I took the contents from today's Amgen press release and linked it to the google maps they have elsewhere on their site:

http://www.steephill.tv/entries/tour...ia-course.html

I plan on riding the route and taking pictures for some pre-event reporting. Anyone want to join me for the rides in the Bay Area and Southern California?

I was thinking of pre-riding the course (stage 2). Should be quite interesting, those climbs add up.

I'm hopefully gonna be there the whole day for the time trial on stage 3. Already got leave from work too hehe...

I've already put in my request to take the 21st and 22nd off.

Steve - Let us know if you have any rides planned for Sunday, Feb 19.

Ok slightly OT but, I got the email about this today and at the bottom I said that there were going to be 16 pro teams there. I count 9 on there website. Anybody know who the other 7 are. fingercrossed/ QuickStep? /uncrossed

Here is the complete list from the "news" section of their website.

Amgen Tour of California 2006 Team Roster:

Team CSC (CSC) - DEN
Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team (DSC) - USA
Phonak Hearing Systems (PHO) - SUI
Gerolsteiner (GST) - GER
Davitamon-Lotto (DVL) - BEL
Prodir-Saunier Duval (SDV) - ESP
Credit Agricole (C.A.) - FRA
T-Mobile Team (TMO) - GER
Health Net Presented by Maxxis (HNM) - USA
Navigators Insurance Cycling Team (NIC) - USA
Colavita Olive Oil/Sutter Home Wines Professional Cycling Team (UCI Continental)
United Pro Cycling Team (UCI Continental)
Team TIAA-CREF (UCI Continental)
Kodakgallery.com/Sierra Nevada Pro Cycling (UCI Continental)
Jelly Belly Cycling Team (UCI Continental)
KB Home Mexican National Team

I like one aspect of the route - I have a good view from my office building of their route between Sausalito and Mill Valley. The disappointing part is that the route mostly sticks to highway 1 which means they only climb 500' up Mt Tam before dropping down to Muir Beach and they don't go over the Marshall Wall.

No QuickStep, but it still seems stacked. Should be fun to watch on espn2. Damn Kansas.

Steephill,

I'd love to join you and ride a few stages. I live in SLC Utah, and have been thinking about comin down - with the hopes of riding. My only concern was having no one to ride with. If it's not a problem I'd love to join ya.

Thanks
bsilly

I will definity be at the finish in thousand oaks and at the circuit for stage 7... should be fun!

I'm hoping to attend a portion of Stage 2, so I took the opportunity to drive part of the route today on my way back from the East Bay. I got off of 680 at Calaveras and followed the route up to the reservoir and down the other side.

All I've got to say is: "ARE THESE GUYS OUTTA THEIR GOURDS?!?!?!"! :eek:

The climbs were tough enough...IN A CAR...the roads were rough...but it was the descents that were absolutely mind blowing. There were a few short and steep ones but the final descent is long, steep and twisting. I could almost smell the melting rubber ('course maybe it was my brakes!). There are also a number of precipitous drops off the sides of the road that could really make even the toughest pro cringe.

I tried to envision how I might best view parts of this section during the race and concluded that it would be next to impossible as there are no other roads that connect to this most wicked section. I don't know if they'll let cars up on this section as there is little parking and in some places, the road is only wide enough for one car.

If you didn't drive up Sierra Rd., you didn't see nothing. The descent down Calaveras is fairly fast but nothing real technical, IMHO.

I'm planning to go out early and ride my bike up Sierra. After the peloton and caravan has passed I hope to bike down to the finish line. It's about a 15-mile loop (Sierra/Felter/Calaveras/Piedmont/Sierra). Not sure if it'll be enough time, though. It looks like it's about 8 miles from Sierra Rd. to downtown San Jose.

OMG!!! You mean they ride UP Sierra??? I had assumed that they'd ride up Calaveras and then down Sierra...not sure why I thought that...it wasn't clear on the map. That may change my strategy on viewing...could probably walk a ways up Sierra just to see them really cranking up the hill and then after they pass be able to get down by the finish line.

Anyway...thanks for posting the maps. I plan to take my camera and will send any appropriate pics.

Yep! You had me puzzled when you mentioned precipitous dropoffs. Now I understand what you were talking about. I've been down Sierra and, you're right, it is a bit scary!