2009 Tour of California: Stage 1 | Bicycling in California

2009 Tour of California: Stage 1

The Tour of California gets its first taste of climbing before jogging west through wine country towards a circuit finish in Santa Rosa.

Author:	RaphaContinental
Date:	20 Jan 2009 4:49:57 PM
Activity:	Bicycling ActivitySearchBicycling
State:	California (CA)
Distance:	102.97 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 17663 ft Total Loss: 17455 ft Net Change: 208 ft
Difficulty:	9 / 10
Tags:	Rapha Continental, 2009 Tour of California, Winters, CA Wine Country, California
Rating:	1 rating(s) Rate it

Photos courtesy of the Rapha Continental

The defending champ, Astana's Levi Leipheimer, won't sleep in his own bed during the Tour--"but I could!" he says. Stage 1 runs through the area that's been the two-time ToC winner's home turf for the past 12 years. "I came here because it has some of the best cycling in the world," he says. Expect a frisky stage; the ride is ideal for a break but holds few challenges for the overall contenders.

After a pan-flat roll-out from Davis, the route gets its first taste of climbing as it heads up CA-128, passing Monticello Dam and tackling "Cardiac Hill" on its way into the Vaca Mountains. Jogging north, the stage route traces the western shores of the azure Lake Berryessa before heading west to tackle the brief-but-big climb of the day up Howell Mountain Road--a 2-miler than gains over 1,000 feet of elevation (8-percent average). From there, Tour of California racers will get a taste of wine country as the route heads into Calistoga on the Silverado Trail (a scenic vineyard road that connects to Napa further south). One more climb up Petrified Forest Road remains before the final descent to the circuit-series in Santa Rosa.

WATCH: Santa Rosa has hosted a stage finish every year since the race's inception; this year, the tour ends with a series of downtown circuits. "We get thousands of people," says Leipheimer. "It's actually pretty surprising." The peloton will pass City Hall and travel along 4th Street, B Street and 3rd Street, as well as Sonoma and Brookwood avenues. Leipheimer suggests arriving at Courthouse Square early to grab a prime viewing spot for the finish.

GEAR: NorCal Bike Sport has been catering to bike racers and triathletes since 1985.

EAT: Leipheimer's Italian pals at the Riviera serve homemade wine; he recommends the spaghetti and prawns.

SLEEP: Leipheimer says try the quirky ("It's all pink"), historic Flamingo.

RIDE: Download maps from the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition. The mountain biking, Leipheimer says, is as great as the road riding: Annadel State Park, located within city limits, offers more than 40 miles of singletrack.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Tour of California: Stage 1

Dist: 100.82 mi	Points: 1596	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Distance	Instruction		Distance to next
0.29 mi		Slight left to stay on CA-128/Russell Blvd	Then go 4.33 mi
4.62 mi		Slight left at Highway 95A	Then go 1.35 mi
5.97 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Putah Creek Rd	Then go 3.89 mi
9.86 mi	Turn Right	Turn right to stay on Putah Creek Rd	Then go 3.15 mi
13.00 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Railroad St	Then go 0.44 mi
13.44 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at CA-128/W Grant Ave	Then go 19.91 mi
33.35 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at CA-128/Capell Valley Rd	Then go 4.85 mi
38.20 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Knoxville Rd	Then go 12.96 mi
51.17 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Pope Canyon Rd	Then go 8.40 mi
59.57 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Pope Valley Cross Rd	Then go 1.01 mi
60.58 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Chiles Pope Valley Rd	Then go 0.77 mi
61.35 mi		Slight left at Howell Mountain Rd	Then go 5.88 mi
67.24 mi		Continue on Deer Park Rd	Then go 1.68 mi
68.91 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Sanitarium Rd	Then go 2.10 mi
71.01 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Silverado Trail N	Then go 7.99 mi
79.00 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Brannan St	Then go 0.33 mi
79.33 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at CA-29/Lincoln Ave	Then go 0.38 mi
79.72 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Washington St	Then go 0.02 mi
79.74 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at CA-29/Lincoln Ave	Then go 0.25 mi
79.99 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at CA-128/Foothill Blvd	Then go 0.95 mi
80.94 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Petrified Forest Rd	Then go 4.42 mi
85.36 mi		Continue on Calistoga Rd	Then go 5.78 mi
91.14 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Badger Rd	Then go 0.33 mi
91.47 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Rick Dr	Then go 0.41 mi
91.87 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Baird Rd	Then go 0.05 mi
91.93 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at Montecito Blvd	Then go 0.88 mi
92.81 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Brush Creek Rd	Then go 1.25 mi
94.06 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at 4th St/CA-12	Then go 2.41 mi
96.46 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at B St	Then go 0.23 mi
96.70 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at 8th St	Then go 0.10 mi
96.80 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at A St	Then go 0.05 mi
96.85 mi		Continue on 9th St	Then go 0.23 mi
97.07 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Wilson St	Then go 0.43 mi
97.50 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at 3rd St	Then go 0.01 mi
97.51 mi		Slight right to stay on 3rd St	Then go 0.52 mi
98.03 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at D St	Then go 0.11 mi
98.14 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at 1st St	Then go 0.11 mi
98.25 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Santa Rosa Ave	Then go 0.12 mi
98.37 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Sonoma Ave	Then go 0.22 mi
98.59 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at S E St	Then go 0.19 mi
98.77 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at 3rd St	Then go 0.22 mi
99.00 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Brookwood Ave	Then go 0.06 mi
99.06 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at 4th St	Then go 0.53 mi
99.59 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at B St	Then go 0.23 mi
99.83 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at 8th St	Then go 0.10 mi
99.93 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at A St	Then go 0.05 mi
99.98 mi		A St turns slightly left and becomes 9th St	Then go 0.23 mi
100.20 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at Wilson St	Then go 0.43 mi
100.63 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at 3rd St	Then go 0.01 mi
100.64 mi		Slight right to stay on 3rd St

Neutral Start

Dist: 2.16 mi	Points: 26	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Points of Interest

Stage 1 Neutral Start

Location: 38.544222°, -121.743697°
The 2009 TOC Stage 1 route starts with a neutral circuit through Davis and down Russell Boulevard. The official starting line is at Arthur Street.

Pope Creek Fisherman

Location: 38.617072°, -122.289484°
One way to get a great view of the race... © Rapha

Rolling out of Davis

Location: 38.546605°, -121.780411°
© Rapha

Stevenson Bridge

Location: 38.536740°, -121.851082°
A lonely bridge awaits the peloton on its ride west from Davis. The most spectator friendly spots for the Stage 1 route are further west in the Vaca Mountains or in wine country around Calistoga.

Winters

Location: 38.524902°, -121.971288°
The Kountry Kitchen is a bit heavy, but if you're riding the route on your own Winters is the last chance to top off bottles before you hit the hills. © Rapha

Orchards outside Winters

Location: 38.510296°, -122.011499°
Bare orchards are a common site as the Tour of California route heads into the Napa Valley in mid-February. © Rapha

The Monticello Dam

Location: 38.512227°, -122.104132°
At the southeastern tip of Lake Berryessa, the peloton will pass the Monticell Dam before the road steepens on the climb up "Cardiac Hill"

Turtle Rock

Location: 38.487558°, -122.245442°
Stop in at the Turtle Rock Bar & Cafe for a mid-ride snack, or split the ride between two days and stay the night at the Turtle Rock Motel. © Rapha

Lake Berryessa View

Location: 38.615965°, -122.289376°
Before the big climbs of the day hit, the route traces the western shore of the gloriously blue Lake Berryessa. © Rapha

Howell Mountain Road

Location: 38.614624°, -122.427778°
Over the next 3 miles, this climb gains over 1000 feet of elevation at a 7.7% average grade. It's the biggest challenge of the day and will likely spring an escape or an aggressive chase to track down a break up the road.

Silverado Trail

Location: 38.577226°, -122.521849°
Northern California's wine country reveals itself in expansive orchard vistas on the Silverado Trail. Looking for a fantastic peloton photo-op? Park yourself almost anywhere along the Silverado Trail and get your camera ready. © Rapha

Silverado Sun

Location: 38.575280°, -122.552018°
© Rapha

Heading out of Calistoga

Location: 38.576487°, -122.583818°
If you're based out of Santa Rosa, Calistoga is not a bad spot to catch the race; you'll catch a mid-race sprint point and there are several way to link these two wine country towns by bike (including the race route). © Rapha

Climbing out of Calistoga

Petrified Forest Road

Location: 38.567965°, -122.626734°
Petrified Forest Road is the final KOM of the day, but there are a few brief kickers that remain before the final descent to Santa Rosa. Keep watch for a break to spring on this final stretch of hills. © Rapha