Lesper4

I have to say if you are going to watch a section of the race go see the first KOM on the Baldy stage, it was epic by all means of the word and then ride or hike to the finish line. This year I will not be able to see that stage since Heartbreak Hundred is on the same day so I was going to go see the Big Bear stage instead. Anyone see this stage last time? Where is a good place to see it from? The finish, the Angeles Crest KOM? Anyone have pictrues from that stage from a few years back?
https://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com...age6-2012.html

calamarichris

None of my pictures turned out well. I went to the Big Bear Stage in '10, and the Baldy Stage last year (and I met my sweetheart on 5/21 at an OCRebels pizza party after cruising back down the hill.)

The Baldy Stage is cooler IMO, because of those murderous switchbacks at the very end. Maybe I was just at a bad spot at Big Bear, but the finish lacks Baldy's punch, due to the flat stretch along the lake that gives the racers a chance to regroup & recuperate, and prepare for the final sprint up to the Snow Summit Parking lot. I watched the stage on TV in a bar in a Mexican restaurant in Big Bear, then walked out to the flame rouge (1K kite, ultimo kilometro) to watch the racers fly by. Pretty cool, but not as cool as Baldy IMO. Perhaps the Angeles Crest KOM is a better vantagepoint than the Big Bear finish.

Lesper4

Yeah but that KOM is so darn out of the way for most people. Its too bad you cant park somwhere in Wrightwood or near the Cajon Pass and ride up to that point. Last time I was at the transition from Crestline to Rim of the World which sucked.

calamarichris

That actually sounds more enticing to me. I'd rather spend a day sitting somewhere secluded up in the quiet mountains, my motorcycle hidden well off the road, with a book & bag o' sunflower seeds, far away from any idiotic cowbells, than to endure all manner of attention-wh0r3ing yahoos running in front of the riders.


I know you spent your day off coming to see professional riders, but LOOK AT ME LOOK AT ME LOOK AT ME instead!!

Lesper4

I have a shinny copper cowbell as big as my fest, but no customs.

thenomad

I'd like to go but would like to take my kids, or at least my 5 year old. Not sure its worth it to try and go up the mountain as I understand it could be an overnight affair to have a spot.

Any suggestions on a carpool up to a nice vantage point?

Rick@OCRR

My wife and I will be watching the Big Bear stage on Fri. and the Mt. Baldy stage on Sat. but we're not sure about vantage points yet. Would be great if Big Bear finished on Onyx! Oh well . . .

Last time they raced to Big Bear we were along the finish straight at Snow Summit but we'd rather avoid that huge crowd this year. Maybe somewhere along the Northshore. For Baldy, we're riding up to the finish for sure. So many excellent vantage points with all the switch backs near the top.

Rick / OCRR

Ray R

Last Big Bear stage I was at Dawson Saddle on Hwy. 2, the race's highest point. It was peaceful and uncrowded. Saw George Hincapie pulling the breakaway with Jason McCartney, Jakob Fuglsang, and Andy Schleck tacked on to the back of the group.

For Mt. Baldy I will once again be at the Cow Canyon Rd. turnout to see the race pass by twice, once in each direction.

mtrider05

I think Mountain High will have their parking lot open for the AC KOM, and if not there is tons of parking on the road anyway.

thenomad

Hmm, looks like I might be able to go up alone to the baldy stage. A ride sounds good.

Any good preferred places to park when riding to the top?

Lesper4

Claremont Wilderness Parking lot but it will fill up fast. It is at the end of Baldy Road.

thenomad

Fast as in get there by 7AM or fast as in sleep in the car the night before?
Sorry, never even been up there.
I'd like to ride but may still try to get the kids to see some world class racing.

Lesper4

I would say 7 is fine. Last year when I rode up I drove up the evening before and there were still a lot of spots available. That morning there were still spots available but they do fill up fast. Considering you are much lower and riding up you should be fine but you will also be fighting all the people who walk at the CW area.

vertical bob

I'm going to watch them climb Big Pines Highway. Start from Valyermo and climb Big Pines Hwy up to AC at Mtn. High. That is a little known but really wonderful climb starting in the High Desert and finishing in the forest. Lots of switchbacks and I think about 4k ft.

Lesper4

After looking at the route more closely they do not go through hwy 2. The KOM is (like Bob said) at Mt High. I am going to go there as well. Where do you plan on parking? How early should we get there, 8:00am? I have a adventure pass. It should be nice with lots of shade and that castle tower thingy in the background.

mtrider05

You will have no problem parking there, at all, get there whenever you want.

Lesper4

I was up that way yesterday and the Mt high parking lots had giant logs accross the entrance so parkign only in the turn outs? I figure leave Rancho Cucamonga around 9:30 and get up there around 10:30ish.

volosong

I'm riding up from Palmdale in my Bike Forums Fifty-Plus jersey. Someone shout out and take a picture of me with my camera so I can upload it to the Fifty-Plus jersey photo thread. Under the KOM banner would be cool, (hint, hint). I expect to arrive about an hour to 90 minutes before the peloton gets there.

mtrider05

This is the parking that is within 100 yards of the KOM, if this fills up (very unlikely, there is space for 100+ cars) then there is even more up or down the road, all within a half mile of the KOM. I'm not sure if the lower Mt. High lot will be blocked, I'm riding up there tomorrow so I'll check it out. But rest assured, there will be plenty.

Lesper4

There are quiet a few turnouts of Hwy 2 as well. I would love to ride up there but with work addn Heart Break on Saturday I will drive instead. Thanks. Look to hear back.

mtrider05

Hope to see you guys up there, I'll be riding up to that KOM from Palmdale, should be a great day.

Lesper4

I will be there in my red rx-8 wearing a CRANK shirt.

dblackwood72

Hey Steve,

I believe I saw you on Big Pine... I was parked about mid-way up, I was wondering if that was you. We need to go ride together sometime.