Cycling enthusiasts can kick off the Amgen Tour of California in style during the Start at the Top – Lake Tahoe Legends Ride May 14.

The Legends Ride allows participants to ride the Stage 1 course and pedal elbow to elbow with cycling legends and dignitaries, including Bobby Julich, Sky ProCycling Race Coach and 2004 Olympic bronze medalist; and John Howard, who rode on the 1968, 1972 and 1976 Olympic teams, set the world 24-hour cycling distance record of 593 miles and finished second in the Race Across America (1982), which he co-founded. Other legends include Max Jones, Mike Neel, David Brink and Roland Della Santa.

The Legends Ride is produced by TGFT Productions and Bike the West and is fully supported with rest stops, technical support, first aid and support and gear assistance.

Options include a 72-mile roadway route around Lake Tahoe and a 35-mile ride that transfers participants from South Shore to North Lake Tahoe via the Tahoe Queen paddle-wheeler to cycle around East Shore and finish in Stateline. A sightseeing boat cruise is available for non-cyclists.

The event is open to the first 1,000 cyclists who sign-up online by April 30. Registration is $125/person for the 72-mile ride, and $140/person for the Boat Cruise plus 35-mile option, which is expected to sell-out.