Caltrans warns of traffic delays this weekend due to Amgen bike tour

Caltrans advises residents to expect traffic delays from 8 to 10 a.m., Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday in Ramona due to the Amgen Tour of California professional bike race.

Cyclists and race officials may come through on Saturday in preparation for the race on Sunday, which will begin in Escondido around 11:15 a.m. Because cyclists will ride through San Pasqual Valley, up State Route 78, through downtown Ramona, and out to Santa Ysabel, Caltrans said drivers should be prepared for rolling road closures between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Sunday.

The cyclists are expected to ride through Ramona’s Old Town around noon. From there they will will turn on Third Street and take Old Julian Highway back out to Route 78 to Santa Ysabel.

Crowds are expected to come through to follow the race, as well as ground and aerial media coverage. Many Ramona businesses are planning special sales on Sunday.

The stage 1 route of the Amgen Tour also includes Palomar Mountain and Valley Center. It will finish at Grand Avenue and Broadway in Escondido.

For a map of the route, see www.escondido.org/Data/Sites/1/media/PDFs/AMGEN2013RaceRoute.pdf.

For more about the race, see amgentourofcalifornia.com or www.escondido.org/amgen-tour.aspx.