The Amgen Tour of California started in 2006 - just before I learned to ride a bike. In my early years as a cycling groupie, I remember watching a women's criterium up in Santa Rosa before the men came in. It looked terrifying! In 2010 I got to do the race myself! It was a blast....albeit terrifying. The next few years, the criterium was canceled, and Amgen ToC held an "invite-only" time tria instead. (Obvioulsy, I was never invited). Last year, there was a lot of pre

Cat's Hill features a steep power climb and heckling. Those are really the only important elements of the race. My favorite memory of this race is here, in 2009. This is when I was more of a bike groupie, than bike racer. If you are wondering what is in my hand, I believe I made a noise maker out of a beer can and black beans. I also believe I was yelling "you're ugly" at Michael. This was well before we started dating, and what a lovely first photo of us this is. Okay,