Wild Tour of California Stage 2 -Weather Adds Drama to Stage 2 finish in Santa Cruz

Here's my report from the Monday, February 16 race!

Fans and Cyclists alike kept spirits high despite rain & hail

The sky unleashed hail, driving rain, drizzle and even some sunshine during Stage 2 of the Amgen Tour of California, which finished yesterday in a packed downtown Santa Cruz. The wild weather did not dampen the spirits of thousands of spectators cheering the world’s best racers, including Lance Armstrong, seven-time winner of the Tour de France.

In their third day of racing the 9-stage event, the pack started at 8:30 a.m. in Sausalito, crossed the Golden Gate bridge — closed to traffic for a sporting event for only the second time — raced down Highway 1 and completed the challenging 115.9-mile ride on Front and Cooper Streets at about 2 p.m. It was the first time the city hosted the 4th annual event, the biggest professional bike race in the U.S.

The crowds were wall-to-wall at the finish area. Armed with umbrellas, raincoats, ponchos and waterproof pants, the throngs were undeterred by Mother Nature’s unpredictable behavior, which included sudden downpours even after the rain had mostly abated.

“It was brutal,” said Wendy Bowers-Gachesa, of the hail that pelted her while she watched the race from Bonny Doon Road, the site of the second and final climb of Stage 2. “We were out there for two hours,” said the Watsonville resident who joined a dozen friends to cheer for the cyclists. “It was hailing, drizzling, then hard rain, more hail,” she said. “For about 10 seconds, there was sun. My car said the temperature was 39 degrees.”

From the racer’s perspective, the conditions were even worse. “Turn the shower on as cold as it gets, then stand there for four hours,” said two-time Tour of California champion Levi Leipheimer who wore the leader’s yellow jersey after Stage 2. “That’s what it was like.” He was bundled up in a hat and two jackets at the post-race press conference held at the Santa Cruz Veteran’s Hall.

Team Astana’s Leipheimer, who battled to become the overall Tour of California race leader during Stage 2, was not the only racer impacted by the harsh weather. “It was hailing in Pescadero and the coldest point was on Skyline,” said Ben Jacques-Maynes, a pro cyclist on Team Bissell who lives in Watsonville with his wife, Goldi, and their two young daughters. “The cold seeps into your legs. The wind and rain wears on everyone.”

It’s likely that the dangerous road conditions played a role in the accident that took Andy Jacques-Maynes out of the race. The twin and Team Bissell teammate of Ben Jacques-Maynes make a trip to the hospital to have his injuries, which were considered moderate and not life-threatening, checked out.

Despite the cold, Bowers-Gachesa, a nutrition instructor at West Valley College and an avid cyclist, had no regrets about her Bonny Doon vantage point. “The vibe was really good up there. There were a lot of spectators and it was an exciting race. I just wish they were slower so I could have seen them for longer!”

The steep climb of Bonny Doon Road was where the day’s drama unfolded. The second climb of Stage 2, after Tunitas Creek, was a thrilling spectacle thanks largely to the Herculean effort of Levi Leipheimer. The two-time defending champion of the Tour of California and teammate of Lance Armstrong made a daring break away from the pack on the climb. The initial attack had been launched by Carlos Barredo who was in the lead up to the summit of the hill. Leipheimer, essentially riding solo, closed in on and caught Barredo (Quick Step). Ultimately, Thomas Peterson (Garmin-Slipstream) won stage 2.

“When we hit the bottom of Bonny Doon Road, I could see everyone was at their limit,” said Leipheimer later at the press conference. “I felt good, so I turned to [teammate] Popo and said ‘light it up!’ Then came the real suffering.”

The challenging climb was followed by the treacherous descent down Empire Grade. Reaching speeds of 50 miles an hour on rain-slicked pavement, the racers had to take care not to have their rear tires slip. Due to his bold descent and strong overall riding, Ben Jacques-Maynes was awarded the “Most Courageous Rider” title for Stage 2. “This feels like a nice homecoming,” said Jacques-Maynes, who helped design the race course for Tour of California. “To stand up on the podium with so many family and friends here was amazing.”

From Davenport to downtown finish line spirits stayed high as people banded together to celebrate the event. “I just came in from standing in the rain for an hour in Davenport, waiting for the bike race to come,” reported Ann Parker via email. “It was fun local camaraderie!”

Members of the Peloton Club, the Tour of California booster club, were cozy on the heated patio at Woodstock’s Pizza watching the broadcast of the race, then moved to the roadside tent to watch the finish.

“We are being treated like royalty,” said one member, munching on the buffet catered by Southern Exposure.

Stationed at the finish line at the 200 meter mark, Terri Schneider, an endurance athlete and coach who lives in Aptos, said the weather was no big deal. “I figure the riders are getting hammered and we have nothing to complain about.”

After Stage 2, cycling fans drifted to downtown shops while others went home to recover. For the pro racers, there are still 450 miles to go in the Tour of California and no days off until the tour ends, Feb. 22 in Escondido. Asked about his overall race strategy, Leipheimer said, “I will take it day by day, kilometer by kilometer. It’s gonna be really tough.”

For full results visit, www.tourofcalifornia.com.

Behind the Scenes of Karen's TV Debut - Shots from filming preview of Amgen Tour of California

In less than a week, superstar cyclist Lance Armstrong and 135 world-class racers will race through Santa Cruz, California, during Stage 2 of the Tour of California, an 800-mile bike race with 9 stages. The biggest bike race in the U.S. starts Feb. 14 in Sacramento and ends Feb. 22 in Escondido in Southern California. The Tour stops in Santa Cruz (Monday, Feb. 16) for the first time in the event's 3-year history.

As a journalist who often reports on cycling, I have been involved in multiple media projects, including writing a cover story on the event for Good Times (where I worked 1994-96 as an editor); running a Facebook page on Stage 2 and most thrilling, participating in a TV show for Comcast cable, a 30-minute preview of the race.


Here I am at The Bicycle Trip in Santa Cruz with a Comcast cable cameraman (called a "shooter") talking about the Tour of California. I was nervous and needed more than one "take" to get it right. The show's producer, Paula Mahoney, reminded me to hold the microphone lower, at chest level, rather than up to my mouth, which is what felt more natural.

Maybe you have seen the Comcast Cable show I worked on - or heard me talk about it - because I have been excited to have my first TV project airing. I have posted the viewing schedule of the remaining week below the last photo on this page. (The show airs on regional cable on Monterey, Santa Cruz and Bay Area stations.)

Santa Cruz County is home to three racers who will compete in the prestigious Amgen Tour of California. Twins Andy and Ben Jacques-Maynes, pictured above on Bonny Doon Road, will race for Team Bissell. They frequently train together - five hours a day in the saddle! Brooke Miller, also of Santa Cruz, will defend her title as champion of the TOC's Women's Criterium. I interviewed Andy and Brooke for the TV show.

I also interviewed bike maker Paul Sadoff, of Rock Lobster, who has been in the cycling industry for 30 years. He designs and builds custom bike frames and is known especially for his cyclocross bikes. (I am lucky to own a gorgeous purple cross bike from him). Paul is pictured in his shop on the West Side of Santa Cruz.

It was a pleasure to work with veteran TV producer Paula Mahoney, who invited me to participate in this show. Paula provided excellent coaching for my broadcast debut (for example, NEVER surrender the microphone to your guest!)

A rare moment: Andy, left and twin brother, Ben, are standing still instead of riding their bikes! Won't see any of this leisure during the Tour of California!

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TOC Stage 2 on Comcast Cable TV - Show Schedule
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Live in Monterey, Santa Cruz or Bay Area?
Tune into Tour of CA sneak preview TV show on COMCAST CABLE and get stoked! Hear from pro cyclists and industry insiders from Giro, Fox Racing Shox and others. I got to interview some of these amazing cycling folks for the show.

CHANNEL 17:
(seen by Comcast viewers in all of Santa Cruz County, except Capitola and Watsonville):
Wednesday 2/11 at 6:00 and 10:00pm, Thursday 2/12 at 10:00pm, Friday 2/13 at 6:00 and 11:00pm, no Saturday airings, Sunday 2/15 at 4:00 and 10:00pm.

CHANNEL 34:
(seen by Comcast viewers in all of Santa Cruz County, including Capitola and Watsonville, as well as all of Salinas and Monterey)
beginning 2/2, 8pm, every night and running
until 2/15.

CHANNEL 104:
(seen by Comcast viewers in most of Northern California, including San Jose, Marin, San
Francisco, Santa Rosa, but excluding Santa Cruz and Stockton. Wednesday 2/11 at 7:00pm,
and Saturdays 2/14 at 12:30pm.