SB Nation User Blog: Veloki

The Road to Palomar

Veloki — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 07:02:18 -0000

More photos from my ToC weekend - Pasadena and Palomar 2009.

Having driven home to Long Beach from Los Olivos Friday night, I happily slept in Saturday morning knowing I had plenty of time to get to Pasadena before the riders arrived. I went to this stage last year - in the pouring rain - and I knew there were a few good locations besides the Rose Bowl finish line to watch the final circuits. Originally I thought I'd camp out on one of the climbs, but ended up on a curve just after a climb. They came around the corner and accelerated around the bend....

Astana leads the pack chasing the break.

Another lap and here comes George.

And CVV.

Around they go again and I get my Lance shot.

More laps pass with....

Chechu Rubiera.

Thomas Peterson.

Thor.

And a battle scarred Tom Zirbel.

Having traveled to Solvang and now Pasadena - even this So Cal gal gets tired of driving - I really debated on if I wanted to trek down to Palomar on Sunday. But I also knew I'd probably kick my self if I didn't.....

I read that they were going to close South Grade Road on Palomar at 9am Sunday morning. Well, I didn't even make it out of the house till 8:45am!

I found my way to Route 76 by 10:40am, and the all the signs were saying road to be closed at 11am. Made it! :-) There were a line of cars heading up and I followed. I figured I go as far as I could go, and eventually was able to park just east of the entry to South Grade Road - yay!

I hiked up South Grade Road a bit to the first big bend and hung out with about a half dozen others, waiting for the race to come by. I'd be checking my iPhone so much for various things I was almost out of juice. But I made sure I saved enough to email Gav the photo of my chalk job. Of course the folks around me wondered what Podium Cafe was and I talked it up good!

Finely the lead motos and cars started arriving and I cheered....

Andy leading the break.

CVV leading the chase.

More riders passed, now in smaller groups.

Cav looked a bit pained, and there was still a long way to go.

I hiked back down to my car and waited for the race to come back around Route 76.

Frank was leading now.

Levi chasing hard.

With Dave Z right behind.

And Chris Horner was in another group.

Little by little the last groups of riders past by. They were all on their way to the Escondido finish as I hit the road - with what seemed like the rest of civilization - to get off the mountain. ;-)

But I didn't care, I was on a ToC high!!! See you all next year!!!

Note on the photos: I shot both stills and video. Several of the photos are still frames from those videos. I actually never know what I'll catch as the bunch races by and I really need to do this more than once a year, to remember how to do it each time out! I'm going to try and attend more local races this year, so we'll see.....

Solvanging It

Veloki — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:32:00 -0000

Here are a sampling of my photos from Solvang 2009.

Pasadena and Palomar photos will come in another post later in the week - stay tuned.... :-)

I'd never been to an ITT before and especially wanted to go check out the team bus area and watch the riders warm-up.

There were a lot of cool bikes to see....

And you never knew who'd be around the next corner....

J.V. was giving an interview.

Robert Gesink was happily posing for photos.

George and Bob were in deep conversation.

And Bobby Julich was working his new job.

Jason McCartney was spinning away.

And right next door to Saxo was Cervélo, and Thor was looking good.

Cervélo had really high-tech risers for their front tires.

Oh yeah, of course there was a race going on too....

Caught a shot of Cav.

And J.J. Haedo.

But then I decided to head for the finish line and I couldn't get any more good shots as the guys whizzed by.

I got a good spot on the side of the grand stand.

George looking classic in blue.

And after all of that, my favorite shot of the day.

How cool would it be to have Dave Z. as your dad!

Then I hiked back to my car, after a little detour of walking out the wrong direction at first - duh! I then found my way to the PdC party, which was a fantastic way to end a fantastic day!

As requested. A Benna Bobble Head for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!!!!

Veloki — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 21:57:48 -0000

As requested. A Benna Bobble Head for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!!!!