2011 AMGEN Tour of California - Stage 1 at Lake Tahoe

2011 AMGEN Tour of California - Stage 1 at Lake Tahoe

UPDATE: May 15, 2011 2:41 PM - *CANCELLED* - Stage 1 Lake Tahoe is cancelled due to severe snow conditions.

Lake Tahoe is ready for the AMGEN Tour of California, the largest cycling event in America.  This Tour de France style road race cycling brings together the world's top cycling teams to compete in this year's eight stage race.

Stages:

• Stage 1, South Lake Tahoe to North Lake Tahoe - Sunday, May 15
• Stage 2, North Lake Tahoe to Sacramento - Monday, May 16
• Stage 3, Auburn to Modesto - Tuesday, May 17
• Stage 4, Livermore to San Jose - Wednesday, May 18
• Stage 5, Seaside to Paso Robles - Thursday, May 19
• Stage 6, Solvang, - Friday, May 20
• Stage 7, Claremont to Mt. Baldy - Saturday, May 21
• Stage 8, Santa Clarita to Thousand Oaks -Sunday, May 22

Stage 1 - It all starts tomorrow, May 15, at the MontBleu Casino at South Lake Tahoe going around the Lake one and a half times then finishing at Northstar. 

The weather might pose of a challenge for the riders as South Lake Tahoe tempertures drop to 39 degree with 90% chance of snow for tomorrow's race.  The riders will be geared up for the cold weather conditions, so the race will go on. 

Highway 50 Detour from Placerville to South Lake Tahoe - If you're coming from the Bay Area/Sacramento, you need to be aware of the Highway 50 Detour.  HWY 50 is closed from May 11 for two weeks till Memorial Day Weekend due replace the old rock wall with a modern barrier at the Echo Summit.

From Placerville: HWY 50 will be directed off Missouri Flat Road in Placerville to HWY 49 South, then onto HWY 88 East to HWY 89 North into South Lake Tahoe.

From Sacramento: Exit Power Inn to HWY 16 to HWY 49 South, then to HWY 88 East to HWY 89 North into South Lake Tahoe.

From the East Bay: Take HWY 88 at Stockton to 88/49 South, then to HWY 88 East to HWY 89 North into South Lake Tahoe.

The alternate route will add up to 35 miles to the trip.  This is a great opportunity to see the historic Gold Country of El Dorado and Amador counties.

We hope you can still make it up for this huge event at Lake Tahoe to support the riders at the AMGEN Tour of California.  See you then!