13 May 2013

California Cruisin' - Stage 2, Tour of California

Pedal Dancer Cruising California - at the race

Stage 2, Presented by Visit California: Monday, May 13 – Murrieta to Greater Palm Springs
2013 ATOC Stage 2: route map, profile, and stage information


Stage Length: 124.3 miles, 111℉ (44℃)
 
KEY FEATURES: Riders rode through Temecula Valley wine country, climbed up the San Jacinto Mountains to the hamlet of Idyllwild, finished up the Tramway Road climb to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway parking lot. The last 3.8 miles gained 1,880 feet of elevation (average over 9%) – "one of the toughest climbs anywhere".

Stage 2 ATOC 2013, (zoom in on route map and profile)
STAGE 2 HIGHLIGHTS

Stage 2 Results

Please see results and my photos from Stage 2 here: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 2 Results
 
How do they do it? How do they keep cool?

From the official ATOC website:


TEAMS ENDEAVOR TO STAY COOL AT THE 2013 AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA At the post-stage press conference, the race’s chief medical officer, Ramin Modabber, M.D., related that the average team goes through 120 bottles of water on a stage like today. One director he pulled up next to on the course had gone through 40 bottles (5 per rider) in the first 50 kilometers. Modabber added that riders will consume on average approximately 8 liters of fluid during a stage like today. About half of that is water and the other half would typically include some type of energy/electrolyte solution – too much of either will not replace what is lost and can lead to dramatic reductions in performance.

Other measures taken by riders include ice bags or ice stuffed into socks which are placed down the back of a rider's jersey in order to lower core body temperature – similarly pouring cold water over one’s head/helmet and clothing can further lower core temperature. After the race, the riders will sit in cold baths, pools or showers to further reduce core body temperature when necessary to enhance recovery. The race organizers also take measures to protect the riders from excess heat by allowing them to 'feed' from their team vehicles much earlier in the race than typically allowed to account for the increased consumption of fluids.
Keith Borg, ATOC Race Doctor.   ©Photo by Willie at Pedal Dancer®
At the Race

Today Willie and I were both at the start in Murrieta, we had fun spotting riders near the team buses and at the sign-in stage. We then split up, I headed to the Sprint at the High School in Hemet where I was entertained by the High School Marching Band and dancing students excitedly waiting for the sprint. Willie went to the climb near Idyllwild. Here is a link to Willie Reichenstein's album of photos from stage 2, Amgen Tour of California: Murrieta - Palm Springs.

Race Day Photos and Stories

The fans who attended today's stage of the Tour of California probably experienced many of these same images themselves as spectators. As the race travels to the coast and then north, the temperatures will cool, I hope to see you at the race! You could find yourself yucking it up with these guys:

Axel Merckx and Bob Roll together at the start of Stage 2 Tour of California.  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Photos from the stage start area in Murrieta

A Peter Sagan Fan.   ©Photo by Willie at Pedal Dancer®
Cannondale Girls at the Tour of California.  ©Photo by Willie at Pedal Dancer®
The bike of #51, Peter Sagan, a Cannondale EVO Supersix.  ©Photo by Willie at Pedal Dancer®
Actor Patrick Demsey and Race Announcer Dave Towle.  ©Photo by Willie at Pedal Dancer®
Carter Jones signing a Fan autograph.   ©Photo by Willie at Pedal Dancer®
Jens Voigt and his instant California tan.  ©Photo by Willie at Pedal Dancer®
Axel Merckx, Team Manager of the Bontrager Pro Cycling Team, and son of Eddy Merckx.  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
A fleet of Bissell Pinarello bikes, and team cars.  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Podium Girl Allison Steinkamp and Ted King having fun on the sign-in stage.  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Waiting at the start line of Stage 2.  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Time for interviews and photos, Laura Weislo of CyclingNews.com and Timmy Duggan before the start of Stage 2 ATOC.  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Doesn't this make you just want to line up behind these guys and give it your best shot?  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Or maybe him - Tejay, a man with a lot of weight on those shoulders.  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Are you wondering who caught their attention? ......
This guy walked onto the sign-in stage - World Champion Philippe Gilbert of Belgium. He garnered everyone's attention!  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Carter Jones, Francisco Mancebo, Lieuwe Westra, Jasper Stuyven at the call up.  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Rolling Start of Stage 1, Murrieta, California.  ©Photo by Willie at Pedal Dancer®
Photos along the race course of Stage 2

At the Sprint point in the city of Hemet
High School students in Hemet dancing with the band as they wait at the sprint line in front of there school. Tour of California gave them a great excuse to get out of class, and kept us entertained waiting for the rush of riders to pass.  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer® 
The sprint
On the Climb to Idyllwild
Ben Jacques-Maynes (Jamis-Hagens Berman), Scott Zwizanski (Optum), Pat McCarty (Bissell), Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-Quickstep).  ©Photo by Willie at Pedal Dancer®
California climbing.  ©Photo by Willie at Pedal Dancer®
Wesley Kreder and Kris Boeckmans of Vancansoleil.  
©Photo by Willie at Pedal Dancer®
9,790 feet of climbing in today's stage, out of over 60,000 total.  ©Photo by Willie at Pedal Dancer®

TOMORROWS STAGE 3


Stage 3 : Route Map  |  Route Profile  |  timetable  |  Palmdale spectator guide

Stage 3: Tuesday, May 14 – Palmdale to Santa Clarita
2013 ATOC Stage 3: route map, profile, and stage information

Start Location: Marie Kerr Park
Finish Location: Magic Mountain Parkway
Start Time: 11:20 a.m.
Stage Length: 110.4 miles

CITY HIGHLIGHT:  Route & City information about Palmdale
CITY HIGHLIGHT:  Route & City information about Santa Clarita
KEY FEATURES: Enters San Francisquito Canyon, with a 22-mile climb up Lake Hughes Road and a gradual 18-mile descent down Spunky Canyon and Bouquet Road, with a field sprint expected into Santa Clarita.
Stage 3 ATOC 2013, (zoom in on route map and profile)
Looking Back at Pedal Dancer at the Tour of California 2013
 
Pedal Dancer Stage 1 results:
Amgen Tour of California - Stage 1 Results
Pedal Dancer Stage 1 highlights: California Cruisin' - Stage 1, Tour of California
Pedal Dancer Stage 2 results: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 2 Results
Pedal Dancer Stage 2 highlights: California Cruisin' - Stage 2, Tour of California
Pedal Dancer Stage 3 results: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 3 Results 
Pedal Dancer Stage 3 highlights: California Cruisin' - Stage 3, Tour of California
Pedal Dancer Stage 4 results: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 4 Results
Pedal Dancer Stage 4 highlights: California Cruisin' - Stage 4, Tour of California
Pedal Dancer Stage 5 results: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 5 results
Pedal Dancer Stage 5 highlights: California Cruisin' - Stage 5, Tour of California 

Pedal Dancer Stage 6 highlights: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 6 results