Join legendary pro cycling commentators Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen in Santa Rosa for the Bicycles for Humanity fundraiser Sunday evening–a fabulous evening of great food and wine. The evening starting with a wine tasting and silent auction at Cellars of Sonoma in Santa Rosa’s downtown railroad square at 6pm, followed by a five course meal, wine pairing, and live auction at Jack and Tony’s featuring wines from Gann Cellars. Tickets are available at www.cellarsofsonoma.com (http://www NULL.cellarsofsonoma NULL.com) or by calling 707-578-1826. These tax-deductible tickets cost $175 per person. More info is available at www.bicycles-for-humanity.org/santarosa (http://www NULL.bicycles-for-humanity NULL.org/santarosa).

Dine with the Pros

Pssst . . on Monday night after the Stage 2 race, hob nob and meet the pros, join them for a hearty dinner, and get some autographs. There are a only six spots for this so act quick. Cost is $500 and all proceeds will be used to pay for the Tour of CA this year ( we’re still a little short)

The Ride of a Lifetime – VIP Car Ride

If an evening event isn’t your thing, be on the course and experience the thrill of lifetime by riding in an official race car following the cyclists along the course. Experience the crowd, the course, and intensity from the convenience of an escorted vehicle! $3,000 for the ONLY E-Ticket seat available.

Watch the Race from the Finish Line!

50 limited VIP spaces are available in the Santa Rosa Hospitality tent at the finish line, sponsored by Redwood Regional Medical Group. All proceeds benefit the Lymphoma Society. Think fully catered food, drinks, live video feeds of the entire race, direct view of the finish, podium, easy in/out, VIP credentials. Here’s the scoop: www.rrmginc.com/lls_fundraiser.html (http://www NULL.rrmginc NULL.com/lls_fundraiser NULL.html)

Give Mo McElroy a ring on 707.577.8674 for more details and to reserve your spot today.

For info and updates on the Santa Rosa’s Stage 2 finish, visit

www.srcity.org/toc (http://www NULL.srcity NULL.org/toc)

The Amgen Tour of California train arrives in Santa Rosa early on Monday, May 17. Festivities kick off at 11am. There will be TVs throughout the festival area where people can watch the race.

Here are some of the day’s highlights:

Lifestyle Festival 11am – 4pm

The MBT Lifestyle Festival, located in Courthouse Square is the place to be for all cycling enthusiasts. The festival will feature a health & fitness expo, cancer awareness education, cycling gear, family activities, bike safety, food, entertainment and more! There will be plenty to see and do for everyone in your family!

• Kids Zone brought to you by St. Joseph’s Health System: Street Smarts, Children’s Museum of the North Bay

Santa Rosa Festival and Beer Garden, Third Street between D and E Streets

Beer Garden, booths, music, fun, 11am-4pm on Third Street between D and E Streets.

• Sponsor Booths: Trek Bike Shop, Spokes Bike Shop, Cambria Bike Shop
• Food: Mary’s Pizza Shack, Johnny Garlic’s, Rubio’s, Pasta King, Willy Birds, Big Boys BBQ, Kettle Corn, Cinnabon, Lemonade Stand
• Non-Profit Booths: United Way, Team in Training, Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, Santa Rosa Environmental Projects, Santa Rosa Creek Stewardship, Humane Society
• The band Baby Seal Club will on stage from 12:00- 2:30pm

4th Street Post Party 4PM-8PM

• Bike Monkey Stage Featuring Goldsprint Race (http://festivus NULL.bikemonkey NULL.net/)s & Live DJ
• Greenstring Farm Band 5 – 8 pm
• Outdoor Dining
• Stores Open Late
• Chance to win a freshly signed winners jersey at the KZST booth – drawing held at 5:30 on Bike Monkey stage, 4th & D St.

Swift Ride

Team Swift Fundraiser Ride to benefit All Sport Team Swift Junior Cycling Development Program (http://www NULL.teamswift NULL.org/).  This special ride is being lead by Giana Roberge of Team Speed Queen, a Santa Rosa resident and World Masters Time Trial Champion. The ride is being presented by two of our leading local bike shops, West County Revolution Bike Shop of Sebastopol and Echelon Cycle & Multisport of Santa Rosa. For more details, check out the event flyer (http://ci NULL.santa-rosa NULL.ca NULL.us/doclib/Documents/May_17_Amgen_Team_Swift_Ride NULL.pdf).

For the latest on the day’s highlights, visit www.srcitytoc.com/race-day/ancillaryevents (http://www NULL.srcitytoc NULL.com/race-day/ancillaryevents)

Here are the last of the sponsorships available for the 2010 Santa Rosa Stage of the Amgen Tour of California:

• Green Jersey Sponsor (several available)
• Proud Supporter Sponsor (6 opportunities)
• Bike Valet Sponsor (1 opportunity)
• VIP Car Ride (1 opportunity)

Don’t miss out on this special sponsorship opportunity, Contact Mo McElroy at the Santa Rosa Convention and Visitors Bureau today 707-577-8674. View the 2010 Sponsorship Package.

The Amgen Tour of California hosts cycling’s top professional teams as they compete over a nine-day 700-mile race stage race through California. Santa Rosa’s own Levi Leipheimer is the current reigning champion for three years straight.

Each year, the City of Santa Rosa competes with more than 50 cities for the right to be a host city. The collaboration between the City of Santa Rosa, the Santa Rosa Convention and Visitors Bureau, the cycling community, local business sponsors and fans have made this possible for the last four years.

Join us in making the Keep The Tour Santa Rosa campaign a success by helping us raise the $175,000 need to be a host city next year.

Donate online today–let’s make it happen AGAIN in 2010.

Limited Edition Window Placard

Are you a small business and want to contribute towards bringing the Tour of California back to Santa Rosa in 2010?

We have created a new incentive package for small business owners who wish to contribute towards the cause with a minimum $500 donation.  We are producing limited edition placards to be featured at storefront locations who have contributed at this level. These placards are meant to be displayed to show the community that you are supportive of the Tour of California returning to Santa Rosa.

Few people in Santa Rosa question the value of returning the Tour of California back to our city streets. But every year we are faced with a challenging scenario: we have to fight tooth and nail to raise the money for its return.  Every year the success is becoming more and more privately funded which says one thing: the citizens of Sonoma County, and Santa Rosa in particular share a strong level of appreciation for what the Tour brings to our community.

We are in the process of becoming a world-class cycling destination. By showing our community your support for the Tour, you are showing your support for your community.