PALMDALE – The City of Palmdale has about 30 open spots left for volunteers to help out as the Amgen Tour of California spins into Palmdale on Friday, May 18.
“We’ve had a great response by the community so far,” said Community Program Supervisor Trish Jones. “Typically, we get a rush of volunteer applications closer to the race, but this year we had a good turnout early and we’ve only got about 30 open positions left. If anyone is thinking of getting involved, I encourage them to register as soon as possible before all the spots are taken.”
Residents may apply online at www.cityofpalmdale.org/ATOC.
“We still need course marshals who will line up along the route to provide a safe route for the riders,” said Jones. “It’s something that doesn’t require a lot of time, but will put you right on the front line of this incredible event.”
The race in Palmdale on May 18 will begin at Marie Kerr Park. With the firing of the official start gun, riders will leave Marie Kerr Park and head east on Rancho Vista Blvd., a flat straightaway past the heart of Palmdale’s busy retail center and Antelope Valley Mall, under the 14 Freeway, and past iconic Joshua trees in springtime bloom, until taking a hard right onto historic Sierra Highway.
Formerly the El Camino Sierra Trail used by prospectors and adventurers in the 19th century, Sierra Highway is part of Historic Route 6. Riders will race along this nostalgic thoroughfare, passing Palmdale’s state-of-the-art Transportation Center, beautiful desert landscape, and picturesque Lake Palmdale at 2,980 feet above sea level before turning onto Pearblossom Hwy. As the riders veer left onto Angeles Forest Hwy. from Pearblossom Hwy., they will begin their arduous ascent into the San Gabriel Mountains, the first of two grueling uphill climbs of the day.
“Palmdale is celebrating its 50th anniversary of being an incorporated City in 2012, and so it is only fitting to have an event of the magnitude of the Amgen Tour of California as one of our featured events to celebrate that milestone,” said Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford.
The 13 Host Cities for the 2012 Amgen Tour of California include:
- Stage 1: Sunday, May 13 – Santa Rosa
- Stage 2: Monday, May 14 – San Francisco to Santa Cruz County
- Stage 3: Tuesday, May 15 – San Jose to Livermore
- Stage 4: Wednesday, May 16 – Sonora (new for 2012) to Clovis
- Stage 5: Thursday, May 17 – Bakersfield (Individual Time Trial)
- Stage 6: Friday, May 18 – Palmdale to Big Bear Lake
- Stage 7: Saturday, May 19 – Ontario (new for 2012) to Mt. Baldy
- Stage 8: Sunday, May 20 – Los Angeles/L.A. LIVE
For further information on the 2012 Amgen Tour of California, and to view the 2012 Amgen Tour of California Host Cities video, visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.
(Information via press release from the City of Palmdale.)
