2008 Tour de Cali Route

[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......

[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.

[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!