Tour de California permits in hand; excitement mixed

By Kathryn Reed

Tour de California, the multi-day bike race that starts on the South Shore next month, can officially come to Tahoe. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency approved the permits April 28.

However, the enthusiasm for the ride is dependent on who one listens to.

At a meeting of Heavenly Village folks on Tuesday they spoke of gearing up for the May 15 start. Flags touting the event are hanging from poles. A band has been secured to play that Sunday. A big screen will be erected near Fire + Ice so people can watch the cyclists as they lap the lake 1½ times. That will be going on from 10:30am-2:30pm. Food vendors are still being secured.

The city of South Lake Tahoe is providing 15 tents to nonprofit organizations that will be put up between Stateline and the Y.

“Those got snatched up really quick,” Lauren Thomaselli, South Lake Tahoe events coordinator, said.

Private businesses are planning to have parties – some invite only, some open to the public along Highway 50.

However, don’t expect Lake Tahoe Community College to be participating. When board member Karen Borges asked interim President Steve Maradian on Tuesday what LTCC was doing for Amgen, he smirked and had nothing good to say.

“It’s not going to be as robust as originally thought,” he said of the whole event. “It’s not coming together the way they wanted it to, including the publicity.”

Maradian said the college is not having a booth at the expo at Horizon because of the expense.

Information about the events leading up to the start and for the two days the cyclists are in Tahoe is online.