Young and old, big and small, from close by and far away, droves of cycling enthusiasts descended on Palo Alto Sunday to view the best cyclists in the world for the Tour of California prologue. A user-friendly experience, the prologue time trial course for the Tour was great for those looking to take in the sights and sounds of one of the best cycling fields ever assembled in America.

Unlike last year, which featured a steep climb up to the Coit Tower in San Francisco, the Palo Alto course was pancake flat and easier to navigate around for the average fan.The first section of the course took the riders past boutique store fronts and eateries serving California delicacies and tasty drinks. Under tall, shady trees, the “downtown” section of the course eventually gave way to the wide roads and majestic palm trees leading to the Stanford University campus.

Jessica Monaloy, a physical therapist from Oakland, has been at all three prologues for the Tour of California, and was impressed with the new course. “It was easier to get to than having to travel to San Francisco. The course was flat and easy to walk, which was great. I do miss seeing the rider’s climb the steep hills, like last year at the Coit Tower. The crowd was big, but I was still able to take pictures of riders as they rode by, which was great. Last year, it was hard for me to find a good spot to snap some pictures.” She continued “I was impressed with the amount of freebees available. Good companies showing good products . . . companies that I love, like REI.”

A super-fan on hand to view the race, for the first time, was Thomas Heaney, all the way from Landrum, South Carolina. Heaney has been a cycling fan for over 30 years, and has seen big time races on several continents. “I thought the course was less than challenging for such an experienced field. The obvious happened, as the cream came to the top and the right man won. Compared to other races that I’ve been to in America, it was a first-class field. I’ve been present for many good fields, but this collection today was a true joy for a fan to watch.”He continued by saying, “seeing five world champions compete on American soil is new for me, and it was a delight. Being a part of cycling history was an honor, something I won’t forget for a long time. It was a day that most knowledgeable cycling fans dream about. The only race I’ve ever enjoyed more was the 1974 world championship road race, my first ever race. No event will ever be closer to my heart than that day in 1974 when Eddy Merckx became the world champion.” Lofty praise from a hardcore fan for a race that has risen meteorically in popularity and recognition over the past two years.

Stay tuned to bicycle.net and europeloton.com for continued 2008 Tour of California coverage.