Cell phones and cyclists in California
Ooops… Looks like there were some inaccuracies in my original story. I’ve taken the content offline while I do more research.
Chris Horner on diet, cafes and California
[singlepic id=57 w=320 h=240 float=right]I found it particularly rewarding to watch Chris Horner win the 2011 Amgen Tour of California. Horner is one of my favorite riders in the peloton. As anyone that has been reading my posts will have noticed, I’m primarily a Leopard-Trek fan. Or, more precisely, I’m a Voigt, Schleck, Schleck and Cancellara fan, and they just happen to still be riding on the same team.
While my Leopard Trek fandom comes form watching the guys race, my appreciation of Chris Horner is much more personal. I had the opportunity to both meet and ride with Chris Horner at last years Clark’s Corner Cycling Challenge. That’s where I learned that, well, Chris is just a really cool guy. There are few folks as down to earth, approachable and humble. Oh – and the guy seems to have a perpetual smile on his face.
Sacramento treated to great racing
Sacramento was treated to some fantastic pro racing as the modified stage 2 course of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California offered 3 circuits around the state capitol building. A breakaway of 4 riders struggled to stay ahead of the peloton, but were caught before rolling onto the streets of California’s capitol city, where huge crowds waited despite the threat of poor weather.
AToC Stage 2 Start Moved To Nevada City
In response to anticipated weather conditions, officials have moved the start of stage 2 of the 2011 mgen Tour of California to Nevada City, CA. The start time has also been delayed to 12:15 Pacific Time. This essentially moves the start along the original route to the location and time it was expected to pass the new start location, thus allowing the rest of the 61 miles to follow the originally planned route.
The route was expected to leave Squaw Valley and pass over Donner Pass. However, the threat of more winter-like conditions again raised concerns for the safety of riders, spectators and crew, prompting this change.
Tour of Cali Possibly Effected Tomorrow
Stage 1 of the Amgen Tour of California was unfortunately canceled due to the risks presented to riders, spectators and staff by winter-like weather conditions. Many riders expressed their agreement that the cancellation of stage 1 was the right thing to do. This was further underscored by reports that as many as 6 race marshals may have been involved in an incident or incidents resulting in their motorcycles crashing in the slippery conditions. There are no reported injuries as a result of these crashes.
However, while stage 1 is behind us, there is still risk of potential impact on tomorrow’s stage 2.
Stage 1 of Tour of Cali still “on hold”
Update: Stage 1 was canceled. And Delores Pickford (@dpk4d) gives us a really good example of why.
The official release from officials says that Stage 1 of the Tour of California is slated for a 1:15pm Pacific time start – using a much shortened course allowing for the scheduled end time of 3:15-4pm pacific to remain as scheduled.
However, given the weather that just rolled through Sacramento, there still remains the possibility of a complete neutralization of the inaugural stage of the 2011 race.
Riders in Tour of Cali honor fellow cyclist
Riders in this years Tour of California will be wearing wrist bands to honor fellow cyclist Wouter Weylandt. Weylandt was a rider for Pro team Leopard Trek. His life tragically ended after a crash in stage 3 of the Giro d’Italia.
Stage 4 of the Giro was neutralized in memorial, with riders completing the stage as a group, Leopard Trek leading across the finish.
Also joining Leopard Trek at the front of the peloton was Tyler Farrar, friend of training partner of Weylandt. Farrar opted not to complete the Giro after Stage 4 in an understandable move to mourn the loss of his friend.
Ride your bike to Tour of California
If you are planning on attending the finish of Stage 2 of the Amgen Tour of California. Sacramento can be tricky it park in and negotiate on a good weekend day. Throw in all of the traffic for a major cycling event and you’re likely to find yourself walking miles even if you do drive downtown. However, Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates (SABA) are helping to solve this problem for you.
Folsom receives funding for new bike facillity
According to the City of Folsom newsletter, folks traveling to Folsom on bike, light rail or other options will have a secure facility to park their bicycles in downtown Folsom.
Folsom continues to make moves to accommodate bicycle infrastructure. These actions are in line with Folsom’s ranking of a Silver level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.
Amgen Tour of California just around the corner
We’re getting close to another Tour of California. The team lists show a competitive field that should make for some great racing. I’ll be covering a few of the stages for VeloReviews, as well as looking out for Team Type 1 for here at JustAnotherCyclist.com. Also, there are plans brewing to get some like minded folks together during some of the stages. If you are going to be at any of them, let me know so that we can meet up in person.