Specific route details for the 2010 Amgen Tour of California pro bike race are being announced this week via Web videos highlighting each of the race's eight stages.
Tuesday's videos -- which were produced by the cities of Nevada City, Sacramento, Davis and Santa Rosa -- highlight Stages 1 and 2 of the race and can be found at at the Amgen Web site.
The first stage on Sunday, May 16, begins in Nevada City and ends in downtown Sacramento.
Riders will travel through Grass Valley and Auburn. Heading out of Auburn, the cyclists will cross over the Auburn-Foresthill Bridge –- the tallest bridge in California and the third highest in the U.S. The mostly downhill stage, which will certainly favor the sprinters, will be abruptly interrupted by a grueling climb from the American River to the town of Cool. Sacramento streets will once again see the teams finish with three blistering fast circuits around the Capitol building.
The second stage on Monday, May 17, begins in Davis and ends in Santa Rosa.
The route includes evenly spaced climbs throughout the stage and spectacular views. After 20 miles of flat roads, the riders will meet their first climb up a short but steep section leading up to Monticello Dam. This climb is followed by Cardiac Hill. Another long, flat section near Lake Berryessa will take the riders to a climb along Howell Mountain Road, followed by a fast descent into Napa Valley. After the day's final climb up the Oakville Grade and a steep descent down Trinity Grade, the cyclists will finish the stage in Santa Rosa.
Where they go after that is still to be announced, but it will likely include at least one more day in the Bay Area.
This article originally appeared on KCRA.com.
