Amgen, who's going and where?

[jobob]

I have a question for you Amgen veterans. Would it be impossible to get around and drool at the teams if we had our bikes with us? Our hotel is a couple of miles from the start and I would rather ride my bike there than drive the car. bikerHen

I bet BikeMomma would know the answer to that!

But the Amgen start / finishes I've been to (granted, not all that many) all have had secure bike parking. It's definitely the way to go.

[BikeMomma]

I bet BikeMomma would know the answer to that!

But the Amgen start / finishes I've been to (granted, not all that many) all have had secure bike parking. It's definitely the way to go.

Why yes - yes I do!

Gnat and bH -- you asked about Merced Restaurants. Here is a link to a whole bunch of them, sorted by type: Merced Restaurants.

As for personal recommendations close to the racecourse, there's:
Steak & Seafood:
Fernando's, 510 W Main St
The Branding Iron (if you want a good steak), 640 W 16th St
Asian:
King's Asian Sushi Cuisine, 360 W Main St
Nagami Japanese Restaurant, 2650 W 16th St
Pine Cone Mongolian Grill (all you can eat and GOOD!), 1277 V St
Pasta:
DeAngelo's, 350 W Main St
There's a much better pasta place in North Merced...Strings, 731 E Yosemite Ave...will take some driving, but worth it.
Mex:
J & R Taco's, 437 W Main (very good, I eat there often)
Trevino's, 408 W Main St (on the local historic buildings list)
Indian:
Taste of Little India, 1052 W Main St (VERY good)
Sandwiches:
Subway and Quizno's are on the 400 block of W. Main St, and there is Limey's Lunchbox at 709 W. Main St.

...and to cap off a good meal - how could I not include it - is Starbucks at 425 W Main St.

Geez, can you tell I'm hungry??!

As for bike parking, I understand that they will be bringing in several rows of racks for the Fun Ride in connection with our Lifestyle Festival (yes, we're a start city but we're having one anyway). I believe the racks will be located at the corner of W. Main and N Streets. There are also a few racks in front of the Civic Center at W. 18th & N Sts. There are also some on the first level just inside the entrance of the Shannon Parcade parking structure at the corner of W. 18th & M (next to Civic Center).

Have fun you guys!
~BikeMomma

[Karma007]

We just figured it out- going to Sausalito on Monday for the start of stage 2!

[Trek420]

The women's crit was amazing, inspiring. The speeds, the concentration, the crashes here at the start one rider says "wait for me!"

[Aint Doody]

bikerHen, did you see anything? I hadn't followed this thread and didn't ask you when I saw you in Palm Springs.

[maillotpois]

Cold and wet on Howell Mtn, but we had a camper trailer and a rain tent, so it could have been worse. And... I got someone's Astana bottle out of the peloton - full of the power bar sun tea flavor drink. I'm going to just assume it was Lance's because he was on the front.

[Trek420]

Did they catch the guy who stole his bike?

Meanwhile back in Santa Rosa .... and they're off!!