28 January 2016

Stage Route and Maps Tour of California 2016

Amgen Tour of Cali - creates a great route for 2016

Yesterday over 400 cyclists joined professional cyclist Laurens ten Dam on a virtual ride on Zwift in Long Beach California area (virtually) to kick off the announcement of the ATOC. For a resident of Colorado - a snow-locked winter state - the technology of Zwift was fascinating to watch. Somehow Laurens ten Dam, the well-known charismatic Dutch rider, now on the Giant Alpecin team, made riding on an indoor trainer seem competitive and fun.

Always one of my favorite riders in the peloton, ten Dam recently moved to Santa Cruz, California with his family. Years ago I remember hearing how much this experienced European pro rider enjoyed the United States and dreamed of one day living in this country. I was happy to hear he made the relocation a reality.

It is exciting to hear a visitor to this country expound on great local rides, bike shops, coffee shops, food (Mexican, BBQ & food trucks!), atmosphere and events discovered throughout California (Laurens ten Dam also plans to race the Leadville 100 mountain bike race in Colorado this year after his road season). In a year when I am not always proud of the American face portrayed in the media - Laurens ten Dam reminded me to appreciate those little things of cycling.

The 2016 individual stages of the Amgen Tour of California are a perfect representation of the best of California. Not only will the 11th annual stage race attract the top pro racers, the routes designed this year are very challenging. Each day will rewrite possibilities of who will be wearing yellow. I expect some surprises in this year's race.

Remember:
Read more from Pedal Dancer® on the TOUR OF CALIFORNIA GUIDE PAGE for spectators.

Announcement: all of the Amgen Tour of California Pedal Dancer Guide Page information may now be viewed on a brand new website created for pro cycling fans at: Tour Chaser (TourChaser.com). 

Mark Cavendish and Peter Sagan at the 2015 Tour of California. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®
The stage date, stage start times, finish times, distances and elevation gained are listed for each stage.

2016 Tour of California dates and host cities:

Stage 1 - San Diego, May 15, 2016
Stage 2 - South Pasadena to Santa Clarita, May 16, 2016
Stage 3 - Thousand Oaks to Santa Barbara County, May 17, 2016
Stage 4 - Morro Bay to Monterey County, May 18, 2016
Stage 5 - Lodi to South Lake Tahoe, May 19, 2016
Stage 6 - Folsom Individual Time Trial & Women's Team Time Trial, May 20, 2016
Stage 7 - Santa Rosa, May 21, 2016
Stage 8 - Sacramento, May 22, 2016

See the best cyclists in the world compete! Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
Amgen Tour of California - maps, timetables, city information
* stage start time changes for Stage 4 & 5


MORE INFORMATION
  • NEW WEBSITE: All of this information may also be viewed on a brand new website created for pro cycling fans at: Tour Chaser (TourChaser.com).  
  • CALIFORNIA TOURISM: Visit California offers tips on where to see the race and local businesses of cycling significance, here: Visit California Tour of California page.
  • WOMENS RACE: You may see details for the women's race at Tour of California on the Tour Chaser page Women's Race TOC - with teams, list of riders, favorites, stages, route maps, printable startlist, and a startlist of the women's teams for the Team Time Trial in Folsom.  

MEN'S ROUTE MAPS OF 2016 AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA

The stage date, stage start times, finish times, distances and elevation gained are listed for each stage.
Tour of California route map 2016
www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/stages
STAGE ROUTE MAPS - MENS Amgen Tour of California

Stage 1 - San Diego, May 15, 2016 Stage 1's start and finish on the water near Mission Bay and downtown San Diego. The start and finish are not in the same exact location.
  • Day: Sunday, May 15, 2016
  • Stage Start time: Mission Bay San Diego is 11:30 AM (the San Diego Local Organizing Committee has wrongly printed the start time as 10:30am, this is incorrect). As at every other UCI race, riders must sign-in on the sign-in stage, at least one hour prior to the stage start. There is also a customary singing of the national anthem before the start; these proceedings are not considered the race start (affecting road closures).
  • Start location: Ski Beach (Vacation Rd, San Diego, CA 92109)
  • Neutral Start, until Km 0
  • Start and Finish line are not in the same location.
  • Finish location: Marina Village (1936 Quivira Way, San Diego, CA 92109)
  • Stage Finish time: Mission Bay San Diego at 3:40 PM*
  • Miles: 106 mi
  • Kilometers: 170.5 km
  • Elevation Gain: 6,700 ft
  • Stage 1 Map Link
  • Sprint locations: 1) Imperial Beach, 2) Navajo Road
  • KOM location: 1) Honey Springs Road
  • City websites: San Diego ATOC
  • Watch Parties on route: 9 different watch parties are planned along the route of Stage 1, find a party.
  • Start VIP Hours:  10:00AM - 12:00 PM (VIP locations are not the same)
  • Finish VIP Hours: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Festival Hours near start / finish: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
  • Festival location: on Quivira Way, Pacific Beach.
  • Visit California offers tips on where to see the race: Visit California
  • Breakaway Mile: Register for the San Diego Breakaway Mile (prior to the men's race finish).
  • Stage sponsors
  • Valet bike parking: Blind Stokers Club will be providing secure Bike Valet for cyclists riding bikes to Stage 1 start and finish venues on Mission Bay. 
  • Expected Outcome: Group sprint finish
  • Stage 1 start time is 11:30 AM
San Diego start of Stage 1 Amgen Tour of California 2016
San Diego start of Stage 1 ATOC 2016 - at Sea World Mission Bay
Stage 2 map of Tour of California 2016
Stage 1 map of Tour of California 2016. Map created by Amgen Tour of California


Stage 2 - South Pasadena to Santa Clarita, May 16, 2016 Stage 2 will begin in first-time Host City South Pasadena, with much of the race contested in the Angeles National Forest. King of the Mountain (KOM) points in the Angeles National Forest including Highway 2, Big Tujunga and Little Tujunga Canyon. Stage 2 will be a sprinter's finish.
  • Day: Monday, May 16, 2016
  • Stage Start: South Pasadena at 12:05 PM
  • Start Location: Mission Street in South Pasadena
  • Neutral Start
  • Starting line: 1017 Mission St. South Pasadena, CA
  • Finish line festival: 24500 Main St. Santa Clarita, CA
  • Finish Location: near Lyons Ave and Railroad Ave/Pine St
  • Stage Finish: Santa Clarita at 3:46 PM*
  • Traffic updates in Santa Clarita: Stage 2 in Santa Clarita
  • Miles: 92 mi
  • Kilometers: 148 km
  • Elevation Gain: 11,300 ft
  • Stage 2 Map Link
  • Sprint locations: 1) Oro Vista Avenue, 2) Placentia Canyon Road
  • KOM locations: 1) Highway 2, 2) Big Tujunga, 3) Little Tujunga Canyon 
  • City websites: South Pasadena, Santa Clarita ATOCSanta Clarita traffic and closures  
  • Start line VIP Hours : 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Finish line VIP Hours: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Festival Hours at finish: 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Finish line festival: 24500 Main St. Santa Clarita, CA
  • Visit California offers tips on where to see the race: Visit California
  • Expected Outcome: Group sprint finish, wide, flat finish in downtown Newhall.
Stage 2 start in Pasadena Amgen Tour of California  2016
Stage 2 start in Pasadena ATOC 2016. Stage 2 starts on Mission Street in South Pasadena
Stage 2 map of Tour of California 2016
Stage 2 map of Tour of California 2016. Map created by Amgen Tour of California
Finish Santa Clarita Tour of California
Finish in Santa Clarita, Tour of California

Stage 3 - Thousand Oaks to Santa Barbara County, May 17, 2016 Thousand Oaks is home to biotechnology company Amgen, the race's title sponsor since its inception. The day will conclude with a thrilling, first-time mountaintop finish at Gibraltar Road. Stage 3 will be a breakaway climber's finish. This stage is a new and exciting route in the history of the Tour of California.
  • Day: Tuesday, May 17, 2016
  • Mountain Top Finish
  • Stage Start: Thousand Oaks at 11:10 AM
  • Start line location: 1 Amgen Center Dr. Thousand Oaks, CA
  • Neutral start
  • 2 laps: two neutral laps near the start area before the race begins at Km 0
  • Stage Finish: Santa Barbara County (up Gibralter Rd to La Cumbre Peak) KOM at 3:48 PM*
  • Miles: 104.1 mi
  • Kilometers: 167.5 km
  • Elevation Gain: 8,700 ft
  • Stage 3 Map Link
  • Sprint locations: 1) Port Hueneme, 2) Carpinteria
  • KOM locations: 1) Potroro Road, 2) Westlake Blvd, 3) Casitas Pass Road, 4) Gibraltar Road Finish (8% average grade)! 
  • City websites: Santa Barbara ATOC,  
  • Start line VIP Hours : 9:30 AM - 11:45 AM
  • Finish line VIP Hours: 12:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Festival Hours at finish: 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Finish Festival Location: 236 E Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (not on the mountain)
  • Visit California offers tips on where to see the race: Visit California
  • Expected Outcome: Select group of 2-4 riders
Start Thousand Oaks Amgen Tour of California
Start Thousand Oaks Amgen Tour of California
Stage 3 map of Tour of California 2016
Stage 3 map of Tour of California 2016. Map created by Amgen Tour of California

Stage 4 - Morro Bay to Monterey County, May 18, 2016 Racing on Highway 1 south to north, the riveting and technical race day conclusion will be at a venue known for speed - the Laguna Seca Recreation Area, host to auto and motorcycle racing. This will be the first time the peloton of the Tour of California will ride up Highway 1 in a south to north direction. Monterey is one of the most visited locations in California.
  • Day: Wednesday, May 18, 2016
  • Racetrack finish
  • Stage Start: Morro Bay at 9:55 AM (start time change)
  • Start location: 1300 Embarcadero, Morro Bay, CA, 93442 
  • Depart: riders will depart from the base of Morro Rock, precede along the Embarcadero, turn left on Pacific Street through downtown and make a left on Main Street, up to Yerba Buena to join Highway 1.
  • The peloton will race along the majestic Highway 1 along the California coast. From Morro Rock to San Simeon, past Hearst Castle, through Big Sur, over the famed Bixby Bridge, past Carmel-by-the Sea, and ending in Monterey County at Laguna Seca.
  • Stage Finish: Monterey County  at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca at 3:43 PM*
  • Miles: 133.6 mi
  • Kilometers: 215 km
  • Elevation Gain: 8,100 ft
  • Stage 4 Map Link
  • Sprint locations: 1) Hearst Castle, 2) Carmel Highlands
  • KOM locations: 1) Pacific Highway 1 Summit #1, 2) Pacific Highway 1 Summit #2, 3) Laurales Grade Summit, 4) Mazda Raceway Summit
  • City websites: visit morrobay.org, Morro Bay ATOC,
  • Start line VIP Hours : 8:30 AM - 10:45 AM
  • Finish line VIP Hours: 12:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Festival Hours near finish: 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Finish Festival address: 1021 Monterey-Salinas Hwy. Monterey, CA
  • Visit California offers tips on where to see the race: Visit California
  • Expected outcome: Select group finish
Map of start in Morro Bay 2016 Amgen Tour of California
Map of start in Morro Bay 2016 ATOC
Stage 4 map of Tour of California 2016
Stage 4 map of Tour of California 2016. Map created by Amgen Tour of California
Finish at Laguna Seca Speedway, Stage 4 ATOC 0216 Amgen Tour of California
Finish at Laguna Seca Speedway, Stage 4 ATOC 0216

Stage 5 - Lodi to South Lake Tahoe, May 19, 2016 From here out, the four-day women's race will run in conjunction with the men's, including the same start and finish cities except for this day, when the women begin and end in South Lake Tahoe. Featuring a long day of climbing, the stage will reach the highest elevation ever mounted by the race: 8,600 feet. In 1960 this area hosted the winter Olympics at Squaw Valley.
  • Day: Thursday, May 19, 2016
  • Men's Stage Start: Lodi at 9:45 AM (start time change)
  • Start line location address Stage 5: 16 W. Pine St. Lodi, CA  
  • Microsoft Tour Tracker goes live at 2:00 p.m. for the men's race. Men's and women's recap show at 9:00 p.m. 
  • Men's Stage Finish: South Lake Tahoe at 3:46 PM*
  • Finish Festival address: 3860 Saddle Rd. South Lake Tahoe, CA
  • Women's Stage Finish: South Lake Tahoe at 2:00 PM
  • Miles: 132.4 mi
  • Kilometers: 213 km
  • Elevation Gain: 13,300 ft
  • Stage 5 Map Link
  • Sprint locations: 1) Sutter Hill, 2) Luther Pass
  • KOM locations: 1) Kirkwood, 2) Carson Pass, 3) last climb to Ski Run Boulevard to Heavenly Ski Area
  • City websites: Visit South Lake Tahoe, Visit LodiLodi Amgen Tour of California Site
  • Start line VIP Hours : 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
  • Finish line VIP Hours: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Festival Hours at finish: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Visit California offers tips on where to see the race: Visit California
  • Strider will hold on-course races for kids in South Lake Tahoe – 1:00 p.m.
  • Expected Outcome: Select group finish 
For WOMENS race details of the opening Stage 1, please transfer to TourChaser.com: www.tourchaser.com/womens-race-toc
Start of Stage 5 in Lodi Tour of California
Start of Stage 5 in Lodi Tour of California
Stage 5 map of Tour of California 2016
Stage 5 map of Tour of California 2016. Map created by Amgen Tour of California

Stage 6 - Folsom Individual Time Trial & Women's Team Time Trial, May 20, 2016 The men's individual time trial returns to Folsom where Team Sky's Bradley Wiggins dominated en route to his 2014 overall Amgen Tour of California victory. The women will compete in a team time trial on the same course.
  • Day: Friday, May 20, 2016
  • Time Trial: Folsom 
  • The start and finish lines are NOT in the same locations
  • Men's Start Time: 1:04 PM
  • Starting Line: address: 608 Sutter St. Folsom, CA
  • Finish Line Festival: 800 Leidesdorff St. Folsom, CA 
  • Microsoft Tour Tracker goes live at 2:00 p.m. for the men's race. Men's and women's recap show at 9:00 p.m.
  • Men's Estimated Finish: 3:45 PM*
  • Start ramp and Finish line are not in the same exact location.
  • Start location of Sutter St., Finish line on Leidesdorff St. 
  • Miles: 12.6 mi
  • Kilometers: 20.3 km
  • Elevation: 800 ft
  • Stage 6 Map Link
  • Sprint & KOM: No KOM points awarded during an ITT, points awarded at the final sprint to the line. The polka-dot jersey after Stage 5 in Lake Tahoe will be worn at the start of Stage 7 in Santa Rosa.
  • City website: Folsom ATOC site, Visit Folsom
  • Folsom road closures and parking for Tour of California time trial 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.
  • VIP Hours: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Festival Hours near start / finish: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Visit California offers tips on where to see the race: Visit California
  • Bike Valets close - 4:30 p.m.
  • The roads on the route will be fully closed with specific crossing points allowed and monitored by volunteer crossing guards.
  • No public parking will be permitted in the Historic District on May 20 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to park and walk or ride a bike to the Historic District.
  • For details about car parking, bike valet, hours, key viewing areas, road closures and traffic impact, please read more at: www.folsom.ca.us/visitors/things_to_do/amgen_tour_of_california
  • Expected Outcome: Wide roads and non-technical, rolling course favors pure time trial specialists.
For WOMENS race details of Stage 2 and a startlist of the order of team in the women's team time trial, please transfer to TourChaser.com: www.tourchaser.com/womens-race-toc
Folsom start ramp and finish line area Amgen Tour of California
Folsom start ramp and finish line area
Stage 6 map of Time Trial Tour of California 2016
Stage 6 map of Time Trial Tour of California 2016. Map created by Amgen Tour of California

Stage 7 - Santa Rosa, May 21, 2016 This year's stage will incorporate a portion of the uber popular Levi's GranFondo, with the men and women competing on different courses. The scenic penultimate stage rolls along country roads through vineyards, redwoods, coastline and forests.
  • Day: Saturday, May 21, 2016
  • "King stage" and "Penultimate Stage"
  • Stage Start: Santa Rosa at 11:10 AM
  • Start and Finish location address: 610 3RD St. Santa Rosa, CA 
  • Microsoft Tour Tracker goes live at 1:30 p.m. for the men's race. Men's and women's recap show at 9:00 p.m. 
  • Stage Finish: Santa Rosa at 3:45 PM*
  • 3 laps: the peloton will do 3 laps of the downtown circuit
  • Start and Finish is in the same location. 
  • Miles: 91.0 mi
  • Kilometers: 146.5 km
  • Elevation Gain: 8,600 ft
  • Stage 7 Map Link
  • Sprint locations: 1) Cazadero, 2) Carmet Beach
  • KOM 4 locations: 1) King Ridge Road, 2) and 3) Pacific Coast Highway, 4) Coleman Valley Road (only Coleman Valley is shown on the map below). Today the winner of the KOM jersey will hold it for the overall King of the Mountain.
  • City websites: Santa Rosa ATOC, Visit Santa Rosa, 
  • Road closures for Santa Rosa Tour of California 
  • VIP Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Festival Hours near start / finish: 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Visit California offers tips on where to see the race: Visit California
  • Women's Race Start at 9:15 am
  • Women's Race Finish at 12:10 pm
  • Luther Burbank Rose Parade will take place while the peloton is out on course: 12:15-2:15 pm. Joan Lunden, breast cancer survivor, will be Grand Marshall of the parade in Santa Rosa, more information.
  • Breakaway Mile: Register for the Santa Rosa Breakaway Mile (prior to the men's race finish).
  • Expected Outcome: Select group finish
A time log /itinerary of Stage 7 (helpful for those cyclists planning to rider out on course) may be found at TourChaser.com: www.tourchaser.com/routes--maps-atoc

For WOMENS race details of Stage 3, please transfer to women's race page at TourChaser.com: www.tourchaser.com/womens-race-toc
Santa Rosa downtown map Tour of California 2016
Santa Rosa downtown map ATOC 2016
Stage 7 map of Tour of California 2016
Stage 7 map of Tour of California 2016. Map created by Amgen Tour of California
Stage 7 profile map - Santa Rosa
Stage 7 profile map - Santa Rosa


Stage 8 - Sacramento, May 22, 2016
As an 8-time host, Sacramento will host the grand finale of both the men's and women's races for the first time.
  • Day: Sunday, May 22, 2016
  • Final Stage
  • Stage Start: Sacramento at 11:55 AM
  • Start and Finish location address: 1131 11th St. Sacramento, CA 
  • Microsoft Tour Tracker goes live at 1:30 p.m. for the men's race. Men's and women's recap show at 9:00 p.m.  
  • Stage Finish: Sacramento at 3:45 PM*
  • Neutral Start
  • 3 laps: the peloton will do 3 ceremonial laps of the downtown circuit before departing for the KM 0 marker where the real racing begins.
  • Start and Finish is in the same location. 
  • Miles: 84.8 mi
  • Kilometers: 136.5 km
  • Elevation Gain: 600 ft
  • Stage 8 Map Link
  • Sprint locations: 1) Clarksburg, 2) finish line in downtown Sacramento
  • KOM locations:  No KOM points!
  • City websites: Visitors to Sacramento, Sacramento ATOC
  • VIP Hours: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Festival Hours near start / finish: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Visit California offers tips on where to see the race: Visit California
  • Breakaway Mile: Register for the Saramento Breakaway Mile (prior to the men's race finish). 
  • Strider will hold on-course races for kids in Sacramento – 9:45 a.m.
  • Expected Outcome: Group sprint finish
For WOMENS race details of the final Stage 4, please transfer to TourChaser.com: www.tourchaser.com/womens-race-toc
Map of Sacramento Tour of California 2016
Map of Sacramento Tour of California 2016
Sacramento ATOC 2016 route map near start and finish
Sacramento start and finish area, final stage Tour of California
Stage 8 map of Tour of California 2016
Stage 8 map of Tour of California 2016. Map created by Amgen Tour of California

WOMENS ROUTE MAPS

For details on the WOMENS RACE route maps, teams, startlist and favorites and how to watch the race, please transfer to the Tour Chaser Womens Race TOC page.

Meanwhile ....
Laurens Ten Dam (at the 2015 Tour of Cali) now rides for Team Giant-Alpecin. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®
Laurens Ten Dam is featured in one of my all time favorite video clips on Alpe'd'Huez.

Read the official Giant-Alpecin team medical update on 01/27/16 on five of Lauren's teammates undergoing surgery or medical care after being involved in a head on collision with a car during a training ride in Spain.

Be a tourist in California. It is a 9 hour drive from San Diego to San Francisco. VisitCalifornia.com regional map
2016 posts by Pedal Dancer®:

Pedal Dancer® race coverage 2016: