Canyon residents’ feelings mixed about upcoming bike tour
 Del Puerto Canyon is a popular place for serious cyclists, one of the reasons the Amgen Tour of California will follow the winding trail this year. But canyon residents are worried about the toll the tour could take on their neighborhoods. Photo by Elias Funez
However, many of the canyon’s residents say the hills’ twists, turns and narrow roads are dangerous for cyclists, and they describe some riders as rude and unaccommodating.
Those sentiments may come to a head as the canyon is about to see more bicycles than ever, when it plays host to a portion of the 700-mile Amgen Tour of California on Feb. 20.
While the professional tour will mean entertainment and a bit of added prestige for the cities of Modesto, Patterson and San Jose, several Del Puerto Canyon residents fear it may mean road closures, difficult access for emergency vehicles and the possibility of more trash left on the side of the road.
Many of those residents are speaking up, hoping to ease some of the problems that come with lots of traffic on a narrow, winding road.
“We don’t intend to stop them,” canyon resident John Chamorro said. “We want to not know they’re here.”
Some of those concerns will be aired at a public forum Jan. 16 at Mt. Hamilton’s Smith Creek Cal-Fire station.
Varied reactions
Ask canyon residents about what they think about the upcoming race and expect to get varied responses — welcoming, cynical and downright antagonistic.
 Hit the road: A group of Stanislaus County Bike Club cyclists takes a break before heading back toward Patterson during their annual New Year’s Day ride through Del Puerto Canyon. A major race, the 700-mile Amgen Tour of California, will pass through the canyon Feb. 20. Photo by Elias Funez
Most bicyclists are drug users, he claimed, making reference to some pro cyclists who have been caught using steroids, and he said he will lose a day of work because of the race. As a result, he may consider taking race organizers to small-claims court.
“They’re violating our rights,” he said.
On the other hand, canyon resident Jill Owens looks forward to the race.
“This is huge to the bicyclists,” she said. “This is like the Tour de France.
“I think it’s great.”
Many residents are taking a more guarded approach, neither enthusiastic nor antagonistic.
“We’re willing to work with (race organizers),” said Glenn Dolfin, executive director of the Mt. Hamilton Range Improvement Association. “We want to get in as quickly as we can.”
Dolfin said the range association got involved because it has received so many phone calls about the matter. About half the people he has talked with support the race, while the other half oppose it, he said.
Long-time tensions
Even Owens noted that there have been tensions between bicyclists and residents in the area, particularly on Mines Road. Sometimes, she said, a large group of cyclists will ride in front of cars and not move out of the way.
Dolfin said bicyclists are among the groups that cause the most problems for canyon residents, followed by motorcyclists, bird watchers and regular traffic.
Dolfin, who used to patrol the area as a Santa Clara County Sheriff’s deputy, said the vast majority of accidents on the canyon’s roads involve outsiders, such as motorcyclists and bicyclists.
The canyon is not a safe place for bicyclists, agreed canyon resident Wayne Armbrust, a cycling enthusiast himself.
“I personally will not ride my bike up here,” Armbrust said.
Many residents cite the story of a young man in the area who struck and killed a cyclist with his vehicle. The driver said the cyclist was at fault, but his family is now being sued.
Ronnie Chamorro, wife of John Chamorro, said some bicyclists are courteous and move to the side when cars approach. Other riders spit at and kick vehicles or make rude gestures, she said.
Many also charge cyclists with trespassing and littering, leaving behind wrappers from energy bars, for example.
Area resident Cheryl Jorgensen belongs to the Alameda County Rural Roads group, which works to resolve problems on the county’s rural roads. She recounted the story of a woman who saw two cyclists urinating on her property one day. When the woman drove up to address them, the cyclists expressed outrage that she interrupted them, Jorgensen said.
“The reality is there are no bathrooms up here, and people do need to meet their needs,” she said.
On the other hand, many cyclists say they like riding in the canyon and they generally have no problems with its residents.
Karen Shoup, a member of the Stanislaus County Bicicycle Club, said a pickup almost ran her off the road the one time she rode in the canyon. However, she said it is a beautiful area and that most drivers the club encounters are respectful.
Increased Concerns
Now, the canyon is about to experience the biggest bicycle event it has ever hosted.
 While some riders race in single file, others — such as these Stanislaus County Bike Club riders, shown Jan. 1 — bunch up and fill the roadway, a practice that makes some Del Puerto Canyon residents uneasy about safety on the road. Photo by Elias Funez
In addition to concerns about trash, John Chamorro said there are lots of logistical concerns, not least of which is access to residents’ properties.
Extra medical staffing will be needed, as will more sheriff’s vehicles and emergency medical helicopters, John Chamorro said.
Jorgensen said she thinks a bond should be posted for garbage impacts.
In addition, residents say some people own parts of Del Puerto Canyon Road and have granted an easement for its use. Now, they want to make sure property owners are not liable for injuries that may happen along the course.
Jorgensen said race organizers are less familiar with the area than local residents and should make sure to work with them.
“We know the conditions we’re under,” she said, “but the people organizing the race are coming without the knowledge.”
Working it out
Amgen representatives and government officials alike say they think many of residents’ concerns will be addressed by the time of the race.
Race spokesman Roth said tour organizers hope to minimize negative experiences for local residents. The tour will operate with rolling closures, for example, in which roads are opened behind the cyclists as soon as they pass a particular grid.
“We’re fully aware of the impact that businesses and families have along the route, and we’re looking to minimize them,” Roth said.
People who live along the route will receive notices about the course by mail in coming weeks, he said.
Amgen Tour course director Eric Smith also stated on the Eastern Santa Clara County Rural Roads Web site that emergency vehicles always have priority over the race.
Traffic behind the race will be able to go in the same direction, but will not be able to pass the race. Traffic in front can continue with no restriction, as long as it moves faster than the racers, who will travel at about 30 mph. Cross traffic on Mines Road will be allowed to pass until the race is about 1½ miles away. After that, vehicles must wait a few minutes for the cyclists to pass, Smith wrote.
John Chamorro said he talked to Smith on the phone over the weekend and said he seemed sensitive to residents’ worries.
John Brazil, bicyclist and pedestrian program coordinator for the city of San Jose, which is helping with the logistics of the race’s third leg, said this is the third year the race has gone through San Jose.
“It’s been a good experience,” he said.
Continuing dialogue
Colleen Valles, a policy aide for Santa Clara County Supervisor Donald Gage’s office, said the county wants to ensure that race organizers stick to their word about the race’s impacts.
In that vein, the Jan. 16 meeting will include Amgen officials and the California Highway Patrol among others.
Owens said she is optimistic the tension between residents and organizers can be worked out.
“I certainly hope our community is not successful in stopping the race from going through here,” she said.
To reach Jonathan Partridge at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail him at
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At a glance
WHAT: Santa Clara County forum on Amgen Tour of California race
WHEN: 3:30 p.m. Jan. 16
WHERE: Smith Creek
Cal-Fire station, 22805 Mount Hamilton Road,
in Mount Hamilton (east of San Jose)
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