Professional Cycling For the Fans - Anyone going to the Tour of California 2010?

Just got airplane tix with my buds to bring the bikes down and ride some of the last 4 stages hopefully, really the one to Big Bear Lake will be the goal. I guess we are going to rent a vehicle and follow the race from May 20-23rd. Biggest question is what to do with our bloody bike cases from the airplane. Stash them in the bushes at LAX, ya right.

Anybody have any tips, suggestions on following or spectating? This will be our first big race to attend and I'm stoked out of my gourd. See you all in sunny May, CA.

Glad to hear that you're coming to watch. Last year I was at the Prologue, Stage 1 and the Mnt. Palomar Stage and really had a good time. I live in S. California so the drive up to Sacramento wasn't bad, stayed with some friends and left early in the day to find a good spot. For the Palomar stage, a bunch of friends rented an RV and parked at the top of the climb and set up BBQ, etc....Then most of us cruised down the hill and did the climb before settling down to watch. It was a really good time with lots of enthusiastic fans. For the Davis to Santa Rosa stage 1 we set up a nice spot on a slow portion of the climb and got a chance to run along side the big dogs for a bit. Graham W. even grabbed a shot of us in our Welcome to the Wine Country attire. =) This time it won't be raining and 38 degrees F, so that'll be better for sure.

-Jeremy

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e260/Tunnelrat81/ToCHowellMnt.jpg

For the second year in a row the course is passing right outside my office window...for the second year in a row, I won't be going in that day.

I'm working it again this year just like I've been working it since in came to San Jose. However I'll be a spectator at the finish in Santa Cruz. Here's from 2008 when I worked Medical escorting Gesink to Medical after his stage win.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s48/mixtemike/Amgen%20tour%202008/AmgenTour2008_12.jpg

The view from my building this last February:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/Bikes/LanceFans2-1.jpg

My wife and I own a cabin in Big Bear, so we'll see that stage for sure. I've seen other stages in previous years, but unfortunately not all I would have liked. I hear there will be a mountain top finish on Onyx Summit, a climb I've done may times on Ride Around the Bear and Breathless Agony.

Yeah, the pros will fly up that climb at more than twice the speed at which I struggled up! Still, it will be fun to see.

Any time you can see the pros race is a good time!

Rick / OCRR

I will definitely be spectating this year but haven't figured out the logistics of it nor have I come up with an obnoxious costume to run alongside them yet either. I'm thinking something chicken related

I'm actually hoping to watch every stage. I'm trying to figure out places to stay.
I've got the first four stages figured out. I'll have to work on the last few stages.
I plan to take my popup trailer and camp within range of making it to each stage.
Downtown LA and TO could be tough.

Unfortunately they won't be in San Diego in 2010. But I''d like to travel up to see one of the stages. I had a hoot last year.

I grew up in nevada city, so I'll probably turn the tour into an excuse to take some time off and hang out with the parents to watch the start.

Other than that, no plans.

The view from my building this last February:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/CalOso/Bikes/LanceFans2-1.jpg

Looks like the corner of 10th and L. Isn't that a parking garage?

Hi,
I am a belgian groupleader for the american company "custom getaways". They are specialized in "tour de france"- trips, but also Giro & Spring Classics. The owner will follow the tour of california 2010 with a promotional stand. He will also organise a customer trip during the tour of california 2010.
If you need more info you can contact them: info@customgetaways.com

Greetzz,
Nico

Would be great to get to the TdF - 2010 should be a spectacle!

Yep. 10th and L. I work in the building attached to that garage by the bridge. The photo is actually taken from the top of the garage.

Stages 1 and 2 courses announced today - no Sprints or KOM indicated though. Must still be negotiating something.

Not the whole thing but, once again this year, they are passing through the middle of town on MY roads. I'm taking the day off to go clang a cowbell.
The Mrs & I are also going to go the day before and catch a stage start or finish, depending.

Stage 1 I'll see. It goes by a few miles from my house. I've also ridden much of the roads on the route. Should be good.

stage 6-will ride up from wrightwood and wait at the kom at dawson saddle 7900 ft. prettier there
than any spot on the route into the san bernardino mtns-including big bear.

I'll be there I think from the 19th to 26th.

I might be Traveling Course Marshall, but it's still TBD.