Trip Detail
Ride like a PRO at the Tour of California
Trip Photo
- When:
- 02/16/09 - 02/23/09
- Partner:
- For the Ride Tours
- Location:
- California!
- Price:
- $2495
- Contact Phone:
- 1-877-298-3772
- Contact Email:
- ride@fortheridetours.com
- Website:
- www.fortheridetours.com/ToCItinerary.html
- Description:
In 2009, the Tour of California returns for its fourth edition – bigger, better, and with more exciting finishes!
With the race starting in Northern California and travelling all the way to San Diego, we have a perfect opportunity to see the state and ride some classic California routes along the way. Join the Specialized Riders Club and For the Ride for a perfect week of pro peloton action, high speed sprints, long demanding climbs and the best riders in the world as they compete in our home state!
With our direct connection to many of the teams competing, we are sure to get behind the scenes access and a unique vantage point to the best racing this country has ever seen!
Monday - February 16
Upon arriving at the San Jose airport, you will be greeted by your guides and travel by shuttle van to Santa Cruz to watch the exciting finish of Stage 3.
After what is sure to be a fast and furious finish, we will head out on our bikes for an afternoon ride along some of the area’s best roads. You will have the option this week of riding a new Specialized bike or shipping your own to one of Specialized's top dealers to be assembled, ready, and waiting for your arrival. After our ride we’ll enjoy a post-race dinner with the Specialized Riders Club and head to the team hotels to get the latest “behind-the-scenes” updates from our sponsored Athletes.
- Stage Viewing: Stage 3 Finish in Santa Cruz
- Riders Club Riding: Post stage finish Santa Cruz ride – 40 miles
Tuesday - February 17
After a bountiful breakfast we will head out on today's race route and ride up Mount Hamilton. (Approx 30 miles). Don't worry, we will break into a number of groups so you can take it at your own pace.
Once we crest the summit – relax and wait for the action! As the pro peloton comes up and over the top we’ll cheer for our heroes of the sport!
After the race passes it’s time to enjoy our reward – a long downhill back to San Jose! When we get back to town we will enjoy plenty of time to relax and refresh before dinner.
- Stage Viewing: On the top of Mt. Hamilton
- Riders Club Riding: Up Mt. Hamilton and back – 60 miles; Up Mt. Hamilton with Sierra Road Option – 80 miles
Wednesday - February 18
Today we ride from our hotel in San Jose to the headquarters of Specialized Bicycle Components in Morgan Hill where we will participate in the industry known lunch ride with some of the Specialized Bicycles designers and engineers.
After riding, we'll enjoy a picnic lunch and a tour of the Specialized facility. With bikes from current and former World Champions adorning the building walls the history of cycling will inspire us for the rest of the week. After catching our breath, we’ll head south to Paso Robles and enjoy a relaxed evening exploring the historic downtown area of El Paso De Robles.
- Stage Viewing: None
- Riders Club Riding: San Jose to Morgan Hill – 30 miles; Specialized Lunch Ride – 20 miles
Thursday - February 19
Today we head for a ride through the beautiful wine country surrounding Paso Robles. Our ride is carefully timed so that we arrive in advance of the race so that we can watch the riders as they cross the finish line.
After the race we can go autograph hunting at the team buses and chat a bit with the team mechanics as they pack from another great day of racing.
Once sufficiently saturated with cyclists we will leave Paso Robles and shuttle to the Danish town of Solvang where we have time to relax, refresh, and explore town before dinner.
- Stage Viewing: Stage finish in Paso Robles
- Riders Club Riding: Loop ride from Paso Robles – 50 to 75 miles
Friday - February 20
Today we spend the day in Solvang, where we start with a ride of the loop of the 14 mile time-trial course in the morning.
Lunch will be served at a restaurant near the halfway point of the race in Los Olivos where we will watch the action as it happens.
Today may be a turning point in the race, so be sure to bring your camera to catch each rider as they pass in this "test against the clock." With a full minute separating each racer, we'll have time to watch the race from a number of vantage points.
After the race, we will attend post-race festivities, where you will again have the opportunity to meet some of the professional cyclists before traveling to Santa Clarita where we check into our hotel before dinner and a relaxing evening
- Stage Viewing: Solvang TT half way point in Los Olivos
- Riders Club Riding: ITT preview and ride to our viewing location – 20 to 30 miles
Saturday - February 21
Today we head out for a full day on the beautiful Tour of California route.
After a great breakfast, we will ride the full stage from Santa Clarita to Pasadena. This is a fun and scenic stage through the Angeles National Forest leading to Pasadena includes the impressive climb of Millcreek Summit. Once over the top we’ll race ahead of the peloton to arrive in Pasadena in time to clean up and get ready.
Upon arrival, we will join the festivities at the finish of the stage. Many of the teams will likely be launching attacks in the hills on their way to Pasadena. You'll watch the action unfold on large video screens as the racers make their way to the finish line. After dinner in Pasadena, we shuttle to our next hotel in Escondido.
- Stage Viewing: Finish line in Pasadena
- Riders Club Riding: Full stage from Santa Clarita to Pasadena – 75 miles
Sunday - February 22
After breakfast, depending on how our legs are feeling, we will have the option of head out for a 40-mile loop ride, or riding up Mount Palomar to the finish of the race.
After a chance to freshen-up, we will watch the racers as they climb Mount Palomar – the final climb on the final stage of this year’s Tour of California. We will enjoy VIP race viewing, food and beverages, plus additional VIP access which may include a chance to ride in a team car, placing you right in the middle of the action!
After what is sure to be an exciting finish and watching the awards ceremony, we will enjoy a final great dinner together. For those who just can’t get enough, we will have our ears to the ground to determine where the teams are planning to have their post-race celebration. This is usually an impromptu and loosely organized gathering but is a great opportunity to congratulate and relax with the racers, and we will get you there!
- Stage Viewing: Finish line VIP area at the top of Palomar Mountain
- Riders Club Riding: From Escondido up Palomar – 40 miles
Monday - February 23
Guests should make return trip arrangements departing after 6pm Sunday or Monday morning.
On our final morning, we will meet for breakfast while we recap the experience and say our goodbyes. Shuttle van rides will be available for guests planning to depart from the San Diego airport.
Trip Photos
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