2008 Tour de Cali Route

[Zen]

Can be seen here-
http://www.velonews.com/race/dom/articles/13657.0.html
Looks like they don't consider the extreme upper and lower part of the state:(

[velogirl]

Looks like they don't consider the extreme upper and lower part of the state:(

None of us do!!!

Seriously, bike races depend on sponsor $$$. Sponsors don't get exposure if a race goes through the redwoods of Humboldt with a population of 98 people. The course is designed to focus on metropolitan areas with broad and deep exposure.

Personally, I'm bummed they lost the creativity of all cities beginning with the letter "S."

[SadieKate]

Looks like they don't consider the extreme upper and lower part of the state:(What do you mean, they don't "consider" the upper and lower part of the state?

[sassyc]

"In previous years, the Santa Rosa fans have set the mark for one of the largest and most enthusiastic crowds of the entire race."

We are pretty awesome :D Last year this crash was the best part:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5fR-6E-xss

Too bad I was a half a block down, and didn't see anything :mad:

[kelownagirl]

[I] Last year this crash was the best part:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5fR-6E-xss

Too bad I was a half a block down, and didn't see anything :mad:

The best part???:confused: :confused: :confused:

[sassyc]

The best part???:confused: :confused: :confused:

ok, ok, the worst part. But the most exciting? I'm a horrible person. *sulks into corner*

:)

[velogirl]

Actually, that crash was one of the most controversial parts of the race. Levi was involved in the crash and even though it was outside the neutral 3k crash distance (it was @ 9k), the UCI Commissaire extended the rule, putting Levi in the yellow jersey instead of Ben Jacques-Maynes. I still have a negative opinion of the race winner and his team because of it. I can just envision him whining and crying....begging the UCI to make an exception to the 3K rule because Santa Rosa is his hometown and he deserved to win pull on that yellow jersey.

[Veronica]

It's going to be so cool to watch them go up Hamilton and then do Sierra Rd. My roads!!!! :D The backside of Hamilton has a lot of sections with 9+% grades and Sierra is even worse.

V.

[kelownagirl]

ok, ok, the worst part. But the most exciting? I'm a horrible person. *sulks into corner*

:)

:o sorry, didn't mean to over react... :rolleyes: :p

[sassyc]

I can just envision him whining and crying....begging the UCI to make an exception to the 3K rule because Santa Rosa is his hometown and he deserved to win pull on that yellow jersey.

I know! That was not even close to being appropriate. I'd probably be banned from Santa Rosa if anyone knew I said that, but it definitely felt like the decision would have been different had it not been in his home town.

[velogirl]

BTW, any news on road closures? I'd love to ride up the other side of Hamilton and watch the racers climbing but I don't want to do it if there's a bazillion cars driving up, too.

[Zen]

What do you mean, they don't "consider" the upper and lower part of the state?

It was meant like this but I thought the grammar a bit off:

"Looks like they don't consider the extreme upper and lower parts part of the state:("

[velogirl]

Zen, there's no way a stage race could cover the entire state in only 7 days. The route also doesn't cover the eastern part of the state. Besides my earlier thought that the population centers are too sparse in many areas, the roads and infrastructure aren't suitable for a large-scale event like this.

Just because the race is called the Tour of California doesn't mean it covers all of CA. This is true for races and recreational rides alike. I recently rode Cycle Oregon. The ride has been in existence for 25 years and only covers a small portion of the state each year. The same is true of other events I've participated in. Heck! The Tour de France doesn't cover the entire country (and also enters other countries each year).

So, I don't think the race promoter is ignoring or slighting other parts of the state, but logistically he's chosen a route that covers the most populous areas of the state.

[Veronica]

Not to mention that we hope there is snow in the Sierras in February.

V.

[velogirl]

Oh yeah, snow. I moved to CA to avoid the snow which is why I never go east after October or November......

[Zen]

Zen, there's no way a stage race could cover the entire state in only 7 days.

Sure it could, if they rode really, really fast!http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/SpeedRacer.jpg

[BikeMomma]

BTW, any news on road closures? I'd love to ride up the other side of Hamilton and watch the racers climbing but I don't want to do it if there's a bazillion cars driving up, too.
Lorrie, the folks from Merced/Atwater are talking about riding up from the Del Puerto side early before the race. I'll extend the invitation now for you to join us, even though we don't have solid plans yet. Let me know if you're interested and I'll keep you posted. ;)

Anyone else is welcome, and the invitation to bunk at my house is still open, as well -- if you can take my three kids, dog, and hubby. lol :D I live about 35 minutes south of Modesto -- less if you drive fast -- but the room & grub are free of charge. ;)

To add to Zen's initial link, here's all the route maps: 2008 Amgen route maps (http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/Route/stages.html)

~Kim (BikeMomma)

[Lifesgreat]

I can hardly wait for the TofC! I grew up in Modesto and am planning on visiting family during that time :rolleyes: . A bonus: the almond blossoms should be out, giving me hope for Spring!

[maillotpois]

This is a pretty cool write up on the Hamilton stage:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/feb08/california08/?id=/features/2007/tour_california_stage3nov07

[mixie]

After more than 60 miles from Santa Clarita to Pasadena, with the mountains and the Rose Bowl serving as the backdrop, the peloton will complete the stage and the race, with six five-mile laps on a tough circuit around the Rose Bow

Im super excited about this! I live near the Rose Bowl and ride there all the time. I can't believe theyre going to be ending the race somewhere I ride weekly!:D

[smilingcat]

Well SD and Orange County is getting left out... Maybe because its republican strong hold?? okay okay no politics.

Seriously, there are beautiful places to ride in Orange County and in San Diego. Carlsbad to Downtown SD with finish in Balboa park would be grand. Ride the coast from Carlsbad into Leucadia, Encinitas, Cardiff by the Sea, Solana Beach, Del Mar the infamous Torrey Pine Grade (fun uphill) then down into La Jolla cove then up to Balboa park for a circuit finish.

Lots of people. Del Mar is the home training ground for many pro Tri's.

The course from seaside to SantaBarbra is not going to be fun. Not too many people except in Carmel and Montrey area. then its desolate till Santa Barbra. I'm not fond of hwy 1 from Carmel to Hearst Castle. Wayy too many blind hairpin turns on steep grade up/down. Very technical.. but where to watch?

smilingcat.

[Zen]

I'm not fond of hwy 1 from Carmel to Hearst Castle. Wayy too many blind hairpin turns on steep grade up/down. Very technical.. but where to watch?

smilingcat.

I've driven that section of road in a Triumph TR5. That was fun but I can't imagine riding a bike there. Scary.