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We were so excited to get front row seats to one of the most spectacular and prestigious cycling races – The AMGEN Tour of California.  It is considered cycling’s most important and successful stage race in the United States, and one of the most anticipated professional cycling races in the world.  This was the first time the tour has come to Lake Tahoe, the course changes every year and Lake Tahoe was added to this year’s event to increase the degree of difficulty and is to date the most challenging course that the tour has had. 

The first stage of the tour included a start in South Shore followed by 1.5 laps around the lake and ending in Northstar.  Stage 2 was to start at Squaw Valley and end in Sacramento.  The Lake Tahoe community pulled out all the stops to welcome the tour, its athletes and spectators.  Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate.  After a week of balmy temperatures and lots of sunshine, there was a sudden spike in the temperatures and snowfall prevented the race from starting at either of its two Lake Tahoe locations.  There was much debate amongst officials of the tour as to whether the race should be cancelled, but the unpredictable weather this weekend posed a great risk to the riders’ safety.  AMGEN Tour of California officials said that Lake Tahoe would be considered again as one of the cities of the tour.  Let’s hope next time Mother Nature or Father Winter (whichever one is responsible ) doesn’t decide to rain (snow) on our parade.