KOM

...or King of the Mountains

After leaving Sanborn Park we drove on yet more twisty narrow winding roads. Good thing our motorhome is short and Jim has excellent driving skills.

We were able to find a fairly flat wide spot off the road to watch the race as they came by.

But they weren't coming till the next day so what else to do but ride some of the course.

The spot were we were was about 20 miles from the finish in Santa Cruz so we rode there. When the racers go thru the roads will be closed. No cars. Sadly, they didn't do that for us so when in Santa Cruz we were looking at a map and a very kind tow truck driver helped us find a different way back. Of course it was all uphill. And we missed one of our turns. But it was a good ride. Unfortunately we have nary a photo as the battery died in the phone.

Monday, the day of stage 2 we got up and rode the other way before they closed the road. The way the racers would be coming up. Into the town of Boulder Creek.

It was nice to see other spectators showing up and lots of cyclists doing the same thing we were.

Stopped at the Rainbow's End for cappuccino and muffin. They have a tree growing in the middle of the place

Jim at the 5k to go sign, the KOM, and Dana chalking the road

Our perfect spot, wacky spectator, the racers!

#35 George Hincapie

the last racers coming thru, and the lone Lantern Rouge..

After the roads opened up we managed to get turned around and off to our next stop. Aptos, just south of Santa Cruz. We are just a block away from the Pacific Ocean.

The Pacific Ocean

The Palo Alto, built as a concrete warship, bought and moored at the end of the pier to be used as an entertainment venue in the early 30s. Was only opened for 2 years. Now just home to the local birds.

An end to a long day at the famous Manuel's Mexican Restaurant