Great viewing spots throughout South Lake Tahoe for Amgen Tour

Not only do people around South Lake Tahoe get the opportunity to watch international stars of men's cycling on Thursday, they also get to watch the women as the Amgen Tour of California features both races.

There will be a Lifestyle Festival in the parking lot at Heavenly California Base Lodge from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This is the starting and ending point for the women's race, as well as the finish for the men, so a great viewing spot, but there are other opportunities to watch the cyclists as they zip by all through town.

Get in on the fun and excitement of the Amgen Tour of California Women's Race at a public viewing party being held at the Nevada Visitor Center, Thursday, May 19, 2016, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The racers will pass by the Visitor Center across the street from Lakeside Inn at approximately 1:45 p.m. on May 19, 2016.

Party goers will enjoy light refreshments, sweet treats compliments of Tahoe Cakes by Grace, free drawings, a free cowbell to the first 50 people through the door and a meet and greet with local author Andrew M. Homan. He will be autographing and selling his book “Life in the Slipstream – the Legend of Bobby Walthour Sr.”

The upper portion of Ski Run Blvd (South of Pioneer Trail) will be the gateway to the finish line for both men and women. The women should pass by around 1:54 p.m. as they end their trip around the lake. The men will be heading up from Lodi, Calif., and read Ski Run Blvd about 3:42 p.m.

Lake Tahoe Unified School District is closing school early on Thursday to ensure the buses are off the race route before the racers go by. A minimum day schedule will be followed.

A Strider Race for the little ones will be held at the Lifestyle Festival at 1:00 p.m. Each child that participates will receive a Strider Medal and Amgen Tour of California Goodie Bagm and one Strider bike will be raffled off to the participants of Strider race. Register Here (for ages 2-5)