Ride the Tour of California prologue

Amateur riders will get a chance to ride the same course as the professional riders in the 2008 Tour of California prologue. On February 17th, the same day as the opening leg of the tour, the Palo Alto Recreation Foundation will hold a Charity Challenge Time Trial. The prologue organisers will auction off 25 spots to amateur time trialists who will have the honour of racing against the clock just moments before 130 of the top cycling professionals in the world will take to the roads of the Stanford University campus.

Winning bidders will receive full professional treatment, including close quarters with the pros in preparation for the race, official UCI timing and officiating, a closed course, race announcers, photographers and awards for the fastest man, fastest woman and largest donor.

The auction will benefit the Palo Alto Recreation Foundation. Bids can be made by calling 1-800-341-0310 until Feb 10th at 5pm (PST). Minimum bid is $500. Official bid rankings will be updated and posted daily.