Many fans, tiny dog, lots of awe greet racing bicyclists

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Thousands came and thousands waited, brimming with anticipation as some of the world's greatest pro cyclists made their way from Santa Rosa to Sacramento.

Fans lined the streets. They walked with dogs. They pushed baby strollers. They huddled under umbrellas. They rode into town on rusty old rigs and $6,000 carbon fiber racing machines, in jeans and in Lycra, all to watch Stage 2 of the Tour of California.

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Four hours before the racers were due to arrive for three laps around the Capitol, Sgt. David Valdez was already on duty – and on his bike. The Sacramento police officer oversees the central bike patrol, riding around town, chasing the occasional bad guy with a sprint. Most days, he rides at cruising speed, covering about 10 miles during a shift.

Valdez has an appreciation for what the top pros do on their machines.

"Think about it. These guys are studs. They go 115 miles today, then they come roaring down here and kick it into overdrive and go about 45 mph after having just ridden 115 miles. That's crazy, man," said Valdez, standing near the finish line.

"We'll be sitting out here because the governor will be here and we've got full security in mind. But we're here to enjoy the race, too."

Asked about his speeds on his police-issue mountain bike, Valdez said, "I've got an extra 35 pounds on me with all of my gear. Just to push this bike around to get up to 18 mph is hard – and these guys in the race are going 10 mph over that for an extended period of time."

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Valdez's bike is made by Felt, a premier bike maker that began as a tiny business in Auburn. Felt bikes also are ridden by the Slipstream-Chipotle pro team, which has emerged as America's most talked about squad – one that could get a Tour de France invitation this year.

The team's Felt bikes are made by a man who began years ago with the dream of seeing his bikes raced in the Tour de France.

"When I started, I was just a small frame builder building one-off custom bikes, residing with my family in Auburn," said Jim Felt, 53, who began Felt Bicycles in 1990.

Slipstream-Chipotle is known for its strict anti-doping approach, which includes regular testing of its riders for performance-enhancing drugs. It's a reaction to a series of doping scandals in recent years that have threatened cycling's credibility.

The past two Tour de France races have been a public relations disaster. In 2006, the two favorites were barred from the race the night before the start and the eventual winner, Floyd Landis, was eventually stripped of his crown for failing a drug test. The 2007 race was even worse.

Looking around at the crowds that were beginning to gather just after noon, Felt said he was encouraged that the Tour of California was righting the ship.

"It's just amazing. We've got a really good following in the Sacramento area. The Tour of California has such a momentum at a really bad time in the sport," he said. "Slipstream-Chipotle and I have the same goal. We want to race clean. We want our athletes tested. We want to turn this sport into a fair sport."

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Seated near the finish line – and turning more than a few heads – were Megan Cordes, Cubby Cashen and a tiny dog named Gu, as in the 100-calorie energy gel used by many cyclists.

All three were wearing cycling jerseys – and all three are cyclists (Cordes and Cashen ride competitively; Gu tags along in a backpack on casual rides). Gu is part Chihuahua, part dachshund, which explains his nickname, "The Great Chiweenie."

The couple plan to follow the Tour of California from start to finish. Along the way, they hope to promote their book about riding across the country. "Adventures of the Great Chiweenie" is written from the dog's perspective.

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Two hours before the race, Michael Ball, American cycling's most provocative new team owner, was huddled under a makeshift tent behind the stage. He was waiting to present a $10,000 check to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Sacramento.

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