View Full Version : TofC Details Announced
Socalcycling
12-07-06, 07:28 PM
http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/Route/stages.html
Pretty much the same race with a couple changes. I'm glad to see they kept the Balcom Wall climb in and it would be interesting I guess watching them descend Grimes Canyon.
Stage 3 looks like it could be boring for the riders till they reach the Sierra climb. My parents will be thrilled when the street gets shut down again.
Also looks like most of the stages are a bit longer this year as well.
BigSean
12-07-06, 07:55 PM
Bah humbug. Living in the bay area i often wonder why they are riding these boring roads. They seem to stay so far away from the best riding in the area. The Santa Cruz mountians would really test some of these riders. My guess is it has to do with viewing ability, and some city's wanting the tour and others not. The funny thing is the route is not a very popular climb at all. The locals here were hoping they were gonna make the Mt Hamilton climb and decent from the livermore area. It is far longer and more challenging at 4200 ft of elevation. Perhaps its for concer of conditions at that time of year. Either way i will be there to watch and enjoy.
Socalcycling
12-07-06, 08:17 PM
Bah humbug. Living in the bay area i often wonder why they are riding these boring roads. They seem to stay so far away from the best riding in the area. The Santa Cruz mountians would really test some of these riders. My guess is it has to do with viewing ability, and some city's wanting the tour and others not. The funny thing is the route is not a very popular climb at all. The locals here were hoping they were gonna make the Mt Hamilton climb and decent from the livermore area. It is far longer and more challenging at 4200 ft of elevation. Perhaps its for concer of conditions at that time of year. Either way i will be there to watch and enjoy.
I was hoping for a Mines Rd./ Mt Hamilton section as well but if you think about it who is going to drive out to Mines Rd to watch them just blow past you and Mt. Hamilton would be a pain to spectate from as well. I think the reason to cut out the east bay section has to do with the cost of closing down all the roads in that area. A Santa Cruz stage would be exciting. Sierra was fun last year and from there you still have time to get to downtown to see the finish.
BigSean
12-07-06, 08:34 PM
I was hoping for a Mines Rd./ Mt Hamilton section as well but if you think about it who is going to drive out to Mines Rd to watch them just blow past you and Mt. Hamilton would be a pain to spectate from as well. I think the reason to cut out the east bay section has to do with the cost of closing down all the roads in that area. A Santa Cruz stage would be exciting. Sierra was fun last year and from there you still have time to get to downtown to see the finish.
I think the plan may be to ride up sierra, ride down and drive to downtown. Hopefully some time soon the Santa Cruz stage will become a reality. Your right, it would be exciting and they could easily put together a 10,000ft 100 mile stage. That would really break the field up.
big john
12-07-06, 08:53 PM
Some of us rode out to Balcom Canyon and watched them climb that thing. A few of the most exciting minutes of sport I've ever seen.
mkadam68
12-07-06, 08:53 PM
I think the plan may be to ride up sierra, ride down and drive to downtown. Hopefully some time soon the Santa Cruz stage will become a reality. Your right, it would be exciting and they could easily put together a 10,000ft 100 mile stage. That would really break the field up.
As awesome as I think it would be, isn't February a little early in the pro calendar for summer stage-race difficulty?
BigSean
12-07-06, 08:58 PM
For these guys? I could do it at that time of year, so I would expect then to. I wouldnt expect top form, but hey these guys are far superior to an average recreational rider. Its only a 7 day race, not three weeks. I think it has more to do with certian cities not wanting to make the commitment to closing the roads and inviting the crowds. Santa Cruz county is a bit of a different breed.
mkadam68
12-07-06, 09:02 PM
...I think it has more to do with certian cities not wanting to make the commitment to closing the roads and inviting the crowds...
On this, I think you're definitely right. I would speculate it's all about the Dollar and which cities committed to it and then where did they want it, etc... I live in the city of one of the stage finishes and can't believe they're having the finish where they are. The roads are not all that great (unless they pave prior) and they're like six lanes wide and...But...the finish is right at the central business district (if we have one) where all the big taxpayers and the mall is.
BigSean
12-07-06, 09:13 PM
On this, I think you're definitely right. I would speculate it's all about the Dollar and which cities committed to it and then where did they want it, etc... I live in the city of one of the stage finishes and can't believe they're having the finish where they are. The roads are not all that great (unless they pave prior) and they're like six lanes wide and...But...the finish is right at the central business district (if we have one) where all the big taxpayers and the mall is.
Yeah, and i noticed here in San Jose its at city hall, and Sacramento its at the Capitol.
Mo'Phat
12-08-06, 09:02 AM
Still bitter that they didn't come South this year. I think the PIE route would make a pretty decent stage.
Better yet, a TT up Palomar (akin the the l'Alpe d'Huez TT) would be flippin sweet.
Just sent in my volunteer info. :)
BigSean
12-08-06, 10:00 AM
Just sent in my volunteer info. :)
good, maybe they will send ya up this way.:D
good, maybe they will send ya up this way.:D
FOR LONG BEACH! You're out of luck! :p
Tiffanie
12-08-06, 10:08 AM
What did you sign up for B? Maybe I can do it with you.
Just sent in my volunteer info. :)
I got a nice long sleeve T for working at last year's event!
Sheldon
What did you sign up for B? Maybe I can do it with you.
I put down hospitality as my first choice...because I'm ummm...hospitable...lol. ;) I can't remember what my second choice was!?!?! I'm sure that we can let them know once they contact us, that we want to be assigned together!
Tiffanie
12-08-06, 10:15 AM
I put down hospitality as my first choice...because I'm ummm...hospitable...lol. ;) I can't remember what my second choice was!?!?! I'm sure that we can let them know once they contact us, that we want to be assigned together!
Ok... I'll send in volunteer info too.
BigSean
12-08-06, 10:15 AM
FOR LONG BEACH! You're out of luck! :p
No, your out of luck.:p
merider1
12-08-06, 12:34 PM
Some of us rode out to Balcom Canyon and watched them climb that thing. A few of the most exciting minutes of sport I've ever seen.
I eeked up Balcom with the Colavita guys once and have never forgotten it (the pain, that is). I would love to see the pros go at it.
merider1
12-08-06, 12:35 PM
Ok... I'll send in volunteer info too.
I could volunteer too!!! :)
I think the PIE route would make a pretty decent stage.
I think if they did that, they should start at Lake Henshaw. Give early breakaways a chance to get way out ahead on Mesa Grande. End the stage by climbing to the Palomar observatory.
Although I'm excited that the last stage is a 6 mile ride from my house, it seems like it will be kinda boring. Only 3 real turns and one hill that doesn't really qualify as a hill, more of a gentle slope.
I could volunteer too!!! :)
YAY...we need a big group to represent the BF girlies! Volunteer at LB M.E.!! I just remembered that I put the expo as my second choice.
merider1
12-08-06, 03:17 PM
YAY...we need a big group to represent the BF girlies! Volunteer at LB M.E.!! I just remembered that I put the expo as my second choice.
I'll get on it. I think that would be a blast. :-)
merider1
12-08-06, 03:21 PM
OKay, I just volunteered for LB on 2/25. I put down hospitality, Lifestyle EXPO and Media as my areas of interest.
Cool! When they contact us we can just ask to be paired (trio'ed????) up. :D :D We'll have to tell them that we're a package deal. ;)
merider1
12-08-06, 03:36 PM
Cool! When they contact us we can just ask to be paired (trio'ed????) up. :D :D We'll have to tell them that we're a package deal. ;)
I can't imagine they'll object...:D
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