehicles were announcing who was in front and how far behind the riders were. We stood at the top of a short (1/4 mile) climb. Four riders, none whose names I recognized, were in the breakaway group, followed by the peloton of 100+ riders. We saw Lance and, I think, Levi, near the front of the bunch, but didn't recognize anybody else.

Even near the top of a climb, they seemed to be doing close to 20. After the final stragglers passed us, we hopped in the car and followed a mile behind. But we were stopped by the CHP to allow an ambulance, with sirens blaring, to pass us on the narrow road. I don't know if there was an accident ahead, but I'll tune in tonight.

Mrs. PAC took video with her camera, and I may excerpt out a couple of stills for later publication.

I watched a bit of today's stage as well. Same 4 unknown (to me) leaders and then the group of 100. Pretty cool.