2009 Tour of California

[BikeMomma]

Yea ok, it's early....but....we're a start city for Stage 5 (Merced-Clovis)! They announced all the host cities this week and there's eight new locales, including us -- here's the link: http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com . Our press conference was Wednesday.

So, being a Merced City employee and an obvious bike fanatic, I get to be on the organizing committee to plan our activities for the day, including working with AEG/Amgen on the street closure permits, booth locations, etc. - all the jurisdictional stuff. No one else knows as much about pro cycling events at the City, so I guess my knowledge and previous ventures to past years' Amgen stages will come in handy, since I'm already familiar with their needs and the general layout of booths, announcer's stand, team buses, etc. It will be a cool experience, to say the least. We host a major criterium - the Merco Cycling Classic - every year that draws alot of the domestic teams, including Rock Racing, Toyota United, HealthNet, etc., but obviously, this a much, much bigger thing. Can't wait.

Also cool is the fact that the route will likely take the peloton through many of the Sierra Mountain roads that our local group rides on regularly before heading down to Clovis, so we can lend some input to the Amgen organizers on that end, as well. This is also Gold Country, where many of the old mining towns are, so there is history everywhere you look, which they will play up, I'm sure. And steep hills, icy that time of year -- look for Stage 5 to be one of the pivotal "blow apart the peloton" stages.

Needless to say, I and others on the organizing committee will be seeking seats in team cars.

~BikeMomma

P.S. Now accepting early reservations for my living room floor (air mattress available)....