PD Editorial: Tour week

<p>When cyclists competing in this year’s Amgen Tour of California stream into Santa Rosa this weekend they will encounter a region more appreciative than ever of what this race means to the local economy.</p><p>Appreciative of what this means for the local psyche as well.</p><p>Given all the sour news about layoffs, closings, budget deficits and foreclosures, the race is a welcome distraction and cause for cheering for most of us.</p><p>We say “most,” because as columnist Bob Padecky noted Thursday (“13 pro riders and 1 knucklehead”), not all North Coast residents are alike in how they choose to welcome these world-class riders.</p><p>Padecky reported how Astana cyclists, including Lance Armstrong and Levi Leipheimer, were about half way through a 107-mile training ride on Wednesday when they were harassed by the driver of a black Ford pickup (with a white canopy) on Seaview Road in west Sonoma County.</p><p>The driver, apparently huffy at the delays caused by the riders and their support cars, started passing cars on blind curves and driving erratically. This was followed by honking, gesturing and cursing at the riders.</p><p>Unfortunately, this kind of buffoonish behavior is something that cyclists will occasionally encounter when touring the rolling hills, expansive coastlines and redwood-studded byways of the North Coast.</p><p>Fortunately, individuals like this don’t represent the majority of residents, many of whom are happy to see this region become known as a hub of competitive cycling.</p><p>This year’s route will offer new locations from where fans can show their support for this event.</p><p>Riders this year will be coming into Sonoma County along Calistoga Road before cutting over to Brush Creek Road to Highway 12, headed for downtown.</p><p>This will require a number of road closures between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Sunday. This also will require patience on the part of drivers.</p><p>The finish will take place as usual with three circuits around and through downtown Santa Rosa. Those who arrive early will witness the Amgen Tour of California Women’s Criterium, which will feature some of the fastest professional and elite female cyclists. The race, which offers $15,000 in prize money, begins at 1 p.m. (For information, maps and discussion links about the race, go to pressdemocrat.com.)</p><p>Credit for making sure this event returned to Santa Rosa belongs to the corporate sponsors and others who helped make up for the funds that the city of Santa Rosa was not able to contribute this year.</p><p>If residents want to keep seeing this race return, they may need to show their support in ways other than just by cheering for Levi or Lance.</p>