Stage 8: Rancho Bernardo to Escondido (Sunday, February 22, 2009)

Start Time: Noon

Start Location: Bernardo Center Dr. in Rancho Bernardo

Finish Location: Intersection of Grand Ave. and Broadway in Escondido

With the final stage of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California as a difficult point-to-point road race, there is a chance to see an overall lead change, as well as a change in the KOM jersey leader on the last day. With four climbs, including the highest point ever reached in the Amgen Tour of California, and two sprints, Stage 8, sponsored by Amgen, can easily be characterized as the most difficult final stage that the Amgen Tour of California has ever seen. The cyclists will have to fight through the very end of the race, due to the addition of Palomar Mountain (5,123 ft.). At 11.7 miles, a seven percent average grade, 4,200 feet of climbing and 21 switchbacks, Palomar Mountain will provide a challenging conclusion to the 2009 Amgen Tour of California. Organizers expect a hard sprint to the finish; as with all the Grand Tours of Europe, winning the final stage of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California is a prize coveted by the riders.

For complete downloadable course maps and elevation profiles, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com. Additional resources such as recommended viewing locations and route logs will be added to the Web site in the coming weeks.

http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/Route/stages/stage8.html

On Saturday, Feb. 7, we are planning a pre-ride of Stage 8, starting and ending in Rancho Bernardo.
All NCCC riders are encouraged to ride. The route will follow Stage 8 and will be a little longer 177km/110 miles, since we will return to the starting point on Bernardo Center Dr. This will be a Rando RUSA aproved route.

Many NCCC riders are familiar with these roads, and can attest to the fact that this isn't an easy route, with over 9830' of climbing, including Highland Valley Rd, Lake Wohlford Road,  Palomar Mt(South Grade) and Cole Grade Rd.
This is an unsupported event, as there are plenty of stops along the way to refuel and riders can ride at their own pace.

The pros ETA is 4:45 hrs for the 98 mile route! That's cookin'!
I would expect many pro teams will be pre-riding these section also.

Here we have a unique opportunity to ride the course, become part of the race by being a volunteer or just watch Lance, Levi and the other world class pros ride on familiar roads!

What an opportunity for us everyday riders.
kellyjay

Kelly,

Count me in for the ride.  Looks like another good one! Also seems like the perfect opportunity to scope out the route for a spot to watch the pros from.   

R

Kelly,

Sounds like an awesome route.

I'd love to do it but a group of us will be pedaling to Palm Springs on Friday and Saturday is the Palm Springs Century.

Wish it eas the weekend prior

bb

Hi Bob,

Dudley's 300K.....................January 31
Stage 8 Ride........................February 7
Palm Springs Century........February 14
Tour Of California #8..........February 22

It looks good to go from here!
I know, I know.... Joe already tried that "ride conflict" thing...

keep dry,
kellyjay

Kelly,

You are correct.  Historically it's been the first Saturday of February.

That's awesome.  Joe doesn't know it yet but we'll be there!

bb

Get back to the top!  The Feb 7th ride is less than 2 weeks away!