California Cruisin' - Stage 3, Tour of California

Pedal Dancer Cruising California - at the race

Stage 3: Tuesday, May 14 – Palmdale to Santa Clarita
2013 ATOC Stage 3: route map, profile, and stage information

Stage Length: 110.4 miles

KEY FEATURES: The race entered San Francisquito Canyon, with a 22-mile climb up Lake Hughes Road and a gradual 18-mile descent down Spunky Canyon and Bouquet Road, followed by a field sprint into Santa Clarita as expected.  

Stage 3 ATOC 2013, (zoom in on route map and profile)

STAGE 3 STORIES

Peter Sagan won Stage 3 in a glorious sprint, see the results, standing and photos of Peter Sagan here: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 3 Results.

I took a break from chasing the tour today to be with family. California is my home state, I grew up in southern California in Rancho Palos Verdes. This is the state were my family still resides so I have been chasing the race half the time and visiting with family half the time in Orange County and Ventura County. My family are huge fans of cycling as well and today we shared some good food, good wine, and watched the race together on TV. 

I believe in a quality rest day as a fan. Even when we chase races in Europe, we allow for breaks to enjoy family, friends, culture, food and a peaceful rest day in between attending stages. Same goes for chasing races in the USA, a little time away makes the heart grow fonder. By now, I admit - I miss Ted King, I'm ready to go back.

Ted King  ©Photo by Karen at Pedal Dancer®

Recommended Reading: 

Read On The Road Again with Matthew Busche of team RadioShack Leopard Trek, who wrote on his personal blog about the brutal day of Stage 2 of the Amgen Tour of California. Please read: The Tramway of Heat

On this Pedal Dancer® rest day, I would like to share some previously written Pedal Dancer interest stories that you might enjoy.  

Educational topics for fans

• Word of the Day: Dossard 
• Word of the Day: voiture balai 

Faces and legs at the race

• Who is Peter Sagan?
• Time Trial legs
• The fans want Podium Girls? 
• Jens Voigt on the Podium
• Who is that voice on stage? 
• You are looking good (one for Jens who has asked the fans "not to yell" at him, (which from his side is like screaming), but joked that pushing is ok, (not really))

Teams and Team Equipment

• What pedals do the pros use?
• 2012 Time Trial Bikes (to get you psyched for Friday's ITT) 
• 2013 Pro Teams, and team links 
• ProTeam Equipment 2013 - Bikes, Components, Wheels, Tires  
• ProTeam Equipment 2013 - Pedals, Saddles, Clothing, Helmets

Or catch up on the Pedal Dancer crew's journeys at the tour - news and photos from Stage 1, 2, 3:

• Amgen Tour of California - Stage 1 Results 
• California Cruisin' - Stage 1, Tour of California
• Amgen Tour of California - Stage 2 Results
• California Cruisin' - Stage 2, Tour of California
• Amgen Tour of California - Stage 3 Results 
• California Cruisin' - Stage 3, Tour of California

Enjoy your reading assignments. I will be traveling to Santa Barbara tomorrow for Stages 4 and 5. See you there!  Read my travel post about Santa Barbara, California: California Here I come

If you haven't looked over Willie Reichenstein's photos at the race, please see: Photos of Stage 1 and photos of Stage 2. 

FAN TIP: Anyone going to the remaining stages of the Amgen Tour of California, please buy goods and food from any business welcoming cycling fans. A great big Thanks to the individuals who volunteer and work in the Host Cities who extend a warm welcome to tourists. Thank you!

TOMORROWS STAGE 4

Stage 4 : Route Map  |  Route Profile  |  timetable  |  Santa Clarita spectators

Stage 4: Wednesday, May 15 – Santa Clarita to Santa Barbara
2013 ATOC Stage 4: route map, profile, and stage information
Start Location: Theater Drive and Town Center
Finish Location: Cabrillo Blvd.
Start Time: 12:30 p.m.
Stage Length: 83.6 miles
PEDAL DANCER FAN TRAVEL GUIDE: California Here I come
CITY HIGHLIGHT:  Route & City information about Santa Clarita 
CITY HIGHLIGHT:  Route & City information about Santa Barbara
LOCAL CYCLING ROUTES: biking near Santa Barbara 
KEY FEATURES: This route was done previously in reverse, the first 33 miles are basically downhill, followed by a 9-mile climb to a KOM and a technical descent of Dennison Grade, followed by a sprint in Ojai, a climb up Casitas Pass and a flat fast finish along the beach into beautiful Santa Barbara.

Stage 4 ATOC 2013, (zoom in on route map and profile)

Looking Back at Pedal Dancer at the Tour of California 2013

Pedal Dancer Stage 1 results: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 1 Results
Pedal Dancer Stage 1 highlights: California Cruisin' - Stage 1, Tour of California
Pedal Dancer Stage 2 results: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 2 Results
Pedal Dancer Stage 2 highlights: California Cruisin' - Stage 2, Tour of California
Pedal Dancer Stage 3 results: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 3 Results 
Pedal Dancer Stage 3 highlights: California Cruisin' - Stage 3, Tour of California
Pedal Dancer Stage 4 results: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 4 Results
Pedal Dancer Stage 4 highlights: California Cruisin' - Stage 4, Tour of California
Pedal Dancer Stage 5 results: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 5 results
Pedal Dancer Stage 5 highlights: California Cruisin' - Stage 5, Tour of California 
Pedal Dancer Stage 6 results: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 6 results
Pedal Dancer Stage 7 results: Amgen Tour of California - Stage 7 results