Best Swami Cheese Cake Photo

I know you all are competitive, so please email me your best Cheese Cake photo and we can vote on who's is best. Here are my top pictures to date. They need to have a Swamis or FOS in the picture...

Examiner.com Top 10 list for Tour of California

James Raia - Cycling Examiner did a nice job listing his Worst/Top 10 list for the 2009 Tour of California and look what was the best thing at the Tour...

1. The final stage mountain in stage 8 last Sunday. The race still doesn't have a mountaintop finish, but including a final-day stage with four climbs, including the Mt. Palomar ascent, was a keen move by race organizers. The only way it could have been better: If Levi Leipheimer's race lead were only a few seconds or his team wasn't as dominant as Astana was throughout the race.

For the rest of his Worst/Top 10 click here

SD Union Tribune Stage 8 Article

It would have been nice if Dave Hasemyer had at least highlighted the Swamis went out if its way to help him with the article/day (or mention the club), but Swamis or FOS got some nice quotes.

....It also fell on Robin Goehring, 44, an Encinitas bike shop employee who rode a stretch of the route ahead of the pros. “You get so pumped hearing the cheers,” Goehring said. “It's such a personal thing.” Riding the same course as the Amgen pros is to bicyclists what playing ball at Petco Park would be to baseball fans. “It puts you right there – right where the pros are,” Goehring said....
.....“The pain makes you disciplined. And that discipline is something that carries over into your everyday life,” said Connie Henderson, 42, who has conquered Palomar Mountain with the Swamis bike club.....
Click here for the article

Amgen Tour of CA Stage 8 Rap Up

We saved the best for last at the 2009 Amgen Tour of California. Stage 8 was the Queen's stage, the most difficult of the race. It was a 96.8-mile pedal from Rancho Bernardo to Escondido, which was the first time the race has traveled to San Diego County. The route included four California Travel & Tourism King of the Mountains climbs, none bigger than the fearsome Palomar Mountain, an above categorization climbs that peaks at 5123 feet, the highest summit ever reached in the Tour. With two-time defending champion Levi Leipheimer (AST) in the leader's tunic, an abundance of attacks were expected in a final effort to claim the yellow jersey.

An early break was established, but eventually collapsed on Palomar Mountain where an elite group formed including Leipheimer and his closest rivals – David Zabriskie (GRM) and Michael Rogers (THR). On the descent four riders formed a new move, which then slimmed down to duo consisting of Frank Schleck (SAX) and Vincenzo Nibali (LIQ). The pair made it over the final KOM climb of the race on the testing Cole Grade and motored towards the finish on the valley floor while the Astana-powered peloton kept the gap close to preserve Leipheimer's overall victory. After rounding the final corner, Schleck made his move and pulled away for the stage win ahead of Nibali. George Hincapie (THR) won the pack gallop to claim 3rd place for the day. The top three positions on the General Classification held up: Leipheimer followed by Zabriskie (36 seconds) and Rogers (45 seconds). Tonight Leipheimer celebrates his Amgen Tour of California three-peat and his Team Astana toasts the Team victory. After winning back-to-back stages earlier in the week, Mark Cavendish (THR) takes home the Herbalife Sprint jersey. Jason McCartney (SAX) climbed his way to the California Travel & Tourism King of the Mountains title. For the third consecutive year, Robert Gesink (RAB) leaves the Golden State with the Rabobank Best Young Rider jersey in his suitcase

Andy G from Palomar

Wow! What a great day!

Our plan was to MTB up the Nate Harrison Grade to the Palomar KOM, watch the ToC go by, then ride back down and see the racers again at Cole Grade. Some (most...) said it couldn't be done, that the pro peloton would get down the mountain faster than a bunch of middle aged, overweight wannabe mountain bikers...

Our original plan was to park on the Nate, but hwy 76 was going to be closed all day east of Cole Grade so we switched to plan B and parked at the roadside just west of Cole Grade. There were a few others there, mostly road riders heading for South Grade but it wasn't nearly as busy as we expected.

At 8:45am we (me, Tim Duncan and FOS Scott Klotzback & Rob Moffit) began the long haul up the Nate; we were loaded down with heavy backpacks and it took us a full half hour longer than usual to make the ascent. The weather was perfect, cloudy and cool; we had the whole mountain to ourselves, we were very surprised to see no other riders on the hill. At 4500ft we hit the snowline and the road turned from hardpack dirt into gloopy slop, very difficult to ride through! This only lasted for a mile or so and we re-grouped at the ranger station before heading on down to Mothers Kitchen. There was quite a lot snow left over from last weekend and the temperature was definitely on the cool side!

At Mothers we saw a lot of familiar faces but only one other recognizable Swami; where was everybody? We hung out at Mothers for an hour or so, warming up with food and coffee before staking our claim to a spot right at the South/East grade intersection, with a great sightline down the hill.

At 2:15 the first rider came up the hill, quickly followed by Levi and the chase group. Team Astana was leading the main peloton a couple minutes back, with other onesy-twosy groups after. At this point we packed up our stuff and started the long ride down the mountain. The mud which had been a drag on the ascent became... entertaining on the way back down. I was on Scott's wheel and must have eaten about a pound of mud thrown off his back wheel, together with the mess getting thrown up from my own front tire! Once we got below the snowline the trail got much better and we got up to full speed, passing several cars and dirtbikes on the way down.

We got back to rte 76 three minutes before the ToC :-) So we got to watch them go by all over again! Tim & Scott had cameras with them; we'll get Scott's pix later, Tim's are already up on Flickr.

Here's the link to the pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26579979@N08/sets/72157614232316897/

So how did Party Swamis go at the other KOM's?

Andy

Where to park for Stage 8

I took the SD Union Trib info I have listed locations of parking at:
San Pasqual HS / Escondido HS
Conway Elementary / Orange Glen Elementary
Westfield Mall

For Handicap parking the closest is at San Diego County Credit Union

All the parking locations and the Center for the arts is on the map below.


View Larger Map

Click on "View Larger Map" to see all the points of interest

Park and Ride Wolhford KOM with SD Union Tribue

The San Diego Union Tribune ask to shadow our ride to the KOM @ Wolhford. Come join us.

A bunch of riders will be meeting at the Arts Center between 9:30 - 9:45 tomorrow to ride to Wolhford KOM. We will be meeting, gathering signs and chalk for the day. Up to the KOM to see the riders go by around 12:45 and ride back to Party Swamis. We will have a secure area for you to leave your bike while you attend the party. Party is from 2pm to 6pm

Start point: City of Escondido: California Center for the Arts-Escondido
340 N Escondido Blvd Escondido, CA 92025

Map to Wolhford below


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Check it out

Train Service Extented for Party Swamis

SPRINTER service extended for Amgen Tour

Feb 19, 2009

The Amgen Tour of California bike race comes to North San Diego this Sunday, Feb. 22, for the eighth and final stage of this largest cycling event in North America.

The North County Transit District will run extra service on the SPRINTER train system to get fans to and from Escondido to see the racers cross the finish line. With thousands of race fans and casual spectators expected to view the cycling event, the SPRINTER is smart choice in avoiding Escondido traffic headaches and parking hassles.

The finish line is in downtown Escondido at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Broadway, about a six-block walk from the SPRINTER station at the Escondido Transit Center. The finish is estimated to occur around 3:30 or 4 p.m.

Trains are scheduled to run both directions every half hour until approximately 7 p.m. In addition to regularly scheduled SPRINTER trains, the 6:03 p.m. westbound train from Escondido Transit Center and the 7:03 p.m. from the Oceanside Transit Center will operate.

A day pass on the SPRINTER costs $5 and includes unlimited rides all day long on the SPRINTER and BREEZE bus system. A single trip (or one-way) ticket is just $2 and half priced for seniors age 60 and over.

All tickets can be purchased from ticket vending machines at the SPRINTER stations with cash or credit cards. Parking is ample at almost all of the SPRINTER's fifteen stations and is offered free of charge. To locate the nearest SPRINTER station and to view train schedules, visit GoNCTD.com.

Throughout the weekend, several Escondido BREEZE bus routes will experience detours due to road closures and riders can expect delays due to traffic congestion and heavy pedestrian presence in the area. The following routes are affected: 350, 351/352, 354, 356, and 388/389.

There will be special events held in downtown Escondido closing Grand Avenue between Center City Parkway and Juniper St. for the entire weekend. All bus stops on Grand Ave. between Center City Parkway and Juniper St. will be closed during the event. There will be special event bus stops located on 2nd Ave. at Escondido Blvd. and Broadway for patrons traveling east into Escondido. All bus stops on Valley Parkway will remain open during the event.

Complete schedule and route information is available on every BREEZE bus and complete SPRINTER and BREEZE schedules are available on NCTD's website at www.gonctd.com.

Potential Parking for Sunday Stage 8

Organizers in Escondido and Rancho Bernardo also are working together to transport fans on race day without causing traffic jams on local streets. The North County stage offers cycling enthusiasts a rare opportunity to see both a start and finish to the same race -- unlike in other stages where the two are about 100 miles apart -- and shuttles are planned to take people from Westfield North County to the starting line in the morning and the finish line that afternoon.

Road Closures around Party Swamis (Escondido Arts Center)

In Escondido, Bettin said the city plans to close the blocks surrounding the finish line at Broadway and Grand Avenue, and notices about the closure, as well as temporary closures along the route through the city, have been in place more than week.

Streets will be closed 30 minutes before riders arrive and will reopen immediately after the last racers pass, and Bettin said city workers will be ready to remove the signs as soon as streets reopen.

Other things to do before Party Swamis

To entertain and educate those gathering to watch the final day of competition, San Diego North Chamber of Commerce is organizing a “Stage 8 Experience” from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Town Center (Vons) parking lot.

“It will be an interactive health and wellness expo,” said Toni Kraft, whose company Lifestyles in Focus, has been hired to coordinate the activities for children and adults.

The event will provide entertainment, food and health information. This includes a children’s section that will have free and low-cost activities, such as balloon sculptures, face painting and a puppet show, Kraft said.

Children can also enter a bicycle-decorating contest. Judging is set for 12:30 p.m. For details, call the chamber at 858-487-1767.

Bicycle fans of all ages will want to head over to “autograph alley” near the start line around 9:30 a.m., where for one hour they might meet their favorite bicyclists. Due to security reasons, officials said fans would probably not be able to meet Lance Armstrong.

Estimated times for Stage 8 Tour of California

Here are the official estimated times of various points of interest of Stage 8
KOM @ Wolford - 12:55 to 1:05
KOM @ Palomar Mtn - 1:47 to 2:06
KOM @ Cole Grade - 3:02 to 3:35
Finish @ Party Swamis - 3:51 to 4:33

Riding with SD Union Tribune on Sunday

Swamis has been asked by the SD Union Tribune to give San Diego a perspective of Stage 8 of the Tour of California from the fan's point of view. Reporter David Hasemyer and a photographer will be shadowing us during the day.

Dave Hasemyer would like to follow us riding on Sunday and meet us at the first KOM at Wolford. If you are not doing any other riding for the day, make sure you are at Wohlford to see the peloton ride by and have an interview with the SD Union Tribune.

Let's show San Diego what cycling and Swamis is all about. Road closure at Wohlford is estimated to be between 12:30 & 1:30. You need to be riding to the top of Wohlford before 12:30

What Party Swamis cannot do - Parking

The biggest question people are asking is where to park. Party Swamis has no parking for you. We are going to try to put together a shuttle service for party goers , but right now you are on your own for parking.

Taking the train. The train station is less that 1/2 mile from the Center for the Arts (Party Swamis). This could be a great way to get to the race on Sunday.


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How and who to communicate during Party Swamis

If you want to minute to minute info about Party Swamis, join twitter and follow tourofcal ( http://twitter.com/tourofcal )
We will use TourofCal for all updates on the day. If you want to send info to the general Party Swamis send a text to 760-420-8734 and we will resend to TourofCal for all to read on twitter

There are a few key people for Party Swamis. If you need us call us, but we will be busy so be nice to us

Geoff Doyle will be "Commander Swamis" All decisions are his to be made.
doylegeoff@yahoo.com or 760-613-3416
Dave Callender will Pre & Post party - Send me stories and pictures of your "Party Swamis"
dcallender@swamis.org or 760-420-8734
Robert Carr (DET Member) will be running our security for the day with the other DET members
rcarr003@gmail.com or (818) 633-4719

How does Party Swamis Work?

First thing to remember is that a few people are working really hard, so that you can have an event that is equal to what the Tour of California is charging people $500 to $1,000 for. So have fun, be helpful, and be nice.

It is an invitation only Party. You cannot crash the party. The people who are attending are Swamis Members or FOS and paid good money to attend.

Party Swamis is at the Escondido Center for the Arts

It is from 2pm to 6pm on Sunday February 22nd for Stage 8 of the Tour of California

We are expecting 250 or more people at the Party. It is important that you are on the "Party List". Not on the list - You cannot be allowed into the party. The Development Team will be our crowd control and will be the keepers of the list.

When you first come to the party you will be provided a wrist band. This will allow you to come and go from Party Swamis as you want. Party Swamis will be your command center for your day at Stage 8.

Services we are hoping to offer you as a guest of Party Swamis:

• Secure area for your bike
• Place to put things that you do not want to walk around with
• Shuttle service to and from Party Swamis

We cannot promise that these services will be there. If it is raining and we need to move inside it may take up space that we were planning to use for some of the services.

We are hoping that we can figure out a way to have TV feed of the Stage Race at Party Swamis.

What to eat @ Party Swamis

If you were wondering what we will have to feed you at Party Swamis here is what we know:

It will be a buffet with:

• Salad, Sandwich makings, fruit plates, and cheese plates
• Pasta Station for the post ride renewal
  
• Beer, Wine, Iced Tea, Lemonade
• Cookies

There will also be a cash bar for anything else you may want to have...

Party Swamis & one KOM

If you are looking to do a little riding during Sunday Stage 8, see the start & Finish, and see a KOM on the tour here is a route to do it.

Here is the plan:

• Arrive at Party Swamis (Escondido Arts Ctr) around 9:30am. Since you are there early you should be able to find a good parking place
• Ride to the Start in Rancho Bernardo.
• Hang out in Rancho Bernardo until 11am. Check out the start area.
• Ride to the Highland Valley KOM
• Cheer the Peloton on as they come by around 12:20
• Ride back to Party Swamis
• Party @ Party Swamis and check out the Finish area
• Cheer Fly V Australia at the finish around 4pm
• Hang out with the Pros from 4:30 to 6pm.

See you there... Below is a potential route



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It is about 30 miles for a round trip. The big issue is that you will need to ride for one exit on the I-15. If you are not comfortable you will need to have someone drop off you and your bike in Rancho Bernado