Spectator Guide Tour of California - Stage 1

How to attend a stage of the Amgen Tour of California

Information for fans planning to attend the Tour of California in 2012:

• Stage maps and profiles
• Start and Finish times and locations
• Stage logs (time tables or when the race will be passing along each street)
• King of Mountain and Sprint locations and times
• Video previews of each city
• City events, walks, and rides
• Lifestyle Festival hours
• Road closures
• Cycling terminology and tips

STAGE DETAILS - GUIDE FOR FANS 

Amgen Tour of California May 13-20, 2012 - Stage maps and profiles 

2012 ATOC:  2012 Overall Map  (click any image to enlarge)

2012 Amgen Tour of California route map

Sunday, May 13 - Stage 1: Presented by Rabobank,  Distance: 115.9 miles
Stage 1 Route Map |  Stage 1 Profile Map | Stage 1 Log (time table) 

START: Santa Rosa at 10:50am Neutral Race Start at Santa Rosa Ave. and 3rd St.
FINISH: Santa Rosa approx 3:06-4:16pm (depending on speed) at Santa Rosa Ave. and 3rd St.
1 SPRINTS: W 3rd St, Santa Rosa, CA 1, at 12:28pm.
4 KOMs: Cazadero Hwy. at 1:17-1:56pm; Ft. Ross Rd. (1st x) at 1:27-2:09pm; Ft. Ross Rd. (2nd x) at 1:34-2:19pm; and Coleman Valley Road at 2:16-3:12pm.
Festival: 9:30-4:30pm, 610 3RD ST., Santa Rosa
Local Event: Santa Rosa The Life Time Gran Fondo 8:00am, May 12, 2012
Local Race: Team Swift Junior State Criterium Championships 4:00-800pm, May 12, 2012
Local Walk: Breakaway Mile May 13, 2012
Local Events: City of Santa Rosa events planned surrounding the Amgen Tour of California May 10-13th.
Stage 1 Video stage preview
Santa Rosa City Tour of California 2012 official city website
Santa Rosa City Road and Street Closures May 11-13th

Tour of California Stage 1 map

ATOC Stage 1 route profile

 
Cycling Tip:

How to read a stage log (time table): 

Example Stage Log   please click to enlarge image

On the first line, the start time is always definite. In the last two columns every street and turn is listed. Because the organizers of the race are not certain how fast the riders will be racing, they give several approximations of times based on average speed of a rider. The first column lists the slowest possible time at 22 mph for this stage, (speeds will vary based on flat or climbing stages). Column 2, 3, and 4 list other faster times according to increasing speeds. As fans it is best to be there by at least the fastest time listed on the log, but not to expect the riders until the slowest time listed in column 1 of the log. This insures that you will not miss seeing the race. Try to arrive much earlier to enjoy the atmosphere and avoid traffic. Pay attention to road closures (listed below under each stage when I found them available online). 

HELPFUL LINKS TO PREPARE FOR YOUR DAY AS A FAN

• Jerseys of the 2012 Tour of California  or 2012 team jerseys
• Tour of California teams announced for 2012 (and VIP)
• Amgen Tour of California schedule of TV coverage
• What a fan needs, what a fan wants 
• Are VIP tickets worth it? or Buy VIP tickets
• Volunteer  
• Buy your fan apparel 
• Lifestyle Festival exhibitors near finish line at each stage 
• Amgen Tour of California - Thank the Sponsors!
• Pedal Dancer TOUR OF CALIFORNIA resource page

2012 Guides for Stages 2-8 ATOC:
Spectator Guide Tour of California - Stage 1 
Spectator Guide Tour of California - Stage 2 
Spectator Guide Tour of California - Stage 3 
Spectator Guide Tour of California - Stage 4 
Spectator Guide Tour of California - Stage 5 
Spectator Guide Tour of California - Stage 6 
Spectator Guide Tour of California - Stage 7 
Spectator Guide Tour of California - Stage 8
Cycling Terms for fans