Stage 3 Route: San Francisco to Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz race to end at Beach Boardwalk.

The pro cyclists racing in the 2010 Tour of California will enjoy some of the best road cycling in the Bay Area when they ride the signature climbs of San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties on May 12.

The race will start at 11:15 AM on Ocean Beach in San Francisco. Assuming the highway hasn’t washed into the Pacific Ocean by then, the racers cycle south on Highway 1, hanging a left after Half Moon Bay to climb Tunitas Creek Road and past the Tunitas Creek Bike Hut in a near carbon copy of the 2009 Stage 2. After skirting past the bicycle friendly community of Woodside, they ride past La Honda and Pescadero as they return to the Coast Highway.

Another climb up Bonny Doon Road south of Davenport takes the cyclists into the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains, before the cyclists turn onto Empire Grade Road for the thrilling, 60+ mph descent past the UCSC campus into Santa Cruz. Here’s the view coming down Empire Grade.

Unlike last year, the racers will continue straight on Bay Street to West Cliff Drive for a finish at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, which will be really cool, I think. Local Santa Cruz organizers were concerned about the railroad tracks in the street next to the Boardwalk, so I’m glad they have something worked out for this.

Elsewhere:

• Amgen Tour of California Stage 3 details and description.
• 2010 Stage 3 Map.
• 2010 Stage 3 Elevation Profile.
• Santa Cruz viewing locations.
• Tour of California Santa Cruz organizing committee.
• Santa Cruz Organizing Committee Twitter.
• Santa Cruz Organizing Committee Facebook.

The 2010 Davis to Santa Rosa stage is an almost carbon copy of the 2009 Stage until the 70 mile point, when the racers will veer south after Deer Park into Napa Valley, taking the race through some of more well known Napa Valley vineyards along the Silverado Trail.

Another big difference will be the weather — last year, huge crowds turned out in the Platinum-level bicycle friendly city of Davis and in Santa Rosa, in spite of the cruddy weather.

The route from Davis to Santa Rosa will provide plenty of scenic settings for both the cyclists and spectators. The route includes evenly spaced climbs throughout the stage and spectacular views.

After 20 miles of flat roads, the riders will meet their first climb up a short, but steep section leading up to the Monticello Dam. This short climb is followed quickly by the difficult “Cardiac Hill”. Another long, flat section along Lake Berryessa will take the riders to their third climb up Howell Mountain Rd., followed by a fast descent into Napa Valley.

After one final climb up the Oakville Grade and a steep descent down Trinity Grade, the cyclists will finish the race in Santa Rosa. Race organizers continue to include the city of Santa Rosa because the locals consistently show up with a great turnout and rapid enthusiasm for the race and other related events.

Elsewhere:

* Santa Rosa organizing committee @ Twitter.
* Davis Tour of California @ Twitter.
* Keep the Tour Santa Rosa.
* 2010 Stage 2 Map
* 2010 Stage 2 Elevation Profile.
* 2010 Amgen Tour of California Stage 2 description and details.

The Amgen Tour of California route details are being posted this week, with Stages 1 and 2 announced this morning.

Stage 1 – Nevada City to Sacramento

The 2010 Amgen Tour of California will begin with the first-ever visit to the picturesque town of Nevada City, CA, which will also be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Nevada City Classic.

From there the race will head south en route to Sacramento, and will travel through Grass Valley and Old Town in Auburn. Heading out of Auburn, the cyclists will cross over the Auburn-Foresthill Bridge – the tallest bridge in California and the third highest in the U.S.

The cyclists will begin at an elevation of over 2,500 feet and descend to nearly sea level in Sacramento. The mostly downhill stage interrupted by a handful of climbs (including a 1,000′ climb from Auburn to Cool, CA) which will favor the sprinters.

Sacramento streets will once again see the teams finish their 104 mile race with three fast circuits around the State’s Capitol building.

I already have a couple of viewing locations planned for this stage. What are you suggestions?

Elsewhere:
* Stage 1 Map.
* Stage 1 Elevation Profile.
* Amgen Tour of California Stage 1 description and details.

The Santa Cruz city council voted yesterday in favor of signing a “host city agreement” for the Tour of California 2010.

Last week, the city manager added Tour of California host city preparations to a list of items to cut because of budget issues. Cycling enthusiasts sent letters and showed up to the council meeting showing their support for the event.

Read more: Santa Cruz City Council votes to keep Amgen Tour.

The city of Santa Cruz, California, will consider at next Tuesday’s city council meeting whether to commit to hosting a stage of the 2010 Tour of California.

The city has had to cut tens of millions of dollars from its budget due to falling tax receipts, and Santa Cruz is looking for other areas to cut.

Last February, Santa Cruz spent $80,000 as host city for the Tour of California Stage 2 finish. About 15,000 spectators waited in the cold and rain but they left downtown Santa Cruz almost immediately.

Local cycling enthusiasts are asking people to show up at the city council meeting next Tuesday, July 28, to voice your support for the Tour of California. The council meeting begins at 3 PM at Council Chambers on Center Street (two blocks west – away from the River – of Pacific Avenue downtown), and after the consent agenda and other discussion, the likely time for discussion is around 3:30 PM or so, although this is impossible to predict with certainty. Still, show up early to ensure your opportunity to speak: the council can move agenda items around, especially for items with a lot of interest. Speakers have two minutes to speak so be prepared. There’s a clock on the podium so you know how long you have.

A speaking point: The weather was dismal in February 2009, and everybody left downtown almost immediately after the stage leaders crossed the finish line. A finishing stage in good weather in May will do a lot to

Thank you to Karen Kefauver for the heads up on this.