Route ATOC Visalia-Bakersfield (unofficial)  

Too bad. With so many beautiful and challenging climbs in this part of the Sierras, the organizers have selected only a Cat 2 climb to graze the edge of the mountains. Suggest route 190 east of Springville (HC) or Parker Pass (C1) east of Cal Hot Springs to take them past Johnsondale into the Sierras. Then south to Kernville and out the EAST side of Alta Sierra (HC). Give them a real challenge - this should be the "Queen" stage as the next day there are no C1's or HC's.

After re-reading some news reports and taking feedback, I shortened the route to something close to my first draft. I've removed the full climb to Alta Sierra because there is no paved descent to Bakersfield without putting the mileage over budget. This means it is not possible to officially enter the Sequoia National Forest. See the map description (top-right) for more info.

Thanks for doing the work of charting the stage. I have one minor quibble, however. If the race organizers wish to have a little kicker climb in the circuits at the end of the race, the route should run from Round Mountain to China Grade Loop and then up Alfred Harrell to Panorama which will pass by Bakersfield College and the finish. With two circuits (or more) of the China Grade/Alfred Harrell loop, the organizers can throw in a few hundred feet of climbing in only a few miles. (Each loop has a two hundred foot climb averaging around 5%.)

Love the route. I guess I am perplexed why race organizers are not ending this stage in Downtown Bakersfield. Thousands of fans could line the Chester or Truxtun avenues for a fantastic sprint finish. BC seems so out of the way. I could just imagine an amazing sprint down Truxtun and finishing in front of Rabobank Arena. But whatever...not my race to decide.

According to a source: "The route will be pretty much straight from Visalia to route Bakersfield via Granite Road. There will be 3 circuits up the bluffs to Bakersfield College. This is not final or set in concrete." I've updated the map for the run into Bakersfield, but I've had a few technical problems drawing the circuits with bikemap

Please, three circuits! Lots more viewing that way.