Amgen Tour of California: Prologue

We took the train over to Sacramento this morning along with hundreds of other people to see the start of the Tour of California, which turned out to be the most efficient way to do it… The course circled the State Capitol, a tight, under-three-mile sprint that was longer than sprinters like but not long enough for the long-haulers.

The riders came by every minute or so, preceded by a motorcycle proclaiming their name and chased by a team car (almost always a Subaru Outback), another motorcycle, and the applause and cheers of the crowd. I think this was a very sophisticated crowd, one that gave reigning Tour de France champ Carlos Sastre a special ovation (he has the flu, though, and will be content to finish the race apparently). Obviously many people were out to see Lance Armstrong in his big comeback (local shops have flyers in them proclaiming “Armstrong Rides Again”), but that wasn’t all.

It was a great day, and the rain just about held off. Tomorrow we are working rather than being mere spectators and it is expected to be pouring rain and howling wind. Getting dressed for an assignment that starts at six am and will go on until at least 1:30 will be challenging, but I think layers are the order of the day. We will be City Hall Alpha and City Hall Bravo, respectively.