Road closures, best spots to watch Tour of California in Folsom
The 2016 Amgen Tour of California will reach Sacramento County on Friday with time trials on a 12.6-mile course in Folsom.
The women’s team time trial starts at 10:30 a.m., and the men’s individual time trial begins at 12:50 p.m. The men’s race is expected to conclude around 3:45 p.m., according to race organizers. It is the sixth stage of the men’s tour.
Both races use the same course, which starts in downtown Folsom and travels over the Rainbow Bridge and Folsom Lake Crossing. Upon reaching an intermediate point on Green Valley Road near the El Dorado County line, cyclists must execute a U-turn and retrace the route to the finish.
Eight key locations are suggested for fan viewing of the race:
Point 1: Fans positioned above Greenback Lane can watch the faces of riders just getting started out of Historic Folsom. Do they see confidence? Anxiety? Relaxed anticipation? On the home stretch, is it satisfaction or disappointment?
Point 2: At the intersection of Folsom Boulevard and Greenback Lane, fans see riders geared up for a long, hard ride toward the dam. Plenty of riders’ fortunes are made here. On the home stretch, this is where whatever gas remains in the tank gets used up.
Point 3: After working hard to get out of the starting gate and build early momentum, riders face a sharp turn onto Folsom Lake Crossing, which will take them across the American River beneath Folsom Dam. On their return, riders face a hard left leading into the home stretch. Fans see it all from their position tucked into that tight angle.
Point 4: With Folsom Dam above them and the course along Folsom Lake Crossing below, fans are ideally positioned to see riders hammering hard to get out of the canyon and up to top speeds.
Point 5: Swinging down off Folsom Lake Crossing on approach to East Natoma Street, riders move farther away from the lake and approach a gradual, sweeping turn. Fans are positioned on the lake side of the road with a view back toward Folsom prison and the American River below.
Point 6: Outbound riders make a 90-degree left turn from East Natoma Street onto Green Valley Road; returning riders turn right. Fans here are well positioned to watch action at a key point of the race.
Point 7: The vantage point next to Green Valley Road provides fans views of riders approaching the halfway point, then another look as riders find their stride on a sweeping home-bound stretch of the course.
Point 8: Near the intersection of Green Valley Road and Sophia Parkway, fans can watch riders make the 180-degree turn halfway through the time trial.
Traffic information posted on the city of Folsom website says that the course route, which also includes portions of Greenback Lane, Folsom-Auburn Road and East Natoma Street, will be closed from about 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
No public parking will be permitted in the historic district on the day of the race. The city advises spectators to walk, bike or take light rail. Four bike valet locations are planned.
Stage 8 of the men’s race will take place in downtown Sacramento and Yolo County on Sunday.
This story was originally published May 16, 2016 at 6:47 PM with the headline "Road closures, best spots to watch Tour of California in Folsom."