Pacing the Time Trial

All alone, grinding the pedals, just you against the clock. An empty road lies ahead. The spectators cheer. Now try harder. Push yourself, try harder, keep pushing forward on that empty road…

The individual time trial is called the Race of Truth. It is dramatically different than other cycling disciplines, a solitary effort demanding internal motivation without the usual interplay with teammates and competitors. At the Tour of California, I got a taste of the pro’s view of the competition. I bought one of the VIP experiences offered by race organizers to ride in a car following a cyclist at the Solvang stage. Once in my life, I thought, I would like to see it from the rider’s view—the crowds, the turns, the effort.

Six months ago, I booked this ride and plotted whom I would follow. The organizers said they could not promise a particular rider but would consider requests. Armstrong? Yeah right, me and the rest of California. Cavendish? Slim chance, he’s the most interesting rider out there right now. Cancellara? He’s the best time trialer and would be fighting for the win. But somebody will ride behind these guys. Might it be me?

All this daydreaming would end up a useless exercise when none of those cyclists would actually participate in the Tour of California. Time to reset my expectations. In the end, I request an early rider on the HTC-Highroad team. With an early ride, I will be back to see all the general classification contenders, who start later in the afternoon. I choose HTC as a fan of this California-based team, plus I had met the participants at a pre-race event in Santa Monica. My request is benign enough for the organizers to accommodate.

“I’ve changed my mind,” I tease the ride coordinator. “I want to ride behind Levi.” We both laugh at the idea. The Radioshack CEO will ride behind Leipheimer, who sits only behind his teammate Chris Horner in the overall standings.

Time to get to the car. Winding through the crowds, we meet the driver, a former pro cyclist. I will be in one of two cars following Matt Goss. The other passengers are in The Biz. Two are Specialized dealers, one is also a former cycling pro with his lady friend, and a pair of girls work for the race’s PR company. Their rides are favors or perks. I am the only one who has paid for this, and believe me, I have blocked out from my memory how much I paid. Not a king’s ransom, but pricey enough to make this once in a lifetime. For this reason, Former Pro and his lady let me sit in the front seat. This is old hat for them.

Earlier that afternoon, the last man in the overall standings started first of the 133 riders, and the rest follow at one minute intervals, until the final thirteen riders, who start at two minute intervals. Goss is the 52^nd to start. He rolls out of the gate and disappears around the first bend. HTC sports director Brian Holm follows in the team car, then we zip in right behind. Lots of kids pack the enthusiastic crowds, waving homemade signs and foam fingers.

With the rush of the race start, it suddenly feels like the rider is going in slow motion, as the first long stretch features quite an incline. This is cruel, says the Former Pro passenger. The guys are itching to get some speed going and then they have to face this. Slightly frustrated, we agree and settle in for the 24 kilometer course. The first turn indicates the speed at which the cyclists ride. Our driver hits the gas to keep up, bearing right, and I hang on. This is pretty fast.

A few turns left and right, and Goss leads us in a long straight stretch. Former Pro’s early sympathy switches to criticism. He’s not trying at all, he says. I can tell when a rider is sand-bagging it. He’s barely turning the pedals.

Huh? We’re not in the car behind a time trial specialist. We are following sprinter Matt Goss. He excels at short bursts of speed and power, after hours of working with his teammates and responding to the moves of his competitors. This solo effort against the clock is very different. I suspect Former Pro is showing off a bit with his comments, wanting to give us the insider’s insight, like a film producer’s assistant who nit-picks each movie he sees. But I can’t let it slide.

Wouldn’t it be a mistake for him to push it? I ask Former Pro. He has zero chance of winning today and has to conserve his energy. The next day the Tour of California faces its most challenging mountain stage ever, another discipline that pains the sprinters. Plus, Goss will have his eye on the flat route at the Thousand Oaks finale. That will be his chance for a win, so he should save as much energy for that stage as possible. There are so many races within a bike race, and this time trial is not the one for Goss.

The group in the car agrees, and again we settle down. Goss is our little white rabbit, and we follow him down the course. Along an empty stretch, it feels like a casual Sunday drive. There are no spectators, and Goss pedals on solo. Our driver pulls up alongside the HTC team car. Want to meet Brian Holm? the driver asks me. Of course! Holm and team manager Rolf Aldag were a hilarious Hans-and-Frans-style duo revealed by the 2010 documentary “Chasing Legends.” Holm greets us warmly and laughs at how he has been teasing Goss. We’re chatting and laughing from car to car, and it’s a beautiful day. Seems like everyone in cycling is friendly and upbeat. We’re rolling past the small farms and charming homes with white horses out front. Bike race? Are we in the middle of a professional bike race?

A flash of red reminds us that we are. Goss is catching up to Ken Hanson, the Jelly Belly rider who started the course one minute earlier. Now he’s turning on the gas, says the Former Pro. He can’t help but chase this guy. The Former Pro is antsy, maybe itching to take a shot at the chase himself. Goss has a target to focus on, and this is no longer a solitary ride. He gets closer and closer.

Hanson is all alone, no team car following. His domestic team cannot afford to follow each cyclist. Hanson is trying to hang on, trying to keep ahead of Goss. Former Pro is getting excited. Look at him, he says. Jelly Belly is taking the turn on the outside! A rookie mistake! Instead of cutting through the inside, he takes the long way around the bend, adding to his time. Perhaps he forgot he’s on a closed course, I offer. Poor guy, we agree. Just wasted time and energy.

Goss passes Hanson, then Hanson pulls ahead. This repeats a few times. Even the HTC car must hang back to give this race within a race some room. The speed picks up as we hit a downhill section of the course, and the driver of our car stays alert as we take one turn and another. He ignores the brake and pushing the gas again and again. I would never drive a car this fast on this remote road, which narrows and then heads up at Ballard Canyon.

The spectators fill the roadsides here, spilling onto the course and running alongside each rider. Pale men in fluorescent speedos, guys dressed in costumes, amateur cyclists and photographers roar at Goss, then Hanson. Our own Alpe D’Huez, jokes Former Pro, referring to a famous Tour de France mountain finish always lined with rabid fans. Here in Solvang, the cyclists only face a Category 4 climb, the least difficult categorized climb, but it still poses a challenge. Goss takes it on.

Past the top of the climb, the course is a series of rolling hills. Looks like we will be leaving Hanson behind for good. But wait, Goss is not yet on his own. In the last 2K, a third rider comes from behind. Martin Mortensen of the Leopard-Trek squad is driving forward and threatens to pass Goss. Mortensen started two minutes behind Goss, and shortly after passing under the 1K banner, he passes the HTC rider. This is not an easy day at the office for Matt Goss, but he plows forward to the line.

As we near the last 500 meters of the course circuit, the cars pull of the route, leaving the riders to make the final push to the finish on their own. Goss is out of sight. Dropped off by our driver, we head in different directions to watch the rest of the field. I cheer on Zabriskie, Hincapie, Van Gardaren. Then Hesjedal and Schleck. Finally Leipheimer comes in for a heartbreaker, finishing second for the stage. Horner rides well and preserves his overall race lead. One of the best time trailers in the world, David Zabriskie wins the day. A Matthew Modine look-a-like, he struts to the podium. Nice ride, Dave. He flashes a sly smile.

Fast forward two days, and we are in Thousand Oaks for the finale. The crowd is buzzing that Ben Swift is likely to win the stage. No, I think Matt Goss will win it. He’s hungry. After following him at the time trial, I am rooting for the guy. Sure enough, Aussie Gossy brings home the win. He kept enough gas in his tank for the sprint stage. Smart man. That’s a good day at the office.

And hey, I got to follow three riders at the time trial for the price of one.

Solvang Time Trial Results:

1^st place:          David Zabriskie, 30:35

28^th place:        Martin Mortensen, 32:23

90^th place:        Matthew Goss, 34:26

127^th place:      Ken Hanson, 35:52

Complete stage results online.

Thousand Oaks Stage Results:

1^st place:          Matthew Goss

8^th place:          Ken Hanson

95^th place:        Martin Mortensen

101^st place:      David Zabriskie

Complete stage results online

Top 10 Lessons from the Tour of California

10. While the world may be dwelling in old debates, American cycling fans have plenty to enjoy right now.

9. It snows in California… a lot… in May…

8. Bob Roll is better looking in person. Nice dresser, too.

7. When your last name means fast, you may have an advantage in the sprint.

6. What happens in Solvang, stays in Solvang.

5. Women cyclists tear it up.

4. Mt. Baldy is a stage blessed even by the pope.

3. California wine pairs well with finish lines.

2. When Garmin wins the team competition, podium girls should avoid wearing white. 

1. Sometimes nice guys finish first.

View Goss' California Win

Matt Goss took the sprint finish at Stage 8 of the Tour of California finale in Thousand Oaks on Sunday. The HTC-Highroad rider brought home the sole stage win for the team in this race. We also see overall winner Chris Horner in the yellow jersey thanking his teammates on the way in from the finish line.

Great Story in American Cycling

Chris Horner wins Tour of California

It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. Chris Horner brought home the victory at the Tour of California on Sunday, surprising nearly everyone in a great story for American cycling. Twenty years into his career, Chris has worked as a loyal teammate and now he finally gets a chance to seize the day himself. But he did it with the help of his team, an example of the unusual role that teams play in this sport, where leaders become assistants overnight, and vice versa.

A short week ago, all eyes were on Levi Leipheimer: age 37, three-time winner of the Tour of California and Santa Rosa resident. No one had bigger expectations than Levi had for himself, particularly after losing the top spot to Michael Rogers in 2010. His team, Radioshack, included Chris Horner, the 39-year-old who worked by his side at the Tour de France last year, as well as six other younger support riders.

Best known as a climber, Chris served as a solid teammate who shepherded teammates including Levi and Lance Armstrong for years up the mountains of California, France, and around the world. The advantage cyclists have when following a teammate can be surprising, as the amount of drag created by cutting through the air and wind is significant. So as a sacrifice to their own prospects, these shepherds take on the effort and enable their teammates to conserve energy and win the race.

Last year at the Tour de France, Chris was serving this role as assistant for Lance Armstrong, who was unable to keep up. As a result, Chris was eventually freed from that responsibility and allowed to pursue his own achievements. He finished tenth overall, a result that most professional cyclists only dream of. In addition, in 2010, he won the Tour de Basque, finished fourth at the Tour of California, and secured top ten finishes in several European classics including Fleche-Wallone. It added up to an impressive year at an age when most cyclists have retired.

Fast forward back to the 2011 Amgen Tour of California. After the first stage was cancelled due to snow, the sprinters dominated the next two days. On Stage 4, Radioshack drove hard at the front of the peloton, aiming to create an advantage for Leipheimer. The leading cyclists narrowed to a smaller group, and at about three kilometers to the finish with an average gradient of over 9%, Horner had the legs. Levi could not keep up. Horner was freed to go for it himself, leaving behind Levi and every other rider. As he powered to the finish, Horner wore his signature look in the mountains. It is a grin that could be a smile or a grimace, though the smile fits better with Horner’s easy-going personality.

Horner won the day, secured the race lead, and became the Radioshack team leader. In cycling, that leadership is earned on a daily basis, and bad luck or bad legs can turn team roles upside down. Now the original race favorite, Leipheimer, was obligated to help his teammate best their competitors and even best him. Horner had a 1 minute 15 second advantage over Leipheimer, who was 7 seconds ahead of the third place man, Tom Danielson of Garmin-Cervelo.

But not so fast. The individual time trial is a break from the team rules. It is a race against the clock for each man, free to pursue his own goals. The Stage 6 time trial in Solvang was an opportunity for all the cyclists to pull back time on Chris, who is regarded as a good if not great time trialer. Levi is known as one of the world’s best, and he had won this stage when it was last in Solvang in 2009. Despite a solid effort, Levi missed the stage win by 14 seconds, with David Zabriskie of Garmin-Cervelo finishing first. For the overall race, he closed part of the gap to his teammate, but Horner retained the lead by 38 seconds.

Matthew Busche

The next stage was the most dramatic mountain-top finish the Tour of California has ever seen. While a relatively short course at 75.8 miles, the riders climbed 15,000 feet to finish atop Mt. Baldy. The Radioshack team kept control of the race for leader Chris Horner, and Levi resumed his support role, shepherding Chris up the mountain. Brutal pacemaking was done by teammates Matt Busche, age 26, and Dmitriy Muravyev, age 31, among others. With about two kilometers remaining, Levi pulled away with Chris following right behind, and they drove together the finish. Just before crossing the line, the teammates touched hands, congratulating each other on their double win—Levi won the stage and Chris’ overall victory was nearly secure. Race organizers called it Radioshack’s “one-two punch.”

The teammates did not compete for the stage win. It was understood between them that Levi would cross the line first. He would get credit for the day’s hard work and the work he put in for the team throughout the tour. Chris would win the overall race the next day, and that was plenty. While fortunes rise and fall quickly for cyclists, these gentlemen’s agreements remain firm.

Horner, Leipheimer & Danielson on the podium

As expected, Stage 8 was a sprint finish that did not affect the leaders standings. Chris Horner won by 38 seconds over teammate Levi Leipheimer. Danielson of Garmin-Cervelo finished third. At the awards ceremony in Thousand Oaks, Chris was grinning from ear to ear. He thanked his team and recalled learning to ride on the nearby roads of Simi Valley. At the ripe old age of 39, he was on top of the podium.

Chris Horner is an American cyclist who always stops to greet fans, pose for photos, and give autographs. He has worked hard and earned a reputation as a nice guy and a loyal teammate. He has continued to push himself for better form and even better results. That is the kind of guy who is more than one kind of champion.

Congratulations, Chris and Team Radioshack! Sometimes nice guys do finish first.

California Finale Delivers

Concluding with a sprint to the finish, the Amgen Tour of California arrived in Thousand Oaks for the Stage 8 grand finale.

 To catch a breakaway, the peloton reached 45 mph at times, and Matt Goss of HTC-Highroad crossed the line in first, followed by Peter Sagan of Liquigas and Greg Henderson of Team Sky.

Goss, Sagan, & Henderson

Chris Horner of Radioshack won the golden jersey as the winner of the general classification. His teammate Levi Leipheimer came in second with Tom Danielson of Garmin-Cervelo in third place overall.

Winner Chris Horner

Leipheimer greets Danielson

Leipheimer, Horner & Danielson celebrate with champagne

Sagan won the points jersey in the sprint competition, and Jonathan McCarty of Spidertech won the king of the mountains competition.

Peter Sagan receives green jersey

Jonathan McCarty

Tejay Van Gardaren of HTC brought home the best young rider win, for the best finish of a rider aged 24 or under.

Tejay Van Gardaren

 Congratulations to all the riders and teams for a great race! The California fans look forward to next year.

Garmin Loves the Champagne

Garmin-Cervelo won the team competition at the Tour of California this afternoon, and they made the most of the giant champagne bottles they received on the podium. Dressed in black, the podium girls, who do the traditional cheek kisses for the winners, were a bit surprised by how far the boys in black went with their celebrations. Let's just say that it's good the girls weren't wearing white.

Perhaps not the most gentlemanly way to celebrate. The team competition has each squad's top three rider times added together, with the lowest total time as the winner. The top finishers for Garmin were Tom Danielson, who came in third place, Christian Vandevelde in fourth, and Ryder Hesjedal in tenth.

Dave Zabriskie (in the orange sunglasses) was the most vigorous with his champagne shooting. He's always full of surprises. And the podium girls remained calm, cool, and collected, while soaking wet. So is the funny, or... ?

Savoring the Race

Time trials allow you to savor the race, I overheard a fan say at the first time trial I saw in person. He was so right. The chance to see each man start and finish individually is a treat, much different than the pack speeding by in other stages. You can see how big they are, get a look at their game faces, feel their energy in the air when they cross the line. You keep the start time list close at hand and keep checking who is coming next, who has the best time so far. You listen to the announcers updates on who is leading at the first split. And as the afternoon progresses, the tension builds. The general classification contenders start rolling out. The hometown favorites get the crowd riled up, and then the last rider to leave the gate is the current race leader. Will he defend his position, or will a few seconds cost him the golden jersey?

Here are a few more photos from the Tour of California Stage 6.

Crowds surround the start

Danny Pate in ice vest heads to the start

Peter Sagan 50 meters to the line

Tejay Van Gardaren powers to the finish

Levi Leipheimer on his way to 2nd place

Time Trial Returns to Solvang

Peter Sagan greets fans

The Tour of California arrived in Solvang on Friday for the Stage 6 individual time trial. Normally a quiet town dotted with Danish shops and bakeries, Solvang was buzzing with the teams, vendors and fans. The charming streets were packed, but there were fewer fans than in 2009, the last time the town hosted the time trial and when Lance Armstrong was competing.

Solvang offers a warmer and more welcoming setting for the event than the downtown Los Angeles site of last year. While the course starts with a tough grade making it challenging for the cyclists to get into a fast pace, the cozy set-up adds to the excitement for spectators, and the views of green hills definitely beat the concrete and construction scenes in L.A.

The day included an amateur time trial and first-ever women’s international time trial, before the men’s race. David Zabriskie won the day, a disappointment to Levi Leipheimer who was still looking for good results in this Tour. Leipheimer missed the win by fourteen seconds, and Tejay Van Gardaren came in third and moved up in the overall standings to sixth as a result.

BMC rider warming up

One spectator confronts the Contador issue

Phil Ligget poses with fans

Leopard-Trek team bikes

Sagan Wins Sprint Finish

Peter Sagan raises arms in triumph

Another exciting sprint finish signaled the end of Stage 5 at the Tour of California. The route from Seaside to Paso Robles had originally been set to flow south along the coast and Highway 1, but mudslides earlier this year required the course be moved inland, setting the scene for a sprint into the town’s central plaza. Team Radioshack started the day determined to maintain Chris Horner’s overall lead, which at over one minute from the rest of the pack, may be enough to carry him through the finale on Sunday.

A breakaway was pulled back to allow the sprinters to duke it out on the line. Peter Sagan of Liquigas-Cannondale inched out Leigh Howard of HTC-Highroad and Ben Swift of Team Sky. It was a bit of payback for Sagan, who was bested by Swift on Stage 2. HTC and Garmin-Cervelo are still itching for a stage win at this race. With the time trials set for tomorrow and a tough mountain stage on Saturday, the final circuits in Thousand Oaks on Sunday may be a sprinters battle.

Second-place finisher Leigh Howard

Tejay Van Gardaren of HTC-Highroad took the new lead in the competition for the best young rider, while Oscar Freire of Rabobank was awarded the most courageous rider jersey. Chris Horner successfully stayed out of trouble and kept the overall lead.

With the gloomy weather behind them, the cyclists are heating up the competition under sunny skies as they head south to Solvang tomorrow. The men’s race will be preceded by the first women’s international time trial featuring 13 competitors, invited by race organizers and competing for a prize of $10,000.

See you in Solvang!

Paso Robles Turns Out for Race

The central California city of Paso Robles welcomed the Tour of California for its Stage 5 finish this afternoon. A region increasingly famous for its local wineries, the town turned out to see the largest pro cycling race in North America. Numbers seemed to match the last finish here in 2009, well over 600 spectators.

Before the race rolled into town, children participated in boys' and girls' sprint races to the finish line, and the crowd favorite seemed to be the tricycle competition.

Popular television commentators Bob Roll, Phil Sherwin, and Phil Ligget were on site, broadcasting from Paso Robles.

Bob Roll prepares to broadcast from Paso Robles

The Lifestyle Festival was on all day and featured music, a beer garden, vendor booths, and big screens to watch the action live. 

Team sponsor Nissan displayed its 100% electric Leaf

Spectators check out festival booths

The pace of today's stage was faster than many expected, and the fans lined up three or more deep to watch the last 250 meters. The size of the crowd surprised local residents, who said that it exceeded the city's annual wine festival which starts tomorrow.

Congrats, Chris Horner

With his win on Stage 4 of the Tour of California, Chris Horner is the new overall race leader. It literally couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy! A reliable support rider for favorites such as Lance Armstrong and Levi Leipheimer, Chris is regularly seen greeting fans right after a big race. His wins at the Tour de Basque and 10^th place finish at the Tour de France last year are individual career highlights. At age 39, he is one of the senior members of the peloton, and today he certainly proved he has the legs not only to keep up with the younger fellows, but to beat them.

Last season, Chris wrote a thoughtful blog on key races, giving fans a detailed play-by-play and true picture of his view of the road. He has started up again with the Tour of California this year, so check it out: http://www.cascadegranfondo.com/blog.

Sprint Finish Surprise

Sprint Finish Surprise

The sport of cycling continues to surprise me. I thought I loved the sprint finish because of the elegant displays of teamwork. Like a flock of birds gently flying over the ocean, or an orchestra coming together for the perfect symphony, teams winning a sprint finish coordinate their efforts seamlessly. They are beauty in motion. But not today. Today, at the Tour of California, I enjoyed the mess.

In the last two years, San Luis Obispo-based HTC-Highroad has dominated sprint finishes. Squads including Garmin-Cervelo gave them a run for their money, but HTC seemed to have mastered the lead-out train. That is the team’s coordinated effort to control the pace in the final kilometers, stay at the front, and take turns in cutting the wind. They shepherd their big finisher, the one with the most explosive final drive, to the last possible moment. Then he is launched to cross the line on his own for the stage win.

Thanks to this combination of teamwork and explosive power, HTC sprinter Mark Cavendish quickly racked up the most stage wins of any Brit at the Tour de France. The squad was pocketing sprint wins all over the world. Soon enough, they looked unstoppable. I would watch those final K’s hypnotized by that lead-out train, following their white jerseys drive at the front, pull off, next one at the front, and again, and now the next guy is at the front, and then comes the launch, the big finish, and the win. Gently hypnotizing and exhilarating at the same time.

But not today. Mark Cavendish and other members of the infamous lead-out train are competing in Italy, and back here in California, the HTC team featured Matt Goss, who won a great sprint finish earlier this year at the Tour Down Under in Australia. Goss just missed the win yesterday, bested by Team Sky’s Ben Swift. Swifty won the day, making him the overall leader of the Tour of California.

Given today’s stage profile, another sprint finish was anticipated. Ben Swift and Team Sky Procycling aimed to defend his overall lead and rake in another stage win on top of that. ProTour squads including HTC, Garmin, and Liquigas also focused on the stage win and snatching the leader’s jersey for themselves. Game on.

But in the final kilometers, Canada’s Team Spidertech was at the front of the race. When they ran out of steam, no solid lead-out train emerged. The birds were not flying in formation! A string broke on the cello and the flutist lost her place in the score! Swift’s teammate Greg Henderson was trying to lead him out for the win, but Swift got separated in the confusion. Henderson kept pushing forward and with about 100 meters to go, he realized no one, not even his teammate, would catch him. He pushed all the way to the win.

Team Sky is thrilled. They keep the overall jersey, and Henderson gets the stage win. Not what anyone expected, but they kept in all in the family. HTC (and everybody else) is thwarted again.

I have been accused of being a perfectionist, and I am surprised that I didn’t miss a classic, precise lead-out train. I enjoyed the unexpected win from Henderson, and I look forward to watching HTC get it together. Today’s sprint finish wasn’t a symphony, but it was a pleasant surprise.

Tips for Viewing the Tour of California

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 21^st. 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 finish line is an exciting place to see the action. Just keep in mind that you may not be able to see exactly who won given the speed and your vantage point. To spot individual cyclists, look for cyclists returning to the team buses, where they may stop to sign a few autographs before taking off for the next stage. Winners are may be seen coming in and out of the doping control tent, where they are required to submit to testing. They are also presented on the main stage shortly after the race has rolled into town.

The most reliable spot to view individual riders is at the time trial, which will be in Solvang on Friday, May 20^th. 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!

Come See the Tour of California

A great cycling race will be rolling through California in the coming week, and if you get the chance to check it out, grab it! Whether you have never thought about the sport before, or whether you are a diehard fan, the Amgen Tour of California is a unique and uplifting way to spend a few hours. Competitors include some of the world’s best cyclists, and this is an opportunity to see these men fight to the finish in person. Plus, the festivities surrounding the race are an entertaining introduction to the world of pro cycling.

Scheduled to begin today at Lake Tahoe, the start of the Tour of California was delayed due to snowfall. Jumping straight to Stage 2, scheduled from Squaw Valley to Sacramento, the race is on for tomorrow, May 16^th. Following stages include Stage 3, Auburn to Modesto on May 17^th; Stage 4, Livermore to San Jose on May 18^th; Stage 5, Seaside to Paso Robles on May 19^th; Stage 6, the time trial circuit in Solvang on May 20^th; Stage 7, Claremont to Mt. Baldy on May 21^st; and the final Stage 8, Santa Clarita to Thousand Oaks on May 22^nd.

The routes and expected time tables are outlined on the Amgen Tour of California web site: http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/Route/stages.html. For each stage, you will find:

• Stage Map: an overview of the day’s route
• Stage Profile: a breakdown of the elevation over the course of the route
• Stage Log: directions for the route and expected racer arrival times at over 25 points along the course

Race starts include rider introductions and the cyclists gathered at the starting line with the race leader in the front. Each finishing city hosts a Lifestyle Festival open from 11am to 4:30pm, except in Solvang where the fun starts at 10am. Festivals feature food, music, and a big screen to watch the race live in action. Tour and team sponsors join other vendors hosting booths, often handing out free souvenirs or inviting kids and adults to play games. You will find bike shops, California travel information, LiveStrong gear, and more. When the race finally arrives, the winning rider of the day, as well as the other race leaders will be presented on the main stage.

You may be surprised by the festive and welcoming atmosphere at the start, along the route, and at the finish line. If the Tour of California is coming to a city near you, don’t miss it!