Long Beach Restaurants Force Pro Cycling Tour to Change Route

Long Beach city organizers agreed today to alter the route for an annual professional cycling race to accommodate local restaurants. Long Beach will host the first leg of the Amgen Tour of California on May 13, so restaurants won’t lose business on one of the busiest of the year: Mother’s Day.

According to the Long Beach Press Telegram, a few points were required by both parties. Amgen desired a competitive course, and restaurants wanted to accommodate customers, as well as non-cycling fans on Mother’s Day. Long Beach has a seven-mile route, with a start and finish route similar to the Long Beach Grand Prix on Shoreline Drive, with legs through Ocean Boulevard, Belmont Shore, then to the restaurant and shop-laden Fourth Street before returning to the finish line at the waterfront.

Amgen

The Downtown Long Beach Alliance sided with the restaurant owners, and relayed their concerns to city officials to change the path. Many of the DLBA’s requests were accepted, and as of today, drivers can use Pine Avenue, with entry into Shoreline Village on May 13. Some oceanfront restaurants that could be affected by the street closures are Famous Dave’s Barbecue, Tequila Jack’s, and Queensview Steakhouse. There are a number of restaurants on Fourth Street, also known as Retro Row, that will be affected by the race, including The Social List, Lola’s Mexican Cuisine, and Aji Peruvian Cuisine. It appears as if there were no route adjustments made to Fourth Street, or to Belmont Shore.

• Amgen Tour releases route through Long Beach; city seeks to quell anger among business owners [Long Beach Press Telegram]