Pedal Dancer®: Santa Barbara

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16 May 2013

California Cruisin' - Stage 5, Tour of California

Pedal Dancer Cruising California

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

Stage Length: 115.6 miles

KEY FEATURES: The first climb started at mile 7.77 today over San Marcos Pass, it then skirted 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 and controversial beach town of Avila Beach.

Stage 5 ATOC 2013, (zoom in on route map and profile)

STAGE 5 HIGHLIGHTS

Stage 5 Results photos and stories by Pedal Dancer Amgen Tour of California - Stage 5 results

How do you pronounce their names?
Jens Voigt: Yens Vokedt (close to evoke with a little t at the end, closer to vote than voit)
Tyler Farrar: Far-rah (not like the car Farrar-i, but more like Farrah Fawcet, with a little r)
Philippe Gilbert: Gee-bear (not like Melissa Gilbert of Little House on the Prairie)
Peter Sagan: Sah-gone (not like saggin' baggin' lycra)
Vncenzo Nibali: Nee-bah-lee (not like NiBALLy). This guy is now leading the Giro so get it right! Giro d'Italia 2013: stage 13 - as it happened

Race Day Photos and Stories

The Jensie

Dave Towle, Andy Schleck, Jens Voigt and Brad Sohner in the morning at the sign-in stage. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Jens, looking clam and confident in the morning before the stage. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

These legs would go on to win the stage! ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Cruising among the team buses in Santa Barbara

The riders were noticeably happy this morning in Santa Barbara. The cooler temperatures, nice accommodations and perfect location made moving about easy for the riders. Their hotel rooms were steps from the team buses, steps from their bikes, and an easy block from the start line. The team buses were parked to the side of the Fess Parker Hotel, the start line out front along Cabrillo Blvd.

Santa Barbara was a great location for the race, a good Host City, and as I mentioned yesterday I wouldn't mind if they ran a few stages out of this city similar to the Tour Down Under. The riders were smiling and joking and social, general stress had been lessened, a noticeable difference from earlier stages. The mood was excellent.

Another sunscreen king of day in California. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

DZ selecting his sunscreen. Why don't we have a sunscreen sponsor in this sport?! ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

All quiet around the team buses. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Michael Rogers and Axel Merckx. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Andy Schleck all smiles at the start ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Cannondale marketing at it's best. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Don't you want to go ride with these guys? Haedo, Bodnar, Sagan of Cannondale Pro Cycling.
©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Team bonding with Bontrager. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Philip Deignan ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Ben Jacques-Maynes

More Andy Schleck. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Johan Vansummeren and Andy Schleck leave autograph alley. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

If you are a lucky fan, you get a really warm greeting from Andy. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Sylvain Chavanel ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

How do you like Tejay's orange shoes? ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

A sure sign that the Omega Pharma-Quickstep team must be nearby. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Patience ... waiting to race. Andy Schleck, Haiar Zubeldia, Irizar Arranburu. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

American National Champion Timmy Duggan found his Mom in the crowd in her matching jersey. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

riders listening to the National Anthem. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Start Line in Santa Barbara Tour of California. ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Startlist of riders for Individual Time Trial, Amgen Tour of California, Stage 6, San Jose

The best way to track the order and times of riders is to use your Amgen Tour of California Tour Tracker app on your phone or ipad.

For a printable list of riders: Stage 6 ITT Start Order and Rider Start Times

Stage 5 Results

Tips for being a fan at an Individual Time Trial tomorrow

A similar route was used in 2006, the riders gain 1000' over the 19.8 miles. Team cars will be following the riders on a narrow 22' road, allowing the riders only 11' passage as they ascend the hill to the finish. The final area up to the motorcycle park will be fully fenced along the route for rider and spectator safety as team cars will follow the riders. Also read Tough time trial route to test Tour of California contenders By CyclingNews.

The official Amgen Tour of California site advises:

There will be three waves of racers: Amateurs at 12:30pm, Pro Women at 12:45pm and Pro Men at 1:00.
The last riders should finish at 3:45pm
Race Start is at 555 Bailey Road in San Jose
Race Finish is at Santa Clara County Motorcycle Park at 300 Metcalf Road, San Jose
Total miles raced 19.62 (or 19.8 varying length stated)

Pedal Dancer Spectator tips for watching the ITT as a fan:

The Lifestyle Village is located at the start area on Bailey Road.
The best swag is at the Breakaway from Cancer tent.
The most fun for true fans is to watch the riders warming up on the spinners outside the bus, or to watch the riders take the final turn, or stretch of road, to the finish line.
It is great if you can see the final timer at the finish line and hear the announcers in the distance near the finish line, to keep track of race standings.
Watching the racers approach the start line in full regalia (bike, skinsuit and helmet) is also interesting. Quietly notice their concentration (but don't disturb them).
My main tip would be to move around at any ITT, you will experience so much more than holding one place at the barriers.
Oh and check out the bikes!!

Pedal Dancer tips on where to watch the race:

The best place to capture photographs would be

Near the team buses as the riders warm up
Next to the holding pen where the riders await their entry onto the start ramp (one side is usually reserved for VIP)
On any long sweeping turn on the course (allowing for position of sunlight).
On the final ascent as they slow a bit and show their final effort.

Please do not disturb: Please do not disturb the riders before they begin their race near the start line. The only place to ask for autographs, with consideration, is when a rider is exiting or entering the team bus near it's steps.

TOMORROWS STAGE 6

Stage 6 : Route Map | Route Profile | timetable | San Jose FB page

Stage 6: Friday, May 17 – San Jose (Individual Time Trial)
2013 ATOC Stage 6: route map, profile, and stage information
Start Location: Bailey Ave.
Finish Location: Metcalf Road – Metcalf Motorcycle Park (short hilltop finish)
Start Time: 12:50 p.m.
Stage Length: 19.62 miles
CITY HIGHLIGHT: Route & City information about San Jose
KEY FEATURES: I hope you got in your car and drove because suddenly we are in northern California (south of San Francisco). Returning to the town of San Jose for a 20-mile semi-loop/uphill individual time trial. The route is south of downtown SJ with a start near Calero Reservoir and a finish up Metcalf Rd at the motorcycle park. (3km of nearly 10%).

Stage 6 ATOC 2013, (zoom in on route map and profile)

01 May 2013

California Here I come

Right back were I started from

It is May and that means the Tour of California begins one week after the Giro d'Italia. Ain't May great. If you can't make it to Italy for a spectacular team time trial in the 2013 Giro d'Italia, why not head to California? I'll be there, joined by my brother Mike, and trusty photographer and friend Willie. We plan to have some fun in California, my home state.

Sometimes I do things right

One trick I have learned as a fan, is to make accommodation reservations early for popular host cities. Way back in November, when the route of the 2013 Tour of California was announced, I saw an incredible "Cycling Holiday" opportunity when the organizers paired a Stage Finish in the town of Santa Barbara, with a Stage Start in Santa Barbara the very next day. This combo suits the cycling tourist perfectly, and I scurried to make a modest reservation at the Marina Beach Motel.

Today I pulled up that hotel reservation I made in Santa Barbara to discover the Finish of Stage 4 is 1.3 miles away and the real Start of Stage 5 is 1 block away. One block!! YES. A bit of time spent cross-referencing some of the leading reservation sites for reviews, knowing a bit about Santa Barbara, plus pure luck, has me perfectly situated to attend two stages of the Tour of California in convenient style.

Will you be traveling to see the Tour of California in Santa Barbara?

Read the official Amgen Tour of California City Spotlight page: Santa Barbara - host city to Stages 4 and 5.

Location of Santa Barbara in California. Photo from www.countyofsb.org

CYCLING: ATOC Tour Organizers have collected five recommended cycling routes (with maps) in the area, check them out at: Cycle Santa Barbara Routes (below). Or try the Sideways Film Location Ride II (52.3 miles). Or more ideas of rides from BikeMap.net.

Hope Ranch Loop
Montecito Loop
Mountain Drive Loop
Carpinteria Loop
Gibralter / East Camino Cielo

WINERIES: Santa Barbara is also wine country, if you have the interest, read more: Santa Barbara County Wineries, or see the PDF file of the Tasting Rooms map.

They have a few wineries in Santa Barbara County - this is California!

SURFING & BEACHES: If you think of Santa Barbara as the Rincon and surfers, check out the surf and beaches of Santa Barbara. Or read more descriptions, information and photos at TravelGrom's Surf Spots Santa Barbara.

wannaSurf.com location of surfing beaches in Santa Barbara (click image to enlarge or see additional map)

From Evan Thomas, a local who writes a Santa Barbara surf and travel blog titled TravelGrom, comes this advice, "Point Conception divides Santa Barbara into two surfing areas, North County and South County. North County is isolated and wind-swept. Only hardcore surfers make trips to these waves. There have also been several fatal shark attacks in North County. South County is more user-friendly, but less consistent. The best time to surf Santa Barbara is in the winter, when big west swells enter the Santa Barbara channel." Thank you Evan for sharing the news.

PEDAL DANCER FAN TRAVEL GUIDE

If you have come to Santa Barbara to simply watch the race and celebrate with other fans; the city of Santa Barbara has lots of activities planned for spectators: Santa Barbara spectators

My dream trip to Santa Barbara as a fan at the Tour of California will entail:

Stage - Finish into Santa Barbara

ATOC - Map location of Stage 4 Finish in Santa Barbara

DAY 1 2013

Early in the morning, drive Hwy 101 into Santa Barbara.
Have an early lunch at La Super Rica Taqueria (622 N Milpas St, open 11am, CLOSED WEDNESDAYS), good Mexican food, selecting any small dish specials from the chalk board (cash only). Some claim that Los Agaves Restaurant is even better (larger portions) with a nice atmosphere and food, one block down from La Super Rica (at 600 N Milpas St). Or for out-of-towners, perhaps a beach setting at Boathouse at Hendry's Beach (2981 Cliff Dr.) for its location.
Stroll the shops along State Street. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and a treat at The Anderson (1106 State St) and walk down to the ocean, or hop on the shuttle bus, continue along the beach (left) parallel to Cabrillo Blvd to Cabrillo Park (2.3 miles).
Walk around the Finish area and the ATOC Lifestyle Festival village. Scout out the location of the team buses and the final podium stage.
Line up about 100-200 feet before the finish line along the barriers to watch a fast bunch sprint for the line (the finish is typically around 4:30pm). Or join in the fun at the $75 Finish Line Viewing Party.
Watch the podium presentation and then go to the team buses just for the fun of it.
It's time for a nice glass of California wine. Be spontaneous.
And then a good dinner, perhaps a visit to Tupelo Junction (1218 State Street, 5pm-close, happy hour 5-7pm), or Le Petit Valentien (1114 State St), The Wine, Cask, Downey's, Louie's, Opal, Zia Cafe, The Brewhouse. (more suggestions coming)
Return to my conveniently located hotel, download photos and post to my blog.
Sleep well, excited that this California native, now living in Colorado, is meters from ocean waves breaking on the sand.

What a great location for a race day hotel!

location of my hotel - it pays to plan ahead

Stage - Start in Santa Barbara

ATOC - Map location of Stage 5 Start in Santa Barbara

DAY 2 2013

Rise and Shine
Breakfast at Backyard Bowls (331 Motor Way, open at 7am) in the Lower State Street area. Or you could try the old original Sambo's just a couple blocks from the start (216 W Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara), for the most traditional basic American breakfast.
Head to the Start area to watch the team soigneurs and mechanics set-up for the days race near the hotels where the team buses will be located.
Locate the start line (same as the finish location of yesterday's stage) and sign-in stage, so I can visit all and figure out how to best move around between the areas.
When the team buses and riders begin to appear (approx. 1.5-2 hours before the start) walk around trying to recognize my favorite riders. Watch the rider procession up and down the sign-in stage, or position myself where I can see the riders come and go from their team buses to the stage. *Tip: If you see Bob Roll, follow him, he will be interviewing the top race favorites, who will come out of their team bus for the interview, which you can overhear live.
Find a place behind the start line (where you will be right next to them) to watch the riders line up and wait for the stage start, listen to them sing the national anthem before rolling away on their way to Avila Beach.
After the stage start, try a late breakfast or lunch on the beach at the casual basic Shoreline Cafe (801 Shoreline Dr., 9am-8pm) located along the shoreline near the start. Or a later drink with a touristy view at the Endless Summer Bar-Cafe.
If you are departing Santa Barbara to the south, continue along Hwy 101 to the town of Carpinteria. Stop for a burger at The Spot (389 Linden Ave, 10-6:30pm) and then walk the nice State Beach nearby.

Sambos in Santa Barbara. Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer

Transportation

Downtown-Waterfront Electric Shuttle (9am - 6pm): "The Downtown-Waterfront Shuttles provide frequent service along State Street and the Waterfront area. Shuttle buses and bus stops are marked with blue and black sailboat symbols and the shuttles travel on State Street from Sola Street to Stearns Wharf and along Cabrillo Boulevard from the Harbor to the Zoo. The shuttle fare is 50 cents one-way. State Street service includes a stop every block and runs daily every 10 minutes between 10am and 6pm." For more information, visit: Waterfront Shuttle in Santa Barbara.
Printable map with bus stop list (398KB PDF)

Waterfront shuttle map in Santa Barbara

Downtown-Waterfront Shuttle Sign - look for the sign and get on the bus

Being a fan at the Tour of California

All this fun and that was only two of eight total stages of the 2013 Tour of California.

I will also be attending Stages 1 & 2 in the San Diego area. I will be staying near Escondido where my friend and fellow Pedal Dancer photographer Willie already has a group dinner planned for us at The Stone Brewery in Escondido. What fun that will be.

Although I will be doing Media again this year for the race (Stages 1-5), much of my day will be spent as a fan and tourist in California. After all being a cycling tourist is what truly attracts me to the Tour of California and chasing races. Well that and the food in California, or is it the beaches, the fast bikes, the fun fans, the weather, seeing friends and family.

I have a promise out to Joylynn, whom I met outside of Pau last year in France (she too was chasing the Tour de France), to take "more pictures of legs" at this year's Tour of California, maybe like this post from last year Time Trial legs. I am set on fulfilling that promise.

There will be lots of good riders at this year's Amgen Tour of California - look for tomorrow's post about which riders will be riding the Giro and which riders we can expect to see in California.

Santa Barbara Photos

Santa Barbara harbor area

Santa Barbara - the beach area where the Amgen Tour of California will start and finish in 2013

Lifeguard station. Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer

Boats along the shore in Santa Barbara. Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer

La Super-Rica Taqueria

La Super Rica's delicious food

The Boathouse at Hendry's Beach

The Boathouse at Hendry's Beach at night. Photo by Sabrina Huang

Tupelo Junction Cafe

Fresh food at Tupelo Junction

A morning bowl of goodness at Backyard Bowls

Shoreline Cafe

The Spot burger shack in Carpinteria, California

An American tradition

Carpinteria beach

And Tom Boonen at the 2012 Tour of California - we will surely miss him in 2013!

Options for viewing the race for Fans:

Stage 5 : Route Map | Route Profile | timetable | Santa Barbara spectators

Choose your experience:

Start Area: Lots to see as teams and riders prepare for the days race, fun photographs and autographs. Good for families and knowledgeable fans. Fantastic during Individual Time Trials as the riders warm up, weigh & measure bikes and roll down the start ramp.
In any town: You can sit and enjoy a meal at a cafe and then go to the side of the road to watch the riders race by at any point along the route. Good for locals, tourists, or those wanting to avoid the crowds.
In the countryside: You may picnic or hike before the riders come through on the road, then watch the flash of color roar by.
On a mountain: Cycle out to a mountain pass to watch the riders climb - lots of atmosphere and fun with the fans. Good for cyclists or walkers.
Finish Area: Enjoy a meal before or after the finish. Visit the Festival of vendors and sponsors. Watch a very fast exciting sprint finish to the line. Limited rider viewing, but fun anticipation and event atmosphere.
Stay over in a host city if possible, sometimes you will see staff walking around the bustling towns, mechanics working on the bikes, or the riders stopping in for an early morning coffee.

Typical timing of a race day:

8:00-9:00 - arrive, park, have a meal in a restaurant or coffee shop (arrive 2-3 hrs before the start time), or begin your ride out onto the course.
9:00-12:00 - watching fans, staff, riders at the Start area prepare for the day. Team buses arrive 1.5-2 hours before the start time.
10:30-12:00 - the race begins from the Start village. The roads in the direction of the race will not be passable while the riders are racing on them. Individual Time Trials start about 1pm.
1:00-3:00 - riders hit the climbs for the day. Use your Apps to track the race.
2:00-4:00 - watching fans and waiting for riders at the Finish area. The Lifestyle Festival is typically large and active at the Finish.
4:00-5:00 - riders race across the Finish line.
5-5:30ish - awards ceremony on the podium at the stage near the finish line (within 30 minutes of the finish). Bikes are cleaned and packed up near the team buses. Riders might transfer to nearby team hotels in team cars. If the team travels to another city, they will load in the big team buses.
5:30-7pm - give back to the host city and take in a meal or shop while the traffic settles.

See you at the race!

Post race update: The hotel where I stayed had FREE beach cruiser bikes for use by their guests. I picked up a bike lock from the front desk, hopped on a bike, and rode over to the stage start from my hotel. It worked perfectly. The Belgian guys from team Omega Pharma-Quickstep were giggling as I rode up with media badge flapping, camera slung over my shoulder, and all smiles. California Crusin' at its best!

Reports from the race:

For more information please see the Pedal Dancer Guide Page: TOUR OF CALIFORNIA
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PEDAL DANCER GUIDE PAGES

16 May 2013

California Cruisin' - Stage 5, Tour of California

01 May 2013

California Here I come