
Originally Posted by
jobob
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
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." --Albert Einstein