Tour of California thread

Levi's Ride

Levi nailed it today!!!! Watching him pull up and catch the lead riders solo was fantastic. You know he's going to win this GC!

Go Levi! Had to go out and ride in the rain after watching him! Motiviating. Motivating!

And interestingly Lance is also doing pretty good, for his age and after three years in retirement. Between Mancebo yesterday and Levi today he hasn't created the excitement, but he's been finishing at the front of the lead chase group two days in a row, really moving the group forward and finishing up top. Yesterday he finished in from of the first chase group and didn;t even looked drained immediately afterwards. Wait til the Giro and the TdFF. He is going to nail them! GO Lance!

 

After Mancebo's beautiful win yesterday, today's finish line wasn't quite as sweet, but Levi's attack was absolute and great to watch. Too bad Levi couldn't shake Peterson. I actually wanted Levi to win the stage. These 1st two stages have been epic!

These conditions are crazy! What a great race!

 

Levi was awesome today. Pulled away from the peloton and passed the breakaway dudes on the last climb. He's showing great form early. It's his race to lose now.

 

Here's a great set of pics from today: http://www.velonews.com/photo/88056

Good news, too, they found one of the stolen bikes (Jani's)--woohoo!

 

Don't forget that at the TDF there is a Spaniard called Alberto Contador who happens to be the best rider in the peloton. Is Lance going to be his domestique?

 

Anyone know why the ToC skips Orange County and goes to SD? I'm kind of bummed there's no OC stage.

 

My guess would be permit issues and OC road closure issues. Is there some way we can petition? Wouldn't it be great if they did a TT through the canyon?

 

Nope.

Contador should have bailed to another team this year. If there's one thing that's clear about Lance, it is that the big show is going to be all about him if he starts the race, and no one else.

 

Too many pompuss windbags in the OC. BUT, I agree a TT or Stage through Santiago Cyn, adding a little Nat'l forest dirt road like in the Eroica (sp?) back onto a toll road like the 241 or 73 into Laguna and onto PCH down to Dana Point with a final climb up that bastardly little bump down by the harbor!:clap: I would sign the petition.:bang:

 

i wondered that myself and thought if some of these cities had to pony up some $$ to have the race start and finish much like Formula 1 racing where you have to pay in to get to host a race.

I dont think permitting is such an issue as the CHP has been instrumental in this as well as Cal Trans. As far as local municipal permits Aliso Viejo permitted that race shortly after it was approved at the City Council to approve hosting it.

I would love to see this Tour make a stop through south OC as that has some good terrain

 

Orange County actually gave the go-ahead last year, but the logistics of fitting an OC stage with the rest of the tour just didn't work out. I'm sure it'll happen in the next year or two.

Irvine Land Company is actually the hurdle.

 

Anyone considering riding from OC to the finish on Sunday?

 

Armstrong's TT bike reportedly recovered

Too hot to handle? Armstrong's TT bike reportedly recovered


By VeloNews.com

Posted Feb. 18, 2009

Sacramento police reported recovering Lance Armstrong’s stolen time trial bike on Wednesday.
The custom Trek 1274/27.5 TTX vanished from a Team Astana truck parked outside a hotel after the Amgen Tour of California prologue, along with three road bikes belonging to Janez Brajkovic, Steve Morabito and Yaroslav Popovych.

Brajkovic's bike was found Tuesday at the hotel from which the other bikes had been stolen. Hotel employees told police that the bike had been in storage and there had been "a miscommunication between the rider and the hotel."

On Wednesday, a local resident who police said wishes to remain anonymous brought Armstrong’s bike to police headquarters. The department released a statement saying that "the facts surrounding how the person came into possession of the bicycle are not being released at this time due to an ongoing investigation."

"The bicycle is currently in the care of the police department and arrangements will be made to
return the bicycle to the owner."

That owner never had any doubts. Asked by VeloNews editor in chief Ben Delaney whether the theft bothered him, Armstrong replied: "Nah. Bikes are replaceable. I suspect that bike will come back. There’s no way you can steal a one-of-a-kind bike. And unless you keep it to yourself, or burn it, that bike comes back every time."

 

Prophetic words from Lance. Now he just needs to ride it in Solvang like HE stole it. :lol:

 

^^ I'll be up there watching him (and Levi) ride (I'll be up somewhere just beyond the Ballard climb, I think). Weather looks to be most excellent that day!! Woot!

 

so...how is everyone spectating this weekend??

 

I am suppose to check in for my male escorting duties at 1:30 in Pasadena. I hope to get out on the course to watch a few laps before performing I start working.

What's the best thing to bring for riders to sign? I just got a cool Columbus cycling hat and they give the volunteers a free shirt.

 

Hey MTBMaven, do you know where a good place to watch in Pasadena might be? I'm bringing the kids so walking far is out. I'm not familiar with the area. Thanks
Simon

 

Seems like everyone is going to be out somewhere this weekend watching. I was originally planning to ride of Nate Harrison Grade but may opt to climb palomar instead.

What is the best way to find out about road closures? Specifically, if I'm coming from Carlsbad what time do I need to be climbing before they decide no one else goes up? any have a website?

thanxs

EDIT:San Diego North: Amgen TOC Best Viewing Spots

 

Here is a link to a map of events for Stage 7 in Pasadena. I made the map in support of Pasadena's efforts to support the event. If you haven't guessed it, I'm a cartographer/geographer/GIS person for Pasadena.

If you have a newer version of Adobe Reader (7 or newer I think) you can turn layers of information in the map on and off to make it easier to read. The plan was to make individual PDFs. I will speak with them tomorrow to see if they can post some different maps. Update Turns out the layer feature is not working. I will see what's going on at work tomorrow and see about getting an updated version posted.

http://www.rosebowlstadium.com/pdfs/circulation-map.pdf

There will be a bike valet service at the event for those that ride. Also note the shuttle stops if you want to park in the Old Pasadena area and not deal with parking near the event.

Anticipated arrival is 2:20PM. I hope to make it out to south end of the loop. The Holly St climb, left on N Grand Ave., right on Arroyo Terr, left on Scott Pl, left on Rosemont. These are quiet neighborhood streets that should be less crowded. There are hills, turns and narrow streets for a close experience. Cars are not allowed so walk or ride.