2013 Tour of California Route Announced

I've worked this tour in the past. Here is the official route for this year:
http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/news/press/2013-Amgen-Tour-of-California-Route-Announced.html

Although my own schedule may change by the time of the tour, in May, I'll volunteer for both Stage 3 and 4, at least until I find that my availability changes.

It's a lot of fun being a volunteer. I encourage anyone that may like to do it to initially sign up.
You can sign up here: http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/Tour/volunteer.html

 

Finish and start in awesome town!! (Santa Clarita). gonna be great

 

I planned a trip to Avila Beach for the race, traffic in n out of there is going to suck. Might go to Santa Clarita also.

 

I was hoping for a Mt. Diablo climb! :clap:

 

Starts in Palmdale (3 blocks from my house) - ends in Awesome Town!

 

That climb that wraps up Stage 2 up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway road is a nasty one. It doesn't look imposing at all, but starts steep and straight, and is always HOT. I've done much longer and steeper climbs but this one is always a pain.

 

TOC Stage 4 & 5

So I'm lucky that there is a stage finish (Santa Clarita to Santa Barbara, Stage 4) and stage start (Santa Barbara to Avila Beach, Stage 5) here in Santa Barbara, sucks they're on a Wednesday and Thursday but that won't matter (I'm not feeling well, do I look pale...better call in sick). So I'm going to catch Stage 4 on the 150 between Ojai and the 192, then Stage 5 at the San Marcos Pass (KOM-Cat2). If anyone is going to be up this way and wants to ride to the locations before CHP closes the roads please contact me. You're welcome to park at my house and I might even feed you and let you crash here if need be. Let me know, thanks.

 

yay. not gonna clog up our town with roadies again!

 

bummed about the lack of Mt Baldy stage.......

 

We can do the death march for fun you know without the Baldy stage..... :beer:

 

If I had picked the route they would probingly stay in the Eastern Sierras most of the route. Up to Whitney Portal, Horse Meadows, White Mountains. And over Tioga Pass thru Yosemite, Sonoran Passes around Tahoe...ect. Start Potterville along Western Divide down Kern River. Up Sherman Pass and down 6 mile canyon. Tour de France is great as they showcase the countryside, Tour de Cal they showcase oil rigs near Bakersfield.

 

You got something against oil rigs?

But you're right. The eastern Sierra (including Mono Lake and Bridgeport/Bodie) would be awesome, along with Death Valley, and Sequoia and Yosemite NP's. Add that to Big Sur and San Francisco and you've got yourself a tour.

 

Have you done that circuit?It is a bitch. there is a reason why they picked the same place twice of all the places in California to use. Granted it is not the most picture perfect setting but it got the job done. Secondly Potterville is in Michigan, you meant Porterville. The TDF is 3 weeks long and the TOC is only 8 days. You can only see so much in that time. Here is the TOC Bakersfield course with all the oil rigs in there glory.

 

Anyone watching Stage 2 tomorrow? Thinking of catching the Idylwild KOM and getting a dirt ride in as well.

 

No I have not on a bike but are you telling me it tougher than the stuff they ride in the Alps?

 

Question -

Does anyone know if it's possible to watch the race on a PC? I saw the apps for Apple and Android but no info on PC/web. Thanks.

 

2 PM coverage starts live over half way through the race. http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/tv-schedule.html

 

You were talking about the TOC not anything in Europe. There is a reason why they pick the courses they do. It is not an easy circuit. You are showcasing something else.

 

Yes, when the stage is in progress. Go to the web site http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com and right in the middle of the page there's a thing called Tour Tracker. They've perfected it over the years -- watched the end of yesterday's stage. Unfortunately had to listen to Phil Liggett get all the rider's names wrong #timetoretireLiggett

 

Today, (Tuesday) on Stage 3, I worked (as a Volunteer) Course Marshal. Was placed at a location on The Old Road, in the SCV. At this point, the riders were enroute to Castaic, before their climb up the mountain, on Lake Hughes Road. Was great to see all the teams pass right in front of me (literally) - had a great, close up view of the action.

The event festival, held at the Town Center Mall's parking lot (in the SCV), was very nice. Tons of Swag! Good deals from some vendors, too.

Tomorrow, I'm doing it again. My Course Marshall location is at the Main Post Office, at the corner of Creekside and Mc Bean Pkwy. (Stop by if you're in the area and find me. Would love to meet you!) (I believe this location is active from 11:30 am to about 12:30 or 1pm.)