California's bicycle-friendliest big city is in a racing mood.
The Amgen Tour of California bicycle race's second stage began in San Francisco on Monday. Bikes took off from Marina Green at 11 a.m., and are on their way toward Aptos in Santa Cruz County, 117.1 miles away down Highway 1, according to the San Francisco Appeal online newspaper.
In other words, this is not a good afternoon for that scenic car drive down to Half Moon Bay.
If you caught the race while in San Francisco, you were one of the lucky few: Bicyclists left the city and entered San Mateo County by 11:36 a.m., according to the San Francisco Examiner. Street closures were few and brief.
As of Monday morning, Peter Sagan was race leader, after finishing the initial stage in Sonoma County, in 4 hours, 42 minutes, and 25 seconds. That race began and ended in Santa Rosa, with the course winding through the Sonoma hills.
Monday's stage is expected to be finished by 4 p.m. So if you want to buy a bicycle rider some food at Pizza My Heart, there's still time to make it down to Santa Cruz. By bicycle, if you wish.
Tuesday, the bicyclists should be zooming from San Jose to Livermore. The race ends on Sunday in Los Angeles.
The Tour of California is billed as the biggest cycling event in the United States, according to race organizers.
