Around Bakersfield we're beginning to see preparations that have been in the works for months.
"Behind the scenes the local organizing committee has been getting all of this lifestyle festival together. There's also a movie being played at the Fox Theater that evening, so after hours the party will continue," said Zac Griffin with Bike Bakersfield.
A new fence lines the bluffs to protect spectators. "There should be thousands of people watching," said Don Cohen with the Bakersfield Convention and Tourism Bureau.
One of the best places to view the race will be near the finish line up at BC. Cyclists will pass by multiple times before they finish the race.
"It's called a circuit finish and the idea is to pay off for the fans. I think they'll come through that start finish time three times," said Griffin.
There will be quite a few road closures to look out for. "Glenville area, if you travel through Round Mountain Road, if you use Alfred Harrell Highway, we all recommend that you wait.
The closures will probably begin about 12 that day and run till about five o'clock," said CHP Robert Rodriguez.
Closures start Wednesday, a short stretch of Panorama Drive between Haley Street and Mt. Vernon will be closed from ten in the morning. On Thursday that will expand out from Bucknell to Eaton.
Thursday China Grade Loop will be closed from Round Mountain Road to Alfred Harrell Highway. East bound Alfred Harrell Highway from Panorama Drive to Fairfax Road, and west bound Alfred Harrell Highway from Hart Park to Panorama Drive.
If you want to avoid the confusion, Bike Bakersfield has a suggestion. "We are encouraging that the people here locally leave their cars at home and ride on up to BC. And we are doing bike valet," said Griffin.
Some of those closures will be in effect from 9 in the morning until 5, and others won't close until about one in the afternoon. To check the closures you can go online to www.visitbakersfield.com/amgen.
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