SF Race - best viewing

[Kristine Peters]

I'm going to the race Sunday in SF - any recommendations on best viewing spots - Fillmore, yes, but
other areas less crowded?

Also, anyone know where they park the team buses before the race?

thanks -kp

 

[Kurgan Gringion]

"Kristine Peterson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm going to the race Sunday in SF - any recommendations on best viewing spots - Fillmore, yes,
> but other areas less crowded?

The less crowded areas are flat and less interesting.

Bring along a set of 8 inch heels in a backpack. Put them on after you've gotten to your spot. Or a
small stepladder or box. Otherwise you may not be able to see, unless you're 6'2"+.

 

[DiabloScott]

Originally posted by Kurgan Gringion
"Kristine Peterson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm going to the race Sunday in SF - any recommendations on best viewing spots - Fillmore, yes,
> but other areas less crowded?

The less crowded areas are flat and less interesting.

Bring along a set of 8 inch heels in a backpack. Put them on after you've gotten to your spot. Or a
small stepladder or box. Otherwise you may not be able to see, unless you're 6'2"+.

There are quite a few sections where the race uses the same road in both directions. Even though they're not the most exciting stretches you don't have to wait 25 minutes between seeing the riders and there's a lot more room to wander around and watch from different angles.

 

[Daniel Connelly]

> First time going to SFGP. Was going to stick to the climbs but maybe someone knows best places to
> stand for good pictures.

Just about any place you can bring a small ladder? It's a tough one, especially when the event
organizers sell prime viewing space to sponsors. I don't recall for sure, but think it was Taylor
that they sold a spot to Powerbar, right at the top, wrecking the view of the climb for many
hundreds of people up the hill behind it.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles http://www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

"Patrick" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> First time going to SFGP. Was going to stick to the climbs but maybe someone knows best places to
> stand for good pictures.
>
> p

 

[Kosta]

[email protected] (Kristine Peterson) wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> I'm going to the race Sunday in SF - any recommendations on best viewing spots - Fillmore, yes,
> but other areas less crowded?
>
> Also, anyone know where they park the team buses before the race?
>
> thanks -kp

Also, are the VIP tickets worth the hundred bucks?

-kosta

 

[Warren]

In article <[email protected]>, kosta <[email protected]> wrote:

> [email protected] (Kristine Peterson) wrote in message
> news:<[email protected]>...
> > I'm going to the race Sunday in SF - any recommendations on best viewing spots - Fillmore, yes,
> > but other areas less crowded?
> >
> > Also, anyone know where they park the team buses before the race?
> >
> > thanks -kp
>
>
> Also, are the VIP tickets worth the hundred bucks?

I was given some of those the first year and we got some decent food and drink, several TV's to
watch, and nice seats near the S/F where you could see them about 5 minutes before they crossed the
line and then bleacher seats 10m before the line. It was adjacent to the USPS area so you got to see
Lance and his mates up close right before the start. There was some free paraphenalia too.

Or you could sit on the sidewalk, eat your picnic lunch, walk around the Embarcadero area, and watch
the action on your portable TV tuned to channel 7.

-WG

 

[Alan Forkosh]

Last year, I stayed at the top of Powell Street on the shoulder of Telegraph Hill. The climb is a
big-ringer, but the group is spread out and moving a little slower than on the pure flats (and you
ca see them coming for several blocks). It's also only a short walk from the S/F (or from the Taylor
Street Hill). Last year, the group there were primarily locals, and they had connected a TV from one
of their apartments.

Here is a link to my pictures from last year's race:
http://homepage.mac.com/aforkosh/SFGP2002/index.html

By the way, I notice that they have changed the course a bit this year. Rather than sticking close
to the Bay through the Marina and in to the Presidio, the course cuts back on Fillmore to the
Chesnut Business District with a sprint on Chesnut. The course then zigzgs via Buchanan, Francisco,
and Baker back to Presidio Entrance on Mason.

http://www.sanfrancycling.com/course_map_printable.htm

 

[K. J. Papai]

Alan Forkosh <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> Last year, I stayed at the top of Powell Street on the shoulder of Telegraph Hill. The climb is a
> big-ringer, but the group is spread out and moving a little slower than on the pure flats (and you
> ca see them coming for several blocks). It's also only a short walk from the S/F (or from the
> Taylor Street Hill). Last year, the group there were primarily locals, and they had connected a TV
> from one of their apartments.
>
> Here is a link to my pictures from last year's race:
> http://homepage.mac.com/aforkosh/SFGP2002/index.html
>

Are nearly all of those from Powell climb? If so, thanks for the tip! Seems like you can run between
Powell and Taylor and get the group twice in your frame on the short laps.

> By the way, I notice that they have changed the course a bit this year. Rather than sticking close
> to the Bay through the Marina and in to the Presidio, the course cuts back on Fillmore to the
> Chesnut Business District with a sprint on Chesnut. The course then zigzgs via Buchanan,
> Francisco, and Baker back to Presidio Entrance on Mason.

That Hot Spot sprint on Chestnut will be A TRIP! The roads ariound there are in super good condition
either. Wow... zooming down Chestnut.... whoulda thunk?

>
> http://www.sanfrancycling.com/course_map_printable.htm

 

[Kristine Peters]

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] (K. J. Papai) says:
>
>Alan Forkosh <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:<[email protected]>...
>> Last year, I stayed at the top of Powell Street on the shoulder of Telegraph Hill. The climb is a
>> big-ringer, but the group is spread out and moving a little slower than on the pure flats (and
>> you ca see them coming for several blocks). It's also only a short walk from the S/F (or from the
>> Taylor Street Hill). Last year, the group there were primarily locals, and they had connected a
>> TV from one of their apartments.
>>
>> Here is a link to my pictures from last year's race:
>> http://homepage.mac.com/aforkosh/SFGP2002/index.html
>>
>
>Are nearly all of those from Powell climb? If so, thanks for the tip! Seems like you can run
>between Powell and Taylor and get the group twice in your frame on the short laps.
>
>> By the way, I notice that they have changed the course a bit this year. Rather than sticking
>> close to the Bay through the Marina and in to the Presidio, the course cuts back on Fillmore to
>> the Chesnut Business District with a sprint on Chesnut. The course then zigzgs via Buchanan,
>> Francisco, and Baker back to Presidio Entrance on Mason.
>
>That Hot Spot sprint on Chestnut will be A TRIP! The roads ariound there are in super good
>condition either. Wow... zooming down Chestnut.... whoulda thunk?
>
>>
>> http://www.sanfrancycling.com/course_map_printable.htm

Yes, thanks for the hint - hope not too many people follow your suggestion!