Amgen Tour of California

by John F. Hess

Do you follow the Amgen Tour of California from town to town?  Do you watch coverage online or on the television? Well, this past month, I found the best way to see the race: from the inside of a VIP car on the course with the riders! I had purchased my way in as a result of an auction at the US Bicycling Hall of Fame 2013 Induction Ceremony.  Darell Dickey was an honored guest from the DBC. 

Jens Voight talking to Kimberly before the start

Stage 1 of the 2014 Amgen TOC started in downtown Sacramento and finished in downtown Sacramento.  Darell and I were in car VIP 3, being driven by Kimberly Baldwin.  To cut to the chase: It was the best way to see the race.  The VIP car had two race walkie-talkies so we could hear what was going on.  Plus, Kimberly knew what was going on and helped provide background.  Finally, the team cars, CHP and support vehicles would pull up next to each other and folks would talk back and forth. 

Following the Breakaway

Crowds lining the street in Auburn

We followed the tour from Sacramento north and turned to go east to Lincoln.  From the beginning of the race, a breakaway of 6 riders were in the lead and we followed behind them, ahead of the peloton. The break led through Lincoln and Auburn and the twisting roads out of the foothills to Sacramento.  They were eventually caught, but we had sped ahead.  Kimberly dropped Darell and me at the VIP area at the finish line so we could grab a snack and a cold bevvie while the race made it’s way to us.  Three quick laps of the capitol and then the sprint finish and we were right there.  What a great day and way to watch a bike race.