Memorial Day, Desert Memorial Park, May 30, 2011

Today's ride: 22 mile out-and-back to Desert Memorial Park.  USMC veteran bikers at today's Memorial Day Service in Cathedral City.

Dead Duck, 05-26-2011

East of Da Vall, east-bound Ramon Rd.
Today's ride: 29 miles, Vista Chino - 30th - Ramon - Bob Hope - Country Club - Morningside Loop.

Banded Sand Snake, 05-23-2011

This little snake's life ended on Tachevah Dr. near Farrell.
Today's ride: 30 1/2 miles, Vista Chino - 30th - Da Vall - Hiway 111 Loop with side trip to Palm Springs Indian Canyons.

Hands Free, No Shoes, Singing and Legally Blind, 05-22-2011

Today was my first encounter with Chris Vargo, http://www.chrisvargo.com/vision.php.  I was by the side of the road chatting with Duke when Chris passed by riding with no hands, barefoot and singing.  I had the chance to ride with him for a bit.  Turns out he is also legally blind and was on his way to hike Palm Canyon barefoot. Amazing!
Today's ride: 21 miles out-and-back to Hermit's Bench in the Palm Springs Indian Canyons.

Signs of Troubled Times in Palm Springs, 05-22-2011

People lined up early on a Sunday morning at a Food Bank in Palm Springs... not the image one usually associates with when thinking about Palm Springs, California.

Cactus Wrens and then a Rattlesnake, 05-20-2011

See if you can find three or more Cactus Wrens in this photo.  Their nest is clearly visible in the center of the cactus.

This snake was warming himself on the side of the road just past Split Rock in the Palm Springs Indian Canyons.
Today's ride: a quick 17 1/2 miles out-and-back to Hermit's Bench.

Pilot & Copilot, Alan & Rudy, 05-18-2011

 Rudy has started to walk with a limp, so Alan has bought this rig so that they can still go out and about.

Beautiful cool morning for a Mid-May day, some fat cool rain drops falling and dampened roads in the Palm Springs Indian Canyons, Andreas palms at the mouth of Andreas Canyon under the cover of clouds with rain/snow flurries at higher altitudes.

Dangerous Spot of Road, Palm Springs, 05-14-2011 and a Thank You for Palm Springs Cyclery

South-bound Sunrise on the Tahquitz Creek Bridge at South Riverside Dr., striping and lane bumps guide cyclists into the traffic lane.
Today's ride: 19 miles out-and-back to Hermit's Bench, Palm Springs Indian Canyons.
Two days ago on my rear rim fractured.  I took the wheel into Palm Springs Cyclery where I bought the bike almost 5 years ago.  Turns out the wheel was still under warranty, the wheel was ordered and came in yesterday and I was able to ride today and the only cost was for new rim tape.  Thank you Palm Springs Cyclery for your excellent service.  Much appreciated.

Bicycle Found Dead, Hanging in Garage, 05-13-2011

My rear Bontrager Select Rim fractured during yesterday's ride.  I'll be out of the saddle for awhile.

Dinosaurs in the Desert, 05-12-2011

Mt. San Jacinto from West Garnet Road.
Today's ride: 24 1/2 miles, Indian Ave. - West Garnet Rd. - Hiway 62 - Dillon - Palm Dr. Loop. 

Best Section of Class 1 Bike Trail in the Valley, 05-11-2011

This short section of the Whitewater Channel Multiuse Trail through Palm Springs is the prettiest traffic free ride in the valley.  It is on the southern edge of the Tahquitz Creek Country Club between Gene Autry Dr. and Farrell Dr.  The stream in the photo is Tahquitz Creek.  To the left, the south side of the trail, is the Araby Wash.
Today's ride: 32 miles, Vista Chino - 30th - Da Vall - Dinah Shore Loop with side trip to Hermit's Bench.

B-52s at O'Donnell Golf Course, 05-07-2011

Today's ride: 19 mile out-and-back to the Palm Springs' Indian Canyons.  A stage is being set up at the O'Donnell Country Club.  there is to be a sold-out B-52's Concert tonight.  With the 10,000 foot Mt. San Jacinto mountain back-drop, even though I live about a mile away, I should be able to hear the concert from home.

Crash Tommy, 05-01-2011

Crash Tommy, 73 year old, ex-mountain bike racer. If he ever decides to let go of his fat-tired, soft-tail mountain bike and trade it in for a road bike, there will be only a few on the roads who can stay in his slipstream.  Nice meeting you today Tom.

Last Landing, Da Vall Rd., Rancho Mirage, 05-01-2011

Canadian Goose north-bound side of the road across from Marywood -Palm Valley School.
Today's ride: 36 miles, Vista Chino - Varner - Washington - Country Club Loop