Tour of California thread

Discussion in 'The Roadie Hangout' started by protijy, Jan 27, 2009.

  1. gr@sshopper

    gr@sshopper Closet Roadie

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    Anyway I could get the shapefiles?
     
  2. bdegroodt

    bdegroodt Juñior Member

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    Curious if anyone is familiar enough with the route and the parking situation near the start of the climb to say where we should park our car, offload our bikes and start making the climb to Mothers. I have table spots reserved there. I just can't tell where along 76 we're going to be allowed to park (and not piss off any businesses or homeowners).

    Also, anyone been following these: http://www.rapha.cc/continental/index.php?page=737 . Videos are incredible.
     
  3. GeorgiaOfTheJungle

    GeorgiaOfTheJungle THE Penultimate Mtb'er

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    A couple of pics from today. Solvang was great and I highly recommend going up there for the TT, if they have it again. We were able to watch riders start, then head over to the finish to watch the end. Such FUN!
     

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  4. GeorgiaOfTheJungle

    GeorgiaOfTheJungle THE Penultimate Mtb'er

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    A few more...
     

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  5. One_Track_Mind

    One_Track_Mind New Member

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    I'm not afraid! Sounds like fun... I'll probably be taking the train back though. Let me know if you're game.
     
  6. Silver

    Silver New Member

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    Zabriske is a freak.

    He's waaaay too loose at the start. Tommy Chong relaxed...and then he puts down a fantastic time.
     
  7. sandblast

    sandblast One less 29er

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    My girlfriend and I will be heading down on Sunday to catch the climb- is anyone else going from here? We have no idea how close they will let us park and what time to be there. Can anyone fill me in???
     
  8. GeorgiaOfTheJungle

    GeorgiaOfTheJungle THE Penultimate Mtb'er

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    Get there EARLY! If you plan on driving up the climb, I think the road closes at 0900 or earlier--there is info in prior posts on here or on the TOC website. The best bet would probably be to take your bikes and ride up--a nice workout (cough cough) AND you get to see the TOC.

    We parked a couple of miles from the start today and rode in; that seemed to be what most people did. There is just no way to get everyone into a small area like that WITH their cars.

    HUGE kudos to Solvang, they were great! Even had a bike valet for us.

    --Not sure about riding Sunday; plans have changed a bit and I don't think I'll make it :(
     
  9. shudder

    shudder no big deal

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    Hung out up on Ballard Cyn today. Got a pic of all the guys, some better 'n others. This one of Lance came out... um, ok:

    [​IMG]

    This pic of TT winner Levi came out muuuuuch better IMHO:

    [​IMG]

    I liked this one of Rock Racing's Kiwi Glen Chadwick who was in that 100 mile breakaway yesterday. Again, pretty cool kits 'n bikes this year from Mr. Ball (don't bring the hate on me!!!):

    [​IMG]

    I got tons more, but wanted to post these few up tonight for you.

    - shud
     
  10. Silver

    Silver New Member

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    The Levi shot is great.

    Did I mention the Levi shot is PERFECT?
     
  11. MTBMaven

    MTBMaven This is Shangri La

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    Nice Rapha video for ToC.
    [vimeo]3154519[/vimeo]
     
  12. jeffj

    jeffj Bloated Mountain B'hiker

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    I really dig the ultra slow shutter speed shots. The freakier, the better IMHO.

    I think the TT in Solvang is the best stage to catch if you can. The scenery is fantastic and lots of action for a long time all in one area.
     
  13. shudder

    shudder no big deal

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    Some more TT shots

    Here's a few more...

    Addy Engels:
    [​IMG]

    Per Rivet, this is Stuart O'Grady (not Jason McCartney -- my order sheet was wrong... oops! Thanks for the correction!!):
    [​IMG]

    Frank Schleck:
    [​IMG]

    Francisco Mancebo:
    [​IMG]

    Big Jens Voigt:
    [​IMG]

    Michael Rogers:
    [​IMG]

    - shud
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 22, 2009
  14. Au575

    Au575 New Member

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    Does anyone know if Nate Harrison Grade is open to the top currently? Might be a 'back way down' to maybe, just maybe, see them on Palomar AND Cole Grade (or at least heading back up the 78...)
     
  15. MTBMaven

    MTBMaven This is Shangri La

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    Just got back from Stage 7 in Pasadena. What a fun but very stressful day. I rode over to the Bowl about 12:30, an hour before I had to check in for my volunteering duties. Got check in at the volunteer tent and checked my bike in at the valet. Wondered around the festival area before my 1:30 briefing at the anti-doping medical tent.

    Just before the briefing began none other than Liz aka Dirt Mistress walks in. We talk for a few minutes. Turns out she is good friends with the lady running the medical operation.

    I quickly realized during the briefing that this was far more serious than I expected. We were to be given a rider's name and number and it was our responsibility to find the ride, inform them that they had been selected for the anti-doping test, inform them they had 30 minutes to get to the medical tent, and under no circumstances were they to leave our sight. We were to note the time they were given the message and have them sign an official paper and give them the yellow copy. Because I know Liz the lady gave me the choice assignment of escorting Levi to the medical control. Wow I thought this is going to be great!

    When it was time to begin our duties I was escorted by one of the medical control people to my position. Which turned out to be the timing stage right on the finish line. I got a special UCI Escort vest to wear and everything.

    Once the race ended the top riders went to a special tent to get cleaned up before the podium events. From that point on I was to not let Levi out of my sight, no matter what. I went into the tent while the riders cleaned up and got changed. That was pretty cool. Like being a fly on the wall.

    At this point I see another medical escort getting a signature so I go to get Levi's signature. Some event official I was told to take my cues from tells me not to bother them. Then Levi finishes up and bolts out of the tent. So I have to go dart after him. Now outside are tons of fans, reporters, and photographers. We were told to stand back when they are interviewing and on the podium. So now I have to wait even more to get the signature. By this point I've got like 3 people telling me different things and trying to get the signature of the number one person everyone wants to interview and take photos of. Now it became really stressful. I finally get a signature. There are mobs of people around as Levi starts his way through the crowd and me in pursuit. He does another interview and some photos and we are off to medical control.

    The original plan was to got down the race way but that had become filled with fans who flooded the course. So we are to be escorted by police on bike to medical control through the festival. I'm following Levi and the cop with a growing number of people starting to surround us. Then Levi yells at me to lead him because I know where to go. Basically disappears and Levi takes off on his bike. I'm on foot chasing Levi as he darts through the crowd with his handler trying to keep up. Finally we make it to the medical tent and I'm exhausted.

    While this was a very unique experience and I'm glad I did it I will likely not do it again. Far too much stress and I really didn't get to watch much of the event. In the end I performed my duties terribly and feel like to total dumb a$$. I appreciate those in the medical control who gave the choice assignment and feel really bad I screwed up so badly. It really was crazy chaotic down there.
     
  16. 53-12

    53-12 by design

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    I'm sure there will be better photos posted soon. My camera just isn't fast enough to get those good crisp photos, but here are a few from todays Pasadena stage:

    1. some guy trying to steal Lances tt bike, again,
    2. breakaway group rolling through,
    3. Mavic support with a ton of money up on top,
    4. Astana controlling the front of the peleton,
    5. Astana again,
    6. Hincapie in the middle,
    7. Astana again,
    8. Hincapie,
    9. Addy Engles [?],
    10. Christian Vande Velde [?],
    11. Hincapie again,
    12. Tom Boonen,
    13. one more of Astana.
     

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  17. GeorgiaOfTheJungle

    GeorgiaOfTheJungle THE Penultimate Mtb'er

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    Always nice to see the pics! Thanks!!!

    Maven, I volunteered in the doping tent for the UCI Worlds at the Velodrome--we had to wait for the atheletes to complete the test and I ended up waiting with one athelte for the ENTIRE racing schedule, missed all but one race :(

    But, it was quite the experience and shed some light on the whole dope testing stuff, very interesting.
     
  18. 53-12

    53-12 by design

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    That does sound like one high pressure job, but what a great experience.:clap:
     
  19. dirtmistress

    dirtmistress AKA Roadiemistress

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  20. MTBMaven

    MTBMaven This is Shangri La

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