Tour of California thread

what did your mother say about rubbing it in? congrats on the score.

 

Woo! I'll be drinking with ya then. :beer:

 

So who is gonna ride up palomar sunday am? rare free chance to ride up with the south grade closed to cars.

 

wish i was a roadie for sure...Bob Roll and David Zabriskie are coming to my work this week...and a few weeks ago Hincapie was here. I may need to buy a roadbike now...hmmmm

 

I rode up this morning - lots of folks out 'pre-riding' the course (none pros from what I could tell). I don't think I'll be ready for another go on Sunday.

That stage is gonna be brutal!

 

I have Dish TV, the most basic package. Every month Dish TV makes one or two channels that are usually blocked available. This month it's channel 151, Versus.

Just letting you know.

 

http://cycleto.com/index.php?option...vi-lead-the-pack&catid=8:race-photos&Itemid=2

 

I fancy doing this but dont even know where it is! Can you tell a relative newb to that area how long the climb is, ascent etc. How long it will take etc etc.

 

Anyone here reserved at the State Park for camping with spare room for one more tent?

 

Amgen, the bringers of epo, can do it better than I:

http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/Route/stages/stage8.html

Great route maps / directions to be found there. Just don't compare your time to the projected times for the pros. It's downright depressing (well, it was for me).

The climb really starts from the taco stand/gift shop at the corner of 76 & Valley Center Road (about 4K feet of climbing in 12 or so miles), but the true HC part of the climb is the South Grade.

Also check this: http://www.williamscycling.com/ - they provide a pretty good pre-ride of the entire stage 8.

 

jefj thanks for the pics. Two years ago I was in Solvang for a business meeting and a group of pro riders were there including Lance. Bikes were everwhere. I didn't pay too much attention too it as I was still on my MTB sabatical. Nice pics but these guys dress like they are super heros. Maybe because they are.

 

Is anyone getting in on this deal? Aside from maybe being stuck up there till 5 (or later with traffic) it sounds like a good option.

http://www.palomarsummit.com/viplounge.php

If someone wants to grab table 14 or 11 I'd be up for a seat. Even happy to grab the table myself if 3 others want to make a day of it.

 

I've been thinking about viewing from Palomar - from the signage the CHP has up, it seems like the East Grade might open before the South Grade (which won't reopen before 5:00). You might be able to head down via the East Grade once the support vehicles pass, and then go south on the 76 - the opposite direction from the tour. But that's the only possible way to avoid being 'trapped' on the mountain. And you'd probably miss the finish...

Might be best to just suck it up and hang out at the beer tent until the finish.

 

I think so. I found another rider that's going to ride with me up the grade. We'll park somewhere down below and then ride up. We reserved a table at Mothers and have 2 spots left if anyone's interested.

 

27 miles one way with ~5,000' vert from the park and ride at the 15 and the 76

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2534516

 

I'm going to the TT in Solvang and Stage 8 in San Diego. It looks like I should pack the foul weather gear too....

 

I was thinking about riding up Nate Harrison grade. Anyone?

 

stone brewery in escondido!

pre/post race drinks!

 

Alrighty folks...I attended the Team Introduction Banquet last night. I've got a ton of pics on the blog...and I'm uploading some videos now, so check back. And as always...VOTE FOR LUKE! Woot!

 

I hate you.....