jppe

Our local LBS owner is one of the mechanics for the Bissell Team. I've been following the ordeal on Facebook. It's interesting seeing some stuff "behind the scenes". It looks like this morning provided some serious challenges.

I hate to see those Dogmas suffering like that........

Anyone out that way involved in the Tour?

AzTallRider

Okay, I have to say it: "Who left the dogs out?"

stapfam

Been looking forward to this race so I can see the wonderfull scenery and weather in California

Think I'll carry on watching the Giro after the first day.

Yen

Stage 7 will begin next Saturday in the town of Claremont, a short bike ride from home. We will be volunteering as ride marshals somewhere along the route. Knowing how much work and anticipation goes into hosting this event, I really feel for the host cities of Stages 1 and 2, but the riders' safety is more important.

freighttraininguphill

Good choice This is my video from the final four laps of Stage 2 in midtown Sacramento, recorded at the corner of 18th and L Streets. Notice the shakiness? That's from having to hold an umbrella with one hand while standing on the frame of my trike and holding the camcorder with the other hand during a windy rain shower that came on all of a sudden before lap number 2.

Stage 3 was rained on too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPZhRlxtZM0

Elmog

I know the cars have to be there, but wouldn't it be nice to just see a bike race without all the support vehicles? I know this will ruffle a few feathers, sorry.

TheHen

I would also like to see the support cars gotten rid of. In fact, I would love to see the equipment and tactical changes that would come from the cyclists having only what they and their team mates can carry to rely on. I suppose pro cycling will go to that sometime after the Olympics goes amateur.

Hangtownmatt

[QUOTE=freighttraininguphill;12657229]This is my video from the final four laps of Stage 2 in midtown Sacramento, recorded at the corner of 18th and L Streets. QUOTE]

I was on that same street corner :>)

Yen

Perhaps the world is finally learning that the weather is not always so wonderful in California, "wonderful" being relative. We have our share of rain, snow, sleet, hail, ice, floods... even our own glacier.

stapfam

These pro cycle races are fantastic. You get to your viewing point of choice hours before the pelaton is going to pass and Don't move. The TDF came local to me and the Mountain was the point I decided to go to. Seems that plenty of my "Local" cycling aquaintances were at the same point so I did have the occasion to see the stands- (Mainly Burger stands) see the town and find the loos. The TDF is exceptional but the build up before the race- the "Ambience" of the people around you and the spectacle of the event is something that every cyclist should experience.

Then the riders approach and they are gone. Couple of minutes and it is over but I would not miss it if I have the chance to see it again.



First pic is of the mountain finish-Only a slope really- taken in the morning and second is of the pelaton passing.

But if you want the real experience it has to be in France. Seen it twice live over there and once on holiday and had two weeks in a Bar with double the number of locals that could comfortably fit inside the bar every afternoon. The bar was best- after the locals found out I rode a bike and I was taking time out from the family just to watch the race with the locals. Pretty cheap too as The locals even bought in their own wine from their own vineyards and I had to sample the lot.

Surprised I could remember the race- but I do know the evenings were a bit hazy.

And any of the older members that can remember him- We even had our own version of the houseboy attending

BluesDawg

Watching the TOC is always bittersweet for me because I miss the Tour de Georgia so much. It came right through my town the first four years (03-06), but what was really fun was following the race all across the state seeing each stage, often from multiple points along the way. I especially enjoyed riding up the mountains and waiting there for the race to come by, Brasstown Bald in particular. I worked as a course marshal for the 2004 and 2005 races. That was an amazing experience being part of the staff for the event and seeing how it worked behind the scenes. Some of my fellow course marshals are still working for the Tour of California as it is run by the same organization.

Enjoy what you have out there. If I could I would be on my bike on Mt. Baldy when the race arrives later this week.

freighttraininguphill

Well, if you saw somebody with brown hair and glasses standing on the frame of a blue 20" wheel Worksman Port-O-Trike with a red umbrella in the left hand and a camcorder in the right hand, that was me

t4mv

Just got back from watching Stage 4 from near the top of Mt Hamilton, and I'm happy to report that these guys pretty much look the same in person as when you look at their pics in CycleSport, Velonews, whatever, only they're really right there within reach, and then they're gone. Poof.

I'm really amazed by the whole entourage that accompanies races at this level, it's truly amazing to see, and anyone who has any interest in this kind of stuff owes it to him/herself to get out to a major event and take it in live.

alfredo

The wife and I watched the finish in Sac. Looked bad when the rain started to pour, but they finished safely. Picked up a couple free t-shirts and water bottles at the festival.

Al

freighttraininguphill

I made out like a bandit at the festival Got 4 free cowbells (Giant, Rabobank, 2 Herbalife), a free Herbalife T-shirt, tons of snacks, a collapsible water bottle, stickers, an Amgen cloth bag, a Radio Shack banner, and a Rabobank foam hand and shirt that I won when I spun the wheel.

I did buy one item though, an ATOC T-shirt. For $10 I couldn't turn it down. Usually event merchandise is much higher than that.

bradtx

jppe, The bikes are simply tools to the race team and don't get the love most recreational cyclists bestow on their bikes.

freighttraininguphill, A very good friend, who's from Paris, scored an official 2000 TdF water bottle (they were thrown into the crowd from a convertable) for me. She jokingly, I thought, vowed to do much better next time she visited home. So she went to the start of stage one of the 2003 TdF. She gave her kids one assignment and that was to score as much swag as possible for me. I don't know how, but she scored a complete KELME/Costa Blanca kit in my size along with hats and DVDs!

Brad

freighttraininguphill

Cool! Sounds like they give out more valuable swag in France!

Hillbasher

(click pic)
Glendora Mountain Road looking back towards Baldy Village and the ski lift area.

Mr Beanz with GRR and Baldy behind

The intersection where on one direction they drop down to the East Fork Road and in the other direction they head back out to Baldy Village and the killer climb to the ski lift parking lot.

Yours truely heading back from Baldy Village

Seeing how Stage 7 is just about my normal training ride,(well ok, not the entire route, but from Glendora out towards Baldy Village and back.), I thought I would show a few pictures of the scenery one can expect to see Saturday when watching the stage. I consider myself VERY lucky to have this ride in my backyard. It is rideable just about 365
days a year, even when the snow is hitting the higher peaks you see in the pics.

big john

Events like that are called "brevets".

alxndr

I would like to see one-man teams! No more being towed around by a teammate until 100 meters from the finish. See what people are really made of.