Tour of California is Coming! Wanna see it?
12-11-07, 02:30 AM
#1
Has coddling tendencies.
Thread Starter
Tour of California is Coming! Wanna see it?
While the entire tour route looks like it'll be a juicy race this year, the SoCal routes look promising for spectators. Stage 6 in particular looks like it would be fun to spend a day at the races. From this year's description:
"The ominous Balcom Canyon will be the final climb of the day, where in 2007 nearly 25,000 fans formed a narrow corridor for the riders. The cyclists will end the day with three circuit laps in Santa Clarita that finish at McBean Parkway at the Valencia Town Center."
Given that this year's tour will include the new Slipstream/Chipotle team, in only their second '08 race, I think it would be awesome to be among those 25K lined up along Balcom Canyon cheering the riders on! Sure it would take a little effort getting up early enough and parking somewhere nearby, then walking (or riding a bike?) up the canyon and select a spot and remain there all day until the racers pass through. I'll more than likely not get a chance to be a spectator along one of the TdF's legendary mountain climbs, but this will be close enough. The following day's ride up Millcreek Summit and down into Pasadena for a Rose Bowl curcuit finish also looks promising. Anyone watch in person last year? Any interest this year? Tips? Insights? I'm gonna make an effort to be there, video camera in hand.
"The ominous Balcom Canyon will be the final climb of the day, where in 2007 nearly 25,000 fans formed a narrow corridor for the riders. The cyclists will end the day with three circuit laps in Santa Clarita that finish at McBean Parkway at the Valencia Town Center."
Given that this year's tour will include the new Slipstream/Chipotle team, in only their second '08 race, I think it would be awesome to be among those 25K lined up along Balcom Canyon cheering the riders on! Sure it would take a little effort getting up early enough and parking somewhere nearby, then walking (or riding a bike?) up the canyon and select a spot and remain there all day until the racers pass through. I'll more than likely not get a chance to be a spectator along one of the TdF's legendary mountain climbs, but this will be close enough. The following day's ride up Millcreek Summit and down into Pasadena for a Rose Bowl curcuit finish also looks promising. Anyone watch in person last year? Any interest this year? Tips? Insights? I'm gonna make an effort to be there, video camera in hand.
12-11-07, 06:23 AM
#3
Senior Member
Balcom? If you're driving, you need to get there about 2 hours prior to the race. Take lawn chairs, sidewalk chalk, and a grill with some tri-tip. Park on the backside of Balcom, (not on Balcom Cyn Rd, but there's a close by side street with deep ditches on either side that's good) walk up to the top.Better still, wait until a local club organizes a ride to Balcom for the stage & enjoy your hobby.
12-11-07, 07:56 AM
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Yes indeed, Balcom was a great place to be running along the riders as they appeared to ride effortlessly up this brutal grade. You wait two or three hours and then the peloton goes by in a matter of seconds. Well worth the wait, besides, you get to chat with your neighbors and take in the scenery and the atmosphere. Vive le tour de californie!!
12-11-07, 08:58 AM
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I'm going to try to be there for every stage (I have a lot of PTO time that I need to take).
12-11-07, 09:25 AM
#8
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Yes indeed, Balcom was a great place to be running along the riders as they appeared to ride effortlessly up this brutal grade. You wait two or three hours and then the peloton goes by in a matter of seconds. Well worth the wait, besides, you get to chat with your neighbors and take in the scenery and the atmosphere. Vive le tour de californie!!
12-11-07, 10:16 AM
#9
Senior Member
There will be an SFVBC group leaving CSUN at 8:00 that morning to ride out to Balcom.
The ride will go over Grimes to East Mtn road then up Balcom in the race direction.
It's a fun place to watch from.
After climbing that wall an hour earlier you can really
appreciate the speed the racers carry up that hill.
The ride will go over Grimes to East Mtn road then up Balcom in the race direction.
It's a fun place to watch from.
After climbing that wall an hour earlier you can really
appreciate the speed the racers carry up that hill.
12-11-07, 01:18 PM
#10
Has coddling tendencies.
Thread Starter
There will be an SFVBC group leaving CSUN at 8:00 that morning to ride out to Balcom.
The ride will go over Grimes to East Mtn road then up Balcom in the race direction.
It's a fun place to watch from.
After climbing that wall an hour earlier you can really
appreciate the speed the racers carry up that hill.
The ride will go over Grimes to East Mtn road then up Balcom in the race direction.
It's a fun place to watch from.
After climbing that wall an hour earlier you can really
appreciate the speed the racers carry up that hill.
12-11-07, 01:20 PM
#11
Has coddling tendencies.
Thread Starter
12-11-07, 01:22 PM
#12
Has coddling tendencies.
Thread Starter
If you can, go to Solvang for the Time Trial. A-w-e-s-o-m-e!
Balcom? If you're driving, you need to get there about 2 hours prior to the race. Take lawn chairs, sidewalk chalk, and a grill with some tri-tip. Park on the backside of Balcom, (not on Balcom Cyn Rd, but there's a close by side street with deep ditches on either side that's good) walk up to the top.Better still, wait until a local club organizes a ride to Balcom for the stage & enjoy your hobby.
Balcom? If you're driving, you need to get there about 2 hours prior to the race. Take lawn chairs, sidewalk chalk, and a grill with some tri-tip. Park on the backside of Balcom, (not on Balcom Cyn Rd, but there's a close by side street with deep ditches on either side that's good) walk up to the top.Better still, wait until a local club organizes a ride to Balcom for the stage & enjoy your hobby.
12-11-07, 02:01 PM
#14
Has coddling tendencies.
Thread Starter
That's hilarious! France has their red devil with trident pitchfork, and we have our crucifix wielding Catholic Bishop! Are there any more of these pictures to share? Link please.
Those riders look too serious
Take it easy man, this is Cali.
Those riders look too serious
Take it easy man, this is Cali.
12-11-07, 02:11 PM
#15
Senior Member
Maybe I got there late, I never did see a parade. A bunch of cops & VIPs went by...A couple vendors were working the crowd, handing out freebies (thundersticks especially).
12-11-07, 02:40 PM
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12-11-07, 02:49 PM
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Adam, I am trying to plan a bike tour from Palo Alto down to follow the tour. We will be in Solvang the day before and I am not sure we will get to Balcom before the riders. If it were up to me, it would be no problem but I will be with a couple of late risers. I will know more as I plan more of it.
Sure enjoyed it last year, that is the place to be.
Sure enjoyed it last year, that is the place to be.
12-11-07, 02:51 PM
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Sounds fun Jim.... I guess we can figure it all out as it gets close. This year I will brining my super duper EPO detector that will instantly evaporate any rider who shows signs on EPO usage. I guess that means by the time the peloton rolls to the finish we will have a race between 2 riders ! 
12-11-07, 02:58 PM
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(hint, over the pope's right shoulder)
12-11-07, 02:59 PM
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If you watch their faces live going over Balcom it doesn't look so effortless-- a lot of them are getting worked pretty good. I was up there for the first time they ran the ToC, and I saw more than a few guys making the Q sign as they came over the top.
12-11-07, 02:59 PM
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ps. I'm boycotting all (so-called) Tours of California that don't include San Diego.
12-11-07, 03:05 PM
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I might take a backwards drive through the final stage soon to see where I want to watch from.
12-11-07, 03:11 PM
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Sounds fun Jim.... I guess we can figure it all out as it gets close. This year I will brining my super duper EPO detector that will instantly evaporate any rider who shows signs on EPO usage. I guess that means by the time the peloton rolls to the finish we will have a race between 2 riders !
12-11-07, 03:25 PM
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12-11-07, 03:33 PM
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