Amgen Tour Of California - Up Close And Personal

We're finalizing We have finalized details for our 2010 Amgen Tour of California, but and plan to have some great ride/viewing options - including watching the final four stages up close and personal.    Actual stage specifics are still being worked out, but it looks like we'll be covering the Bakersfield/Big Bear/ and Los Angeles area stages.   We've also had a lot of requests for a shorter Amgen visit, and will probably offer a Thurs-Sun weekend trip that will still include cycling - just not as much as the week-long trip.  Stay tuned or drop us an e-mail to get on the list ...

We've picked the final four stages for coverage because the odds for nicer weather conditions are better (as in sunnier and warmer conditions!).    We also have some great riding planned to get us to the Bakersfield stage from Southern California.    And, of course, we'll have nightly tour parties featuring the Versus television coverage to go along with those days that we catch the action live.   And with coverage of the Giro going on at the same time, we'll have plenty of nightly entertainment to feature at the social hours!

THE WEEK LONG TOUR IS FULL BUT WE HAVE OPENINGS FOR THE SHORTER 'WEEKEND'ER' VERSION

Riders should plan to arrive Sunday, May 16th in Orange County; or, as an option, arrive early on that Friday or Saturday for a few extra days of riding locally (or sight-seeing at Disneyland, the beach, etc.).    We'll take two days to ride out to Bakersfield, arriving Wednesday, May 19th.   There will be several options for viewing the Visalia to Bakersfield stage on Thursday.   We'll ride part of the "Queen" stage on Friday that features the first mountaintop finish in the history of the race.   Saturday and Sunday will be spent in the Los Angeles area watching the tt and circuit races.    We'll shuttle back to Orange County Sunday evening - we can transport riders back to the Los Angeles or Orange County airports for late departure ... or book an extra, optional, night for a less-hectic departure schedule (out of Orange County Monday or Tuesday).

COST IS $1395.00 ppd FOR SUNDAY ARRIVAL; SUNDAY DEPARTURE.    THREE CASUAL GROUP DINNERS, CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST MOST MORNINGS, NIGHTLY SOCIAL HOURS, FULL SUPPORT ON THE ROAD, SNACKS/REST STOPS, JERSEY, AND MUCH MORE.

**NEW** AMGEN "WEEKEND'ER" TOUR OF CALIFORNIA  (THURSDAY-SUNDAY)  **NEW**

There are two things that prompted us to look at a shorter version of our week-long Amgen Tour of California offering.    The biggest issue for many folks wanting to watch the Amgen Tour of California up close was time - or, rather, having the luxury of taking a full week's vacation in May to follow a bicycle race.  We also filled all of the somewhat-limited spots for the week-long tour quicker than anticipated.  So .........

We'll be offering a Thursday through Sunday trip that will eliminate the earlier days of riding to Bakersfield featured on the week-long tour: Second Summer Tours presents the Amgen Tour of California "Weekend'er".  This shorter tour will still feature some great riding options (if so desired), and will include the nightly social hours found on the week-long tour - allowing everyone a chance to watch that day's Amgen race coverage on television (and, hopefully, some 'bonus' coverage from the Tour of Italy that will be taking place at the same time).

The stages we'll be viewing 'live' (for BOTH of our Amgen tour options) are in red below:

Stage 1: Sunday, May 16 – Nevada City to Sacramento

Stage 2: Monday, May 17 – Davis to Santa Rosa

Stage 3: Tuesday, May 18 – San Francisco to Santa Cruz

Stage 4: Wednesday, May 19 – San Jose to Modesto

Stage 5: Thursday, May 20 – Visalia to Bakersfield

Stage 6: Friday, May 21 – Pasadena to Big Bear Lake

Stage 7: Saturday, May 22 – Los Angeles (individual time trial)

Stage 8: Sunday, May 23 – Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village/Agoura Hills

For the "Weekend'er" group, we'll depart Orange County early on Thursday to allow for a late morning arrival in Bakersfield, and the finish of Stage 5.   There will be a riding option for those folks that want to catch the action before the actual finish line in Bakersfield (and avoid some of the chaos typical at any of the stage finish lines.)

We'll have a group social hour to watch the day's full stage coverage on television, while enjoying drinks and a light dinner.   We'll spend Thursday night in Bakersfield.

On Friday, we'll transport everyone to the base of the Amgen's "queen" stage - which, no surprise here, is a climbing day that features the first mountain-top finish in the Amgen's race history.   You'll again have some fun riding options, or you can have the support vehicle take you to the top to watch the K.O.M. battle(s).   We'll allow plenty of time for folks to 'hang out' in the Big Bear area for the finish line festivities.   Friday night will be spent 'down the hill' from the Big Bear Lake finish (in Orange County).

On Saturday, we'll offer a ride option from the B&B/hotel to the downtown Los Angeles time trial course - allowing plenty of time to see the top riders warm up for the 'race of truth'.    The support vehicle will take those not riding, directly to the tt course early Saturday morning.   As you might imagine, using a bicycle to get around is actually one of the better modes of transportation to catch the racing action up close - especially for the tt (Saturday) and the final circuit stage on Sunday.

Saturday night, like the previous evenings, will offer an opportunity to get together with the group for dinner and drinks - and, of course, more race action television coverage.

Sunday morning, we'll offer a group ride out to the final stage circuit race in Thousand Oaks - and the usual van shuttle for those choosing not to ride; there is also an optional ride of the stage route with the Specialized-sponsored cancer benefit ride (with limited spaces, so let us know early if interested).   We'll have a farewell bbq Sunday evening in Orange County after the final stage fun has concluded (van transport for all back to Orange County from Thousand Oaks).

(Ask about our special pricing for local riders that don't need lodging Friday or Saturday night)

The price of admission for the "Weekender" Amgen Tour of California is $895.00 (PPD) / $295 single supplement;  and includes:         

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE "WEEKEND'ER" IS LIMITED TO 12 to 15  RIDERS ONLY - LIMITED SPACE!

• Transportation to all 4 stages from/to Orange County
• 4 group dinners (Thursday-Sunday) / 3 continental breakfasts / snacks
• 3 nights lodging in 2 to 3 star lodging
• Second Summer Tours jersey and socks
• Evening social hours
• Group rides to stages where desired (several days will have longer options for those that want the miles)
• A few celebrity surprises at the races (as well as tour guides) ... depending on Mother Nature and that day's racing action
• Goodies/ 'schwag' to make this a memorable visit to America's premier cycling event
• Please let us know if you want to avoid the single supplement charge by being matched up with another compatible rider