Spectator’s Guide
(The following is older 2010 info – updated 2012 info coming soon.)
Viewing Opportunities:
Arrive Early:
The finish line area on Summit Blvd. at Snow Summit Mountain resort is expected to fill up first. It is recommended to arrive before 10 a.m. on race day to secure seating near the finish line. Early bird parking, just ¾ mile from Snow Summit, at Garstin Dr. and Fox Farm Road is available. Early bird parking is limited, and the cost is $10 per vehicle. An interactive Lifestyle Festival and Big Bear Cycling Expo near the finish line provide plenty of entertainment and activities prior to the arrival of the cyclists
Lodging Along the Route:
Get the best viewing spots along the route to Big Bear’s finish line. There are some great lodging options directly on the route, or just a block or two away giving you easy access to the course. Lodging along the route.
Routes to Big Bear:
There are several ways to get to Big Bear, please refer to insert map for detailed directions. The recommended route for spectators coming from L.A., Orange County, San Diego or the Inland Empire is Hwy. 38, which you can easily be accessed from the Orange Street exit off I-10 in Redlands. The recommended route for spectators coming from Northern L.A. County or desert communities is Hwy. 18 through Lucerne Valley. Spectators who plan to come up Hwy. 330 to stake out a spot along Hwy. 18 in areas such as Rim of the World Highway or the Arctic Circle are encouraged to arrive before 11 a.m.
Stage 6 Route – Palmdale to Big Bear.
Estimated Stage 6 time log to help you plan accordingly.
Road Closures:
(This is the range of times within which the road may be closed, depending on the speed of the race. Actual closing will only be about one hour with this time frame.)
Approximate Times & Road Description
2:06 p.m. – 4:27 p.m. Hwy 38 between the dam and Fawskin
2:23 p.m. – 4:44 p.m. Hwy 38 between Fawskin and Stansfield cutoff
2:25 p.m. – 4:46 p.m. Stanfield cutoff to Big Bear Blvd and Big Bear Blvd. to Sandlewood Dr*
2:26 p.m. – 4:47 p.m. Sandlewood Drive to Fox Farm Road
2:27 p.m. – 4:48 p.m. Fox Farm Road to Garstin Dr
2:28 p.m. – 4:49 p.m. Garstin to Summit Blvd
2:28 p.m. – 4:50 p.m. Summit Blvd to Big Bear Blvd
Closed all Day Summit Blvd South of Big Bear Blvd
2:54 p.m. – 3:52 p.m. Estimated Finish Time of Leaders
*Big Bear Blvd with have the two South lanes open all day for 2-way traffic
Getting Around Big Bear on Race Day:
Parking Info:
Parking lots, walking paths and bike routes are all indicated on the race day map. Arrive early to secure the closest spot to the finish line. Nearby parking lots offering free parking is at Moonridge Avenue and in Big Bear Village. There are places to park vehicles along the roadside on or near the course, including Stanfield Cutoff, and North Shore Drive (Hwy. 38), and side roads on Hwy. 38 such as 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. Please be considerate of private and U.S. Forest Service property. Also, there are U.S. Forest Service parking areas along Hwy. 38 including Grout Bay Park, Grays Peak Trail head, 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.
Bring your Bike:
On race day it is easier to get around Big Bear on a bike rather than a car. Please see race day map for easy –access bike routes to the finish line area.
Free Bike Valet:
A free bike valet service, which allows spectators to drop off bikes in a secured area, is available near the finish line at Snow Summit. The free bike valet operates from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Bike valet spaces are limited, so be sure to arrive early!
Park n’ Bike
Free parking in the Big Bear Village is a great choice for spectators to park vehicles, and then ride to the finish line, or other viewing area along the route. Spectators may check bikes at the free bike valet at Snow Summit, and enjoy the Lifestyle Festival and other race day festivities. After the race the Park ‘n’ Bike option allows spectators to beat the traffic out of the finish line area by riding back to the Village on a bike. At the Village secure the bike on a vehicle or chain it up, and enjoy the lively festivities of Friday Night in the Village!
Watch the Race from a Boat:
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.
It’s More Than Just a Race – Festival, Expo, Activities:
MBT Lifestyle Festival:
One thing for certain is spectators will have plenty to do at MBT Lifestyle Festival, which is an only steps from the finish line on the grounds of Snow Summit Mountain Resort. The interactive Lifestyle Festival begins at 11 a.m. and ends shortly after the stage finish. It includes a wide assortment of fun-filled activities for all ages. There’s live entertainment, a beer garden, food concessions, health & fitness expo, cycling demonstrations, bike safety, national sponsors, vendors, cycling gear, family activities and more. There are also giant screen TV monitors that will allow you to follow the riders as they race to the finish.
Big Bear Expo:
Local artists, musicians, businesses and organizations get in on the fun at the Big Bear Expo, which is located at the base area of Snow Summit. The expo is from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. After the awards ceremony enjoy Reggae at 7,000 feet with Big Bear’s own Elevated Roots. On Saturday, May 22 the expo is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during Tour de Big Bear.
Tour de Big Bear:
The thrill of cycling continues Saturday, May 22nd with the inaugural Tour de Big Bear. Cyclists of all ages and skill levels have the opportunity to ride portions of the same route professional cyclists raced on the day before. Cycling fans who sign up for Tour de Big Bear get certain privileges others do not. Amgen Tour of California race day perks include free V.I.P. parking on the race course, free T-shirt, free Sky Chair ticket, and a Glory Ride through the official finish line just hours before the pro riders finish.
Make it a Cycling Weekend!
Save the hassle of driving up and down the mountain and avoid race day traffic by staying in Big Bear. Arrive in Big Bear Thursday, May 20 and enjoy the best dining and shopping Big Bear has to offer. On race day, May 21, get an early start to pick out a spot along the course. Wake up early Saturday, put on some cycling gear and enjoy a scenic bike tour at the inaugural Tour de Big Bear. Later watch the Amgen Tour of California time trials on a big screen with an ice-cold beverage. Stay one more night and rent a boat or take a hike Sunday! Visit BigBear.com for lodging and visitor information.
Schedule of Events
When What Where
Friday, May 21
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Lifestyle Festival Snow Summit Parking Lot
11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Big Bear Expo Snow Summit Base Area
1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Goldsprints Qualifiers Summit Blvd.
1:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Tour de Big Bear Glory Rides Summit Blvd.
2:54 p.m. – 3:52 p.m. Race Finish Entrance to Snow Summit
4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Live Reggae Music Snow Summit Base Area
Featuring Elevated Roots
4 p.m. – 10 p.m. Friday Night in the Village Big Bear Village
5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Kiwanis Spaghetti Dinner Bear Mountain Resort
7 p.m. Screening of cycling
film “Chasing Legends” Performing Arts Center
7:30 p.m. Goldsprints Finals Nottinghams Restaurant
Saturday, May 22
9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Tour de Big Bear Various Rides
9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Big Bear Expo Snow Summit Base Area
Printable Spectator Guide & Map
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).
Check back for more updates on day of race road closures, parking and activities and become a fan of The Big Bear Climb on Facebook.
