BF Tour of California Viewing Plans?

[spingineer]

It may seem early, but it is 68 days till the start of the Tour of California. So I thought it would be good to start a BF viewing thread here. I'm planning to take a week off from work (just because I missed the past two years due to work related stuff).

So the big question is, where are all the hot viewing spots?

Who is going to try and see every stage?

[minivandriveby]

I work just a stone's throw from the end of stage 2. I'll be at the finish in Capitol City. It's going to be great. Too bad it's on a school/work day because I'd love to take both of my kiddos.

[cccorlew]

I'm considering skipping out on work and going to see the Wednesday climb up Sierra Road.

[minivandriveby]

I just looked on the official website and there are a lot of volunteer positions available. You can do the start/end of a particular stage which is cool. You get VIP treatment/access and have a blast "working it" I'm sure. I'm thinking about it.
However, there's one position I would like to pass on: I don't want to escort riders to their post-race drug test. :rolleyes:

[outofshape]

I'll be watching from a chase car for the entire race(it's not what ya know, but who!).

[Mhendricks]

I just looked on the official website and there are a lot of volunteer positions available. You can do the start/end of a particular stage which is cool. You get VIP treatment/access and have a blast "working it" I'm sure. I'm thinking about it.
However, there's one position I would like to pass on: I don't want to escort riders to their post-race drug test. :rolleyes:

I've worked the Tour ever since it's start 2 years ago. Last year I was one of those guys escorting the riders to their post race drug test. Great opportunity to get some autographs and last year I got a team jersey from the guy I escorted.

[spingineer]

I'm considering skipping out on work and going to see the Wednesday climb up Sierra Road.

That stage will be interesting. They'll be climbing Mt. Hamilton from the back side (coming up from Patterson), then heading over to Sierra. Wonder which will be the better spot.

[spingineer]

However, there's one position I would like to pass on: I don't want to escort riders to their post-race drug test. :rolleyes:

Why not? That will be an experience you'll never forget ... and will want to.

[taxi777]

Why not? That will be an experience you'll never forget ... and will want to.

We took a week off an followed the race last year. At least the northern part. The top of Colman Valley climb from the coast was awsome. Lots of crazy fans, wine and cheese like the Alps during the tour. We actually sagged a member of Priority Health who had switched out wheels with a team mate back to the finish with his bike on our rack! We watched them fly down Oakville grade in Napa, and Cathy and I chased them down on our bikes after they went by, she had the leaders jersey and I had the Mountain jersey, and the crowds cheered and laughed as we flew by! It was friggin Insane!!
We're booking a room up in Windsor this year for it, and will definitely follow down to Hamilton.
I would suggest Colman valley climb as a good spot for that leg. plenty of parking and elbow room.
Pete

[jobob]

DH and I are going to take off at least the first half of that week to follow the tour.

We'll definitely go see the prologue in Palo Alto.

Stage 1 we'll probably be on Coleman Valley Road. We're planning to overnight in Santa Rosa and hopefully we'll get to see the start of stage 2 the following morning.

For stage 2, like last year we'll probably start out in Winters and ride our bikes westward up Rt. 128 to the top of Cardiac Hill and watch from there.

For stage 3, we'll ride our bikes up Sierra Road (sloooowly :p) and watch from a switchback about 2/3 of the way to the summit, which has a great view of the road below. We've done that for the last two years. The good part about being 2/3 of the way up is that there is enough time to ride back down Sierra Rd to Piedmont Rd to see the peleton whizz by there.

We thought about perhaps going down to Solvang for the TT but we're not sure, depends on work.

[Edonis13]

i signed up to be a course marshal when they come into sacramento.

my dads friend goes down to solvang every year and is a marshal for the TT.

should be fun.

[spingineer]

So where's the best spot to park your butt for the prologue? It's in my backyard!

[Kachunk]

Well I can tell you the Oval is going to suck. It's anti-stadium seating so no one but the outside row will be able to see, plus it'll probably be packed. I'd imagine the best spaces will be along palm drive.

[spingineer]

*** BUMP ***

Ya know, this thing is right around the corner. Where is everybody meeting? Maybe a separate thread is needed for each day, huh?

[caloso]

Last year I took an extended lunch hour to watch the finish of Stage 2 This year, I think I'm just going to ask for the entire day off. I am entitled to a personal holiday after all.

[uspspro]

I volunteered to be the medical escort or course marshal for the Prolouge. I am going to ride down from San Mateo in the AM. Figure volunteering gets me closer to the teams :)

Stage 3 I plan on riding up Hamilton, watching the race at the summit, and riding down into SJ while they do Sierra so I can watch the finish down in San Jose.

[taxi777]

We're going to Palo Alto Sunday. Monday, Sausalito to Santa Rosa, we'll ride from the beginning of Samuel P. Taylor park to Pt. Reyes station 20 mile round trip, to watch them ride by and have lunch. I'll post that a week before if anyone wants to go with us.
Pete

[spingineer]

We're going to Palo Alto Sunday. Monday, Sausalito to Santa Rosa, we'll ride from the beginning of Samuel P. Taylor park to Pt. Reyes station 20 mile round trip, to watch them ride by and have lunch. I'll post that a week before if anyone wants to go with us.
Pete

Count me in.

[jobob]

A ride out to Pt. Reyes that Monday sounds excellent.

[taxi777]

We usually park at the entrance of Samuel P Taylor park off of Sir Francis Drake Blvd. It's a pretty stunning ride through the park. Sounds like maybe we'll be having a group coming. This will be great! We could continue on after the race and make it a group ride over to Nicasio or Marshall and around for those interested. It's a possibility for anyone feeling energetic to see the race at the start in Sausalito then spin around the northside of Tam via Corte Madera, Fairfax, Park and meet up in Pt. Reyes station to catch the racers again as the come up the coast.
Pete

[spingineer]

We usually park at the entrance of Samuel P Taylor park off of Sir Francis Drake Blvd. It's a pretty stunning ride through the park. Sounds like maybe we'll be having a group coming. This will be great! We could continue on after the race and make it a group ride over to Nicasio or Marshall and around for those interested. It's a possibility for anyone feeling energetic to see the race at the start in Sausalito then spin around the northside of Tam via Corte Madera, Fairfax, Park and meet up in Pt. Reyes station to catch the racers again as the come up the coast.
Pete

That's cool. Let's make it a BF ride, for those that can take the time off.

[mtnwalker]

That's cool. Let's make it a BF ride, for those that can take the time off.

When is this exactly? So I can put my day off in.:D

[taxi777]

When is this exactly? So I can put my day off in.:D

Here's some info
http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/

[taxi777]

That's cool. Let's make it a BF ride, for those that can take the time off.

Hey Ron maybe if you're taking the week off, you can set up some group ride/viewing for the Calaveras/Hamilton leg of the race. I'd make time to get down for that.
Pete

[uspspro]

Anyone want to meet up for the ride down to Palo Alto?

[spingineer]

Anyone want to meet up for the ride down to Palo Alto?

Sure, but I'm south of Palo Alto.

[uspspro]

LOL Ron.. Going to try and turn it into a century again ;) haha

[spingineer]

Hey, that sounds like a plan. I'd get my February century in :D :D Maybe you and Paula can help with that :D

[taxi777]

Anyone want to meet up for the ride down to Palo Alto?
We we're thinking of parking along Crystal Springs and biking it down Canada, Sand Hill way. Of course all these great plans I'm coming up with are weather dependent. I think maybe we we're too lucky the last two years.

[SesameCrunch]

Anyone want to meet up for the ride down to Palo Alto?

I'd be up for it!

[uspspro]

We we're thinking of parking along Crystal Springs and biking it down Canada, Sand Hill way. Of course all these great plans I'm coming up with are weather dependent. I think maybe we we're too lucky the last two years.


That's the way I'll be riding too.

I live near Crystal Springs, so i will be riding up it to the Sawyer Camp Trail area (top of Crystal Springs @ 35). Is that where you are planning to park?

I would then continue on 35 to 92 to Cañada, etc...

[taxi777]

That's the way I'll be riding too.

I live near Crystal Springs, so i will be riding up it to the Sawyer Camp Trail area (top of Crystal Springs @ 35). Is that where you are planning to park?

I would then continue on 35 to 92 to Cañada, etc...

Probably get off on the Larkspur Ave Exit and park around Hillcrest right there around the trail entrance. If I'm with Cathy It might be Canada/92...Depends on if she's had her wheaties! :)

Pete

[spingineer]

I think Canada/92 will work out best. It's a good meeting place, and you can hardly miss it there.

[msincredible]

I'm pretty sure I'll either be in Singapore or on a plane on my way back, sorry to miss this one guys!

[uspspro]

Canada/92 is cool with me.

[WxGuesser]

i can't believe that this year i took leave from work for the whole tour... guess i'll have to follow them around!

[taxi777]

Canada/92 is cool with me.

Canada/92 it is! I guess we'll post the time when it get's close.

[jobob]

On Sunday I'll probably be riding to Palo Alto from the East Bay, if anyone would like to come along.

[mtnwalker]

I'll be riding to Palo Alto from Sunnyvale. Stanford is backyard to where I work at.

[uspspro]

OK, now I am thinking that I might not make it on time to see the finish after Hamilton. They may not let you descend soon enough to see the finish on time.

In that case, I would be more interested in watching Sierra Road.

Anyone down to ride up Sierra with me.

[taxi777]

OK, now I am thinking that I might not make it on time to see the finish after Hamilton. They may not let you descend soon enough to see the finish on time.

In that case, I would be more interested in watching Sierra Road.

Anyone down to ride up Sierra with me.

If I'm free that day I'd really be up for it.
Pete

[uspspro]

I think I wish I had lower gearing for Sierra.

I have only done ONE real ride since the Hamilton ride. :(

<<--- Out of shape!

[ken cummings]

There are a couple of spots on the Trinity Grade east of Santa Rosa where you can see the for a mile or more of climbing switchbacks. I watch in Santa Rosa as our club is always asked to marshal the course.

[outofshape]

Coleman valley is also a great place to see the majority of a climb.

[taxi777]

Coleman valley is also a great place to see the majority of a climb.

Yeah I'll post this one again from Colman Valley
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/taxi777/LevitheTourleader.jpg

[spingineer]

<<--- Out of shape!

This means I'll be able to ride with you :D

[spingineer]

If I'm free that day I'd really be up for it.
Pete

I'm up for that too.

[uspspro]

OK. So We'll do it. Where should we start our ride?

[Blutarski]

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j33/CODENAMEHARDHAT/DSCN0842.jpg

I'll be at this same spot again!

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j33/CODENAMEHARDHAT/DSCN0843.jpg

[fzrdave]

I'm considering skipping out on work and going to see the Wednesday climb up Sierra Road.

Me too. Sierra Road is a heck of a climb and they'll be going so slowly up it that you'll actually be able to see them individually instead of just a mass peloton. This will also allow me to yell out encouragement to the rider with the biggest heart out there, Jens Voigt. I also own a Cervélo Soloist Carbon, so of course my favorite team is Team CSC.