Tour of CA

[maillotpois]

We saw Chris Horner speak at a fundraiser on Wednesday night - he is super funny and sharp as a tack. What great stories he had. Super good guy.

Turns out we will be in Santa Rosa on Monday instead of Coleman. We'll walk up to see them go by our house on their way up Mt. Tam, and the hop in the car and go up for the finale. One of my team mates gets to present the third place winner with his award medal!! Super cool! (The mayor gets to give the first place award.)

[trinena]

Just to add a time - the Women's Pro Crit will be at noon in downtown Santa Rosa Mon.

[Bike Goddess]

We'll be near Lake Berryessa just before a feed stop tomorrow. We were planning to ride over, but since it may rain we may just drive up and cheer them on! Hopefully Levi will have the "yellow" jersey on so he'll be easy to spot!

[redrhodie]

I watched on tv. How was it in person? Looked like good crowds and a lot of fun.

[jobob]

The prologue was a blast!!!

BikerZ, aka_kim, LeeBob and I rode from our house in Union City across the Dumbarton Bridge and thru lovely East Palo to Palo Alto to watch the ToC prologue.

We parked our bikes at the secure parking area and moseyed around a bit, checking out the vans & busses of the various teams and occasionally spotting a cycling star. Some may call it stalking. (At least, that's what the judge who issued my restraining order called it ...)

After lots of stalking, er, sightseeing, we got some lunch at a cafe (conveniently situated where the Astana bus was parked). After lunch we stationed ourselves behind the start ramp area where we were able to see the racers up close & personal. BikerZ brought her camera & took some amazing pics - she'll post them at some point, once Kim and I help her with ID'ing the racers and coming up with witty captions.

It was unbelievably cool to see Mario Cippolini. He was very tanned and very fit. He had an entourage escorting him to the start.

I am happy to say I did not make too much of an azz of myself when Bobby J and Jens showed up. Those pesky restraining orders ...

After Levi took off we headed up University Ave & Palm Drive to catch the awards presentation and to see what was left of the Expo.

Tyler Hamilton was at the Rock Racing booth at the expo signing autographs. I happened to be wearing the Amici Veloci buff that Floyd Landis had autographed, and for a moment I considered getting Tyler's autograph on it as well - it would then become my "Buff of Disgraced Cyclists". Yeah, yeah, tacky. The line was fairly long and we had to get going, but it was a funny thought ne'rtheless.

Stay tuned, more will be revealed.

[jobob]

Had to steal (er, share) this photo off of bikeforums - the crazy guy in the background is taxi777 (Pete), one of the guys I've met from the NorCal regional forum, paying homage to the cycling gods Phil, Paul and Bobke.



Pete's a hoot.


Lots of other great photos are showing up on this thread:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=389150

[redrhodie]

I'm sooooo jealous. I want to come next year. Does it always start in Palo Alto? I'm in a gallery on University Ave, so it could be a business trip .

[Running Mommy]

we are DYING out here! We want to be in Santa Rosa in such a bad way!!
Alas I'm here in the shop watching the dvd of last years race... sigh...

[Zen]

WORLD EXTREME CAGEFIGHTING!
is on Versus all evening, then bull riding, then cycling

[Running Mommy]

Nice....

I'm watching live streaming video of the race right now. Chipollini is chatting like he's on a club ride! lol

[bikerz]

Here they are - on Flickr - I think this guest pass will work!
BikerZ's prologue photos

(thanks to Jo for help with the IDs! Clearly, I am a total newbie stalker!)

(And, if anyone has any IDs for anyone, feel free to leave a comment and I'll update the photo name,)

And Jo insisted I post this one of George Hincapie as a public service!

[snapdragen]

If you have Directv it's on channel 50 right now (I'm assuming sf bay area)

[jobob]

Thanks !!!!!

- Jo, being lazy and hanging out at home.

[Bike Goddess]

Biker Z- Thanks for the great photos! At least you got to see these "wonder men" up close and still! If we're lucky, we"ll see them for about 1 second each if that!

Glad you were able to participate in the fun. I'll be you all had a good time.

[snapdragen]

bikerz - great photos! But why, oh why, did you let jo near the CSC bus? Gotta keep ms kiss 'o death away from them!


//snap is wondering how difficult it would be to stalk cipo......