| After a long, hard winter here in Big Bear Lake, | | | | the race will take place in the parking lot of the Snow |
| California... and yes, this particular winter was long and | | | | Summit Ski Resort. |
| hard for all of us spoiled "Big Bearians"... spring is finally | | | | Now, that is on serious bike ride! Over 135 miles and |
| just about here. We're currently in a "between | | | | over 12,000 feet in vertical climbing after all is said and |
| seasons mode". We're leaving winter, but not quite into | | | | done. That's enough to test anyone's endurance, but |
| full-blown springtime as yet. | | | | the professional cyclers who will be riding, including Levi |
| That doesn't mean that it's not time to start planning! | | | | Leipheimer and the amazing Lance Armstrong, will give |
| There is so much to do here during my favorite | | | | it everything they've got as they race the clock... and |
| season: Spring! I think it's the most beautiful time of | | | | each other...to the finish line. |
| year here in the San Bernardino mountains, and I want | | | | Tour de Big Bear: We Can All Get In The Act! |
| to give you a few quick hints on upcoming events... | | | | Concurrently with the professional Tour of California |
| rather special ones... so you can make your plans and | | | | race, our little town is also hosting a 2 day event called |
| join us up here! | | | | whimsically, the "Tour de Big Bear". This is another |
| If you've been in Big Bear at all during the last ten | | | | cycling event that is designed to afford normal folks |
| years, you'll be aware that cycling... both mountain biking | | | | like you and I... those who don't want to ride 135 miles |
| and on-road cycling... are now very popular activities in | | | | and climb 12,000 feet vertically in one day... a chance to |
| Big Bear. What used to be a "winter only" resort has | | | | view the professional Tour and take part in some |
| really changed. Spring, Summer, and Fall are all now | | | | relaxing, amateur... and totally gorgeous... bike rides of |
| very exciting up here in God's Country... and cycling is a | | | | our own. |
| huge part of that. | | | | The Tour de Big Bear is a two day event. Those who |
| AMGEN Tour of California: The Big Bear Climb! | | | | register gain preferred parking and seating to the |
| One of the very special things happening here in Big | | | | professional tour finish on the 21st of May, and then |
| Bear this year will be the AMGEN Tour of California | | | | have the opportunity to participate in several rides |
| race. The Tour of California is patterned after the Tour | | | | being held over the rest of that weekend. These rides |
| de France, and is the premiere team cycling event in | | | | range from short and easy to fairly long and much |
| the entire USA. It covers about 800 miles in just under | | | | more difficult. |
| a week of racing, through some of the most beautiful | | | | Bottom Line: Make It A Great Spring Weekend In Big |
| and challenging terrain in California. | | | | Bear! |
| This year, the highpoint of the race... Stage 6... will be | | | | It's no accident that these two events coincide. It's |
| the "Climb to Big Bear". Originally routed to begin in | | | | simply part of Big Bear's locals working together with |
| Pasadena and enter the San Gabriel Mountains via | | | | large promoters... like AEG, who actually produces the |
| Angeles Crest Highway, the Tour organizers had to | | | | AMGEN Tour of California, along with AMGEN itself... |
| regroup and re-route when this last winter's storms | | | | to encourage those of us in Southern California to visit |
| closed much of the intended route. | | | | one of SoCali's mountain jewels, Big Bear Lake and it's |
| As currently scheduled, the route now begins in | | | | surrounding areas. I've lived here for over 35 years, |
| Palmdale, California, and enters the San Gabriels from | | | | and I never get tired of hiling the trails, boating on the |
| the North side, bypassing the closed highway sections. | | | | lake, skiing the slopes in the resorts or cross-country, |
| From there it follows the crest of the San Gabriels | | | | and of course, biking the roads and trails of this |
| east, descending through Wrightwood. After crossing | | | | beautiful area. |
| the 15 freeway, the route ascends the San Bernardino | | | | This year, why not join us if you can. These two great |
| range and passes through Lake Silverwood, Crestline, | | | | cycling events make for a great weekend in the |
| then through Sky Forest and Running Springs, and then | | | | mountains for anyone. We all hope to see you here! |
| up again into our area, where the finish of this stage of | | | | |