Everything you need to know for enjoying The Big Bear Climb in a quick and easy format is here: Download the Spectator Guide & Map for Stage 6 – The Big Bear Climb (823K in Adobe Acrobat PDF format, or use the 13mb higher-resolution version).

This video shows the Queen Stage, Stage 6 in the Amgen Tour of California. This Stage reaches altitudes of over 7,000 feet. Stage 6 is a relentless climb through both the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California.

Big Bear Lake, Finish of the Queen Stage, Amgen Tour of California 2010

Partial View of Big Bear Lake

BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. May 3, 2010 – Big Bear Lake offers unique vantage points for spectators to watch the Amgen Tour of California’s Stage 6 finish from a boat on the lake. The seven-mile long lake provides a variety of viewing options to watch the world’s best cyclists race toward the finish line from Big Bear Dam to Stanfield Cutoff. Race fans can either launch a boat at one of Big Bear’s public launch ramps, or boat rentals are amply served by five marinas that offer a fleet of pontoon boats, fishing boats and kayaks.

Some of the best viewing spots from a boat are 1/4 mile from Big Bear Dam on the north shore. Here boaters can watch the peloton enter Big Bear Lake with the option to follow the cyclists for two and a half miles along the north shore. Some other key viewing spots for boaters are just east of the City of Fawnskin, about 4.3 miles from the dam. Boaters who choose to get closer to the finish line can view the race on the north shore approximately one mile west of Stanfield Cutoff. The area offers a wide open clearing overlooking Alpine Pedal Path. Another hot spot for boaters is on the east end of the lake at Stanfield Cutoff, the roadway that connects the north shore with the south shore.

“With a boat you can watch cyclists enter at Big Bear Dam, or catch the final sprint to the finish line at Stanfield Cutoff,” said Holloways Marina Owner Loren Hafen. “A boat gives you some unique opportunities to see the action of the race, compared to those watching from the side of the road.”

For spectators who opt to watch the race from the roadside have some great spots to choose from, too. Summit Blvd is the final stretch to the finish line at Snow Summit Mountain Resort, which is expected to be the most sought after viewing location. It is highly recommended spectators arrive before 10 a.m. to stake out a spot near the finish line area along Summit Blvd. The closest parking lot to the finish line is at Garstin Drive and Fox Farm Road, and is based on a first-come, first serve basis. The cost is $10 per vehicle. Other nearby parking options that offer free parking is at Moonridge Avenue and in Big Bear Village.

For spectators who want to be at or near the finish line, but don’t want to hassle with crowds may elect to rent a condominium on Summit Blvd. or near Snow Summit Mountain Resort. Condos provide private balconies and decks that overlook the crowd with clear views of the finish line. These private rentals are great for hosting race-day gatherings and after parties with friends. For a list of available rentals at or near the finish line log onto www.bigbear.com/bigbearclimb or call 1-800-424-4232 to make reservations.

Stanfield Cutoff is a point where cyclists are expected to punch it into high gear and give it their all. There are places to park vehicles along the roadside and view the race. Also, The Duane Boyer West Public Boat Launch Ramp, which is 1/4 mile from Stanfield Cutoff, has a large public parking area available. The next portion of the final stretch, from Big Bear Blvd. to Sandalwood Drive, has wide open spaces with sidewalks and lots of parking options, including the Stater Brothers and Interlocken Shopping Center parking lots.

Hwy. 38 on the north shore has a wide array of places to watch the race, too. Some areas near the dam that provide parking include North Shore Landing and The Carol Morrison East Public Boat Launch Ramp. The City of Fawnskin has ample parking and plenty of room to view the race, including some restaurants and bars that are directly on the course. There are also some lodging options in this area including North Shore Cabins, The Inn at Fawnskin, Windy Point Inn and private home rentals from Big Bear Vacations. Side roads on Hwy. 38 that have places to park and offer great viewing areas include North Shore Lane, Polique Canyon Road and Holcomb Valley Road. Spectators may park on these roads as long as all four tires are off the roadway. Also, there are U.S. Forest Service parking areas along Hwy. 38 including Grout Bay Park, Cougar Crest Trailhead, Juniper Point and The Woodland Trail. U.S. Forest Service parking areas do require vehicles to display a National Forest Adventure Pass, which can be purchased at Big Bear Discovery Center for $5.

For race day information, traffic advisories and lodging availability for the Amgen Tour of California Stage 6 finish in Big Bear Lake visit www.thebigbearclimb.com or call 800-424-4232.

This short video shows the beginning of the climb into the San Bernardino Mountains on HWY 138. The relentless climb begins near Silverwood Lake. The route is comprised of hairpin turns, steep grades and road conditions.

We shot this video with a Nikon Coolpix, holding it out of the car passenger window on the way up the mountain.

Amgen Tour of California Riders and Fans

Amgen Tour of California

STAGE 6 OF 2010 AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA IS SET FOR A DEFINING DAY OF RACING

Stage 6 Route from Palmdale to Big Bear Lake is the Most Challenging Stage

BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. April 14, 2010 – Today officials of the Amgen Tour of California announced the Stage 6 route from Palmdale to Big Bear Lake. On Friday, May 21 the world’s top professional cyclists including Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, Dave Zabriskie and George Hincapie will battle it out on the Tour’s most challenging route known as the queen stage. The route from Palmdale to Big Bear Lake consists of 135 miles and more than 12,000 feet of climbing. The grueling queen stage is specifically designed to challenge cyclists, and should have a significant impact on the overall standings of the Amgen Tour of California (ATOC).

“The May timing of the 2010 edition of the AMGEN Tour of California is going to allow us to visit some challenging new areas of California that previously were not possible due to the weather,” said Andrew Messick president of AEG Sports, presenter of the race. “The Stage 6 route from Palmdale to Big Bear is the perfect example, with our first-ever mountain finish at a 7,000 foot elevation.”

Palmdale City Hall will serve as the backdrop for the most difficult stage in the five-year history of the Amgen Tour of California. After a five-mile neutral section heading south on Sierra Rd., the route makes a left turn onto Angeles Forest Highway. Facing the riders is the imposing San Gabriel mountain range, and within a few miles the first of seven King of the Mountains (KOMs) will be crested.  After a blistering descent from Mill Creek Summit, the route turns to Upper Big Tujunga and then onto Angeles Crest Highway (Hwy. 2).

The cyclists will encounter a number of climbs, including five KOMs, along Angeles Forest Highway and Hwy. 2 as they strive to reach Dawson Saddle, the highest point of the entire tour at 7,900 feet. From Dawson Saddle the racers will have their first sprint to Wrightwood at an elevation of 5,960 feet.

The peloton of riders will cross Interstate 15 on an overpass, and make their push east onto a curvy Highway 138 to Silverwood Lake. In the distance the cyclists will see mountain vistas that surround Big Bear Lake, which looks quite intimidating from afar. From Silverwood Lake a steep and windy climb into the San Bernardino Mountains begins on their way to Crestline

The race then moves onto Highway 18, which is known as the Rim of the World Highway, because of its narrow stretch of road that sets on the edge of the San Bernardino Mountains. This portion of the race goes through the mountain communities of Sky Forest, Running Springs and Arrowbear.

Just outside of Arrowbear the racers will encounter the last long sustained climb of the day. The riders will have a steep climb all the way to Lakeview Point, which tops out at 7,112 feet. At this point the cyclists will be treated to a stunning view of Big Bear Lake, the jewel of the San Bernardino Mountains.

From Lakeview Point the racers will sprint along a portion of Highway 18, known as the Arctic Circle. The racers will kick it into high gear as they give it their all on this final sprint to Big Bear Lake. The race route enters Big Bear Valley at Big Bear Dam, but rather than crossing the dam and heading through the City of Big Bear Lake, the riders will continue on the north shore of the lake and race along the shoreline for about three miles. The cyclists will ride through the quaint mountain town of Fawnskin and pass by some of Big Bear’s most recognizable locales, such as the Big Bear Discovery Center, Serrano Campground and the East Boat Public Launch Ramp. The cyclists will cross over Stanfield Cutoff to the City of Big Bear Lake and make a mad dash for the finish line at the base of Snow Summit Mountain Resort at an elevation of 7,000 feet.

The race starts in Palmdale at 9:30 a.m., and is expected to end in Big Bear Lake sometime between 3:20 p.m. and 4 p.m. By the end of stage the race the riders will have climbed more than 12,000 feet. The Amgen Tour of California’s first-ever mountaintop finish in Big Bear Lake could very well be a determining factor in the outcome of the final standings.

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About the Amgen Tour of California

The largest cycling event in America, the 2010 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course from May 16-23.