Tour of California

We're driving out to California on Wednesday to watch the Tour of California stages 5-?. We don't have any plans, we're just going. We can stay at my mom's for access to Bakersfield and Palmdale, but we 're willing to stay wherever gets us the best gawking opportunities.

Does anyone know where the race starts in Visalia exactly? Like what hotel would be closest to the start? Same for Palmdale.

We also want to sit on a mountain and watch a mountain stage go by. Maybe be one of those crazies who runs alongside the riders and acts like they got no upbringin'. Where would be the best place to do this? Maybe the finish at Big Bear lake?

I'm so excited!!

Blow a kiss at Fabian for me! :D:D

So jealous - I was just watching it tonight wishing I could be at the finish to get a eyeful of Marky Mark Cav do his thing! :)

Have fun! What a blast!

Oh you are lucky. I will have to be content with watching it on TV.

They have detailed maps and turn by turn route logs up on the TdC website.

Here is the map and route log for Stage 6:

http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com...age6-map.pdf?0

http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com...g-stage6.pdf?1

To find them go to "Route" the "Stages" then pick your stage. At the bottom of the stage descriptions, there are PDF files with the map and route log.

We are planing to catch them on Friday at the KOM in Rimforest on the way to Big Bear. We might also try to get a spot to see the time trial in LA. Good luck!

I thought I read about this awhile back in our local paper. The Tour of California will be riding through our downtown main street during their stage 4 ride. That will be exciting.

thanx all!

i found the turn-by-turn directions in the "news" dropdown on the amgentourofcalifornia website. i never could find that before. thanx.

tctrek -- when we went to the 2008 ATOC we were with trektravel (a whole awesome story in its own!!) so we had access to the discovery team. when we went to their hotel it was raining so we were taking cover in a hallway talking to a rider, and the door to the room we were in front of opened and it was fabian and stuart o'grady!!! and mario cipollini was coming out!! later i saw JENS VOIGT on a stairwell and got a picture with him.

Have fun!

I got to check out the action on Sunday and I'm going tomorrow too. Can't wait.

(I also got in a ride while visiting my parents this weekend and saw a Garmin rider out on the American River Bike Trail. I couldn't stop grinning.)

We saw the start in Visalia and finish in Bakersfield. Then the start in Palmdale and finish at Big Bear Lake. Mark Cavendish autographed my bike!! I got pictures of Fabian, Lance, Jens, Andy, Boonen, etc but can't get my mom's wireless to work so I'll post when I get home.

I do envy you California riders, riding here is excellent!

If anybody is interested, my stage 1 photos are here.
Stage 1 Lifestyle Festival pics here. I'd love to have that Trek Madone "Quick as a Bunny" bike!

I had another good spot for stage 4. I also had one of the best spots for the podium. Peter Sagan threw me his flowers!
Stage 4 photos are here. Mostly podium shots because the lens I was using doesn't work as well for action photography. Yes, I'm a Dave Zabriskie fan, why do you ask?

A couple of people have recently asked me if I had any special access. The answer is no. I just happen to be at the right place at the right time.

Although, BMC Racing used some photos I took of George Hincapie about a month ago. I wonder if I could have asked their PR guy for some sort of credentials.

Loopybunny,
I consider myself a pretty good amateur photographer, but you're pics are AMAZING! I've been to a local bike race and a segment of Tour of Missouri, but all I got was <<zoom>>!

Those podium shots of DZ are great - he is just darling. :)

Wow!
You should be able to sell some of those shots!

Thanks all!

It would be nice to be able to sell some, but print media usually has photographers that they work with. I'm also sure it's something that would seriously mess me up come tax time.

Hope accepting things like bike parts in exchange for photo use isn't considered being paid.

I went to the Finish in Big Bear and the circuit stage in Thousand Oaks yesterday.

The highlights were:

Watching the boys fight up Summit Blvd. against the wind after 135 miles. Wow!

Fabian Cancellara swinging out wide on the turn we were waiting at in Agoura Hills and riding by almost close enough to smooch on the cheek. At least that's how close I felt but I was at a respectful distance.

And Mark Cavendish and Mark Renshaw riding by on a leisurely training ride after field had passed on circuit #2.

Lesson learned: We should have brought out bikes to both stages because you can ride the route almost up until the last minute before the riders come.

I have posted some pics here. We just went snap, snap, snap as they rode by so I'm still not sure who I've got in these pics. I've also posted a bit of video from my phone.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/50489993@N04/

Great pics everyone!