14 May 2016 AMGEN Tour of California
Returning to Santa Barbara on May 17th, the highly anticipated Amgen Tour of California will captivate locals and visitors alike. For eight days some of the world’s top professional cycling teams will compete in a challenging course that includes nearly 700 miles of scenic California highways and roadways. As the official host of the Stage 3 Finish on the 17th of May, cyclers will trek along Gibraltar Road and cross the finish line near La Cumbre Peak.
Are you wondering how they’re going to put a finish in such a small area? Due to the fact that there’s limited space, the typical infrastructure won’t be an option. Missing will be: awards stage, press conference, TV compound, Lifestyle Festival and several hospitality tents. Not to mention parking! Building a finish area will definitely be a challenge for the production crew, and will also present major difficulties for fans. Access to Gibraltar Road past El Cielito Road is going to be limited to local residents and some limited race staff. The route on the lower elevations of Gibraltar will provide a great chance to watch the race. In some areas, you’ll even be able to see the cyclers climb through switchbacks, so there are definitely benefits to watching the race from a lower vantage point.
Here are a few more important timing points that will be helpful if you plan to watch the event or live in the immediate area:
- E. Camino Cielo will be closed from 4:00am to 8:00pm east of Painted Cave (except for local residents and workers who need access).
- Gibraltar Road will close for local residents between 2:15pm and 4:00pm for downhill traffic.
- The race will reach CA-192 and El Cielito at 3:05pm. Uphill traffic for local residents will close at 2:30pm. Local residents will be able to follow the end of the race to their homes. Estimated time for the end of the race to make the turn onto El Cielito is 3:30pm.
- Emergency vehicles will have full access to the course and resident homes at all times.
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