Stage 2 of Tour of California: Riders cross the finish line at Cabrillo College
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Before the riders entered the county on Monday's 117-mile tour from below the Golden Gate Bridge to sunny, sublime Aptos, thousands of spectators had lined the speed route from Davenport to Soquel Village. They populated turnouts and driveways in Attractive Doon, Boulder Creek and the Summit - clapping, honking horns and ringing cowbells.
If they didn't already be sure it, the 100-plus riders quickly learned Santa Cruz County is cycling hinterlands. And it's kind of beautiful, too.
Rich White, 55, of Capitola had a bantam more insight into the race than some fans. He rode his bike nine miles from home up Soquel-San Jose Road to box the action.
"It's mind-boggling what they do on a daily basis," White said. "To execute from San Francisco to Santa Cruz is a feat in itself and they do (rides of that length) day after day. It's very amazing."
A GRASSROOTS RETURN
Local amateur cyclist Maura Noel spearheaded a grassroots creation by racing fans to bring the eight-day tour back to Santa Cruz County this year after the big apple of Santa Cruz passed on hosting it in 2011. The city hosted the 2009 and 2010 contests, but amongst lackluster impacts to local businesses and a tough fundraising operations, the to see the world on a bicycle. When we get away, we ride. That's what we do."
Derek Lockyer, 29, pedaled his bicycle to Cabrillo College from Saratoga on Monday. The drive took nearly three hours, Lockyer said.
"I like to keep a sharp lookout for the pros, just to see them finish is cool," Lockyer said.
A triple of friends rode their bikes to join the thousands of fans cheering trip participants as they sped down Soquel Drive and turned right onto the campus for the straightaway.
"It was straight exciting to be right here as the group swooshed by," said Maryanne Gilbert of Santa Cruz. "The animation was palpable."
Gilbert's friend Roberta Valdez of Corralitos, an avid cyclist, is a former volunteer for the Amgen voyage.
"I'm really, really proud to have the race here again," Valdez said.
Source: San Jose Mercury News