Spectator
Tips
With
a little strategic planning, you can ensure an exciting
and fun-filled day of spectating. The following tips
will allow you to see plenty of action, visibly show
support to your athlete at numerous spots on the course
and also get in some sightseeing and other entertainment
options during the down time. We will take you through
race morning to the finish and provide numerous options.
Die-hard
spectators can scramble for more viewing locations,
while others may choose to peel off and enjoy some
of the attractions of Auburn and the Auburn State
Park.
SWIM
Swim
Choice #1 - Rattlesnake Bar Park at Folsom Lake: The
swim venue of Rattlesnake Bar is about 5 miles from
the Auburn Area Overlook start/finish line. Spectators are not allowed at the lake, but if you would like to volunteer, you can park there and also drive your athlete in! What a deal! Email or call (530-888-9911) to volunteer. The road out
of the park will be closed to autos from race start
until the final cyclists leaves the park (~7:00am
to 8:40am)
Directions:
See Auburn
Information for driving directions from Auburn
Overlook or from I-80 to Rattlesnake Bar park.
BIKE
Please download and print out these maps so you can navigate the bike course successfully:
- Complete overview of route with swim and run courses
- Street Map #1: Mile 0-12 Outbound, Miles 51-56 Homebound: Great to print for training rides.
- Street Map #2: Mile 12-18 Outbound, Miles 40-51 Homebound
- Street Map #3: Miles 18-40 including out to Bear River/Tokoyana Roller Coaster Loop and back home
Bike
Viewing Spot #1 - Rattlesnake Rd and Shirland Tract
Rd at Auburn-Folsom Rd ("Scotty's Corner")
Mile
3.3 - Estimated Times:
- 1st
cyclist: 7:33am
- Last
cyclist: 8:45am
You
can watch the cyclists at the 3.3-mile mark where
the course conveniently meets Auburn-Folsom Rd before
turning away into the rural Shirland Tract Rd climb
up to Auburn.
The
fastest athlete should arrive at this intersection
at approximately 40 minutes after the 7:00am start.
Directions:
Follow directions to Rattlesnake Bar at the Driving
Directions page and then park immediately after
turning Left off of Rattlesnake Bar at Scotty's Corner.
**
#3
- Lazy Person's Morning Viewing Spot: Lincoln Way
Starbucks
Mile
11 Outbound - Estimated Times:
- 1st
cyclist: 8:11am
- Last
cyclist: 9:35am
Mile
22 Int'l/53 Half Homebound - Estimated Times:
- 1st
cyclist: 9:57am
- Last
cyclist: 12:52pm
Fall
back asleep after your racer bails at 5:30am. Wake
up around 8, roll out of your motel room and walk
over to Starbucks on Lincoln Way, just west of Foresthill
Rd. Purchase your overpriced liquid stimulant then
walk out the door and await the arrival of the riders
at mile 10 on the bike course.
**
Other
Bike Viewing Spots
The
route will proceed along the I-80 corridor, heading
eastbound on the outbound portion. This makes for
numerous occasions where you can conveniently watch
the riders as they head out and then return on the
same course.
**
Bike
Viewing #4 - Bell Rd and I-80
Mile
13 Outbound - Estimated Time:
- 1st
rider: 8:24am
- Last
rider: 9:55am
Mile
20 Int'l/51 Half Homebound - Estimated Time:
- 1st
rider: 9:53am
- Last
rider: 12:36pm
Proceed
on I-80 eastbound from Auburn for about five minutes
and exit Bell Rd. Turn Left, crossing over freeway
and immediately park as you reach the Bowman Rd freeway
frontage Rd. Cyclists will proceed straight thru intersection
across Bell Rd.
**
Bike
Viewing #5 - W Paoli Rd Aid Station
Mile
21.3 Outbound - Estimated Time:
- 1st
rider: 8:45am
- Last
rider: 10:26am
Mile
36.8 Homebound - Estimated Time:
- 1st
rider: 9:26am
- Last
rider: 11:43am
Proceed
on I-80 east from Auburn about 15 minutes to the W
Paoli Lane exit. Veer Left up the hill to a large
dirt. You can see the riders coming and going across
the freeway overpass. The aid station is at this location
too, making for lots of excitement!
**
Bike
Viewing #6 - Canyon Way/Placer Hills Rd and I-80 Station
Mile
25.2 Outbound - Estimated Time:
- 1st
rider: 8:56am
- Last
rider: 10:45am
Mile
32.7 Homebound - Estimated Time:
- 1st
rider: 9:15am
- Last
rider: 11:25am
Proceed
on I-80 east from Auburn about 20 minutes to the Canyon
Way/Placer Hills Rd exit, one mile east of the main
Colfax exits. Turn right off the exit and park immediately
on the shoulder of Canyon Way. You can see the riders
coming and going across the freeway overpass.
**
Bike
Viewing #6/Run Viewing #1: Pacific Ave and Gum Lane
This
spot is 200 meters from the bike finish line and 200
meters into the run. It may be preferable to the transition
area viewing, which can often be hectic and difficult
to get close to your athlete. The cyclists will turn
left onto Pacific Ave from tiny, unmarked Gum Lane
adjacent to the Railroad tracks on Pacific Ave.
You
can watch them turn left and head to the transition
area. Then proceed on foot about 100 yards uphill
to the entrance of the Western States Trail Staging
Area parking lot, where runners will enter from the
adjacent transition area and head down into the canyon
on the Western States Trail.