Fifty Plus (50+) - Tour of California

The ToC starts on Sunday and is televised on Versus.

The ToC starts on Sunday and is televised on Versus.

Will you be going, and will you be providing us with some of your excellent pictures?

Yes. I will be at the Prolog Time Trial. I want to see the Mount Hamilton / Sierra stage but the weather forecast calls for rain next week so that is iffy for me.

Kind of annoying that Santa Cruz was just named "Bicycle Friendly" , then many events seem to avoid Santa Cruz and stop in Seaside. Bikes, Trikes, and Tikes is planned in Seaside too.

If possible; many pictures please!!!

countersTrike

I'll be watching dialy on Versus. Wish I could be there, rain or shine.

Thanks for the reminder!!

I'll be on "the ominious" Balcom canyon on saturday (23rd) and on Mill Creek Summit on Sunday.

I just heard that the CSC squad had a bad crash on Decker canyon yesterday afternoon during a training ride.
Some bad injuries. Jens Voight is covered in road rash.

The Tour of Qatar is on Saturday as well.

I've got my dvr set to record on Versus.

Really looking forward to the ToC this year - at the rate things are going, they may end up having more Pro Tour teams than the TdF:D.

For those not up on the television scheduling, the coverage starts at 1700 on Saturdays and Sundays, 2300 during the week (eastern time). That Tour of Quatar overview is 1800 Saturday.

The racing season has started! Can regular 60 degree afternoons be far behind?

R
For those not up on the television scheduling, the coverage starts at 1700 on Saturdays and Sundays, 2300 during the week (eastern time). That Tour of Quatar overview is 1800 Saturday.

The racing season has started! Can regular 60 degree afternoons be far behind?

And for those not up on military time, that's 5pm on weekends and 11pm week nights. ;)

We've been having 60s and 70s most afternoons for a few weeks. 71 tomorrow.

Will see about making it for the Seaside-San Luis Obispo leg any other attendees?

I'll be on Cardiac Hill (hwy. 128) on Tuesday, then Sac. for the finish. Ive never watched a professional bicycle race live, so I'm excited. My cowbell is ready, too. ;)

Bikes, Trikes, and Tikes is planned in Seaside too.



What is that?

I'll be on Cardiac Hill (hwy. 128) on Tuesday, then Sac. for the finish. Ive never watched a professional bicycle race live, so I'm excited. My cowbell is ready, too. ;)

You're going to love it. If you have time, add one other location to your list. Stage starts are a great way to see the riders and teams up close. Arrive early and walk around the parking area where the team vehicles set up before the stage.

Velodiva and I just returned from the KOM race up Sierra Road, Category 1 climb. It was a beautiful day and we both did great. The pros on stage 3 of the ToC will climb Mount Hamilton (back side), Hors Category, descend the 19 mile technical descent and then follow the same route we did today i.e. climb Sierra Road and descend to finish in San Jose.

Great! What were your times? We are in Stanford and did a short ride today. Two rides tomorrow, one before and one after the prologue

Velodiva 33:28, 5th out of 15, for the Cat 3/4 women and mine was 38:14. I do not know my place - yet.

We will be at the prolog tomorrow. We plan to ride our tandem to the event and park it at the free valet bike parking.

After two Sunny weeks in NORCAL the weather will probably be overcast up until just before the start tomorrow morning then it should be 50+F for most of the ride until after they turn inland on Coleman Valley road and are approaching Santa Rosa when it should warm to the low to mid 60sF. The rest of the trip through NORCAL looks iffy with the possibility of rain every other day beginning Tuesday. Not sure about the weather further down the coast.

Stage 3 today. Isn't that when the climbing really starts? Anyone watching from one of the big climbs?

Stage 3 today. Isn't that when the climbing really starts? Anyone watching from one of the big climbs?

Yes. Mount Hamilton, Hors Category and the Sierra Road Climb. I am working and cannot attend. Plus...I have had my fill of climbing Sierra Road for this year.:eek:

Does anyone agree with me that the people that run Versus are idiots. Here comes the race leader on a killer sprint, break for woodie enhancment commercial, back to the race 3 min. later, who the heck knows what happened.

Watching Levi Leipheimer today was awesome.

Watching Levi Leipheimer today was awesome.

Were you there? Looked like a good crowd. Chechu did an amazing pull up Mt. Hamilton and then Levi was the only one able to hang with Gesink on the Sierra Road.

that is good you went and saw it with your own eyes. I was figuring on tommorow, to ride salinas to big sur in and see if I can catch the first kom along that route. according to google maps 53.2 mi and I have not rode that much for a time so will see how it goes.

I'm going to be at the finish in SLO, Solvang and Santa Clarita.

I'm going to be at the finish in SLO, Solvang and Santa Clarita.

Finishes are exciting and fun, but be sure to see a stage start for a maximum view of what is going on behind the scenes.

I just got back from viewing the race all week--a true vacation, thinking about nothing but stage starts, finishes, & where to find the best view!! Had a great time seeing behind the scenes, & volunteering for a few stages too. Especially enjoyed chatting with various people, all ages, along the sidelines & in hotels from all over. Not to mention seeing the race close up!
DanteB, were you standing next to me at the finish in Sant Clarita? A gentleman from Bakersfield tried to help me get a few good pictures (I did eventually).

I just got back from viewing the race all week--a true vacation, thinking about nothing but stage starts, finishes, & where to find the best view!! Had a great time seeing behind the scenes, & volunteering for a few stages too. Especially enjoyed chatting with various people, all ages, along the sidelines & in hotels from all over. Not to mention seeing the race close up!
DanteB, were you standing next to me at the finish in Sant Clarita? A gentleman from Bakersfield tried to help me get a few good pictures (I did eventually).

Sounds like a great way to spend a week. Let's see those pictures! :)

I drove down a few days before the ToC started and enjoyed a few days of riding in western Sonoma County . I did a couple of 70 mile rides, the first in the coast mountains, including Coleman Valley Road, the last big climb on stage 1 before Santa Rosa.

I went to Palo Alto to ride in the morning and watch the prologue, fun time, big party. The next day I stayed the day in Santa Rosa, there was a women's criterium at noon, and stage one was shown on the 3 jumbo TV's all day. The finish was exciting, and the party went on long after the race...Santa Rosa rocks!!!
I then went to Sacramento for stage 2 finish and that was a fun day too, but the beginning of the rain. It was fun to see Tom Boonen sprint to the win, VERY impressive!
I had to return to Oregon after stage 2, but I got the best of the tour, and a few sunny and warm days of riding in Redwood forests and Sonoma wine country.....nice!

Sounds like a great way to spend a week. Let's see those pictures! :)

I will try to get them posted tomorrow night. This was my first outing with a digital camera, so I am still on the learning curve (why I didn't think to practice before I tried to photograph racing pros I cannot explain).

Finishes are exciting and fun, but be sure to see a stage start for a maximum view of what is going on behind the scenes.

I watched the start a couple of times last year and the prep for the TT this year. A lot goes into getting ready.

DanteB, were you standing next to me at the finish in Sant Clarita? A gentleman from Bakersfield tried to help me get a few good pictures (I did eventually).

And you didn't say hello! I know how you are talking about for the pictures, his name is Scott.

[QUOTE=DanteB;6238976]And you didn't say hello!

You weren't wearing your 50+ jersey!


I know how you are talking about for the pictures, his name is Scott.

Tell him thank you for me.

pictures, I hope:http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj301/raee_04/ToC%202008/PICT0058.jpg

Here is another, on the road to Davis:

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj301/raee_04/ToC%202008/PICT0054.jpg

Leading riders threw gifts at my feet!

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj301/raee_04/ToC%202008/PICT0247.jpg

Steve Cozza being cheered on by his Mom:


http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj301/raee_04/ToC%202008/PICT0117.jpg

Tom Boonen's spare:

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj301/raee_04/ToC%202008/PICT0147.jpg

And himself at the end of stage in Santa Clarita:

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj301/raee_04/ToC%202008/PICT0229.jpg

Dave Zabriskie, Palo Alto:

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj301/raee_04/ToC%202008/PICT0006_edited.jpg


Team CSC bikes ready to go:

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj301/raee_04/ToC%202008/PICT0082.jpg

At the start in Modesto:

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj301/raee_04/ToC%202008/PICT0112.jpg



Hope you like them, BluesDawg!

Hope you like them, BluesDawg!

Love them! You got some great shots. Looks like you picked a perfect location at a feed zone to score all that loot. I bet people were scrambling for those Rock Racing water bottles. :)

Love them! You got some great shots. Looks like you picked a perfect location at a feed zone to score all that loot. I bet people were scrambling for those Rock Racing water bottles. :)



Yes, some people did come along looking for stuff -- I was surprised at the guy from Velonews, in fact. Also surprised at how much food the riders tossed (there were jam sandwiches, Coke & cookies too), although I guess it wasn't one of the harder days. I ate the cookies & drank the Coke.

I didn't post many --you were right, before the stage, when riders are warming up & visiting with fans, is a great time to get good pics.

welcome back bikeforums eh :) Well toc has come and gone what a series of events. Amazing races and great picture so willingly shared. Thanks.

I enjoyed your pictures... they provide a nice up-close perspective.

Oh, more great pics! Thanks, Rae!

I like them all, but the one you took from above, through the tree branches, is the most unusual and intriguing. That you scaled a tree to photograph cyclists moves me to nominate you as Cycling Groupie of the Week. :D

Heehee-- I would like to claim the title based upon tree-climbing, but I was in fact hanging out of a parking garage. That shot was just after the finish in Sacramento. However, I will admit to being something of a pro cycling groupie, or something of a dork (says my daughter).

And now the transfer of the millions of phot os and the looking forward to next year exc iting.

Y'all come on down to Georgia next month.

Y'all come on down to Georgia next month.

Yep, got to put in some overtime first!