Tour of California

We drove over to Los Angeles to watch the final two stages of America's biggest bike race of the year, the Tour of California. This race is only 3 years old, but it pulls some of the biggest teams from across the world. Five past world champions were present and the rider who was third in the 2007 Tour de France won the 2008 race.

The caliber of racing rivals all but the best European races which gave us a chance to see some of our favorite cycling stars. I was within 10 feet of my favorite rider, Tom Boonen, something that I never even considered would ever happen. This is someone who I have followed and cheered for through the TV and internet photos since I began to follow cycling and never would have dreamed to see this Euro star in the flesh. It was an odd 5 seconds when he passed by on his way from the team bus to the hotel considering this is the equivilent to Tom Brady or Peyton Manning in Europe. He wasn't the only one, however; there were many cycling stars that I got to see in person which I never thought would happen.

Tom Boonen, in the flesh!


The peleton thunders into Santa Clarita for the finish


We were 40 meters from the finish. The guy in white closest to the camera, Mark Cavendish, is in the process of screaming by the rest of the group to win the sprint finish.


Current World Champion Paolo Bettini.


Two hardy fans out in the steady rain for the finish of the last stage in Pasadena.