The best spots to watch all the Sonoma County Tour of California action include: – FINISH LINE:  Thousands of people, big-screen televisions, bands, food and the riders. – INTERSECTION OF COLEMAN VALLEY ROAD AND BOHEMIAN HIGHWAY IN OCCIDENTAL: Riders streaming at break-neck pace on a descent that leads to a corkscrew left turn that will best their bike-handling abilities. -FIRST FORT ROSS SUMMIT: The toughest climb on Stage 1 will result in panting riders ascending to one of the iconic… Read More »

The Amgen Tour of California will be broadcast this year on NBC and NBC Sports Network (NBC-SN) You can also watch online at amgentourofcalifornia.com using the RadioShack Tour Tracker. The Tour Tracker app can also be downloaded free for iOS and Android devices. SUNDAY, MAY 13 Santa Rosa TV: 2 p.m., NBC-SN MONDAY, MAY 14 San Francisco to Santa Cruz County TV: 2 p.m., NBC-SN TUESDAY, MAY 15 San Jose to Livermore TV: 2 p.m., NBC-SN WEDNESDAY, MAY 16 Sonora… Read More »

Be a fan, not a pylon Ben Jacques-Mayne, a three-time finisher of the Tour of California who rides for BISSELL Pro Cycling, has some suggestions for staying safe and upright while watching a road race. Here are his three top tips: Yield the road “We’re going fast, stand back. We use every inch of the road. We don’t pay attention to the painted white lines on the side of the road. It’s not like we don’t use the shoulder. We… Read More »

Bike shops are rallying around the Amgen Tour of California to give cyclists the opportunity to rub elbows with the pros, participate in group rides and try out the latest in bikes and equipment.… Read More »

By BOB NORBERG THE PRESS DEMOCRAT When the professional cyclists line up at the starting line for the Amgen Tour of California, cancer survivor Bill Ellis will be holding the starting gun. It is a new role for Ellis, who as a Santa Rosa traffic engineer has been behind the scenes setting up the detours and barricades for the race and other cycling events. It is also an honorary role for Ellis, a Novato resident and ultra-endurance rider who is… Read More »

The kick-off party for the Amgen Tour of California will be held at Sonoma-Cutrer Winery in Windsor, a venue that is meant to show off Sonoma County as wine country.… Read More »

Those riders in the red, white and black riding uniforms last week were the Bissell Pro Cycling Team, in Sonoma County for a four-day, pre-season camp.… Read More »