From start to finish, the Amgen Tour of California offers us the unique opportunity to view this beautiful sport and amazing athletes in person. Here are a few suggestions for those new to the race to make the most of your visit to the greatest pro cycling race in North America.
The excitement along the race route is infectious, inspiring casual spectators along with diehard fans cheering the cyclists speeding by. A motorcycle escort signals that the riders are on their way, and when you see the first man coming, whether he is alone or in a big group, you cannot help but be impressed by the athletic accomplishment. As the colorful parade of jerseys passes by, I dare you to resist the temptation of becoming a cycling fan.
To savor the moment and catch the longest glimpse of the race in action, aim for a stage or section of the course that is slightly slower. This includes areas with higher inclines, such as the mountain-top finish on Stage 7 at Mt. Baldy on Saturday, May 21st. Keep in mind that many roads may be temporarily closed for the race, so add some extra time to get to your location spot. Also, cycling fans are often most excited about mountain stages, and the roadside crowds on Stage 7 will be big and boisterous. To see route elevations, visit the Stage Profile pages on the Tour’s web site: www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.
Race action also slows a bit when the riders take sharp turns, which happens in every stage. Of course, this slowing is all relative; they are still so fast that you need to keep your eyes open. Look at the Tour of California web site for the Stage Logs, which list the course directions and all the turns.
In addition to the excitement of the race in action, spectators may be interested in capturing a look at individual cyclists. This is best accomplished at each race start and finish, as well as the individual time trial. At the start, you may glimpse the riders signing in or rolling in from their team buses to the starting line. They gather in a bunch with the race leader at the front, and when the action begins, they slowly ride out before the competitive moves begin. Look up the team roster so that you can use the riders’ bib numbers to help identify them. These guys look awfully similar in matching outfits plus helmets and sunglasses to hide behind.
The most reliable spot to view individual riders is at the time trial, which will be in Solvang on Friday, May 20th. Unlike other stages, the individual time trial features each cyclist riding by himself against the clock. They roll out according to their overall standings, with the slowest man starting first and the fastest man in the race thus far starting last. Event organizers distribute the schedule to the crowd that day with start times for each rider. You can get quite close to the cyclists as they warm up at their team buses. Each one heads to the start line a few minutes before his scheduled start time, and each is announced as he starts off an elevated podium with a good view for the crowd. As the Solvang stage is a circuit, you can easily move between the start and finish lines, catching many riders or seeing your favorites at both points.
One final note on the time trial is that is a very popular stage, and when it was last in Solvang two years ago, the cars exiting the town were backed up for several hours. You may consider enjoying an after-race break in Solvang while the traffic dies down.
No matter where you choose to view the Tour of California, seeing it in person is sure to spark your interest in the sport of cycling. Have fun, and get out there!
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