On the path of the 2014 USA Pro Challenge - Golden

Visiting Golden, Colorado

I continue my scouting adventures (weekend reci road trips) along the planned route of the USA Pro Challenge. This post takes us to Golden, Colorado, a small city at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Famous for it's local Coors brewery and the Colorado School of Mines, it is also well-known for a short punchy hill climb called Lookout Mountain.

Golden is a fantastic city to attend an event. The town really knows how to welcome visitors and has a lively main street (Washington Street) with lots of businesses up and down the neighboring side streets. The town of Golden and the climb up Lookout Mountain will be featured midway in Stage 7 of this year's Colorado pro stage race.

Stage 7 will begin in downtown Boulder, Colorado, a cycling mecca. Spectators are sure to pack the streets of Boulder to get a glimpse of the stage start, but no local climbs will be used near Boulder, instead the racers will circle downtown and head straight south along the rolling main Highway 93 into Golden, eighteen miles away.

Although Stage 7 is titled Boulder - Denver, Golden is where the real racing will happen and a breakaway will stick or be caught by the time the riders complete what locals call the Lariat Loop. The climb up Lookout mountain is short and steep. The town of Golden is picturesque and welcoming and certainly will be a fun location on race day.

The wall mural of Mountain Toad Brewery in Golden

Chances are spectators will gather near the town closest to them, and will be clustered in Boulder, or Golden, or Denver. Stage 7 of the 2014 USA Pro Challenge finishes in the state capital of Denver, Colorado. The route around the city is the exact same as last year. Come race day, each of these three cities will focus on local events, restaurants, and breweries, with an emphasis on riding your bike to your chosen viewing location.

Circuit laps will complete Stage 7 in Denver, so no matter who crests the top of the climb up Lookout Mountain, look for an all-rounder sprinter to win the final stage of the 2014 USA Pro Challenge. The stage will add points to the final determination of the KOM, but likely the climbers classification will already have been determined at earlier stages of the race.

This is a day about getting out in your community and enjoying the atmosphere of race day. And seeing some of the best pro riders in the world!

The architecture of Golden (founded 1859, gold rush) reminds me of Durango (founded 1881, railroad)

Cowboy country

The city of Golden was founded in 1859 during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush, a mining camp, it was originally named Golden City. If you are visiting Colorado and on your way up I-70 to visit the ski towns, hiking, fishing, or biking of the mountains - Golden makes an easy stop off the highway.

click to enlarge

2014 USA PRO CHALLENGE - STAGE 7 DESCRIPTION

STAGE 7 : 78 miles  Stage Map PDF   Stage Profile PDF
Boulder - Golden - Lookout Mountain - circuits in Denver

Race Begins: Approximately 12:30 p.m.
Race Ends: Approximately 3:50 p.m.
State Highways Impacted: SH 93, US 40, SH 391 (Kipling Street), SH 121 (Wadsworth), SH 95 (Sheridan), I-25.  (Route and Street Closure information)

Stage 7 Timetable.pdf

Lookout Mountain Closure Friday - Sunday
Lookout Mountain will be closed to all vehicle traffic between white pillars and Buffalo Bill's entrance. 3:00pm Friday 8/22/14 through 2:00pm Sunday 8/24/14.

* Please note that the route of the circuit laps in downtown Denver does not go down Speer Blvd or through Larimer Street this year. The race is concentrated around Civic Center Park, along 17th Street, and in City Park. The finish again is in front of the State Capital Building.

USA Pro Challenge in Boulder information: USAProBoulder.com
USA Pro Challenge in Golden information: Golden Visitors Bureau
On the path of the 2014 USA Pro Challenge - Golden, By Pedal Dancer®
On the path of the 2014 USA Pro Challenge - Denver, By Pedal Dancer®

zoomable map link of route through Golden

Photos along the route of Stage 7 - Golden

This is the view the riders will have as they approach downtown Golden. There is nothing flat about this town. All the corners are either up or down.

The pillars of Lookout Mountain mark the official start of the climb up Lariat trail and entrance to Lookout Mountain Park.

In good weather expect lots of cyclists.

For fans, the climb up Lookout will be a fun place to gather.

View of downtown Denver (center, top) from Lookout Mountain

This sign marks the official (post) top of Lookout Mountain climb, but the road continues going up from here to Genesee Park.

The long gradual descent down Hwy 40 (I-70 service road) back toward Golden.

The big road of Hwy 40 (and view north) back into Golden where the riders will do a fast loop around downtown Golden before racing east to the Colorado State Capital of Denver.

About the climb of Lookout Mountain

Length: 5.1 miles
Total elevation: 1,438 ft
Average Grade: 5.3% (7%) (steeper in the corners)
Lookout Mountain climb is called Pillar to Post for the landmarks at the start and finish.

Photos and a description of Lookout Mountain, by Pedal Dancer®: Photos of the Day - Lookout Mountain

The switchbacks of Lookout Mountain

The climb has a number of Colorado Corners - the grade is much steeper at the apex and then flattens out after the corner.

Local Bike Rides near Golden

Local Cycling Club Team Evergreen's suggested Lariat Loop cycling route which includes the climb of Lookout Mountain:

Route of the 2014 Golden Gran Fondo (June 28, 2014) - the toughest Gran Fondo in America also include Lookout Mountain.

Golden Gran Fondo route map link

ARE YOU GOING TO GOLDEN?

Accommodations and Travel

There are some hotels in Golden (Golden City website recommendations for accommodations) (TripAdvisor ratings of hotels in Golden), but many more hotels in nearby Arvada, Lakewood, and Denver. All the big hotel chains can be found.

Downtown Denver is 15.3 miles from Golden (30-50 minutes depending on traffic). Denver International Airport (DIA) is 34.7 miles away (45 minutes to 1hr15m depending on traffic through Denver).

Table Mountain Inn in Golden

What to do near Golden

Coors Brewing Tour, MillerCoors is the second largest beer company in the America, free. Thurs-Mon 10-4pm, Sunday 12-4pm, closed Weds & Thurs.

Lookout Mountain Nature Center, 110 acre park. 910 Coloro Rd, Golden CO 80401.

Dinosauer Ridge, geological and paleontological outdoor museum. 18831 West Alameda Parkway, Morrison, CO 80401

Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave, located at Lookout Mountain Park with a beautiful overlook. 987 Lookout Mountain Rd, Golden, CO 80401

Golden City Brewery, beer garden, tap-room, tours by appointment. 920 12th St, Golden, CO 80401

Golden Farmers' Market on Saturdays , June - September

BicycleTrails in Golden

Parking map of public parking lots in Golden, CO

Rock climbing, kayaking and mountain biking are also popular local sports.

The Coors Brewery and the Colorado School of Mines (red roofs) in Golden with Denver in the far distance.

You can take a tour of Coors Brewery and get free beer.

A suggested itinerary for race weekend, August 2014

By car, you can begin watching the stage in downtown Golden and make it into Denver in time to see the finish. If you want to do this, pay very close attention to where you park your car in each location, making sure you are not blocked by road closures. You will be able to see the start in Boulder and the finish in Denver. You will not be able to see the start in Boulder and get to Golden in time.

Riding your bike up Lookout Mountain is a great option. There should be good atmosphere along the climb. There is little room on the shoulder of the road, so you will need to place your bike in the woods off the pavement, while watching the race. You should should have time to descend by bike and see the peloton pass through town (the second time).

You could also ride the Lariat Loop route in the early morning, enjoy brunch/lunch and then catch the race as it comes through town, twice.

Or you can simply arrive and enjoy your time at a street side cafe or watch the race in Parfet Park. The city event organizers will be setting up a large screen TV (co-sponsored by GURU) for fans to view the stage. Stage Map PDF

If you are visiting from out of state, a weekend of seeing the finish in Breckenridge or Hoosier Pass (Friday), the individual time trial in Vail (Saturday, 2 hours away) and the two laps in Golden (Sunday) would make a great weekend.

Sign up to Volunteer to help at Stage 7 in Golden USA Pro

Fans can watch the race live on TV as the riders approach from Boulder or depart to Denver.

Restaurants, Bars, coffee shops and bakeries

This town is loaded with 'em. I believe the town of Golden is much better suited to host a midway stage, then the starts of recent years (2011, 2012). There wasn't enough space for fans to really see the action of the stage start, but Golden has tons of restaurants and a guaranteed great atmosphere on race day.

The race will enter town from the north to ascend Lookout, loop back into town again, and then depart to the east toward Denver.

Travel impact and road closures for the 2014 USA Pro Challenge in Golden

Road closure schedule of State Highways for Stage 7. Boulder - Hwy 93 - Golden - Lookout Mountain - Golden - Arvada - Denver. CDOT Colorado Department of Transportation advisory: USA Pro Challenge Road Closures 2014 Stage 7

Local road closures: Expect closures and detours downtown Golden. Check with the city of Golden for local impacts: procyclinggolden.com. Impacts are estimated between 12:00 and 2:30 p.m.

Lookout Mountain closed Friday - Sunday !
Lookout Mountain will be closed to all vehicle traffic between white pillars and Buffalo Bill's entrance. 3:00pm Friday 8/22/14 through 2:00pm Sunday 8/24/14.

What is the story of the pillars?

The stone pylon gateway was built and presented to the City of Denver in 1917, long before the area was heavily populated, by Finlay L. MacFarland, a prominent automobile dealer and member of the Denver Mountain Park's advisory commission. 

The rock pillars before the houses were built nearby.

There was an old observatory atop Lookout Mountain from 1885-1940 (before the wind blew the tin dome off the building).

Route of 2014 USA Pro Challenge

Stage 1: Monday, Aug. 18 – Aspen Circuit Race
Stage 2: Tuesday, Aug. 19 – Aspen to Mt. Crested Butte (long climbs mixed terrain)
Stage 3: Wednesday, Aug. 20 – Gunnison to Monarch Mountain (mountaintop finish)
Stage 4: Thursday, Aug. 21 – Colorado Springs Circuit Race
Stage 5: Friday, Aug. 22 – Woodland Park to Breckenridge (long road, climbing at end)
Stage 6: Saturday, Aug. 23 – Vail Individual Time Trial
Stage 7: Sunday, Aug. 24 – Boulder / Golden (Mtn climb) / Denver

More information at the Pedal Dancer® race guide page: USA PRO CHALLENGE

Also read:
On the path of the 2014 USA Pro Challenge - Aspen
On the path of the 2014 USA Pro Challenge - Colorado Springs
On the path of the 2014 USA Pro Challenge - Breckenridge
On the path of the USA Pro Challenge - Vail
On the path of the 2014 USA Pro Challenge - Denver

All photos in this post by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® (except the historical images).

p.s., exactly who is this that I saw riding out of Golden up Lookout Mountain yesterday? I bet he heard I set a blistering pace and was out to best my time.

An American at the Giro d'Italia in Northern Ireland

I am going to the Giro d'Italia in Northern Ireland!

This proclamation always elicits a response of puzzlement and then that familiar silent head-tilt as if to say,"Isn't that a long way from Italy?" Yes, the start of the Grand Tour Giro d' Italia is a long way from home in 2014, as the bird flies it is 1660.2 miles away from home soil and all those vineyards. The first three stages of this year's Grande Partenza (Big Start) of the Giro will take place near Belfast, Northern Ireland. Followed by the peloton's return, over a rest day, 1796.4 miles back to Giovinazzo, Italy, where they will resume racing.

Route map of 2014 Giro d' Italia Ireland to Italy

Why?

Why is the race in Ireland or why am I going to the race in Ireland? The race is in Ireland because the Northern Ireland Tourist Board spent a lot of effort and money to bid for the start. The tourist board put up £3 million, Belfast Council added £400,000, Failte Ireland £225,000, Dublin City Council £120,000, and Mediolanum International Funds £150,000. The associated events taking place surrounding the Giro are expected to wash the region in more than £2.5 million of economic activity. The goal, I imagine, is to keep those future tourist and economic pounds/euros rolling into Ireland. The full detailed story is here: Why It's heading for Irlanda

Why am I going? I wanted something new and it's Ireland! My family is from Ireland, I am holding an Irish passport in my hands that needs to return to Ireland, the tourist options before and after the race are very appealing to an American, it is NOT in the height of summer travel in Europe (as is the Tour de France), my dog already has a place to stay with family in California (awaiting the Tour of California), and the trip seemed quite doable. Plus my parents had a boat-load of flight miles just waiting to be used (thanks Mom&Dad!).

I have always wanted to see the Giro, but in my mind going to the Giro in Italy would entail combining days at the race with mandatory epic cycling (and since I am no longer the rider I once was since breaking my pelvis, the appeal has lessened). Add the perceived nightmare of accommodations and travel logistics to the required time off of work of at least two to three weeks and the word headache pops to mind. So when I saw that a Team Time Trial (something I have always wanted to see in a grand tour) would be Stage 1 in Northern Ireland, I thought "I'm going," it was that clear.

Plus after reading through all the website information for fans - this looks like tremendous fun! And I really just want to go listen to Irish pub music and drink Guinness beer.

My preferred map of Ireland. Although my grandmother wouldn't approve, she hated when people assumed all Irish drink, she did not. I do.

Okay this is the real map

About the 2014 Giro

This will be the 97th edition. Since 1996 there have been 7 foreign starts to the Giro d'Italia, but this is the first time the race has left Continental Europe. The Giro traditionally begins on a Saturday, but because an extra rest day was needed to transport the riders and staff (although many teams will have staff for Ireland and a separate staff for Italy) back to Italy, this year the Giro begins on a Friday (the team presentation is Thursday).

Dublin hosted the start of the Tour de France in July 1998. It was the same year the Good Friday Agreement was signed a few months earlier that April. 1998 was also the year of the Festina affair when a team soigneur was stopped on the Belgian-French border with illegal doping supplies found inside his car. The start in Dublin began under tremendous controversy. We have come a long way in sixteen years.

Who will be in the pink jersey (maglia rosa) in Belfast? The leader of the winning time trial team on Stage 1 will be awarded the pink jersey (perhaps Pieter Weening or Wout Poels). The jersey will likely change hands to a sprinter after Stage 2. Marcel Kittel will be racing the Giro in 2014, Mark Cavendish will be racing the 1-week Tour of California instead of the 3-week Giro. I hope to see the jersey on the back of a different sprinter after Stage 3, unless the breakaway manages to stay away.

The second week of the Giro is filled with medium mountain stages. The big mountain stages are saved for the third week of racing, when the real winner of the Giro should emerge from the leaders established after the ITT of Stage 12.

This is Titanic Belfast the location of a large exhibit (the architecture is supposed to represent bows of the ships) built to celebrate the port where the ship Titanic was built. Nearby is a large paved area suitable for accommodating team buses and broadcasting trailers and trucks of equipment necessary for the production of an enormous bike race.

Giro Facts
Dates: May 9-June 01 2014
Route: 2014 Giro d'Italia percorsa
21 Stages
22 teams, 9 riders each, 198 total riders (preliminary startlist)

I particularly enjoyed the section on the official Giro guide stating the preferred "wine" of Ireland was Guinness.

Very creative GiroStart cab graphics in Belfast. All this pink lets a visiting fan and cyclist know they are welcome in town.

Planning to see the Giro d'Italia in Ireland 

I hope this post helps you plan your trip to the Giro d'Italia in Northern Ireland.

The initial part of my trip came together quite easily making me realize being a simple tourist is a breeze, combing tourism with an enormous bike race in a foreign country, is a different beast all together. It was refreshing to find flight mileage available for flights and plentiful hotels or friendly B&Bs (unlike France in July). Natural sites and tourist sites appear both relaxing and entertaining. Realizing I have to drive on the wrong side of the road, not so much. 

Next I started planning for the race and was so pleasantly surprised to see tons of information for fans, more than I have ever seen for any race. Can every other race organizer please learn from what the citizens of Ireland have accomplished! Still I began to wonder - does anyone in Northern Ireland do what I do for local races and events? I need a locals perspective.

Race day facts can rarely be found on official Grand Tour websites, they typically leave those details up to local cities. The race organizer's purpose is to promote and market the race itself; they present fancy graphics and videos, and much talk of riders who will attend and who will win. In the case of the Giro, they also use a lot of pink, although a nice color, none of this is of great help to the little guy out on the road. What percentage of fans come from out of town to visit bike races? A lot.

Yes, I plan to discover Northern Ireland. This is Freddie Forte (Strong Freddie) (I'm not sure why they didn't call him Pedaling Paddy) the official character of the Giro Start. Strong Freddie even has a cookbook.

The Giro d'Italia is expected to bring more than 140,000 visitors to Northern Ireland (1.8 mil population)

Northern Ireland has done an excellent job of getting the information out there to fans, although it took some surfing on various websites to make sense of it all.

A lack of detailed information for the cycling fan is traditionally a problem, and is exactly why I began my guide to races like Tour of California (my home state) and USA Pro Challenge (my resident state) and France (my adopted state). Every time I spend 3-hours learning some small detail, I want to share it to save others the time. I want to put my hundreds of hours of research, often learning the hard way how not to do things, to good use.

When it comes to the Giro Start in Belfast, I can happily state Ireland has laid out the red carpet for fans to attend this race.

There is no use reinventing the wheel when it comes to a bike race

Since I am embarking on this trip on my own, Northern Ireland will be another huge learning experience for me. One thing I know for certain is that locals know best. I believe the Irish to be friendly and funny (that is when I can understand them), so I was thrilled to stumble upon a welcoming post by the Old Bleach Cycle Club in Randalstown (http://www.oldbleach.co.uk). In this post the team encouraged visitors to come to the race and welcomed anyone to contact them, so I did. I will gladly accept help from local experts who also happen to be cycling fans and cyclists.

Through the Old Bleach Cycle Club website I discovered the stage guides for the Giro Start Belfast and from there I found much more. A teammate responded promptly to my email and helped answer my questions about where to watch the TTT in Belfast.

The friendly folks from Old Bleach Cycle Club wear these bike jerseys (the pink one is their custom commemorative Giro jersey), if you see them, give them a hug for me.

Schedule and route maps for the start of the 2014 Giro d' Italia:

Giro Big Start Opening Ceremony - Thursday 8 May, Belfast City Hall
17:30, Live outdoor show

Pedal Dancer note: Fortunately I happened to notice on Facebook that I could state my interest in tickets for the event, I then received an email with details to sign up online here (since I am not there in person), in what I imagine will be a huge rush for tickets at 9am on April 24th (2am in Denver!). 

Stage 1 - Friday, May 9 2014, Titanic Belfast - Belfast City Hall
17:45-20:00, TTT 21.7 km (13.48 miles), route map, route profile, official timetable itinerary, stage guide, video tour of Stage 1!

Pedal Dancer note: I had no idea where to watch the TTT in a big city. Thanks to Old Bleach cycle Club and Belfast City Bike Tours, I now have a better feel for the route.

Stage 2 - Saturday, May 10 2014, Titanic Belfast - Belfast (loop route north to Causeway/Antrim)
10:50-16:10, 218 km (135.46 miles), route map, route profile, official timetable itinerary, stage guide, video tour of Stage 2 !

Pedal Dancer note: Seeing a race out on the road is easy, I picked my accommodations to be able to see the nearby final climb for more atmosphere and fun, and less hassle with road closures. 

Stage 3 -  Sunday, May 11 2014, Armagh - Dublin
11:20-16:13, 187 km (116.2 miles), route map, route profile, official timetable itinerary, (better Timetable and road closure schedule reflecting 11:20 start time), stage guide, video tour of Stage 3 !
  
Pedal Dancer note: Attending a start is usually straight forward. Parking is always a hassle and walking a distance to the start zone is a given, but arriving with team buses is fun. From there it is a matter of being closed out of the best viewing by VIP blockades but working my way around it somehow to a place where I can watch the riders roll back and forth to sign-in. I like the activity at a Start and feel it balances the experiences of attending a TTT, finish or seeing the peloton pass over a climb.

Belfast City Hall

Websites and Files:
Giro d'Italia official complete website
Giro d'Italia Start official website
Giro Start Facebook Page 
GiroBelfast.com (news)
Discover Northern Ireland (lots of info)
Northern Ireland Tourist Board
Business Promotion Brochure
Recommended hikes in Northern Ireland

Armagh Start
Timetable and road closure schedule for Stage 3 in Armagh, UK.  Start Village and assembly point at Shambles Market near Saint Patrick's Cathedral. Roads near market close at 7:00, other nearby road closures in Armagh at 8:30. Team buses arrive at 9:30. Caravan departure at 9:40, Peloton Start at 11:20. Finish in Dublin 14:30 caravan, 16:13 peloton.

Helpful Information:
Giro Italia Essential Guide NI ***** (events, road closures, caravan & peloton timing) 
Giro Fan Park Schedule and Guide, located at Titanic Quarter
Giro d’Italia 2014: a guide for travellers, By Telegraph
The Giro d'Italia for Families 
Giro Festival Belfast Schedule
Free (in advance) Tickets to Opening Event, Team Presentation (Buy Tickets link)
Bella Roma! Rome on Film Presented by QFT (Marco Pantani film on May 8th at 9pm)
Get on Your Bike Festival
2-day Giro Causeway Coast Tour, May 8-9th by Belfast City Bike Tours
Belfast Bike hire
Watch it live online at CyclingFans.com or Steephill.TV
Potential audience of 775 million
22 teams are expected representing 12 countries
The caravan will precede the peloton by 1.5 hours when roads will be closed.

Updates from a friend @RexGlobetrotter also going to the Giro d'Italia:
- The Fan Park will be located at Hamilton Dock, beside SS Nomadic, on Thursday May 8th 13:00-17:30 (before team presentation), also Friday, May 9th 10:00-20:00, and Saturday, May 10th 8:00-18:00.
- The Team Paddock will be located at the slipways behind Titanic Belfast - Friday 9:00-20:00. On Saturday the teams will arrive at the Paddock between 8:30-9:30 for Stage 2 Start. 
- There will be 5 large screen TV at Stormont for fan viewing of the race live.

How to watch the Giro live on TV?
BBC NI to broadcast TV coverage live for all 3 stages of the Giro: Friday, May 9th 18:30 BST; Saturday, May 10th 14:00 BST; Sunday, May11th 14:30 BST.

Transportation
Rail & Bus: Translink will operate additional capacity on rail and bus services from to get people home following the event.There will be a shuttle train from Central Station and Great Victoria Street to Titanic Quarter Station. Translink will operate a shuttle bus from Belfast city centre to Titanic Slipways from 09:30 onwards.
Bike parking spaces
Road Closures and Traffic
Train Schedules
Buses are available to Stormont, use the route planner at www.translink.co.uk 
Additional shuttle bus available 8:00 throughout the day at park and ride at Airport Road West (Harbour Estate) and Stormont Estate

Giro Contacts
Website: 2014 Giro d'Italia
Twitter: https://twitter.com/giroditalia @giroditalia  #GIRO
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giroditalia

Facebook - giroditalia
Facebook - GiroStart

Google plus - Giro d'Italia

Instagram - @giroditalia
You Tube - Giro videos 

Teams at the 2014 Giro d'Italia: Preliminary startlist By ProCycling Stats
Australia: Orica-GreenEdge
Belguim: Lotto-Belisol, Omega Pharma-Quick Step
Colombia: Colombia
Denmark: Tinkoff-Saxo
France: Ag2r La Mondiale, Europcar, Fdj.Fr
Great Britain: SKY Team
Italy: Androni Giocattoli, Bardiani-CSF, Cannondale, Lampre-Merida, Yellow Fluo.
Kazakhstan: Astana
Netherlands: Belkin, Giant-Shimano
Russia: Katusha
Spain: Movistar
USA: BMC Racing, Garmin-Sharp, Trek Factory Racing

And then of course there are these two magazines that came in the mail this week.

Riders known to be racing the Giro in 2014

Nario Quintana, Cadel Evans, Rigoberto Urán, Samuel Sanchez, Daniel Martin, Ivan Basso, Elia Viviani, André Greipel, Marcel Kittel, Tyler Farrar, Wilco Kelderman, Michele Scarponi, Maxim Monfort, Robert Kiserlovski, Johnny Hoogerland, Pierre Roland, Nicholas Roche. It looks like no Richie Porte. Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins are heading to California for the Tour of California. Chris Horner is very iffy after his crash. 198 total riders (preliminary startlist)

Full Giro route map

This Giro route map might look cool for marketing, but does nothing for the tourist attending the race.

The 21 stages in 2014 will include:

• 2 Individual time trials
• 1 Team trial time
• 8 Flat stages
• 4 Medium mountain stages with summit finishes
• 5 High mountain stages with summit finishes

Dates, Cities and distance of 21 stages of the 2014 Giro d'Italia: 

1   9 May, Titanic Belfast - Belfast, 21.7km, Team Time Trial
2  10 May, Belfast – (Causeway & Antrim Coast) - Belfast, 218 km, Flat stage
3  11 May,  Armagh – Dublin, 187 km, Flat stage
R- 12 May, Rest day
4  13 May, Giovinazzo - Bari, 121 km, Flat stage
5  14 May, Taranto - Viggiano, 200 km, Medium-mountain stage
6  15 May, Sassano - Montecassino, 247 km, Medium-mountain stage
7  16 May, Frosinone - Foligno, 214 km, Flat stage
8  17 May, Foligno - Montecopiolo, 174 km, Medium-mountain stage
9  18 May, Lugo - Sestola, 174 km, Medium-mountain stage
R- 19 May, Rest day
10  20 May, Modena - Salsomaggiore, 184 km, Flat stage
11  21 May, Collecchio - Savona, 249 km, Medium-mountain stage
12  22 May, Barbaresco – Barolo, 46.4 km, Individual time trial
13  23 May, Fossano - Rivarolo Canavese, 158 km, Flat stage
14  24 May, Agliè - Oropa, 162 km, Mountain stage
15  25 May, Valdengo - Montecampione, 217 km, Mountain stage
R-  26 May, Rest day
16  27 May, Ponte di Legno - Val Martello (Martelltal), 139 km, Mountain stage
17  28 May, Sarnonico - Vittorio Veneto, 204 km, Flat stage
18  29 May, Belluno - Rif. Panarotta (Valsugana), 171 km, Mountain stage
19  30 May, Bassano del Grappa – Cima Grappa (Crespano del Grappa), 26.8 km, ITT
20  31 May, Maniago – Monte Zoncolan, 167 km, Mountain stage
21  01 June, Gemona del Friuli – Trieste, 169 km, Flat stage

The town of Whitehead north of Belfast where I will be staying to play tourist and fan.

Pedal Dancer's plan for the 2014 Giro d'Italia:

May 6: Arrive into Dublin, pick up a rental car and attempt to change my brain pattern to be able to drive on "the wrong side of the road." Drive north to Newry where my Grandfather Peter Mallon was born in County Armagh, proceed through Belfast to Whitehead where I am staying at a friendly B&B along the coast north of Belfast for five nights. From here I can take a 35-minute train into Belfast. Less time than it would take me to find a parking space in the city.

May 7: Be a tourist in the beauty of Northern Ireland. Drive to the Giant Causeway for a hike, visit the Bushmills distillery (yes, I am a whiskey drinker), climb across the Carrick-a-Rede rope-bridge, see The Dark Hedges, drive down the Glens of Antrim continuing the loop drive back to my B&B in Whitehead.

May 8: Train (train schdule) to Belfast. Pick up my team presentation tickets at Visit Belfast Welcome Centre (which I hope I get by signing up on April 24th at 2am!/ 9am in Belfast here). City Bike Tour with Belfast City Bike Tours to preview the TTT course by bike. visit Dave Kane Cycle and Il Pirata restaurant for a coffee. Attend Team Presentation at City Hall at 17:30-21:00.

May 9:  Train to Belfast, watch the TTT practice 10-12pm in Belfast City.  Titanic Belfast Exhibit & Giro Fan Park.Visit the team bus area, watching the riders warm up. Caravan parade at 16:30. Stage 1 - TTT begins at 17:45. return to B&B in Whitehead.

May 10: Watch the final Class 4 climb (with 23.6 miles to go) of Stage 2 at Knocknaguillagh (Bla Hole) nearby my B&B (road closes at 1:00, caravan 14:00, peloton 15:30, road reopens 16:30).

May 11: Drive to Armagh for the start of Stage 3 at The Mall/Shambles Yard. Team buses arrive at 9:30am. Caravan departs at 9:40, Start at 11:20. Drive SW to Galway Bay area to the small town of Doolin where I will stay at a B&B for two nights. Local pub music in the evening.

May 12: Walking Tour of the Cliffs of Mohar and local sites. Rent a bicycle if weather permits. More local pub music.

May 13: Be a tourist in County Clare (my Grandmother Julia Griffin was actually born south of here in Tralee, County Kerry); return to Dublin.

May 14: Fly back to Los Angeles where the Amgen Tour of California will already be under way with it's entourage traveling from northern California to southern California. A number of key riders will be racing in California in preparation for the Tour de France.

Now this looks fun!

Stage 2, 2014 Giro d'Italia

But this looks a bit intimidating - Stage 1

Where do I go in this big city to watch a bike race? I mean I would hate to end up by an "eyesore."  £605000 Funding Package to Tackle Eyesores before the Giro

If you are an Irish local and can offer me tips, please comment on my Pedal Dancer Cycling Facebook page - thank you, I appreciate your help!

See you at the Giro - in Northern Ireland.

I got to hold the trophy!

There is even a garden guide of what to plant, in a pink palette of course. Giro Pink Planting suggestions. I tell ya, they have thought of everything!

Promo video #1:


And yet Another promo video #2. And another one promo video #3.  I am a sucker for these videos, they get me so pumped up for race time.

I have updated the Pedal Dancer Guide Page: GIRO ďITALIA

USA Pro Challenge in Denver

Attending The Race - Race Day Planning in Denver

PEDAL DANCER FAN GUIDE - Stage 7 - USA Pro Challenge 2013

A Sunday afternoon is the perfect time to take in a 3 hour circuit race through the city streets of Denver. Now if you live anywhere close to Denver, it will be hard not to notice that there is a big bike race going on that day, so you might as well plan for it, relax and enjoy.

I have noticed that a number of people are coming from out of town for this stage of the USA Pro Challenge so I will try my best to highlight some areas where it would be nice to pull up a chair and watch the race whiz by. That chair might belong to a cafe, be under a VIP tent, or perhaps that chair was carried on your back to a nice grassy knoll.

Denver State Capital building. Photo © by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

STAGE FACTS

Date: August 25, 2013, Final Day of Racing!
Start Time: 12:55pm
Finish Time: 3:50pm
Location of Start & Finish: Civic Center Park
Route Map: Stage 7 route map through Denver
Lap Length: 9.1 miles
Estimated time per lap: approx. 20 minutes
Number of laps: 8
Total distance: 72.8 miles
Elevation of Denver: 5280 ft, nicknamed "The Mile High City"
Denver City Race Event Website:
Stage Sponsor: Smashburger
Official 2013 Spectator Guide 
USA Pro Cycling:   Website   Facebook   Twitter   YouTube

Stage 7 commemorative jersey of the Tour

Stage 5 commemorative jersey of the tour

STAGE ROUTE - MAPS, PROFILES AND DESCRIPTIONS

* please note you will likely see discrepancies in route maps (in city park), race lengths, and start finish times for this stage. This is the correct map.

Details: Stage 7:  Denver Circuit Race – Sunday, Aug. 25
Miles: 9.4 miles (15.1km) each lap
Stage 7 Route Map

Stage 7 Route

 click any map to enlarge

Stage 7 route map USA Pro Challenge in Denver. This is the correct map.

Stage 7 Route Profile

Stage 7: Denver Circuit Race – Sunday, Aug. 25

Official Comments: We marvel at their raw speed. We watch their daring moves and nerves of steel as they fight for position with awe. We gasp at their handling skills. They are the sprinters. And for six days they have been fighting over mountains trying to stay with racers 20 or more pounds lighter. They have flirted with thin air and time cuts, but today belongs to them. The Denver Circuit takes the best parts of the 2011 and 2012 Denver stages and combines them into a new circuit. It still hits all the Denver highlights – LoDo, City Park, Civic Center Park. There isn’t a bad viewing spot. Watch for early breakaways…can they hold off the surging peloton? Watch the teams cue up and try to set up their sprinters…can they get to the front? Watch the last corner and see who has the nerve to take it the fastest and claim the final prize in the shadow of Colorado’s Capitol.

Pedal Dancer® comments: Party time in Denver! Time to celebrate a successful week of bike racing. Come by bike, enjoy the food and beer, be entertained as the riders race the final circuit laps through the state capital. Fast bike racing and pageantry pure and simple.

Road Closures & Parking
Full road closure details for Denver area: All Colorado Road Closures for the 2013 USA Pro Challenge Bike Race. Or this local Denver Road Closures details for the bike race - Stage 7.

VIP Tickets
Denver Start & Finish area - Founders Box $350
Learn more, or Buy VIP Tickets

What VIP includes: a prime viewing spot on the race route, food, beverage, private access, tables & chairs, live TV race coverage, shade or shelter.

VIP in Denver actually makes a lot of sense - your viewing will be prime with a great location right along both the start and finishing straight for the entire race. You will have friends, food, drinks, TV screens, restroom trailers, freebies, and a lot of enthusiastic fellow fans near you to enjoy the day. Good people watching too!

Volunteer:
Sign-up to help out at the race for Stage 7 in Denver.

Accommodations
Hotel Deals for the bike race in Denver - see the list of Hotels at Denver.org

Imbibe - Food and Drink in Denver
Enjoy one of the many breweries that make Denver famous: Best Beer Pubs and Breweries in Denver, By Pedal Dancer®.

AT THE RACE

Race Day Timing
6:00am - no parking anywhere along course
8:00am - U.S. Handcycling Competition
8:30-10:45am - Pro Challenge 9K run
12:00-5:00pm - Festival Opens in Civic Center Park
12:30-4:00pm - Entire race route closed
12:55pm - Race Start
3:50pm - Race Finish
4:15pm - Podium Presentations in Civic Center Park

PEDAL DANCER RECOMMENDATIONS

Tips on where to see the Race? USA Pro Challenge in Denver

Bike Valet will be available. Metered Street Parking is free in Downtown Denver on Sunday, but there will be no parking along the route. The Festival area is interesting to walk around if you have not been to any of the other stages, otherwise - head out onto the route and find a comfortable spot to watch from a neighborhood cafe or a shady spot on the grass.

The start area is also very interesting to watch. If you know the riders well and have followed the competition all week, you might want to be near the stage at the start / finish line to see and hear the  commentators as they interview the riders and later call the race. The VIP tents and private hospitality areas will covet most of the final finishing straight. The Festival (Expo) area is free, enjoy the food, beer, music, and more.

Last year Denver hosted the final time trial of the 2012 USA Pro Challenge. This year you will get to see a circuit race where the entire peloton will come around again and again on repeated laps of the same course. Try to pick out the yellow, green, red, blue, and orange jersey on each lap.

If you are in Civic Center Park, go watch the final awards ceremony. Last year a movable podium was brought onto Broadway (between the VIP tents) and the street was opened to regular fans to come in for a closer view of the ceremonies, awarding the overall winner of the tour and the final jersey winners.

click any map to enlarge

Denver Festival and VIP set-up Stage 7

I created the map below to highlight some of the key areas to watch the race including: Civic Center Park, City Park, the cafes along 17th St, Historic Larimer Square, the large area near the Performing Arts Complex, and the grassy strip along Speer Blvd. All of these areas should be fine viewing. Corners are good places to be located because the riders dive into the turns.

Also team cars and riders will be going up and down on the divided 17th Street and the lower part of Speer Blvd., keeping you quite entertained by watching them approach in both direction.

Where to see the USA Pro Challenge Race Stage 7 in Denver on Sunday (blue highlighted areas). Map by Pedal Dancer®

Photos of Denver

Fans in Civic Center Park at the USA Pro Challenge.  Photo © by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Fans strolling the Festival.  Photo © by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Vine Street Pub - one of the many restaurants along the route of Stage 7 through Denver.  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

The view to the finish line and the VIP tents lining the route.  Photo © by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION - EVENT RUN

2013 USA Pro Challenge 9K Sprint Challenge (Citizen event run in Denver)

Date: Sunday, August 25, 2013
Event: First annual 9K Sprint Challenge, or 5K Sprint (sponsored by Davita)
Start/Finish: Civic Center Park, Denver, Colorado
Race Information:  http://www.9ksprint.com/
Run route: see 9K route map a shorter 5K route will be available on the same route (with a turn-around point).
More run event information

Start time : 8:30 a.m. (Stage 6 circuit lap race will begin on the same day after this event)
Cost: $35 pre-registration / $45 day of event
Prizes: Two hospitality passes to the Founder’s Box will be given away for the best times overall for both men and women, as well as best times for each age division. Two hospitality passes to the Founder’s Box will also be given away for the best “Cycling Fanatic” costume, so dress to impress!

USA Pro Challenge 9K Sprint Challenge run route 2013

Other PEDAL DANCER FAN GUIDES - USA Pro Challenge race day planning, travel guides, city special events, route maps and profiles, road closures, and stage start and finish times. (all links coming soon)

I have chased pro races for 13 years on the Continent and in Europe. I am now granted the thrill to be Media at some of the races but am always in touch with my roots as a fan. I share with you my inside tips on how to see and enjoy a professional cycling race. My love of travel, maps, photographs and human interest blend with the love of any bike and a good competition in sports. Welcome and enjoy the ride! (About Pedal Dancer®)

USA Pro Challenge in Aspen and Snowmass
USA Pro Challenge in Breckenridge (Part 1)
How & Where to Watch the USA Pro in Breckenridge (Part 2)
USA Pro Challenge in Steamboat Springs
USA Pro Challenge in Beaver Creek
USA Pro Challenge in Vail
USA Pro Challenge in Loveland
USA Pro Challenge in Fort Collins
USA Pro Challenge in Denver

For more information please visit the PEDAL DANCER GUIDE PAGE: USA PRO CHALLENGE

Riders in the 2013 USA Pro Challenge

Official website: http://www.usaprocyclingchallenge.com/

Monday, Aug. 19 - Stage 1: Aspen/Snowmass Circuit
Tuesday, Aug. 20 - Stage 2: Aspen/Snowmass - Breckenridge
Wednesday, Aug. 21 - Stage 3: Breckenridge - Steamboat Springs
Thursday, Aug. 22 - Stage 4: Steamboat Springs - Beaver Creek
Friday, Aug. 23 - Stage 5: Vail Time Trial
Saturday, Aug. 24 - Stage 6: Loveland - Fort Collins
Sunday, Aug. 25 - Stage 7: Denver Circuit