Cycling Fans Get Opportunity to Ride Portion of the Amgen Tour of California Stage 6 in Big Bear plus Many More Perks

On Friday, May 18 cycling enthusiasts get an opportunity to ride a portion of the same route that the world’s greatest professional cyclists will race on during The Amgen Tour of California Stage 6 Finish in Big Bear Lake. The ride, called The King of the Mountain Experience, is open to all levels of cyclists that want to bask in the glory of riding through the official Amgen Tour of California finish line arch two hours before the actual professionals cross the finish line. Note: King of the Mountain Experience is limited to the first 250 registrants.

Cycling enthusiasts enjoy a 35-mile trek that starts at Snow Summit Mountain Resort, and snakes over to Big Bear Lake’s north shore on Hwy. 38. From there participants are treated to Big Bear’s scenic beauty as they head west down Hwy. 18. This takes them to the turnaround point at Snow Valley Mountain Resort. The cyclists then head back to Snow Summit where they cross through the official Amgen Tour of California finish line arch. The course ride is supported by guides and a full-support crew. There is also a self-timed section on the course that gives participants a read-out of their times that they can compare with the professional race leaders.

In addition to riding 35 miles of the Stage 6 course King of the Mountain Experience participants get certain privileges others do not. Race day perks include V.I.P. finish line area seating, free bike valet, commemorative event tech T-shirt, raffle drawings, finisher’s medal, and limited edition number plate. There is also a V.I.P. reception after the race at Black Diamond Tavern that includes appetizers, no-host bar and cycling celebrities such as Phil Liggett, the official announcer of the race. Other benefits include pre-event bike check lube & tune, discount food and lodging, and Thursday night tour viewing party.

King of the Mountain Experience is Friday, May 18 at the Amgen Tour of California Stage 6 Finish Line at Snow Summit Mountain Resort, located at 880 Summit Blvd. The glory ride is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., which starts and finishes at Snow Summit. Entry fee is $150 per person. For more information about King of the Mountain Experience or to register log onto www.bigbearclimb.com or www.openairbigbear.com.

When it comes to cycling, it’s only natural to think of Big Bear as a mountain biking destination. However, Big Bear is well known within the circuit of cyclists as a mecca for road cycling because of its diverse climbs and peak-to-peak rides. Big Bear Lake is 100 miles from California’s coast. Its picturesque mountain-top setting rivals well known cycling mountain ranges throughout the world, such as the French Alps, Italian Dolomites and Canadian Rockies.

The San Bernardino Mountains offer several thigh-searing, lung-starving peaks, cresting over 7,000 feet. A favorite ride by many cycling enthusiasts is a scenic, 9-mile relentless ascent to Onyx Summit, the highest altitude roadway in Southern California. One of the key attractions for serious riders is the ascension up to Onyx Summit, which tops off at 8,443 feet.

Those who love the mountains, but are not into big mountain climbs, will enjoy a casual 40-mile loop; that gently rolls around Big Bear and Baldwin Lakes, providing a spectacular view of dense forests and surrounding peaks. Big Bear Lake is a must, for avid to casual cyclists, to add as a road cycling destination.

Naturally, one of the top choices for cycling in Big Bear Lake is a ride around the lake. The 15 mile journey around the blue jewel is approximately an hour at a casual pace. However, many riders occasionally stop to snap a few photos of the beautiful alpine setting, which leads to lengthen the time of the round trip loop.

A great way to extend a ride around Big Bear Lake is to add Baldwin Lake to the mix. This is ideal for cyclists who like distance rides without vertical mountains. The 40 mile loop gently rolls along both lakes with spectacular views of lush forests and mountain vistas.

It’s best to start this duo-lake ride on the south shore, and head west toward the Big Bear Lake Dam on Hwy. 18. Cross the dam, and continue to ride in a clockwise direction, east to Hwy 38, on the north shore. Here, cyclists will enjoy a scenic seven mile pedal along the lake’s edge. Across the lake are views of Snow Summit and Bear Mountain Ski Resorts. Peeking above the ski resorts in the distance is the façade of Mt. San Gorgonio. Continue on Hwy 38 and take it to Baldwin Lake. Make the right turn at Baldwin Lake road. In four miles the name of the road changes to Shay Meadow and leads you back to Big Bear Blvd. (Hwy 18), for a spin through Big Bear City, and eventually back to Big Bear Lake; to complete the loop.

For avid enthusiasts and adventure seekers, who want to tackle one of Big Bear’s most challenging climbs; a clear choice for local riders is the Keller Peak Ride. The ride is short, but does have some demanding steep portions to Keller Peak; that ascends for a little over 2,000’ in just five miles! This regular weekly group ride for Big Bear cyclists pushes the limits of all different levels of riders. The recommended route is to take Stanfield Cutoff counter clockwise to Hwy 38, and take the north shore route west to Hwy 18. Pass the Big Bear Dam and continue through the “Arctic Circle” and over Lakeview Point for an exceptionally fast and twisty descent towards Running Springs.

An important thing to remember is to make a left off the highway at Deer Lick Fire Station. This is usually where the leg-searing pain begins. It is a steep and narrow road with no outlets, so it’s important to pay attention and ride safely all the way to the fire lookout tower, which is perched high in the sky at 7880’. Most riders who reach the top like to catch a breath, and climb to the top of the tower to enjoy amazing panoramic views from almost 8,000 feet above sea level. On clear days Catalina Island can be seen to the west.

A great place to take kids and beginning riders is a fresh, paved Alpine Pedal Path located on the North shore of Big Bear Lake. The Alpine Pedal Path starts at the east end of the lake at Stanfield Cutoff, and rolls along the shoreline for about 3 ½ miles, passing Juniper Point and Meadows Edge Park. From there the path snakes through the Serrano campground, and pops out on North Shore Lane near the Solar Observatory. This area is a perfect place for a relaxing, lakeside cruise with friends and family, without the hassle of cars!

Big Bear’s cycling-friendly community has two full service bike shops that sell, rent and service bikes. Bike shop staffs include cyclists who provide valuable information and local knowledge of rides in and around Big Bear Lake. All levels of riders are encouraged to take time to experience Big Bear’s small town hospitality, superb mountain roads and stunning landscapes. Big Bear Lake should be added to any cyclist’s list of “Must Visit” cycling destinations.

Pro-Cycling Tips;

• Seasoned PRO | Cycling Tips – As I get older cycling changes shapes and means different things to me in my life. At first the bike meant that I could get to school quicker. It then became about who could do the highest jumps. It was all about freedom and fun.
• Victory Salute Like A PRO | Cycling Tips – Bike racing and cycling is filled with unwritten rules and etiquette. Above all, style is paramount. All else is of little importance. You’re only as good as your last race. I regularly get ridiculed for all my unwitting blunders.
• Bucket List | Cycling Tips – … Ride the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders (will rent a bike and take out insurance for this); Go to the Tour de France with a press pass and blog about all the pro’s cycling tips; Ride the Grand Fondo Sportful in …

The First of Back-to-Back Mountain Finishes Should Have Impact on Overall Standings

BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif./ February 8, 2012– Today officials of the Amgen Tour of California announced the Stage 6 route from Palmdale to Big Bear Lake. On Friday, May 18 the world’s top professional cyclists will battle it out on a demanding route known as The Big Bear Climb. After a hiatus during the 2011 Amgen Tour of California, Big Bear Lake is back on the race map, challenging riders to face a daunting Stage 6. The Big Bear Climb is the first of back-to-back mountain finishes dubbed as the race’s “Daily Double,” The Big Bear Climb (Stage 6 Finish) and Mt. Baldy (Stage 7 Finish).

“Stage 6 and 7 of the race will definitely test the riders’ mettle with back-to-back climbs,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the race and senior vice president of AEG Sports. “Stage 6 will not only test the riders’ physical strengths, but they will need to put some extra thought into strategizing as well.”

The route from Palmdale to Big Bear Lake consists of 115 miles and more than 12,000 feet of climbing. The grueling Stage 6 should have a significant impact on the overall standings of the Amgen Tour of California. Stage 6 is all about strategy where racers will need to determine how to attack the first of back-to-back mountain finishes.

Stage 6 begins at Marie Kerr Park in the City of Palmdale at 10 a.m. The cyclists begin the race with a neutral section heading south on historic Sierra Highway to Pearblossom Highway. After 10 miles the route veers left onto Angeles Forest Highway where riders face the impressive San Gabriel mountain range. After a short stretch on Angeles Forest Highway, the route turns left onto Mt. Emma Road, and within a few miles the first of four King of the Mountains (KOMs) will be crested. Racers then descend to Fort Tejon Road, which eventually leads to a 12-mile monstrous climb to a 7,000 foot summit at the top of Angeles Crest Highway. From here racers 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 cyclists will see mountain vistas that surround Big Bear Lake, which looks quite intimidating from afar. From Silverwood Lake a vertical 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 10 a.m., and is expected to end in Big Bear Lake sometime between 2:35 p.m. and 3:25 p.m. When the riders cross the finish line in Big Bear they will have climbed more than 12,000 feet. The Big Bear Climb should be a determining factor in the outcome of the final standings.

More About Amgen Tour of California;

• Tour of California route to feature new mountain stages – 2012 route to include Beverly Hills and challenging time trial.
• Map: AMGEN Tour of California Bike Race Announces Stages … – The AMGEN Tour of California has announced the route of this year’s race, which will take place May 13-20. The first stage of the race will start and end in.
• Horner expected to compete in Tour of California « Artesia News – LOS ANGELES (AP) — Defending champion Chris Horner and three-time winner Levi Leipheimer are expected to be in the field for the 2012 Amgen Tour of California, which will include a 130-mile fourth stage that will make …