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®

American National Champion Timmy Duggan found his Mom in the crowd in her matching jersey. ©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)

PEDAL DANCER GUIDE PAGES

16 May 2013

California Cruisin' - Stage 5, Tour of California