Thursday, April 1, 2010

The right place at the right time…

If I wasn’t a runner I probably be a cyclist, I have always had an on/off love affair with cycling. I used to ride to school, I got my first mountain bike over 20 years ago! When I moved to the US I even raced mountain bikes a bit, I was rubbish but I had a lot of fun doing it. More recently (last 3-4 years) I’ve been back on the road. I try to watch the Tour de France when it’s on, it’s one of the few sporting events that actually holds my interest. psss here’s a secret while I love to run I find watching running i.e. the Olympic Marathon insanely boring.

So this year when they announced the Tour de California I hit paydirt! The Tour is the largest cycling event in the US and this year the finish is right by my house…well not quite but very close.

image

“There is nothing easy about the 2010 Amgen Tour of California and Stage 8 will be the exclamation point for this year’s race. Starting at the upscale “The Oaks” shopping complex, the riders will roll neutral to the start of four 21-mile circuits. The cities of Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Agoura Hills host the final 84-miles of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California. What starts as a beautiful rolling stage gets a bit challenging at Mulholland Highway. Long regarded as one of the most scenic climbs in southern California and a favorite haunt of motorcyclists, Mulholland Highway features steep climbs and numerous switchbacks, making it a great place for spectators. As the riders pass the Malibu Family Winery, they will start a dangerous and technical descent on Westlake Blvd. In less than an hour, the riders will be back at the finish line and bracing themselves for three more laps. If ever there was a chance to see the leader and sprint jerseys change on the final day, it will be here.”

 

Somehow that weekend I have a feeling my long run will be on the Saturday!

8 comments:

  1. Holy cow - that's sweet! Party at Quad's house!

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  2. Ooooh! That's exciting... and is that what they call this? Rubbish? LOL... I call it "Supporting my passion" :-)

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  3. That is pretty cool that the race directors were kind enough to place the route near your house! (I kid, I kid!) That would be exciting to watch some of the action for sure!

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  4. YOU ARE SO FREAKING LUCKY!!!! That will be way cool! Loved the video and the course is going to be a killer.

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  5. Awww, I wish we could come over to watch it. We had such a great time in California last year. I'll watch it on TV this year. Should be an exciting tour.

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  6. Dude - that's rocking it's right by your house. When I went to the Tour in Pasadena last year it pretty much hooked me on cycling. No doubt I'll be in TO in May! The rockstore climb does...rock! Oh so funny.

    You think it's logistically possible to see both the climb and part of the finish circuit?

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  7. Party at Quad's house? COOL! I'm on my way.

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  8. My cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!

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