We had downloaded the route directions for yesterday’s and today’s stages from the Tour web site and used this to plan our viewing strategy. Using it and the Georgia state map we had, worked out real good for Friday, but for the life of us we couldn’t follow all of Saturday’s route. They had to be using some roads that weren’t on the map. We decided to get up earlier and drive the route from just past Ellijay to pick our first viewing spot. Using the printed directions and the orange arrow signs that get put out early, tracing the route was easy. Sure enough they were riding on roads that were not on the big state map. When we stopped for a soda break on the drive there was a Georgia Mountains map that showed the roads they were riding, so we bought it. Our original plan was to find a spot on the second King Of The Mountain climb to watch them pass, but realized if we did that there was no way to leapfrog the rolling blockade and make it to the finish before the riders. Plan B was devised. There was a cool little one-lane bridge the riders crossed outside of Ellijay that looked like a nice spot and it also had quick access to GA52 so we could get by the riders and make it to Gainesville to see the finish.
We made it back to the bridge with about an hour to kill waiting. We spent the time chatting some locals who had come out to watch thinking it was going to be like one of those charity rides. After we indoctrinated them a van of race volunteers showed up to sweep the gravel off the bridge. We tried to get them to come back with us and sweep the course of our next bike ride, but they would only do it if we would drive them around and feed them too. After a breakaway group of 6 cyclists passed over the bridge a couple of motorcycles skidded to a stop just past us. The official Tour photographer was on one and the official Tour videographer was on the other. The video guy hopped a fence, oblivious to the “No Trespassing” sign, and set up shop to the right. The photographer must have thought we were in a good spot as he came over and stood next to me. He was actually balanced on the guardrail to avoid the poison ivy I was standing in (I’m not allergic, so it doesn’t bother me) and needed to lean up against Donna to keep from falling off.
After the race passed, we got on GA52 and headed towards to finishing city. About 10 minutes into the trip a GA State Trooper car comes flying up from behind with his flashers and siren going. I slowed and pulled half off the road expecting him to zip on by as the road ahead was clear, but instead he stayed right behind me until I got all the way off the road. Then he took off around me. WTF? So I got back on the road and started driving again. 30 seconds later I found out why he wanted me off the road. A line of about 25 state patrol cars with lights flashing and sirens going came careening by at 70+. They were doing the same thing I was, leapfrogging around the race, only unlike me, I’m sure they were off to block the roads somewhere ahead of the pack.
Because the cyclists still had a mountain to climb we got to Gainesville with plenty of time to kill. We had a leisurely lunch, toured the festival area (again not going for official Tour jerseys at $70) walked back to where we had lunch and had an ice cream dessert before setting up shop on the 3rd floor of a parking garage 20 feet from the finish line. We watched the breakaway group of 6 charge the line with Fred Rodrigeuz winning the sprint, for his second stage win in a row. About 5-1/2 minutes later a chase group of 12 or so finished up. It was then about 10 more minutes before the rest of the peleton arrived. Of course they had to sprint to the line in a testosterone induced and meaningless fight for 20th place.
When the dust settled we hoped back in the car and drove back north to a town the riders had passed through earlier in the day to spend the night. If you are ever in Dahlonega, GA, I highly recommend Caruso’s Italian Restaurant, their pizza is excellent.
Purchased Today: $12.00 in gas
Money spent since 03/03/03: $130.82
Started up, went down, went up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 63