Random words from Vic, the director of the Tour of the Unknown Coast

Posted: 2009 02 22

Wow, the 31st annual Tour of the Unknown Coast is just over two months away! How time flies. I hope that you’re all training hard and getting ready.

Camping

With the economy we at the Tour of the Unknown Coast have been concerned that attendance would be down. But so far we’re only down by about 10%. My theory is that gas is about two bucks less than it was last year, and that once you own your bike, a weekend event like the TUC is relatively cheap, especially since we offer free camping to help make it more affordable.

Camping at the Tour of the Unknown Coast has gotten more popular with each passing year. And for good reason. It’s free and convenient. You can wake up in your tent, stumble over to Bellotti Hall for breakfast (it’s all you can eat for only $7) and have a leisurely time getting yourself fed and ready to depart on your ride. Compare that to staying in a hotel, where you’d have to wake up much earlier, get packed up and then drive to the fairgrounds, and it’s no wonder that camping at the venue has become the smart way to go.

The Course

I haven’t ridden the whole 100 mile course yet (we’ll need some better weather before that will happen), but I have been through the Avenue of the Giants section. The slide that caused us to detour onto Highway 101 has been completely repaired. Other Humboldt locals have ridden the entire course in recent weeks and aside from the usual pot-holes and such there’s nothing else of note to worry about. Be aware that the narrow stretch before the Albee Creek rest stop is its usual bumpy self. On ride day be very careful there and be aware that there is local traffic—a car or truck could be coming the other way or from behind at any moment.

Please No Painted Slogans on the Road

Yeah, I know that at the Tour de France and Tour of California lots of people paint the road with messages to their favorite riders. But sorry, CalTrans, the County of Humboldt and the folks who live out on the Tour of the Unknown Coast route don’t appreciate seeing messages like “Don’t puke dad!” Please, let your friends and family know that they can encourage your efforts in other ways that won’t cause the local government and local residents to look unfavorably on the Tour of the Unknown Coast .