Tour of California route announced

by Hons on Dec 4, 2008 12:13 PM EST Comment 116 comments

The Tour of California has revealed the full details of the 2009 ToC. Wonder no longer, the complete routes and profiles are now available.

You may also notice that the ToC organizers care what you think!!! They have a poll question asking What did you enjoy most on our Tour Tracker?
1) play-by-play
2) Live video
3) chat room

I say we make the power of the PdC felt and let them know how much we appreciate the live video coverage.

And to fulfill my word count obligation, I will grumble. In their promotional video playing on their site they announce themselves as the "first major cycling event of the year:", apparently the ToC hasn't heard of the ProTour or the Tour Down Under. I guess this this is one result of ASO's involvment...

Comments

Woohoo!!!

Time for me to put some miles on the Triumph! Those maps are fantastic! Someone should tell the Vuelta about them.

That stage from Merced to Clovis is exactly what I’d hoped it would be… about as close to riding in the Sierra Nevadas as you can get that early in the year. It’s going to juuuuuuust brush by Yosemite and then go by my favorite little breakfast spot in Oakhurst.

Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc.

by crashdan on Dec 4, 2008 12:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

hey... welcome back :-)

Oooh, preview photos would be awesome. Do it! Do it!

by gavia on Dec 4, 2008 12:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Back from Germany?

care for another Schnitzengruben?

by itswells on Dec 4, 2008 12:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Please baby, I am not from Havana!

Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc.

by crashdan on Dec 4, 2008 2:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Clovis

Is that the town that’s 13,000 years old?

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris... on Dec 4, 2008 1:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nope

It’s just one of the most red neck towns in the state. They were once known for housing discrimination against minorities. When I was in High School in Fresno, rumor was that there was a Aryan Brotherhoood symbol in the Clovis West High School yearbook. Yuck.
On the other hand, Clovis is also the start for Climb to Kaiser, one of the most grueling “fun” rides in CA. 160 miles 14,000 ft of climbing. It’s an out and back course to the top of Kaiser Pass in the Sierras. When I completed the ride in 2006 (maybe it was 2005), when we rode back down into the valley it was 111 degrees. Not hot enough to keep me from sprinting for 2nd place though :)

Flahutes: Harden the F--k Up!

by bobgade on Dec 5, 2008 1:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Phon

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum."

by Drew... on Dec 4, 2008 1:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

e's ringing, Dude

Chris, this lack of edit button fucking sucks. Not to put too fine a point on it.

"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum."

by Drew... on Dec 4, 2008 1:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nice recovery, though.

by itswells on Dec 4, 2008 1:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

is he deaf?

by lyne on Dec 4, 2008 1:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

California.. New Mexico... whatever

"All men are frauds. The only difference between them is that some admit it. I myself deny it."- H. L. Mencken

by ursula on Dec 4, 2008 1:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah! Been waiting for this. Can't wait to dig in but for now...

I’ll admit, I’m disappointed that the prologue isn’t longer but it is a prologue. 3.9 KM isn’t long enough. It is a nice route though. The profile is humorous. It makes one think there is actually a hill in Downtown Sac. There isn’t. We are flat and at sea level. The 25 foot (8m) rise is when the riders go over the river levees and Tower Bridge. Hah!

The start will be beautiful. The Capitol Dome will be behind the start house and Tower Bridge in front. The finish is on the sidewalk in front of my office.

by ZoeRochelle on Dec 4, 2008 12:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Cool!

What color paint will you be spraying “Podium Cafe” on the road in?

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris... on Dec 4, 2008 1:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What color WATER-BASED paint will you be spraying?

The ToC officials took a lot of crap from the various highway depts for the road painting. The race has asked for chalk only.
I’ve done some backwater climbs in the south of France only to see 15 yr old road painting go by under my wheels. You can deduce the years by the riders involved, Chiapucci for example. This story to illustrate the hangtime of paint.

by MavicMoto on Dec 4, 2008 1:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Spray chalk!

Isn’t that what they use now?

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris... on Dec 4, 2008 2:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Woo hoo! I think PODIUM CAFE would look good in rainbow!!!!

and HINCAPIE in flourescent pink. And maybe a LEVI in green as well. If there’s time. I’ll bring my kids so we can do it up right.

Chalk It Spray Chalk is on sale too. $5.95 a can. (Yikes. We may need a few.)

by ZoeRochelle on Dec 4, 2008 3:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

(Sorry about all the exclamation points. I am very excited.)

by ZoeRochelle on Dec 4, 2008 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Red and blue at just $4.95 a can.

Order up!!!

Hey, Jimbo said I could ship a bike and the brats/burgers his way early. Can we have all these chalk cans delivered to his place too?

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Dec 4, 2008 3:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Why not

We can test them out on my street. I live on a nice hill.

by Jimbo... on Dec 4, 2008 7:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Suweet. Your neighbors will love you.

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Dec 4, 2008 8:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

still cranky

I’m still cranky about the women’s race fiasco. I will try to get over this soon.

by gavia on Dec 4, 2008 1:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

yep it's bad news on that front

by lyne on Dec 4, 2008 1:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Me too

I was counting on a hat trick for Emilia Fahlin. Now she will have to settle for one win, poor girl.

Carlos Sastre - Tour de France winner - Born From Jets

by Jens on Dec 4, 2008 2:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

in your dreams (oh wait...)

this one is Brooke Miller’s

by lyne on Dec 4, 2008 3:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I almost said Kat Carroll...

…but since she is on Tibco now…it’s all Brooke!!

by steph- on Dec 4, 2008 6:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

it is the first major cycling event of the year in North America

by lyne on Dec 4, 2008 1:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Stage 2

Has got be pretty excited. It’s on roads I ride regularly and passes about 20 blocks from my apartment. The trick will be finding the best viewing spot.

by jsallee00 on Dec 4, 2008 1:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

we will be at stage 2 as well.

by ZoeRochelle on Dec 4, 2008 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It will be a good day for a breakaway as the super fast decent and curvy roads don’t really give the teams a chance to work together and pull a break back.

The speed into the finish is gonna be crazy fast.

by Ryan_Liles on Dec 4, 2008 10:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I was wishing the final stage would have an uphill finish.

But it will still be good fun! This middle section looks nice and climby.

Welcome home Dan! Sounds like you had a fantastic trip!
You’ll have to check out this stage for us too. :-)

by Veloki on Dec 4, 2008 2:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Very climby

I’ve done this route a number of times. For me, the bigger bitch is Cole Grade Road, a little after Palomar.It doesn’t show up on the profile map, but there is a good chunk of that climb at about 14. Then is drops to 10, then 8%.

by johnw on Dec 4, 2008 6:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Gavia even has the men adding ys to words like a kid.

climby roads—— heh.

by ZoeRochelle on Dec 4, 2008 6:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

you will be assimilated ;-)

by gavia on Dec 4, 2008 6:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

TT

Our club holds a TT up the East grade two time a year. Ever so much fun…

by johnw on Dec 4, 2008 6:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I thought I left this crap behind after watching the Tour on Vs.

Nice banner ad Chris :) I can only imagine that the slow migration of this blog from cycling related to content to All TapouT – All the Time is now underway!

“PodiumCafe – All Things To All People (Who Love Bloodsports)”

Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc.

by crashdan on Dec 4, 2008 2:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Believe me

if I could take credit for that, I would.

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris... on Dec 4, 2008 2:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

right now I have banner ads for Overstocked.Com and CaliforniaPsychics.Com

on PdC. Are the ad servers trying to tell me something?

by ZoeRochelle on Dec 4, 2008 3:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hand raised and flagging....

Does this mean we can finally start real discussions about the PdC meet up plan? I have questions like which days are better if we can’t make the whole week+, how many days would be good if only doing let’s say 1/2, and of course – are there still thoughts about renting a house or at least narrowing down the same hotels and such?

Fun vaca plan discussion while snow is sitting outside my window would be reeeeeeeally nice.

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Dec 4, 2008 3:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Decisions

not easy to come by…

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris... on Dec 4, 2008 4:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

heads up i going to ToC

if folks plan to come to the ToC, some spots like Solvang sell out the hotel rooms pretty fast and you might end up in Lompoc (ugh).

by lyne on Dec 5, 2008 9:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I believe

Solvang is already sold out.

LANCE IS GOING TO BE THERE!!!!!!!

by Hons on Dec 7, 2008 12:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

But I should also say

It’s not the end of the world. Solvang is probably more expensive than many places around there. And there are many places close by. Last year we drove in from LA (Westwood) the morning of the ITT and stayed in Ojai that night. And that wasn’t too unreasonable an amount of driving.

by Hons on Dec 7, 2008 12:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, I'm pretty dissapointed that they made

Mt. Palomar as insignificant as they possibly could. The summit is 90k from the finish, I hope the second climb could lead to some action but I doubt it. Overall the profile looks good though, it’s all coming down to Solvang it looks like. But the organizers are going to have to find out a way to host a mountain top finish eventually. This “logistical challenge” crap doesn’t cut it for me. But I don’t want to sound too cranky, this really has got me excited for February.

"If you go (with a break), you can either win or not win. If you don't go for it, you definitely won't win."
~ Jens Voigt

by Phil H. on Dec 4, 2008 4:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Dunno

I wonder how much is really “logistical” versus “February”? I suspect the big teams love the race for a number of reasons, including the fact that they can get the engine pretty warm but not boilin hot?

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris... on Dec 4, 2008 5:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't call one mountain top finish boilin hot

I mean it’s not the Giro. They should put in the most exciting route for the fans IMO, with Brasstown gone, Palomar could have been a good replacement for the US fans this year.

"If you go (with a break), you can either win or not win. If you don't go for it, you definitely won't win."
~ Jens Voigt

by Phil H. on Dec 4, 2008 5:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Snowy mountain top finish?

I’m not familiar with Palomar so can someone from the desolate southern reaches of our fair state speak up on what the summit of Palomar might look like in Feb? Are we talking San Diego winter (as in 65 and sunny), or spring skiing conditions, or actual winter?

by Jimbo... on Dec 4, 2008 7:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

totally depends

It could snow there or it could be warm. It really depends on the winter, and in particular, if the drought cycle breaks down that way.

by gavia on Dec 4, 2008 7:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Actual Winter

I have ridden in the snow in early March on Palomar.

by johnw on Dec 4, 2008 7:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mt. Palomar as in "Mt. Palomar Observatory"...

as in they had to put the telescope up high enough to get above the smog and light pollution. The possibility of snow is high. It wouldn’t stick around for very long, but if there’s rain in the forecast for the general Temecula area, it would snow up there.

Pictures from 2006…

The road up to the summit.
The general store previously mentioned.
A horrible photo of me up at the telescope.
Snow falling within 100 yards down the road of the telescope.

Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc.

by crashdan on Dec 4, 2008 7:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

was there in the snow as a kid

fun times :-)

by gavia on Dec 4, 2008 7:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Is that the trip that caused your current aversion to snow?

Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc.

by crashdan on Dec 4, 2008 7:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

lol, nah

I did climb a portion of San Jacinto in the snow too. That sorta sucked.

I just don’t particularly like cold feet. That’s all.

by gavia on Dec 4, 2008 7:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ahh... San Jacinto...

… on my 2009 To Do list along with San Gorgonio…

Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc.

by crashdan on Dec 4, 2008 8:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Economics played a part

Finish in the towns, not in the middle of nowhere. There’s nothing much around there, except the store at the top, and Mary’s at Lake Crenshaw.

by johnw on Dec 4, 2008 6:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bingo :-)

by gavia on Dec 4, 2008 6:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Err, f**kin economics

thanks for clearing that up, still they need to find a economically suitable mtn. finish, well they don’t need to but I sure want them to!

"If you go (with a break), you can either win or not win. If you don't go for it, you definitely won't win."
~ Jens Voigt

by Phil H. on Dec 4, 2008 6:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

patience ;-)

You have to get the people in the habit of turning out for bike races. Then, maybe they’ll be willing to trek out to a mountain top finish in sufficient numbers to sell expo booths. The start/finish towns also have to pick up sponsors for hosting – so, you need some people and businesses around to make that happen.

by gavia on Dec 4, 2008 6:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Patience?

there is to be no patience. I’ll give them 2 more years, but that’s it. I already find it funny that you Californians call those little lumps you have mountains(unnecessary arrogant statement by Colorado resident)

"If you go (with a break), you can either win or not win. If you don't go for it, you definitely won't win."
~ Jens Voigt

by Phil H. on Dec 4, 2008 6:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Heh

Just because you’re whole state got tilted up by some subterranean force like 20 million years ago or something, no need to get all high and mighty and stuff. We’re too busy travelling north and falling into the sea to build bigger mountains. Sheesh, there’s too much going on here to be bothered with that.

I’ll take smaller mountains with a side order of beaches, thanks. ;-)

by gavia on Dec 4, 2008 6:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

ooooh so offended

at least this isn’t our governor, hehe, it’s all good though I lived in Cali for 10 years, there’s not hate from me about Cali

"If you go (with a break), you can either win or not win. If you don't go for it, you definitely won't win."
~ Jens Voigt

by Phil H. on Dec 4, 2008 6:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

lol

i’m not even going to look at that photo. he’s not pretty ;-)

it’s all good.

by gavia on Dec 4, 2008 6:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Highest point in CA – Mt. Whitney – 14494 ft.
Highest point in CO – Mt Elbert – 14433 ft.

I’m just sayin…

by johnw on Dec 4, 2008 6:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

huh, really?

learn something new everyday. i assumed co had something higher, cuz the base elevation is higher.

so is whitney the highest in north america? man, i so should know this…

by gavia on Dec 4, 2008 6:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mt McKinley

AK – 20,320

Mean elevation of CO is 6800 ft. Mean elevation of CA is 2900
Lowest point in CO is 3,315 ft. Lowest point in CA is -282 ft (Death Valley)

WIki is wonderful..

by johnw on Dec 4, 2008 6:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wiki elevation page

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_elevation

by johnw on Dec 4, 2008 6:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

grazie :-)

that was fun.

i dig the spread on that death valley and mt whitney elevation. some cool shit here in cali.

by gavia on Dec 4, 2008 6:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A rundown...

I may have mentioned this somewhere on PdC earlier, but if you draw a 100 mile circle around Lone Pine, CA, you have the highest spot in the 48 states (Mt. Whitney), the lowest spot in the western hemisphere (Bad Water), the oldest living thing on earth (Methuselah Grove of Bristlecone Pines in the White Mountains) and the largest living thing on earth (General Sherman Tree, Sequoia National Park).

We rock.

Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc.

by crashdan on Dec 4, 2008 6:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

we do....don't we!

..don’t forget that vacation album for the ToC meeting!!

by steph- on Dec 4, 2008 6:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

of course we do

we live here!

by lyne on Dec 4, 2008 6:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

HA!...exactly girlfriend!!

by steph- on Dec 4, 2008 6:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cali is cool

but could you please get rid of Hollywood? I’m sick of Paris Hilton’s becoming famous

"If you go (with a break), you can either win or not win. If you don't go for it, you definitely won't win."
~ Jens Voigt

by Phil H. on Dec 4, 2008 6:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Apparently someone tried last night...

The Body Shop burned down last night

Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc.

by crashdan on Dec 4, 2008 7:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm okay with that

how about we send her to Utah?

by lyne on Dec 4, 2008 7:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

excellent choice

by gavia on Dec 4, 2008 7:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

They would lock her up for life

soon as she set foot in Utah. She has certainly violated numerous Utah state laws

by Jimbo... on Dec 4, 2008 7:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

indeed

and make her wear one of those long dresses

by gavia on Dec 4, 2008 7:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

that sounds like a good thing

by lyne on Dec 4, 2008 7:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh yeah!

Well, if you draw a 100 mile circle around Seattle, you have the best coffee (Lighthouse), the worst Frank Gehry design (EMP), the best smoked salmon (a shack on the Makah reservation), the largest clearcut (Gifford Pinchot NF) and the shittiest weather (Makah again).

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris... on Dec 4, 2008 7:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

the coffee sounds good

the rest i could do without

by gavia on Dec 4, 2008 7:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

You guys have your own Gehry problems.

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris... on Dec 4, 2008 7:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

truly

by gavia on Dec 4, 2008 7:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

and in a two block radius...

Hammering Man and the Lusty Lady.

by JFS_PGH on Dec 6, 2008 12:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Strangely

those items are unrelated.

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris... on Dec 7, 2008 3:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

wiki is great

and does Alaska really count?

"If you go (with a break), you can either win or not win. If you don't go for it, you definitely won't win."
~ Jens Voigt

by Phil H. on Dec 4, 2008 6:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

you betchya

by lyne on Dec 4, 2008 6:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

snort

by gavia on Dec 4, 2008 6:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nice

I was trying to work in a Palin/Russia comment.

Nice and subtle.

by johnw on Dec 4, 2008 6:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sigh, you had to go there didn't you

"If you go (with a break), you can either win or not win. If you don't go for it, you definitely won't win."
~ Jens Voigt

by Phil H. on Dec 4, 2008 6:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah but no one lives up there

the highest located city in US is in Colorado(leadville), and our capital is 1 mile above see level, oh and I almost forgot to mention the 58 14ers.

"If you go (with a break), you can either win or not win. If you don't go for it, you definitely won't win."
~ Jens Voigt

by Phil H. on Dec 4, 2008 6:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

well, aren't you just so special?

;-)

by gavia on Dec 4, 2008 6:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Are you calling me special?

that’s so nice of you :)

"If you go (with a break), you can either win or not win. If you don't go for it, you definitely won't win."
~ Jens Voigt

by Phil H. on Dec 4, 2008 6:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

but where do you surf?

by jsallee00 on Dec 4, 2008 6:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So true

In less than 4 hours I can go from Skiing to Surfing. No planes involved.

by johnw on Dec 4, 2008 6:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

pretty much lived in cali my whole life

and i still find it weird to go from pine trees and mountains to beach in such short distances.

by gavia on Dec 4, 2008 6:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Surf?

we use Snowboards, you know, the Olympic sport. Actually I ski and I really don’t like boarders that much, at least not the ones who always cut you off(so about 98% of them)

"If you go (with a break), you can either win or not win. If you don't go for it, you definitely won't win."
~ Jens Voigt

by Phil H. on Dec 4, 2008 6:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

snow?

what is this snow you speak of?

by gavia on Dec 4, 2008 6:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The white stuff(don't be perverted) that falls from the sky

in which yeti’s play

http://neo3555.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/yeti.jpg

"If you go (with a break), you can either win or not win. If you don't go for it, you definitely won't win."
~ Jens Voigt

by Phil H. on Dec 4, 2008 6:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

RAAM

Guys who have done RAAM generally agree that Colorado, while it has lots of climbing is not the real problem. They have more problems with the Appalachians. Partly because they are so late in the event, but also partly do the the steepness. They tend to be more steep, probably because the roads used in CO are of a much more recent vintage.

by johnw on Dec 4, 2008 6:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, the roads aren't too steep here

but very winding, which is very annoying when trying to travel. But the steepness is wiped out by the altitude, if you’re not used to it

"If you go (with a break), you can either win or not win. If you don't go for it, you definitely won't win."
~ Jens Voigt

by Phil H. on Dec 4, 2008 6:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Appalachians

I wonder, do the grades suck for geologic reasons, or because 100 years ago they didn’t see anything wrong with putting roads straight into the grade?

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris... on Dec 4, 2008 7:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

probably both

but there are some deep river valleys around there, i think the southern end is steeper geologically and the northern more rounded, but i could be wrong. lol, i’ve only been through there a couple of times and didn’t really linger.

by gavia on Dec 4, 2008 7:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs