Cambria hosts first Tour stage

Will Routley crosses the finish line first to win Stage 4 of the Amgen Tour of California. By Owen Main

Amid sweltering, record-breaking heat, the Amgen Tour of California rolled into Cambria for the finish of Stage 4 On Wednesday afternoon, with Canadian, Will Routley claiming the stage victory.

Though the heat kept many from showing up very early, there was a solid crowd lining Main Street on the West end of Cambria for the penultimate kilometer or so. A huge jumbotron showed spectators the race as the riders sped past Big Sur, San Simeon, Hearst Castle, and eventually the outskirts of Cambria.

The stage itself turned out to be a pretty exciting one, as a six-rider group made a charge and got out-ahead early. Usually, the peloton has no trouble catching a break-away group by the end of a stage, but the sextet was able to use a strong tailwind to maintain separation from the main riders through the finish.

Routley timed his final charge perfectly and crossed the finish line first, both arms in the air.

As if riding over 100 miles per day for over a week wasn’t already grueling enough, the riders on Wednesday had to battle extremely unusual 90-plus degree temperatures while hugging the coastline all day.

Cambria teacher honored

Pam Kenyon, PE teacher and volleyball coach from Coast Union High School in Cambria, was there to help present post-race awards to riders. Kenyon is a cancer survivor and avid cycling fan. Incidentally, she was a teacher for all three founders of this website and is probably one of the most underrated high school volleyball coaches this county has ever seen.