Tour of California Will Roll Down Ramona's Main Street

Ramona is making its mark this May when the world's best cyclists roll down Main Street in the Amgen Tour of California.

Race officials announced this week that downtown Ramona will be included in the eight-day race's San Diego County stage, the U-T San Diego reported.

According to the tour's website, the Amgen Tour of California is "one of the nation’s largest and most recognized annual sporting events." The journey from Southern to Northern California includes 16 of the world’s top professional cycling teams competing in nearly 800 miles of scenic California highways and challenging roadways.

A promotional video (attached) shows the eight-day race route, which will begin in Southern California for the very first time in its 8 years running. Check out the Ramona mention beginning at the 1:30 mark.

The U-T said other areas in San Diego County that will be hit with cyclists include Mesa Grande Road near Julian, highway 78 past the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Valley Center, Lake Henshaw, the Old Escondido Historic District and Orfila winery. The local stage is scheduled for May 12, Mother’s Day.

The Ramona Community Planning Group was invited to participate in a conference regarding the race, the organization said Feb. 7. Group member Matt Deskovick said he would like join the pedal-pushing in the spring.

The local route will be slightly less challenging than last time the Tour of California hit Escondido in 2009, the U-T reported, and is roughly 103 miles long.

You can find the San Diego stage route that includes Ramona on the Amgen Tour of California's website.

According to the U-T San Diego, Alfredo Velcasco, an avid cyclist and chairman of the race's local fundraising committee, said the San Diego local stage will help determine who the top two teams will be for the rest of the race up to Northern California.

The publication also reported that Velasco was "pleased to see Ramona and Santa Ysabel added to the route this time."

Are you a local cyclist? Have you ever done the Tour of California? Tell us in the comments!