There are numerous races both large and small that make up the pro cycling season. However, none get quite the attention of the three grand tours: the Tour de France, the Giro de Italia (Tour of Italy) and the Vuelta a España (Tour of Spain). However, this year I’ll also be doing three of my own grand tours:
- Group Health Seattle to Portland Classic (July 17/18) *
- Tour de Ross’s Commute (Aug 22)
- Tour de Tahoe (September 12) *
* My wife Melissa will be with me on these two rides
Wait. The Tour de Ross’s Commute? What the heck is that??
For over three years now, I’ve been commuting an average of 3 days a week between my home in Sacramento, CA and my work in Palo Alto. It is about 125 miles or so by car. Of course, I don’t do it by car. However, after a couple of the “Oh – did you ride here from Sacramento” jokes from coworkers as I rolled my bike into the office, I decided to make it so that I could actually answer “Yes!”
That’s right, I’ll be throwing my faith (and bike, and life) into the hands of Google maps and their new bike route mapping to plot my safe path the 139 miles I’ll be riding.
There are some interesting challenges and points of interest in my route:
- Davis, CA. Arguably one of the best bicycling cities in the country.
- Vacaville. Famous for being Vacaville.
- Jelly Belly factory. Convenient should I need to restock my Sport Beans supply, or maybe a pro rider to pull for me.
- The Sacramento river delta area. Home of a thousand head winds.
- The Benicia-Martinez. 2.5 miles over Suisuin Bay, with views of the Naval Reserve Fleet.
- Alamo. No, not that one.
- Castro Valley
- Dumbarton Bridge (second bridge of the day. Third if you count the Yolo causeway as a bridge)
I don’t fully know what to expect of this ride yet. That is part of why I am so excited about it!