Northern California - Tour of California - Plans (Continued)

I figured it's time for a new thread, since the race is quickly approaching.

Here are my plans, let's see if we can make some BF rides on the various norCal stages.

Prologue - I am riding from San Mateo to Palo Alto, and will find a spot to watch the race. Will be riding up via Cañada, Sand Hill and Foothill (or any other ideas). A suggested meeting location is the parking area at the beginning of Cañada at its intersection with 92. If any San Mateo or nearby riders want to join me on Alameda de las Pulgas or Crystal Springs, that would be great. :)

Stage 3 - I am going to ride up Sierra Road to watch the summit. any route suggestions from the Peninsula or South Bay. I don't want to just ride up Sierra, I was hoping for at least a few miles to warm up before that ;)

We're gonna go watch the finish in SLO, the time trial in Solvang and the start in Santa Barbara. Since the prologue isn't in SF we figured we'd head south and watch a different part of the race.

Stage 3 - I am going to ride up Sierra Road to watch the summit. any route suggestions from the Peninsula or South Bay. I don't want to just ride up Sierra, I was hoping for at least a few miles to warm up before that ;)

You could ride the first part of Mt Hamilton up to the Grant Ranch closure. I've ridden Mt Ham before the Sierra rd stage the last two years. It's very quiet there on a weekday.

I'll put the Prologue on the family calendar and see about a day off on Wednesday (Stage 3).

You could ride the first part of Mt Hamilton up to the Grant Ranch closure. I've ridden Mt Ham before the Sierra rd stage the last two years. It's very quiet there on a weekday.

Good idea.

I was hoping people could post up their plans in this thread, so that there could be a central location for all of them. That way people can join up with each other.

I'm still trying to figure out how to get out for the Mt Tam stage. I think there was a previous thread here that Pete started. Gotta dig that up.

Probably going take a couple o' hours off on the afternoon of the 19th to hit the Capitol for the finish of Stage 2. The 3 laps around will probably be pretty heated and exciting. Woo!

Some of our club (Monticello Cycling Club) will be on 128, we hope at the top of Cardiac Hill, with lots of cowbell.

The plan is to then drive to Sac and see the finish.

I've never seen a pro bike race live -- I'm excited!

Here are our planned rides:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Our-TofCa-ride-2-18-08
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Our-TofCa-ride-2-19-08-option1
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Our-TofCa-ride-2-19-08-option2
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Our-TofCa-ride-2-20-08

Anyone who wants to ride with us is welcome!

anyone have an educated guess on when to expect the race to reach the Sierra Summit??

TIA

Between 1:30 and 2:00. Educated guess :)

I was thinking, for those living on the other side of Hami, that we could a do a ride starting somewhere in the South Bay, and head up some hills, go up Hamilton part way and then climb Sierra.

Anyone want to do that?

Anyone want to do the Peninsula ride to the Prologue?

Anyone want to do the Peninsula ride to the Prologue?

I want to do that, but I need to work through some baby-sitting issues first.

I was thinking, for those living on the other side of Hami, that we could a do a ride starting somewhere in the South Bay, and head up some hills, go up Hamilton part way and then climb Sierra.

Anyone want to do that?

Anyone want to do the Peninsula ride to the Prologue?

Oh definitely. Yes on both counts.

Anyone up for double dipping? Do Quimby and make a left at 130 to come back and then go up Sierra?

Anyone up for double dipping? Do Quimby and make a left at 130 to come back and then go up Sierra?

:eek:

I might be in for that.

Anyone up for double dipping? Do Quimby and make a left at 130 to come back and then go up Sierra?

Are you doing that on a fixie?

Are you doing that on a fixie?

I heard on a fixie... backwards.

STAGE 1 SAUSALITO/SANTA ROSA:

We plan on riding from Samuel P Taylor park (entrance camp parking) off of Sir Francis Drake Blvd to Pt. Reyes Station downtown via plaform bridge road 10 miles. Race comes through then lunch outside of Pine Cone diner and back to Sam Taylor either via Nicasio, Platform bridge, or SFD blvd climb.
Pete

Are you doing that on a fixie?

I had not planned on it. However now that you mention it I could remove the 16t freewill from the other side of the hub and put on the largest cog I can get. I found a 25t on ebay which would be about 44 gear inches (42-25). I don't know if that would be low enough to tackle the upper switch backs and final straight of Quimby. I also have some bullhorns on order to swap out the stock bar to aid in climbing out of the saddle.

Any good ideas on where to park on campus for the Prologue? My kids have hiked the Dish without any problem so I don't need to park close by. I was thinking the parking by the football stadium would be a good place.

STAGE 1 SAUSALITO/SANTA ROSA:

We plan on riding from Samuel P Taylor park (entrance camp parking) off of Sir Francis Drake Blvd to Pt. Reyes Station downtown via plaform bridge road 10 miles. Race comes through then lunch outside of Pine Cone diner and back to Sam Taylor either via Nicasio, Platform bridge, or SFD blvd climb.
Pete

Can I join? What time?

I had not planned on it. However now that you mention it I could remove the 16t freewill from the other side of the hub and put on the largest cog I can get. I found a 25t on ebay which would be about 44 gear inches (42-25). I don't know if that would be low enough to tackle the upper switch backs and final straight of Quimby. I also have some bullhorns on order to swap out the stock bar to aid in climbing out of the saddle.

Ya know .... I thought you would respond with something like that. I was only kidding :p

I'm here visiting dad in So Cal, and just saw a Tour of California commercial on TV. Wow! That's the first I've seen. Maybe they're finally starting to advertise.

seems I missed most of this one the wonders of being a bikeforum noob. :) Sounds interesting. How far along is it? And If I was to see if I could it would be from Salinas to somewhere.

Hey even a noob learns after a bit. Amgen Tour Of California :) Feb 17-24 it is interesting though, I have been along much of that route on previous rides. I wonder the time from Salinas - Sausalito on a bike.

I had not planned on it. However now that you mention it I could remove the 16t freewill from the other side of the hub and put on the largest cog I can get. I found a 25t on ebay which would be about 44 gear inches (42-25). I don't know if that would be low enough to tackle the upper switch backs and final straight of Quimby. I also have some bullhorns on order to swap out the stock bar to aid in climbing out of the saddle.

I don't actually plan on it, but if I were ever overcome with masochism and decided to ride Foxy's Fall Century on my fixed gear, I'd run a 36t ring with a 14t cog on one side and on the other side, put on the biggest freewheel I could find. Then I'd carry an extra chain for the swap once I got to the hills.

For climbing with one gear, I've found that moustache bars are the best.

When should we get to Canada and 92 to ride over to the prologue?

When should we get to Canada and 92 to ride over to the prologue?

What about meet Canada at 10:am? Prologue starts at 1pm. 10 would give us time to ride there chat, hang out check out the expo and watch race.
Pete

What about meet Canada at 10:am? Prologue starts at 1pm. 10 would give us time to ride there chat, hang out check out the expo and watch race.
Pete

In that case, I might ride from home. I could then cut over home from there.

What about meet Canada at 10:am? Prologue starts at 1pm. 10 would give us time to ride there chat, hang out check out the expo and watch race.
Pete

sounds good to me.

Who else is in for 10??

sounds good to me.

Who else is in for 10??

10am for Canada/92 meet is good for me. I can't wait.

In that case, I might ride from home. I could then cut over home from there.

What time do you think you would be heading over for the ride up? It's about 30 miles to 92 & Canada according to my bikely route. I think I would rather ride up too then drive up and park.

What time do you think you would be heading over for the ride up? It's about 30 miles to 92 & Canada according to my bikely route. I think I would rather ride up too then drive up and park.

Not sure yet. I figure 1.5 - 2 hours should be plenty. I guess that would put it at 8 or 8:30 am.

A slow and easy stage 2 day.

From Fairfield, I plan: a leisurely ride to Lake Solano Park, to chill with a lunch in the picnic grounds 'till noon, then walk or ride across the bridge and watch the riders pass, at speed, on 128. Then having expended considerable energy cheering the riders on, I'll ride, with grace and majesty, back to Fairfield.

A totally laid-back trip.

Tom

Wednesday-Take bart to Livermore, ride out mines road to the Junction, watch them come by around 10:30 a.m., ride back to Bart. 63 miles round trip.

Gonna be exciting :D

sounds good to me.

Who else is in for 10??

Woo-Hoo! Got my babysitting plans nailed down.

I'll be there at 10am! This should be lots of fun!

Nice. This sounds like it will be a good turnout.

BTW, my girlfriend will be riding up with meas well. Should be fun!

Can you guys give a map for the meeting point at Canada?

I totally suck when it comes to directions.

Can you guys give a map for the meeting point at Canada?

I totally suck when it comes to directions.

If you're coming up from 101, take Hwy92 West (towards Half Moon Bay). Stay in the left lane until you go under the Hwy280 interchange. Then, at the first light (just past 280), turn left onto Canada Rd, and park your car along the side of the road. That's the Intersection where we're meeting. I'm sure you'll see a lot of BikeForums jerseys out there.

How's this?
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=102078571169316359854.000445fa4290507f91cbe&mid=1202841303

I'll look for the BF jerseys, I'd love to meet you guys but at present I have broken my right thumb and can't hardly hold the mouse, let alone my shifters. We'll see how thing progress, I may have enough strength by the time the prologue launches to ride "something" out there. If not I'll park at my wifes office and just walk it in... Maybe I'll be that guy in the full kit, helmet and all.. wearing running shoes with no bike :-P

I'll look for the BF jerseys, I'd love to meet you guys but at present I have broken my right thumb and can't hardly hold the mouse, let alone my shifters. We'll see how thing progress, I may have enough strength by the time the prologue launches to ride "something" out there. If not I'll park at my wifes office and just walk it in... Maybe I'll be that guy in the full kit, helmet and all.. wearing running shoes with no bike :-P


URGENT FROM THE MINISTRY OF SLOWNESSI will be with certain people who have not lived up to their New Years Resolutions, of names we do not speak, but may only look at the party and whistle;) Anyone who is slow, injured, or just plain lame (victims of frontal lobotomies/Polio-included) shall be directed to me. I am Nanny for the day, and will be bringing up the rear. The higher ups in the Peloton, those who have been blessed by the creator with the syndrome we know as "Restless Leg Syndrome" or which I refer to as Jimmy leg, are here by instructed to leave Bread Crumbs at every crucial curve and intersect for those left behind. My contact is 415-828-0467 Sir Pete minister of the Velocity of the Challenged. Pete

URGENT FROM THE MINISTRY OF SLOWNESSI will be with certain people who have not lived up to their New Years Resolutions, of names we do not speak, but may only look at the party and whistle;) Anyone who is slow, injured, or just plain lame (victims of frontal lobotomies/Polio-included) shall be directed to me. I am Nanny for the day, and will be bringing up the rear. The higher ups in the Peloton, those who have been blessed by the creator with the syndrome we know as "Restless Leg Syndrome" or which I refer to as Jimmy leg, are here by instructed to leave Bread Crumbs at every crucial curve and intersect for those left behind. My contact is 415-828-0467 Sir Pete minister of the Velocity of the Challenged. Pete

I'm even slower ... :p

I'll be in downtown Sacramento starting around 1230 for the festival, then enjoying the finish from the capitol.

URGENT FROM THE MINISTRY OF SLOWNESSI will be with certain people who have not lived up to their New Years Resolutions, of names we do not speak, but may only look at the party and whistle;) Anyone who is slow, injured, or just plain lame (victims of frontal lobotomies/Polio-included) shall be directed to me. I am Nanny for the day, and will be bringing up the rear. The higher ups in the Peloton, those who have been blessed by the creator with the syndrome we know as "Restless Leg Syndrome" or which I refer to as Jimmy leg, are here by instructed to leave Bread Crumbs at every crucial curve and intersect for those left behind. My contact is 415-828-0467 Sir Pete minister of the Velocity of the Challenged. Pete

Besides, this is going to be a party ride, not a race...

I'll be in downtown Sacramento starting around 1230 for the festival, then enjoying the finish from the capitol.

We should get a group of BF'ers for Stage 2. Prolog, Stage 1 and Stage 3 are set. Where are the best spots for Stage 2?

We should get a group of BF'ers for Stage 2. Prolog, Stage 1 and Stage 3 are set. Where are the best spots for Stage 2?

I didn't make it downtown last year so I'm not sure. I was reading on the Amgen site today and it looks like the stage finishes in front of the capitol building. They're also going to have vendors, and some stages with a live band down there, so I'm going to down from my house (in Natomas) and just hang out, scouting out the best views. I'd love to meet some other people from this forum, though, if people will be out.

On the Hamilton / Sierra stage Wednesday, the spectator tip sheet doesn't say anything about Grant Ranch and 10 am - it says no restriction to bicycles or pedestrians until the lead cars come through.

http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/docroot/media/2008/spectator-tips.pdf



Even if they do close it at 10 am, the race is expected to summit between 12:30 and 1 o'clock so there won't be that much waiting after you're done riding the 11 miles up. I'm pretty sure I was on Sierra for a couple hours last time around before Levi got there. It was a long time but it was fun watching the helicopters get closer and closer as the crowd got bigger and bigger.

http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/docroot/media/2008/stage3-log.pdf