I’ve come to the conclusion that cycling is one of those sports that one has to see in person to truly become a fan.

And after last week’s Amgen Tour of California three-lap circuit in Santa Rosa — and a thrilling King of the Mountain climb up Cavedale and Trinity Roads — I am declaring myself an official fan.

I’m already excited about the Tour de France that runs July 7-29.

Over the past year or so I’ve been trying to learn all I can about the wonderful world of professional road cycling. Most of this studying has been due to the inspirational story of home-town hero Lucas Euser, who rides for Team Slipstream Powered by Chipotle.

In his second Tour of California, Lucas finished 63rd overall out of 144 cyclists. Check out http://www.cyclingnews.com/teams/5280/2007/?id=diaries/toc07_index for his daily diaries from the tour.

I laughed out loud while reading them.

For the KOM climb I was accompanied by two of the biggest cycling fans I know — Hannah Euser and Napa County Sheriff Capt. John Robertson.

And yes, Hannah is the older sister of the famed Lucas. She’s a pretty studly athlete herself, competing in triathlons and marathons, including Sunday’s Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon.

I tell her, frequently, that I want to be a “Euser” when I grow up.

I’m still trying to get both of their autographs.

On the drive up, I kept asking rookie questions of my company. Fortunately they were patient with me and answered politely.

Once up there, my Starbucks chai latte in tow, I was introduced to Bob and Yvonne Leipheimer — as in the parents of five-time Tour de France participant Levi Leipheimer and eventual winner of this year’s Tour of California.

Levi’s folks were just hanging out on the side of the road with the rest of the crazy fans. They like to post up at the peak of the climbs so when Levi hits the top, he can give his parents a nod and grin — which he did last Tuesday.

Now I have been to lots of sporting events — baseball, football, basketball, motorsports, etc.

But the excitement of the bike fans surrounding me was incredible. There were hundreds of cyclists armored with their cycling gear jumping up and down to stay warm. It was kind of like when I sport my Giants tank and hat when I head to AT&T Park. Many didn’t even take off their helmets after their trek up Oakville Grade on their own road bikes.

I got there a little after 9 a.m. and the streets were already packed with people who were digging for their chalk sticks and scribbling their heroes’ monikers. Both lanes of the road were covered with paint and chalk markings cheering on Lucas and Levi along with other favorites like “Big George” Hincapie, Steven Cozza, Paolo Bettini, Jens Voigt and Thor Husovd. Kids and their parents had signs with nicknames and drawings of the celebrities.

People were yelling and screaming when the CHP cars and motorcycles made their way past us with sirens blazing.

That’s when we knew the cyclists were getting close.

Media vans and motorcycle-riding photographers soared by in the now one-lane road. Fans were five-people deep covering the east-bound lane, making that 90-degree turn onto Trinity Road a tough one for everyone.

Christophe Laurent was ahead of the peloton to win the KOM, but it wasn’t much longer before the rest of the cyclists roared by.

Hannah and I were jumping up and down with our cowbells and screaming her brother’s name, hoping on the off chance he’d be able to hear us over all the other loud and obnoxious fans. While they all screamed by, I just kept looking for argyle.

Slipstream’s snazzy kits are noticeably different than those of CSC, Discovery and T-Mobile. With their orange and blue argyle, it’s easy for people to pick them out of the peloton. Though I saw several riders sporting the fancy shmancy kits, I’m not sure if Lucas was one of them.

They were just too fast!

But even though my glance was brief, the moment was exhilarating.

Is it July yet?

E-mail Sports Writer Erin Lawley elawley@napanews.com or call 256-2212.