City fundraises for tour

BY COLBY FRAZIER
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

In order to help offset the estimated $60,000 cost to the City of Solvang for hosting the Amgen Tour of California time trial, local event organizers said yesterday they will allow 20 amateur cyclists the opportunity to test their skills on the 15-mile route an hour before the pros get their chance.
The only hitch: the entry fee is $1,500.


“Cyclists will come out of the official time trial chute on the starting line of the 2008 Stage 5 race at Solvang Park wearing an authorized [Tour of California] bib number, racing against the actual Stage 5 time trial clock on the official route around the valley and back to the finish line on Copenhagen Drive,” said Carol Petersen, co-chair of the Solvang Local Organizing Committee. “It will be the ride of a lifetime.”
Petersen said the riders will have 45 minutes to complete the course, which would require an average speed of 20 mph.
While the event is open to anyone, Petersen stressed that those who cannot complete the course in the allotted time slot may not be allowed to finish.
The pre time trial event is being called the “Race of Truth” and will begin at 11:15 a.m. on Feb. 22.
Participants will be required to have a valid USA Cycling license, which Petersen said will be available for $5 on the day of the event.
She said the $1,500 entry fee will get participants into a VIP starting gate tent. Participants who aren’t interested in the VIP tent can pay $1,000 entry fee and still ride the route.
All participants will be given a certificate of participation and the first, second and third place finisher will receive a special recognition on the official Tour of California awards stage.
Applications for the “Ride of Truth” event are available at www.tourofcalifornia-solvang.com.