Tour of California Stage 1 - South Lake Tahoe - North Lake Tahoe 191 km

[Libertine Seguros]

Weather is going to be horrendous. I predict they will scrap the full loop around the lake, start late, and ride just the 60km or so to the finish. Or, a longer but completely neutralized race with just a short raced section.

As for the Netherlands reader mind being blown by snow in California in May - is your mind also blown by snow in the Giro, too, at similar latitudes and similar altitudes? Rare, but certainly not unheard of in the Sierra.

If you travel due west from Milan, the first of North America you will hit is Nova Scotia. From Naples it's New York State. Travelling west from Lake Tahoe the first of Europe you'll meet is Torres Vedras, Portugal. So I can see why the Dutch reader might be surprised by snow there - especially when the part of California that we usually see is mostly urban centres in the coastal areas or mountains further south (such as Mount Baldy, for example).

 

[red_flanders]

Snow is certainly unusual this late, but anything can happen in the Sierra before June.

What a shame for the race, it could have been one of the most beautiful stages ever.

 

[Lupetto]

Last 12k.

 

[jaylew]

If you travel due west from Milan, the first of North America you will hit is Nova Scotia. From Naples it's New York State. Travelling west from Lake Tahoe the first of Europe you'll meet is Torres Vedras, Portugal. So I can see why the Dutch reader might be surprised by snow there - especially when the part of California that we usually see is mostly urban centres in the coastal areas or mountains further south (such as Mount Baldy, for example).

Yes, but is Torres Vedras at almost 2200m elevation?

 

[mewmewmew13]

Always wanted to go to Tahoe, should have made plans to go see this.

P. Velits, Sagan, or Sutherland FTW!!!

2 Races a Day for a Week!!

W/r to the forecast for tomorrow I am wondering if you are now happy that you didn't make plans to stand there and watch!
could be quite a day...

 

[mewmewmew13]

If you travel due west from Milan, the first of North America you will hit is Nova Scotia. From Naples it's New York State. Travelling west from Lake Tahoe the first of Europe you'll meet is Torres Vedras, Portugal. So I can see why the Dutch reader might be surprised by snow there - especially when the part of California that we usually see is mostly urban centres in the coastal areas or mountains further south (such as Mount Baldy, for example).

Maybe some would be surprised by snow at the equator or Ecuador as well.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Yes, but is Torres Vedras at almost 2200m elevation?

This is the point - we often forget how high in elevation the Californian mountains actually get, because what we see of California from Europe usually oversells the coastal and urban areas, or the mountains further south in summer.

 

[Cobblestoned]

I guess we will see some nice pictures.
Around that lake - looks cool. And the profile looks interesting.

I jump on the Sagan-express, too. Looks perfect for him.

 

[jobiwan]

W/r to the forecast for tomorrow I am wondering if you are now happy that you didn't make plans to stand there and watch!
could be quite a day...

Would have just brought some skis!

 

[Cobblestoned]

This is the point - we often forget how high in elevation the Californian mountains actually get, because what we see of California from Europe usually oversells the coastal and urban areas, or the mountains further south in summer.

I think for many Germans this works

Baywatch = California

 

[Michielveedeebee]

I think for many Germans this works

Baywatch = California

Too. Much. Hair.

 

[red_flanders]

California has almost every climate/landscape on the planet. The highest mountains in the continental US (up to 4421 meters), barren deserts, badlands in the northeast, lakes in rolling foothills, temperate rainforests in the northwest, open plains in the middle, oak savannah in the north and central coast, and a mediterranean climate in the south. Oh, and beaches across 3 major temperate zones. We lack tropical rainforests.

There is a reason so many people choose to live here.

 

[hfer07]

Just for perspective, the entire route will be run at over the lake elevation of 6225 ft (1897 m). Higher than more than a few passes in the European grand tours. The highest point of the stage will be almost 2200 meters.

then all the Colombians are going to feel like riding in home soil since their training is on 2500 plus mts

 

[taiwan]

Nah, Baywatch just makes me think of mountains;]

But on a serious note, why post that? Desist!

 

[flicker]

What is the final descent like?
If there is slushy snow about, that is just about the most treacherous surface to ride, never mind ride with any aggression.
Have the organizers muted they might take it out, if the forecast conditions arrive, given this weeks Giro tragedy?

If there is a covering of snow, then the riders will not race and the stage will be cancelled altogether.

Fingers crossed.

have no fear, we have the boys and girls on the job.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLVWxv4M-OY&playnext=1&list=PL93D1454DA981DC49

 

[Neworld]

snow showers expected...

Great News for Ryder Hesjedal or one of the Canadian Team SpiderTech powered by C10 boys. I saw the photos, what's everyone excited about, that's not even spring in Canada. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

NW

 

[Polish]

have no fear, we have the boys and girls on the job.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLVWxv4M-OY&playnext=1&list=PL93D1454DA981DC49

Gendarmes having NOTHING on the CHP when it comes to securing a race course. Suprising really.

But I am a bit worried if Cal Trans needs to get involved.
Snow Removal etc.
As you know they are even slower than Novitskzy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xcbk7A3wTg

But anyway, while it is common to get a metre or more of snow from a decent Sierra storm, tonite's storm only looks like 5-10 centimetres.
Starting to cloud up here now, rain soon. I'm an hour or two away from / in front of the course weather wise.

This is the latest weather advisory for lake tahoe...
... WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 11 AM PDT SUNDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 11 AM PDT SUNDAY.

* TIMING: SNOW WILL BEGIN LATE TONIGHT INTO SUNDAY MORNING... THEN TAPER TO SHOWERS THROUGH THE AFTERNOON.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 1 TO 3 INCHES BELOW 7000 FEET AND 2 TO 4 INCHES ABOVE 7000 FEET. LOCAL AMOUNTS UP TO 6 INCHES NEAR THE SIERRA CREST.

* IMPACTS: SNOW IS LIKELY TO ACCUMULATE ON AREA ROADS VERY LATE TONIGHT THROUGH EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. THIS WILL CREATE SLICK DRIVING CONDITIONS THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

SNOW IS EXPECTED TO POSE AN INCONVENIENCE TO TRAVELERS. ROADS WILL BECOME SLICK AND HAZARDOUS... WITH SNOW AND ICE FIRST DEVELOPING ON BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES. MOTORISTS SHOULD SLOW DOWN AND USE CAUTION

 

[cleverhans]

Great weather out here on the coast!

Hey, Mr Messick -
The weather's great over here in Santa Rosa!!

 

[Granville57]

I guess we will see some nice pictures.
Around that lake - looks cool. And the profile looks interesting.

I've stayed at Lake Tahoe and skied the surrounding hills. It is cool...and beautiful out there!
But any uphill walking, and I was sucking for oxygen instantly.

SNOW IS EXPECTED TO POSE AN INCONVENIENCE TO TRAVELERS.

An "inconvenience" never dissuaded the hard men of the peloton.

Good thing they moved the race on the calendar to avoid all that nasty, wet weather in February.

 

[flicker]

Gendarmes having NOTHING on the CHP when it comes to securing a race course. Suprising really.

But I am a bit worried if Cal Trans needs to get involved.
Snow Removal etc.
As you know they are even slower than Novitskzy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xcbk7A3wTg

But anyway, while it is common to get a metre or more of snow from a decent Sierra storm, tonite's storm only looks like 5-10 centimetres.
Starting to cloud up here now, rain soon. I'm an hour or two away from / in front of the course weather wise.

This is the latest weather advisory for lake tahoe...
... WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 11 AM PDT SUNDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM TO 11 AM PDT SUNDAY.

* TIMING: SNOW WILL BEGIN LATE TONIGHT INTO SUNDAY MORNING... THEN TAPER TO SHOWERS THROUGH THE AFTERNOON.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 1 TO 3 INCHES BELOW 7000 FEET AND 2 TO 4 INCHES ABOVE 7000 FEET. LOCAL AMOUNTS UP TO 6 INCHES NEAR THE SIERRA CREST.

* IMPACTS: SNOW IS LIKELY TO ACCUMULATE ON AREA ROADS VERY LATE TONIGHT THROUGH EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. THIS WILL CREATE SLICK DRIVING CONDITIONS THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

SNOW IS EXPECTED TO POSE AN INCONVENIENCE TO TRAVELERS. ROADS WILL BECOME SLICK AND HAZARDOUS... WITH SNOW AND ICE FIRST DEVELOPING ON BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES. MOTORISTS SHOULD SLOW DOWN AND USE CAUTION

Looks perfect for Lars Boom (cross champion)and (Sagan BMX champion), bad conditions do not effect them.

 

[Mellow Velo]

Stage 1 route hangs in the balance:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/decision-on-california-stage-1-re-route-wont-be-made-until-9am

Looks like they are possibly looking to go down the Paris-Nice 2005 line, which took out the highest sections of a couple of stages and kept below the snow-line..............if that is possible at these altitudes.

 

[Midnightfright]

The guys who are here as and early pre-tour training ride must be really not looking forward to today with the weather. Not what Schleck was hoping for i thinks.

 

[craig1985]

perfect, I can wake up tomorrow and watch cycling.

 

[Lupetto]

http://www.rntl.net/tahoecam.htm

 

[thehog]

Can this thread be closed because the ToC is probably more boring than the Tour Down Under.