The Tour of California

My intention, when writing about the Tour of California, was to include the links to posted videos on youtube. However, I've had trouble getting the videos to load. So in the mean time I will get a long over due post about the race up for reading.

Sunday, I rode to Palo Alto on Jason's single speed Bianchi Roger, along with Jason, Ava, and many others. We arrived in town with some of the first riders already on course. The prologue was a short time trial, and these guys were just flying. It was quite amazing! I ended up wandering over near the start line looking for a start order list. I found myself walking around the back of the start tent where all the riders came to check in and wait just a few minutes before their start. After picking up the start list I wondered back to the rear of the start area to see who I could get glimpse of. I was standing behind some people who happened to notice the list that I had, they proceeded to ask me where to get one. I pointed them to a nearby tent. They then walked away, leaving their spot right on the fence wide open, which I hastily took. This was great! I'm right on the fence, with elbow room, and only feet away from the big time pros. I'll be darned that I had to pee, or that I was hungry, I wasn't giving up this spot. Sure it'd be cool to watch the ride by, but then I'd only see them for a matter of seconds. Here behind the start tent, most were standing around for a few minutes, and I was really close to them. A great opportunity for pictures. I saw the likes of Paolo Bettini, Tom Boonen, Mario Cippolini, Chris Horner, Tom Danielson, Bobby Julich, Thomas Voeckler, Fabian Cancellara, Levi Leipheimer, and Goerge Hincapie, to name a few. It was fantastic, and was a bit star struck. I finally got to see these guys in person, the guys I read about on velonews, see on tv, and such. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't breaking down and crying the way teenage girls do over the latest boy band, and I don't necessarily idolize or worship them, but this was pretty cool to get a chance to see these guys up close. Shortly after Levi and George arrived and I got some photos, I ran the block over a street where they would soon ride by. They may not have won that stage, but WOW! They were just cruising!

Monday, Jason and I rode the tandem to Sausolito. We arrived shortly before the start of Stage 1. A few riders were standing around chatting in front of the start area, while some others were rolling around on their bikes. During the call up of some big name riders and jersey leaders, I grabbed what shots I could, but the crowd was pretty thick and I couldn't see much. We grabbed a vantage point just a short distance away to watch the riders make their 3 parade laps before leaving town. We actually got to see them ride by twice per lap, and during the second pass were within feet of potentially getting run over. Had I so chosen, I could have jumped out and taken out half the field. Of course I would never, but I could have!

It's likely you may have seen the photos if you've read of the more recent posts, but by clicking here, you can see them. The pictures of the trip to San Francisco are jumbled in with the race pictures. As soon as I get the videos to load, I'll post a link.