Community leaders organize Porterville stretch of bike tour

Local law enforcement officials are preparing for a standing-room only crowd lining Main Street on May 20 when athletes, including world famous cyclist Lance Armstrong, speed through downtown for the 2010 Amgen Tour of California.

The route for the renowned bike race has been finalized, and the cyclists will fly through downtown Porterville during Stage 5 of the north-to-south competition, on their way from Visalia to Bakersfield.

A local organizing committee, which plans to make sure the Porterville section of the internationally recognized event goes smoothly, had its first meeting Thursday at the Porterville Chamber of Commerce.

“In the cycling world, this is like having the Superbowl coming through Porterville,” City of Porterville employee Sarah Cardoza said. “It’s such a huge event for the city.”

Representatives from the City of Porterville, Porterville Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Porterville Unified School District, Porterville College, Porterville Police Department and Porterville Fire Department were all in attendance to offer their support, services and suggestions.

The race is coming through Porterville in part because Amgen organizers try to send the cyclists flying by areas where school children will have the chance to witness the event, Cardoza said.

Four PUSD campuses — Vandalia Elementary, Roche Avenue Elementary, Los Robles Elementary and Pioneer Middle schools — will be within viewing distance of the designated race route, as will PC.

PC’s Ron Glahn will be in charge of the volunteers who will be needed along the cyclists’ route.

The race, expected to shoot through Porterville around noon, will necessitate 42 road intersection and 8 alleyway closures, PPD Sgt. Bob Blankenship estimated.

Parking along the route will be prohibited starting at 6 a.m. on the day the cyclists are scheduled to pedal through Porterville.

He said he is expecting a turnout similar to those in attendance at Porterville’s parades, “five or six [people] deep” along Main Street.

In addition, businesses along the downtown stretch will likely be shuttered for about 15 to 20 minutes during the main event.

Also under consideration during the initial planning meeting were the possibility of special promotions for local businesses, downtown beautification by student volunteers and connected activities in Centennial Park.

--Contact Sarah de Crescenzo at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or sdecrescenzo@portervillerecorder.com.