Monday, June 27, 2011

Bad Driving, Palm Drive @ Whitewater Wash, 06-27-2011

Deserted car skidded backwards into the desert on west side of Palm Dr. with left-side front and rear doors left open.
I-10 Indian Avenue Crossing upgrade under construction.

Tadpoles in stream next to Split Rock, Palm Springs' Indian Canyons.
Today's ride: 33 mile loop, Indian Ave. north to Dillon, east to Palm Dr. to Indian Canyons. 

Friday, June 24, 2011

Judah, USMC, in Service to our Country, 06-24-2011

Judah on gear watch at the Palm Springs Airport traveling from 29 Palms USMC Base home to DC.  Good luck to you and all of your brothers-in-arms

Firefighters' Training Exercise, 06-24-2011

These firefighters are participating in a training exercise at the training grounds on Ramon Rd. in 1,000 Palms.
Today's ride: 36 mile loop with turn around point at Cook St. and Hovely Ln.

Hawk, 06-24-2011

This young hawk's life came to an end on Dinah Shore between Gene Autry and the bridge over the Whitewater Wash.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Stacked Roof Tiles, PS Indian Canyons, 06-21-2011

Today's ride: 17 1/2 miles out-and-back to Hermit's Bench.  A hot morning ride.  It seems summer has finally landed.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Handcycling Clinic, City of Coachella 06-18-2011




These cyclists have a variety of experience including recreational riders, competitive riders and being brand new to the sport of cycling.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Roadside Memorial, Ferrell Dr. and Tachevah, Palm Springs, 06-17-11

An un-named memorial on the southwest corner, a loving tribute from his family.
Today's ride: 22 1/2 miles small loop to hermit's Bench, Palm Springs Indian Canyons on a very warm morning.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Whitewater Channel @ Vista Chino, 06-13-2011

The Coachella Valley has an underappreciated geological feature, the Whitewater Wash also known as the Whitewater Channel. It begins in the west at the Banning Pass above 2,000 feet and courses to the southeast dropping below sea level, where it joins another underappreciated geological feature, the Salton Sea, some 60 miles to the southeast.
Our valley is a basin that collects rain runoff from the slopes of the surrounding mountains all eventually draining into the Whitewater Channel. When the wash is running with water, it causes major traffic congestion. We spend a lot of money on it. We build bridges or we do road repair at every crossing. We’ve put golf courses in it that get washed out regularly. Berms line the waterway, protecting the neighborhoods that border it.
For additional cost, roughly equivalent to the cost of two of our current I-10 freeway upgrades and using existing berms, we could build a multi-use trail connecting Palm Springs and most other valley communities to the Salton Sea, a 50+ mile linear recreational park open to young and old using any and all forms of non-motorized transportation. With an interested public it could happen.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

No Ride Day, 06-12-2011

Took the day off today, but did clean and oil the chain and I'm ready for tomorrow.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Mt. San Jacinto Painting by Terry Masters, 06-09-2011

One of three Terry Masters' paintings hanging in a storefront window downtown Palm Springs, CA
Today's ride: 23 1/2 miles, rode north to Palm Canyon Dr. and Tram Rd., then south to Hermit's Bench in the PS Indian Canyons.  Starting to get hot.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Fixing Flat Tire, Frank Sinatra Dr., 06-08-2011

 Front tire went flat on Frank Sinatra Dr. just east of Da Vall.  Fixing it went well and I was back on the road in minutes.  Today's ride: 30 miles, Vista Chino - 30th - Ramon - Monterey - Portola - Country Club Loop.
I see a lot of live ground squirrels, but this one's life ended on Dinah Shore.  It looks like ravens may have gutted it.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Jack Riding the Palm Springs Indian Canyons, 06-06-2011

I had a chance to ride along for a bit with Jack on this morning's PS Indian Canyon ride.
It is a beautiful June morning and happens to be the 67th anniversary of the allied landing at Normandy during WWII.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Bob Hope Drive Freeway Overpass, 06-05-2011

The Coachella Valley has new freeway on and off ramps under construction which will really help traffic flow.  Fot the cost of two of the overpasses the Whitewater Channel Class I bike trail could be built connecting Palm Springs to the Salton Sea.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Patrick of Team Jessup, 06-03-2011


I had the luck to meet and chat with Patrick on this morning's ride.  I've seen the Jesup Team colors often and this was my first meet up.  It is obvious that Patrick is a fan of the beautiful Palm Springs Indian Canyons road.
Today's ride: 30 miles, Vista Chino - 30th - Da Vall - Dinah Shore Loop with side trip to the PS Indian Canyons.