The Tour of California: AKA The Podium Cafe Gathering (Part Deux)

by The Team Chef on Sep 16, 2008 7:26 PM EDT Comment 26 comments

Well, since Drew brought this up the other day, I'll chime in with my two pennies.

Everyone has been talking about getting together earlier in the week, either in Nor Cal, Solvang or the LA area. Does anyone have an interest in getting together for the last stage mountain top finish on Palomar (Sunday the 22nd)?

This should be the most decisive stage in the ToC's history, and may just treat us to a nice little grudge match between The Floyd and The Second Coming of HWMNBN.

I'm certainly not trying to talk folks out of any plans that might already be in the works, but I live in San Marcos, which is just within spitting distance of the finish (about 25 miles). I'm not missing this for the world. How often do we get the chance to see the Pros race up a Cat 1 or HC climb in America? (and at the end of a stage race, for good measure). This is going to be a PARTY! and I'd love to meet some of you.

Northern San Diego County has some of the best riding in all of So CA. The stage starts in Rancho Bernardo, which is just north of San Diego. I'm not sure where the cyclists are going to stay while they are in the area, but I'm sure there will be better opportunities to get up close and personal with some of the stars once the race is over, and they are not quite as stressed. I'd love to get a group together to tackle the mountain the day before (we'll all be too hung over to make the attempt on Monday)

So, who is game?

0 recs | Comment 26 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I could be up for it

I’m a reformed San Diego resident. I was planning on flying down for that one since I have a place to crash… er uh sleep. It’s during a tough part of the winter season for me, though so I will have to see.

by Fred Marx on Sep 16, 2008 7:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This is the stage I'm looking forward to the most!

I’ll be there for the race, not sure about riding it though.

by Veloki on Sep 16, 2008 8:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm hoping to be there for the whole race

so if plans get made for specific spots and such I am totally game. I’m hoping that you guys out there help a lot with the planning and such as that is one area I know nothing about and have no idea what is close by or what logistics are realistic. I love group gatherings and a few drinks with this group can only lead to trouble. And that is going to so be a lot of fun!

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

by nikki on Sep 16, 2008 8:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Solvangers

There’s not a ton of racing around Solvang, so I may have to make the trek to Palomar, at whatever the cost. I’ve waited this long to attend, I’m not cutting myself off a day early if the finale is going to be spectacular.

Solvang/Santa-Babs to San Diego… 4 hours??

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris... on Sep 16, 2008 8:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

what, there's no PdC helicopter?

I won’t know until we get right up on the dates whether I’ll be able to make it. And if I do, definitely not the whole week. But if it comes down to just a day or two, it’ll come to this or the 3rd stage (Sausalito/Santa Cruz). I’ve got pretty much no love for SoCal, but then again, my SoCal experience is primarily LA and surrounding environs (as nice as Shutters is, it can’t outweigh the hell that is Orange County).

And yes, if I’m coming out, I’m riding. Probably on a rental, but I’m riding.

by Sui Juris on Sep 16, 2008 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Latter stages!

For once, the ToC is backloaded. The early stages will be uneventful.

[Sorry NorCal readers]

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris... on Sep 17, 2008 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

for watching yes but for being a live on the spot spectator the prologue in Sac will be great.

by ZoeRochelle on Sep 17, 2008 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

my assessment wasn’t completely serious. The ToC is fun from start to finish. I just think riders contesting the overall will approach it a bit differently this time around.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris... on Sep 17, 2008 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Four hours sounds about right...

depending on the obvious Los Angeles variables. Getting to Mt. Palomar means going through the heart of the LA freeway system.

Or going to Vegas first and then taking I-15 back.

Did I mention Vegas is only 5 hours away from here?

Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc.

by crashdan on Sep 16, 2008 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

from solvang?

you can cut across to the 15 through moorpark and stuff and slip through behind la. much more better than going straight through. gah, the horror. when the time comes, i’ll help with that sort of thing.

gav knows lots ’bout driving weird places for bike races in cali.

by gavia on Sep 16, 2008 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dan dont' know about driving too much...

… but lane splitting like a divine wind… oh yes… The Dan knows of this very well…

Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc.

by crashdan on Sep 17, 2008 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol, i can only imagine

Just stay safe out there and stuff. And if you want any directions to bizarre corners of Cali, you know where to ask ;-)

by gavia on Sep 17, 2008 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe I'm getting old but Vegas is so... yuck

by ZoeRochelle on Sep 17, 2008 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yup

It’s Everything That Is Wrong, concentrated.

by Sui Juris on Sep 17, 2008 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

nothing to do with age

I’ve never been a fan at all. I like to go play outside.

by gavia on Sep 17, 2008 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Red Rock Canyon

Just sayin. Even if you don’t like gambling or strippers, Vegas isn’t a complete loss.

"If writing too much about the Classics is wrong, I don't want to be right."

by Chris... on Sep 17, 2008 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1 That was pretty much was I was thinking about...

… that and

1. Peymon’s Mediterranean Cafe
2. The Egg and I (breakfast restaurant)
3. Jitter’s Coffee Bars
4. some thai place I used to go to off of Sahara east of the strip
5. The Star Trek Experience (they have a drink there called, I shit you not, “The Warp Core Breach”)

That’s pretty much all I do when I go to Vegas. Eat. Play video poker for 15 minutes on my way back to the hotel room or when I’m buying groceries. The year I lived there, I only went to the Casinos cause that’s where the movie theaters were.

Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc.

by crashdan on Sep 17, 2008 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's a whole different story right there

That’s not Vegas. That’s just near Vegas.

by gavia on Sep 17, 2008 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

It’s a cool place that just happens to be close to sin city…..

by Fred Marx on Sep 18, 2008 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

is that supposed to be a good thing?

by Sui Juris on Sep 16, 2008 9:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

palomar sounds muy fun

i’ve been thinking ’bout trying to head down there, but not sure. i, um, really really poor at planning stuff ahead.

by gavia on Sep 16, 2008 9:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If I get down south for anything

it will be for a Palomar mountain finish. And a ride up the day before would be fun. And no need to drive to Vegas when you can go to the fabulous Pala Resort and Casino in lovely Pala (music warning)…

by Jimbo... on Sep 16, 2008 11:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No one needs to worry about logistics.

I’ll act as the San Diego County Tourism Board. I’ve lived in all parts of So CA, so I’ll make sure everyone knows the best routes from LA or Solvang to SD, and where to stay.

I’ll try to organize group rides, bike rentals, hotels, whatever I can.

What I’ll need to know is who is coming, and when, and I’ll try to help out from there.

All interested parties should e-mail me: theteamchef@yahoo.com

One addtional perk – Stone Brewery ( Arrogant Bastard Ale) is located in Escondido, which is in the same general area as Palomar. Whether or not you are a beer drinker, they have an awsome facility, great tours, incredible gift shop (lots of bike jerseys), and a gourmet restaraunt.

Cheers.

by The Team Chef on Sep 16, 2008 11:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh shitty, where is the spell check button.

r-e-s-t-a-u-r-a-n-t.

by The Team Chef on Sep 17, 2008 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oops.

One other thing.

I mentioned the stage started in San Bernardino. Wrong. The correct start city for the final stage is Rancho Bernardo, which is a beautiful area about 25 miles north of downtown San Diego.

by The Team Chef on Sep 17, 2008 12:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs