Tour of California

[PinkBike]

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!!

[tctrek]

Blow a kiss at Fabian for me!

[gabriellesca]

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!

[Psycler]

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

[carinapir]

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!

[mhami]

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.

[PinkBike]

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.