2009 Tour of California: Stage 6 | Bicycling in California

2009 Tour of California: Stage 6

The Tour of California's signature time trial in Solvang might very well produce the time differentials that will decide the overall podium placings.

Author:	RaphaContinental
Date:	20 Jan 2009 4:59:55 PM
Activity:	Bicycling ActivitySearchBicycling
State:	California (CA)
Distance:	15.07 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 1039 ft Total Loss: 1049 ft Net Change: -10 ft
Difficulty:	1 / 10
Tags:	Solvang, California, 2009 Tour of California, Rapha Continental
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

Photos courtesy of the Rapha Continental

The race lacks a decisive early climb, so many observers predict the winner will emerge during this time trial. While the Ballard Canyon Road climb attracts fans, Garmin-Slipstream's Lucas Euser, who spent five years at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, says the last 6 or so kilometers should shake things out. "It's slightly downhill, so you'll be geared out even with big combos," he says. "This is where some guys back off. It's a mental game, where you have to keep 100-plus rpm even above 60kph." Euser pegs Leipheimer and Landis as riders who could excel here. And then there's Armstrong. He knows these roads as well as anyone and will want to test his engine early.

WATCH: The start village, in the downtown of Danish-crazy Solvang, is the place to be. "There are all kinds of places to hang out, and you can watch riders take off and come in," says Euser. It's rare for American races to have the kind of top-level production found at the ToC, complete with JumboTrons broadcasting live, up-to-the-minute time splits and play-by-play PA announcing, not to mention the Festival Village and expo area.

RIDE: Arrive early to test your mettle on the 15-mile TT course, which will be marked and flagged. Euser also recommends an out-and-back on Figueroa Mountain Road. "It's about an hourlong climb," he says, "and if you take it right out of Solvang, it's very much like a classic European climb: narrow, steep and full of switchbacks."

EAT: OD on carbs at Paula's Pancake House.

GEAR: Dr. J's Bicycle Shop is a catch-all outfitter.

SLEEP: The antiquey Storybook Inn is right downtown.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Tour of California: Stage 6 Time Trial

Dist: 15.07 mi	Points: 244	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Distance	Instruction		Distance to next
0.07 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Alisal Rd	Then go 0.76 mi
0.83 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Viborg Rd	Then go 0.41 mi
1.24 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Alamo Pintado Rd	Then go 2.47 mi
3.71 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Baseline Ave	Then go 1.05 mi
4.76 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at N Refugio Rd	Then go 1.01 mi
5.77 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Roblar Ave	Then go 0.03 mi
5.80 mi		Slight right to stay on Roblar Ave	Then go 1.02 mi
6.82 mi		Continue on Grand Ave	Then go 0.79 mi
7.61 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Alamo Pintado Ave	Then go 0.35 mi
7.97 mi		Alamo Pintado Ave turns right and becomes Steele St	Then go 0.13 mi
8.09 mi		Continue on Ballard Canyon Rd	Then go 5.29 mi
13.38 mi		Continue on Chalk Hill Rd	Then go 1.20 mi
14.58 mi		Continue on Atterdag Rd	Then go 0.37 mi
14.95 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Copenhagen Dr