Tour de Palm Springs 2/9/2013

Driving into Palm Springs on the 8th and it was snowing in Beaumont.  We looked at each other and said, "Wouldn't it be nice to NOT see snow on the way to a ride?"   If we said it was cold when we arrived in Palm Springs that would be understatement.  We found our way to the street fair and packet pick up.  It was amazing to see so many people buying warm clothes for the ride.  The idea that the desert is a warm and welcoming place is only true in summer, in winter it's warmer than other places but it is still very cold in the mornings.  

After an excellent dinner at Fisherman's Market and Grill (http://www.fishermans.com)  fish tacos for Kathy and fish and chips for Keith, we headed back to the hotel to warm up and get some rest.   (We recommend the Fisherman's Market and Grill, excellent fresh fish!)

Saturday mornings temperature was 39 with a feels like of 35.  Adrenaline is your friend with those temps!  We bundled up like we did last month and rode the half mile to the 6:30 start.  

The start line was full of like minded Century riders, some in shorts! (Yes, we were wondering what the hell they were thinking!)  The High School Band played us out to the Theme from Rocky.  Thanks to the Palm Springs Police Department for directing traffic or more to the point stopping traffic so we didn't have to.   (Sorry the picture is blurry, shaking hands from the cold) 

Here's the route we took

It started out cold and once we made it out of town the wind picked up to be about 7-10 knots.  7-10 doesn't seem like much but it  was strong enough to push the bike and it made standing while climbing not the safest choice. The biggest challenge in cold and wind is staying hydrated.  It's not like it's hot and you're thirsty, you're not.   In the first 48 miles we went through 3 bottles, not great but not bad.  (Our only SAG stop was at the mid point to refill and refuel, nothing like a PB & J to get you to 100 miles!)  The good news is it warmed up enough for us switch to lighter weight full finger gloves around mile 75. 

The Tour is actually several rides. 100, 55, 25, 15, 10, 5, 1.  We saw a lot of disabled athletes including many blind stokers riding with the sited captains on tandems, athletes with mobility issues on recumbent cycles,  families out with their young kids all having a great time.  There were also more tandems on this ride then the other rides we've participated in.   When we were near the end all of these rides converged and that was a bit challenging.  Nothing like saying, "On your left" and having riders move left and come way too close to knocking you off your bike.  

The great thing about Tour de Palm Springs is the volunteers! Enthusiastic beyond words.  They actually thanked us for riding!  The school bands were at every SAG stop, even when we didn't stop we could hear them playing.  The High School cheerleaders were at the finish line cheering us on.  

5 hours and 45 minutes after we started we finished! If you're keeping track, like we are that's 30 minutes faster than last month in Ocotillo! 

Next month it's Solvang!

Onward we roll!