Stage 6 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge
The quaint town of Golden was an easy place to have a stage start - everything just worked. Arrival was easy, parking was easy, volunteers were super friendly, the town has a nice atmosphere, and a nearby park along the river provided a cool green area for fans to visit the expo booths and watch the race on the large screen TV. It was a simple morning in Golden, the riders didn't stay long, they smiled broadly on their laps around town before beginning their 102.8m/165.5 km route to and around Boulder. They would climb up and over the Scenic Peak to Peak Highway before looping back into Boulder and up the well-publicized climb of Flagstaff. It was sure to be a very big day in the saddle.
Welcome to Golden, Colorado
Home to the Colorado School of Mines and Coors Brewery (although New Belgium, in Fort Collins, is the race sponsor).
Rider Sign-in
 |
| Jens powered by Nestle chocolate milk |
 |
| Levi at the start smiling and relaxed |
 |
| The Columbian EPM-UNE team have added so much to this race |
 |
| I just love that the fans treat George so well, and he them |
 |
| This is bike racing in America! |
 |
| Just another day at a bike race (Patrick Dempsey and Jim Birrell) |
 |
| This is becoming rather endearing - every day these riders and the Luquigas-Cannondale team are always the first to be at the start line, well ahead of the call-up. |
 |
| What lies ahead ? |
 |
| Tejay and Tyler |
 |
| Riders are called to the line in Golden announcing their names, This was George Hincapie's last call-up. |
 |
| Procession down the route marked the start of the race was coming - get ready fans |
 |
| And the stampede started |
 |
| Off they went down the road ... |
Festival at the Stage 6 start in Golden
 |
| Fans stuck around to enjoy the perfect weather and watch the race love on TV |
On to the stage finish in Boulder ...
A Day at the Race in Boulder
 |
| Cadel Evans would later abandon the race (a DNF) |
You wouldn't believe how often I overhear fans saying "he is so skinny" when they see these pro riders in person. I had a girlfriend joke today, "Those Colombian riders are so cute and small I want to put one in my pocket and take him home as a souvenir." Do you want to know just how skinny Joe Dombrowki is (the Best Young Rider blue jersey wearer)?
This skinny. But he sure can power the pedals.
 |
| Joe Dombrowski |
.
