Uglyhead

The third stage of the 2006 Tour de Georgia is going to pass right by the entrance to our subdivision. I had know for several months that the race would come close, but I did not realize that I could just walk down the hill and set up my lawn chair. I should have suspected it when it was first announced that the time trial would start in Chickamauga, go up Lookout Mt. and finish in downtown Chattanooga. I have ridden between all three on my road bike several times (not all a the same time) and the chosen route makes the most sense. Click on the thumbnail map to see our subdivision (note that the streets are missing). PDF maps for all stages are available here.

Stage three is an individual time trial from Chickamauga to Chattanooga. The riders race against the clock to see who can complete the course with the fastest time. The starts are staggered, beginning with the last place rider and ending with the race leader. It makes for a much better spectator stage than waiting for a couple hours only to see the peloton speed by at thirty miles per hour.

I am conflicted about where to set up to watch the race. I want to see the riders at various points on the course, be able take good photos and also get to experience the finish line excitement. I may decide to stay in one spot, or instead move around as the race progresses. Now that the weather is warming up I suppose that I could ride the course and take mental notes of good spectator spots. I am just so out of shape that completing the ride before April 20th will be a challenge.