My ride with 144 lycra clad bikers

[taosports]

A few photos from a ride I went on last month.

I'm a photographer for the San Francisco Chronicle and was assigned to cover the Amgen Tour of California pro bicycle race. It's a 650 mile week long race from San Francisco to Long Beach in southern California. One hundred and forty-four pros from all over the US and Europe competed.

Took my R since it was much easier to get around the race course and parking was never a problem.

It was interesting to note that BMW seemed to be the motorcycle of choice for almost all of the race motos - whether they were part of the support crew, race officials, marshalls, law enforcement...or me!



Mavic, a french bicycle component company used a yellow 650 to carry a mechanic and extra wheels for the riders who happened to flat and the California Highway Patrol lead the way on police issued beemers, keeping the race course safe for the riders.


Here's my R loaded with gear, as I wait for the peloton to pass through the scenic Napa Valley.


And this is the photo I took that ran on page one in the paper the following day.


This is the 2nd year for the popular race bringing out thosands of people daily to watch including this angel. At right is Levi Leipheimer, the overall winner of the race during his time trial up to Coit Tower in San Francisco. (Spent a few days with Levi for a magazine cover story we did of him prior to the race. He's a local racer and possibly the US rider to replace Lance Armstrong.) For those photos and the article, go here : http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... 012&sc=406


And following all the racers picking up stragglers was this "broom wagon".


That's it...hope you enjoyed!

[DJ Downunder]

Fantastic pictures....just beautiful.

I hope Levi Leipheimer has a better result at this year Tour de France....Go Cadel Evans...can an Aussie win it this year..?

I love that shot looking across the field with all the riders going past...btw..and nice angel..

DJ

[sjbmw]

Great stuff.

Getting paid to ride a motorcycle, you do have the life!

[mnnden]

Beautiful and interesting, Is that a vineyard in the background? and any idea as to what the yellow vegetation is? The "Broom wagon" did it for me. Den

[taosports]

Thanks guys.

Yes, Den - that's a vineyard in the background poking up through a blanket of blooming mustard flowers. There's actually a bit of history behind the mustard flower.

Father Junipero Serra had come from Spain to Mexico in the 1800's to spread his faith. He was told of a beautiful land to the north full of wildlife, grand trees and verdant valleys. Serra decided he must see this land so with the aid of some Native American guides, he set out to explore the country to the north. Father Serra had brought with him Spanish Mustard seeds and scattered them all along the path of his travels.

It was along this path where Father Serra established all the historic missions that extends from San Diego to Sonoma. It is thought by some that the mustard flower should be the California state flower but because of it's very limited bloom time, the California poppy became the state flower.

DJ - Cadel wasn't in this particular race but many Aussies were, most notably, the great sprinter Stuart O'Grady who won a most aggressive rider award in stage 6.

And here's another angel photo just for you DJ.

[socalrob]

That photo with the vinyard/mustard blooms behind the bright bikers is just exceptional. You really have talent there. Must be fun to see your photos on page 1.

[chris]

Stunning pics once again Michael. I love the shot of Levi grimacing up the hill, long lens? Great image. You need to post more, I learn so much everytime you do!