Thank you Joel's Bike Shop, 1,000 Palms, 03-31-11

Today I stopped in at Joel's Bike Shop to ask about a mechanical bike problem I have been experiencing lately.  Under severe stress, my chain would sometimes slip when it is was on the small chainring and the low end cassette gears.  On steep inclines, locked into the pedals, having the chain slippage is potentially dangerous, if not extremely annoying.  In less than 15 minutes bike mechanic, Kevin, had tuned my deraillers, lubed my cables and chain and had trued my rear wheel which had had a slight wobble.  Thanks Kevin!  Thanks Joel's! Very nicely done....

Photo: Background Mt. San Jacinto and blow sand fence in foreground, taken from Date Palm Rd. north of the I-10.
Today's ride: 23 miles, Ramon - Varner - Vista Chino Loop.

Snakes Are Out, 03-29-11

This poor critter's life came to an end on northbound Highway 111 north of the Tram Road.

Today's ride: 26 miles out-and-back to Snow Creek Village and then up the Desert Water Agency Road to just short of where it meets the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) coming off of Mt. San Jacinto.

Palm Springs Indian Canyons, 03-25-11

Today's ride: 18 miles out-and-back to Hermit's Bench.  Beautiful cool morning ride with raindrops blowing down from the clouds over the mountain along the Indian Canyons Road.

Mouse with Ants, Monterey north of Gerald Ford, 03-24-11

Today's ride: 31 miles, Vista Chino - Varner - Monterey - Country Club Loop, cool and windy, very fast ride down (east) Varner.

In Memory of Veteran & Police Officer, Jermaine Gibson

Today's ride dedicated to Jermaine Gibson, two tour Iraq War veteran with Purple Heart and a Cathedral City Police Officer, died Friday, 03-18-11 while on duty serving our community.

Nels Femrite, Palm Springs Indian Canyons' Artist, 03-22-11

Today's Ride: 18 mile out-and-back to PS Indian Canyons.  Photo is of Nels Femrite, professional artist, "Landscapes and Portraits, 760-346-9800."  His pre-painting sketch was very good, capturing the Palm Canyon Stream meeting with the West Fork of Palm Canyon Stream.

Citrus Blossoms, 03-18-11

I didn't even make it out of my driveway before I took my first photo of the day.  The smell of citrus blossoms are heavy in the air and the bees are humming.

New Prickly Pear Growth, 03-18-11

Photo taken in parking lot of the Palm Springs Desert Museum.
Today's ride: 19 mile out-and-back to PS Indian Canyons. Beautiful warm morning ride.

Spring Flowers on Date Palm Dr. south of Varner, 03-16-11

Today's ride: 27 miles, Varner - Monterey - Frank Sinatra Loop.  Beautiful overcast, breezy, warm morning.

Flying High in Palm Springs, 03-13-2011

Fixed wing activity on the landing zone on Caballeros across from the PS Convention Center.

Lighter than air activity provided by Ray and Kevin of "Go Blimps," 530-448-9049.

Andreas Canyon, 03-08-11

Today's ride: 18 mile out-and-back to PS Indian Canyons.  Another beautiful morning ride.

Greening of the Coachella Valley, 03-06-11

Cyclist Gary checking out the valley with Mt. San Jacinto in the background.  The greening is due to our fall and winter rains and is beginning to flower.  It will be short lived with the hot desert late spring coming on fast.  Today's ride: 35 miles, Varner - Cook - Ford and home.

Palm Springs Cyclist, 03-03-11

Met up with this rider in the south canyon area of Palm Springs... pretty cool rig.  Today's ride: 37 miles: Ramon - Varner - Date Palm, then to PS Indian Canyons.

Afternoon in the Canyons, 03-01-11

Today's ride: 17 1/2 mile out-and-back to Hermit's Bench in the PS Indian Canyons. 
Last Sunday I wore myself out chasing Kurt for 40 miles on the Varner-Ramon-Washington Loop.  Weather is beautiful, clear, cool with snow on the mountains.  This time of year everyday is a "Palm Springs Weekend."