Tour de California provides serious recreational cyclists the opportunity to ride a complete stage of the Amgen Tour of California — and the most challenging stage of the 2011 race at that.

Riders will cover the same route as the professionals on Stage 7 of the Amgen Tour of California, from Claremont to the Mt. Baldy Ski Area on May 7.

The actual race starts in South Lake Tahoe on May 15.

While extremely challenging and requiring a high level of fitness and mental toughness, there will be ample support on May 7 for the recreational rider to help athletes see if they have what it takes to ride the route of the Amgen Tour of California.

Details of the route will be available in January. For more information and to register, go online.