15 May 2013

California Cruisin' - Stage 4, Tour of California

Pedal Dancer Cruising California

Stage 4: Wednesday, May 15 – Santa Clarita to Santa Barbara
2013 ATOC Stage 4: route map, profile, and stage information


Stage Length: 83.6 miles

KEY FEATURES: This route was done previously in reverse in recent years. The first 33 miles were basically downhill, followed by a 9-mile climb to a KOM and a technical descent of Dennison Grade, followed by a sprint in Ojai, a climb up Casitas Pass and a flat fast sprint finish parallel to the beach into beautiful Santa Barbara.
Stage 4 ATOC 2013, (zoom in on route map and profile)
STAGE 4 HIGHLIGHTS

Stage 4 Results

Tyler Farrar won! For results and stage photos, please read: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 4 Results

At the Race

I walked on a sandy beach today. That is a big deal for a person who lives in Denver, Colorado. I can soundly proclaim that I prefer cool ocean breezes over dessert heat. In fact I was driving into Santa Barbara this morning thinking the race organizers should consider a Tour Down Under format for the Tour of California. Running the riders on several courses out and back from the city of Santa Barbara. Then hop up north to take in a mountain, ride over the Golden Gate Bridge, done. Simple enough.
 
I know 3 things:
  1. 65℉ is the perfect temperature for a bike race; It makes for happy riders.
  2. I like the Bontrager Cycling Team!
  3. It's more fun to be at a stage with my brother and sister-in-law, or Willie (the photographer). All of them were missing today. It was just me and a mass of photographers in a spectacular seaside setting. 
Santa Barbara is a wonderful town with Spanish architecture, palm trees, and a curved shoerline with the feel of a Mediterranean beach town. In fact I overheard some fans walking toward the bike race say, "We could be in Italy." Santa Barbara is a primary tourist town along the coast of California, evident by the variety of languages and accents overheard. The drive from Santa Barbara north on Hwy 101 and Hwy 1 to San Francisco is one of the most scenic drives in the United States.

We have left the brutal heat and Dust Devils behind (which knocked down two riders today). Tomorrow's temperatures should be mild, the terrain green and scenic.  The race coverage should look a whole lot nicer on your TV screen. 

Race Day Photos and Stories
Palm trees!
A beach front finish line  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Get your jerseys   ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
We have Podium Girls, Cannondale Girls, and Michelob Girls
Fans, Podium Girls and Riders have used the services of the helpful EMTs.  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Get yourself to the race anyway you can.  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
The haze of coastal California. Looking at the finish area from the pier.  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
The shops of State Street in Santa Barbara.  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
The tram, 50 cents will get you up and down town.   ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
The train.   ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
The Lifestyle Village and more palm trees.   ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
The sideline view of the typical fan AND media photographers who often get black squares in their frames.   
©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Tyler Farrar (USA) wins Stage 4
The peloton finishing Stage 4.   ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Ken Hanson   ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
The magnificent Jens Voigt who brings so much joy to fans.  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Jens, a true crowd favorite.  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Johan van Summeren talking with another staff member. It's a small world at a bike race.  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Stage 4 podium.  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Peter Sagan   ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Carter Jones  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Lawson Craddock   ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Asevedo Calle   ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®
Recommended Reading: 

Joe Lindsey and Frankie Andreu (even though Frankie is working for the 5-Hour Energy team) are doing their usual video analysis, called Race Radio, again this year. Catch up with Joe and Frankie if you have missed any of their episodes:

Race Radio: Stage 1, Tour of California
Race Radio: Stage 2, Tour of California
Race Radio: Stage 3, Tour of California
Race Radio: Stage 4, Tour of California

TOMORROWS STAGE 5

Stage 5 : Route Map  |  Route Profile  |  timetable  |  Santa Barbara spectators
 
Stage 5, Presented by Visit California: Thursday, May 16 – Santa Barbara to Avila Beach
2013 ATOC Stage 5: route map, profile, and stage information

Start Location: Cabrillo Blvd.
Finish Location: Front St.
Start Time 11 a.m.
Stage Length: 115.6 miles
 
PEDAL DANCER FAN TRAVEL GUIDE: California Here I come 
CITY HIGHLIGHT:  Route & City information about Santa Barbara
CITY HIGHLIGHT:  Route & City information about Avila Beach 
KEY FEATURES: Rise and shine, the climb starts at mile 7.77 today over San Marcos Pass, it then skirts the town of Solvang through Los Olivos and up Foxen Canyon (a wonderful bike ride through wine county) across agricultural lands arriving into the quaint beach town of Avila Beach.


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 results: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 6 results
Pedal Dancer Stage 7 results: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 7 Results