Stage 8: Tour Of California Pre-Ride on Feb.7

[kellyjay]

On Saturday, Feb. 7, a few of us will pre-ride Stage 8, starting and ending in Rancho Bernardo.
Riders are welcome to participate!

We'll start in front of Von's/Rancho Town Center, 11986 Bernardo Plaza Dr., San Diego, CA around 7:00 AM.
This isn't a race, so riders can ride their own pace.
Riders are welcome to join in along the route & cut out before the finish.

The route will follow Stage 8 TOC, but will be a little longer @177km/109 miles, since we will be returning to Von's.

Route details can be found at:
http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/Route/stages/stage8.html

Many NCCC riders are familiar with these roads, and can attest to the fact that this isn't an easy route, with over 10000' of climbing, including Highland Valley Rd, Lake Wohlford Road, Palomar Mt(South Grade),Cole Grade Rd. & a few in rollers in between!

This is an non-NCCC/ non-supported ride.
There are plenty of stops along the way to refuel as riders ride their own pace.

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

What an opportunity for us everyday riders.
kellyjay

[Lou]

Kelly,
A friend of mine would like to put this ride in Bicycling mag website. She will be racing that day, so she won't be able to attend. She asked if you wouldn't mind taking some pics and maybe providing a write up on the ride. GPS download of the route also helps. Contact me off-line if you are interested. Seems like a perfect opportunity for some club publucity/visibility.
Lou...

[raleigh]

Hey Kelly,  Might be your chance to be famous...outside of the club I mean !!!

[Judy Frankel]

There is a movie here of all the stages. Click on Stage 8 for the movie of our stage.

I found the movies to load really badly.  If you let it play through once without sound so that it will cache, then it should replay well.


--Williams Cycling of Stockton, California, has filmed all the climbs of this year's Amgen Tour of California. You can see these previews, stage by stage with informative commentary, at:

http://www.williamscycling.com

Particularly interesting is stage 8 that includes the 11.8-mile (19-km) ascent of Palomar Mountain with its average grade of 7-9%. That's on the ATOC's final day, and the climb is seen as a potential make-it or break-it point for determining the overall winner. A tip of the helmet to Keith Williams and his wheelbuilding business for pulling off this preview project so well.

[kellyjay]

Good heads up Judy!
These are interesting videos of the climbs on Stage 8.

As mentioned, let the video cache up before playing, otherwise you'll get a garbled mess, even with a fast connection!

The route has been RUSA approved, so there will be a few Randonneurs riding also.
Tandems, SS and fixes welcome too!

nice weather please,
kelly

[Judy Frankel]

Well.. keep a look out for the new Team OUCH

Here they are riding above lake Elsinore on the Santa Rosa Plateau

http://www.velonews.com/photo/87041

And,   these are some of the Wednesday Ride Pete Pennsyres roads

http://www.velonews.com/photo/87042

More Dirt in La Cresta  http://www.velonews.com/photo/87033  HA HA.

And the article   http://www.velonews.com/article/87009

Judy

[karlos]

On Saturday, Feb. 7, a few of us will pre-ride Stage 8, starting and ending in Rancho Bernardo.
Riders are welcome to participate!
...

Thanks, Kelly. I'm in! The video link provided by Judy is great. I'm inspired, but where can I dig up >300 watts on each of those climbs?
See y'all next Saturday.
Karl