Ready for Amgen? Viewer's guide to Stage 2 in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - World-class cycling fans across the globe will be watching the Amgen Tour of California May 12-18, covering a 777.6-mile course through 13 Host Cities, more than 68,000 feet of elevation gain and 25 King of the Mountain (KOM) climbs, the most in race history. More than half of the stages are over 120 miles.

Stage 2 on Monday, May 13 brings the exciting race to South Lake Tahoe. Riders will leave Rancho Cordova at 9:30 a.m. and travel a grueling 133.3-mile course. From the start, the route gradually moves uphill. The peloton will climb over 14,500 feet and three KOMs - even finishing uphill to the Heavenly Mountain Resort.

The racers will head to Lake Tahoe along SR88, then over Luther Pass on SR89, drop into Christmas Valley with a turn onto Cornelian Drive to Cheyanne Drive, a right on Apache. They follow Apache Avenue to Mandan Street and down to Pioneer Trail. The exciting finish will bring the riders along Pioneer Trail to Ski Run Boulevard, up to Needle Peak Road to Wildwood Avenue into Heavenly Mountain Resort.

There will be temporary road closures in place and the peloton move quickly through the area. Event organizers plan for minimal traffic delays, Monday, May 13 between 3-4 p.m. with rolling road closures at intersections along the course and Pioneer Trail. Residents, businesses and visitors are encouraged to host viewing parties and cheer for racers as they pass. Officials advise to plan for 30 minutes on each side of an intersection arrival time, and to plan ahead

Cycling fans can begin plotting their roadside viewing points. Top places to watch include Cornelian Dr. and Hwy 89, Luther Pass and the finish along Ski Run Blvd.

There will be a festival at Heavenly's California Base Lodge from 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The free start/finish line festival features exhibitors, family activities, awareness education for cancer and cardiovascular, and food/beverage for purchase. Attendees are encouraged to carpool or bike, and if you want to catch the finish, arrive early.

Racers will be expected at the finish at 3:35 p.m. There will be an awards ceremony immediately after.

Watching the Stage 2 Start in Rancho Cordova? Receive a free hat at the Visit Rancho Cordova Booth, then travel to the finish in South Lake Tahoe to receive a pin at the Tahoe South Booth.

For full Amgen 2019 coverage and maps, visit https://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.