Tour of California

[bikerHen]

We will be in California, on our way back to Washington, the week of the Tour and I want to see some part of it. It works best with our schedule to just hang out one morning at a stage start rather than waiting on the course. For those of you who have been to a Tour stage, is hanging around in the morning a good enough place to be? I only have one day to look at all that lycra. :D What's the best approach? bikerHen

[gnat23]

The start is a *great* place, just make sure it's a regular long ride day and not a time-trial!

Usually just behind the starting line banner is a huge stage with a table on it, which is where the riders sign in - ALL OF THEM. So if you can get yourself on the fence near the stage, you will see ev-ery-body. It's a great place to get stuff signed, too, if you're into that. Everyone is pretty calm and relaxed, and you'll see team cars, photographers on motorcycles, and hear a few interviews with guys as they go up to sign in.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3058/2290861230_c1838f2c17.jpg

When the signal to go is given, it's a neutral start, so you won't get to see any real racing. But you will get to see plenty o' spandex for sure!

-- gnat! (I recommend starts, KOM tops, and seeing at least one sprint finish if you can!)

[dakay]

We went down to CA for the tour two years ago and are planning to go down again in February. We saw a start, a finish, the time trial and were out on the course a couple of days. I would tell you to opt for the individual time trial if you had a whole day. Out on the course they just whiz by. The speed is impressive but you don't see much. The big crowds are at the finish line. The start of one of the stages is a good place to see the riders when they sign in and get autographs if you want. It also gives you an opportunity to get a good close look at the bikes. If you work it right you might be able to see a finish one day and a start the next. Have fun.

Kathy

[bikerHen]

Thanks for your input. My thoughts kinda mirrored what you both said about a stage start. It looks like the start in Merced will work best with our schedule so I guess I'll be making a hotel reservation. :D bikerHen

[BikeMomma]

Sweet! We'll be happy to have you here, bH. Let me know if you need restaurant recommendations (or anything else for that matter). My stomping grounds....;)

~BikeMomma