Anyone checking this out? It starts Sunday in Escondido. Since that's Mother's Day, I'll probably take Monday off instead and set up shop on one of the mountain climbs around Idyllwild. Bonus will be getting in a mountain bike ride in the area too.

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"New York City is a mismanaged carnival of stupidity that is desperate for revenue and anxious to criminalize behavior once thought benign."
--Alex Baldwin, unknowingly describing his socialist utopia.

I'd like to see some of the Escondido stage, but know better than missing Mother's Day at home

DVR is a wonderful thing!

Yeah, I had a ride & watch plan like last time, until I found out it was Mother's Day. The Monday at Idyllwild idea is excellent, except I'm working. My plan for Sunday had been to park at the SDRP Clevenger North trailhead, see how far up the switchbacks I could mountain bike before collapsing, then return to an ice chest and a great view of the peloton on the climb.

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Thus, if we are to understand the world, we should live somewhere between judgement and amazement — Alfredo Lopez Austin

Yeah, I've been working the past couple of weekends so I'm due a day off from work. What better day than this Monday?!

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"New York City is a mismanaged carnival of stupidity that is desperate for revenue and anxious to criminalize behavior once thought benign."
--Alex Baldwin, unknowingly describing his socialist utopia.

i live 1 block from the start/finish line...if anyone coming out wants to find good parking, let me know.
last time it was a zoo and we had to put signs up and down on our street to keep people off our street.

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'the notorious North County Sancho'

I wonder if that was your yard I peed in last time.


j/k.

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"New York City is a mismanaged carnival of stupidity that is desperate for revenue and anxious to criminalize behavior once thought benign."
--Alex Baldwin, unknowingly describing his socialist utopia.

nope, it was our neighbor's.....i peed on it plenty of times as well....

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'the notorious North County Sancho'

Boooo! Hard to get a hall pass on Mother's Day.
I really liked the vendors stuff last time around.

Setting the DVR.

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"My favorite part of riding a bike is when I get off the bike." - Jim Gaffigan

I consider myself a Democrat, but funny is funny . . . .

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A bicycle is a splendid thing.
~Ernest Hemingway

Private road?

The pros are out in force in our fair city. Tuesday, I saw the Cannondale team guys out on the Del Dios Hwy. I recognized Peter Sagan (he even pulled a wheelie for us), they went by our group like we were standing still, so I could not identify anyone else. Today, I saw Jens Voigt, Chris Horner, and Andy Shleck and a couple of others I couldn't recognize on Highland Valley Road, They even slowed down to chat for a while, they all wanted to know where the good Mexican food places are. When one of our riders asked who was going to when the TOC this year they all answered (like the had practiced it) "I am!!!" When they took off it was like they were shot from a cannon.


P.S. One of our group riders is the owner the Trek Superstores in San Diego they are having a few events to celebrate the TOC, here are the times and dates.


Thursday May 9 — 5 to 7pm
San Diego (Kearny Mesa) Location
Cannondale Pro Cycling Team Meet & Greet

Join us for a Q&A session with the team that will be followed by a meet and greet, with pictures and autograph sessions with Peter Sagan and the team. The evening will also include silent and live auctions. Some of the exciting items for bid will include: A ride in the Cannondale Team Car during the first stage of the Tour of CA (once in a lifetime experience), signed jerseys, Tour of CA VIP tickets, and bicycle components.

• $10 suggestion donation at the door
• Autographs are free for everyone who donates
• Pictures are an additional $10 donation
• Bicycle donators will be moved to the front of the line to receive
• a picture and autograph

Thursday May 9 — 8pm
Secret Restaurant in Rancho Bernardo
Private, Wine-Paired Dinner with Paul Sherwen and Peter Sagan.

Enjoy a private dinner with Paul Sherwen and Peter Sagan as we enjoy a gourmet meal paired with the sommelier's recommendations. Other, surprise cycling celebrities are also a possibility. This is an exclusive event, limited to 25 people. Must donate in advance of event.

These cycling celebrities have generously donated their time and all proceeds from this event will go to Bicycles for Humanity - San Diego, a 501c3 Non-Profit Corporation. Your donation should be tax deductible.

Saturday May 11 — 7am
Tour-Style Group Ride

Join us for a 75 mile ride that will cover many portions of
Sunday's Tour of California race course, including Palomar Mountain.
FREE EVENT

Saturday May 11 — 3 to 4pm
San Diego (Kearny Mesa) Location
Andy Schleck and Jens Voigt Meet and Greet

Meet two of cycling’s biggest stars at this very limited-time event. Due to time constraints we must limit signatures to one item per person.

• $10 suggestion donation at the door
• Autographs are free for everyone who donates
• Pictures are an additional $10 donation
• Bicycle donators will be moved to the front of the line to receive
• a picture and autograph

Sunday May 12 — After the Tour of California stage in Escondido
North County (San Marcos) Location

FREE After Party

Join us as well celebrate the kick-off of the 2013 Tour of California. We'll have live music, food, beer, raffle prizes and a silent auction.

$10 suggested donation to Bicycles for Humanity at the door. You can also donate a bike* and you’ll get a tax-deductible receipt, and the satisfaction that your bike has a second life.

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"Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and
feed him for a lifetime. Teach a man to cycle and he will realize
fishing is stupid and boring."
--Desmond Tutu

^^^ Seriously? If so, cool!

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"New York City is a mismanaged carnival of stupidity that is desperate for revenue and anxious to criminalize behavior once thought benign."
--Alex Baldwin, unknowingly describing his socialist utopia.

+1. He has to be telling the truth -- Sagan is known for his wheelies . . . .

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A bicycle is a splendid thing.
~Ernest Hemingway

I don't have the imagination to make shit like that up. It was very cool! Ill never forget it. Its been a great week so far for pro spotting. Chris Horner's girlfriend lives in the East County (Alpine I think) I've seen him on the road a few times, he seems nice enough. I'm heading out for Cole Grade Road, tomorrow probably via Lilac Road, I wouldn't be surprised if we get our ego's smashed again by some stupidly fit, stupidly skinny mo fo's.
The Trek Store stuff is all on the real also.

My friend at Trek wouldn't tell where the which Restaurant the dinner is going down, but if I were a betting man (I'm not) my guess would be Bernard O's. The owner is an ex-racer from Belgium. But then again there is a kick ass Sushi place (Akai Hana) in R.B. as well.

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"Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and
feed him for a lifetime. Teach a man to cycle and he will realize
fishing is stupid and boring."
--Desmond Tutu

I was at the airport last night waiting for my ride to pick me up. I saw one of the Garmin-Cervelo chase cars circle the pick-up area a few times. The riders are coming to town.

My dear mother is long gone and mother-in-laws don't count. I'll be at the tour this Sunday.

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Velo Ergo Endo