Cyclists Atop Hermit's Bench Hill Climb, 04-30-2011

Local cyclists enjoying the Palm Springs' Indian Canyon's Road.

Snowy Mt. San Jacinto Peak, 04-27-2011

Photo from Tipton Rd. north of Palm Springs.
Today's ride: 24 miles out-and-back to Whitewater.
Yesterday's ride: 40 miles Vista Chino- 30th - Bob Hope - Country Club Loop with side trip to PS Indian Canyons.

Letter to the Editor,The Desert Sun, April 24, 2011

I was saddened to read that another local cyclist was hit and killed by a car while riding local streets. Cycling deaths by car occur too frequently in the Coachella Valley. Our valley’s climate and topography are a perfect setting for bicycle commuters and recreational cyclists, except for the fact that the streets and roadways have not been designed to accommodate cycling in any meaningful or coordinated way. Tourism is an important component of our economy. Our country needs to reduce fossil fuel consumption. There exists a current emphasis on healthy living. Our streets are not safe for cyclists. Why aren’t our local leaders working together to develop the already planned and long envisioned Whitewater Channel Multiuse Trail connecting Desert Hot Springs to Palm Springs and to other cities east to the Salton Sea? The Whitewater Trail would reduce contacts between bicycles and cars resulting in a safer and healthier community. Building the trail, along with low cost and easy steps for promoting safe cycling i.e. “share the road” signage, shoulder striping on the roadways, etc., has the potential to create more jobs, promote health, reduce pollution and be another draw for family friendly tourism.

King of the Hill, 04-23-2011

Three cyclists climbing the Andreas Hill in the Palm Springs Indian Canyons.

Tahquitz Creek Flowing Under the Camino Real Pedestrian Bridge, 04-21-2011

Today's ride: 27 miles.  Vista Chino - 30th - Da Vall Loop.

Cactus Flower, 04-20-2011

Today's ride: 32 miles.  Vista Chino - 30th - Da Vall Loop plus Palm Springs Indian Canyons.

Palm Springs Cahuilla Indian Pony, 04-19-2011

Cahuilla Reservation, south Palm Springs, CA

Bob Riding the Palm Springs Indian Canyon Road, 04-14-2011

Palo Verde in Bloom, 04-13-2011

Today's and yesterday's ride: Indian Canyons, 20 miles and 19 miles out-and-back respectively.

Whitewater Channel Multi-use Trail, 04-09-11

Photo of trail between Country Club Dr. and Frank Sinatra Dr.  Today's ride: 28 1/2 miles, Vista Chino - Varner - Monterey Loop.  Another beautiful cool day with a second day of new snow on the mountains.

New Snow Up There, 04-08-11

Today's ride: my favorite 18 mile out-and-back to Hermit's Bench in the PS Indian Canyons.  I did the ride yesterday and it was so warm I encountered a rattlesnake on the road.  Today it was so cold coming down the road from Hermit's Bench that my fingers are still cold as I type this.  An absolutely beautiful morning....

Rattlesnake, 1st of 2011 Season, 04-07-11

Found this healthy critter on the side of the road in the Palm Springs Indian Canyons.  My first sighting this season.

Field of Verbena at an old corral, one block east of Date Palm off of Dinah Shore.  I remember when the desert would sometimes be covered with Verbena.  It seems those days may be over?

Palo Verde in full bloom, PS Indian Canyons.

Today's ride: 32 miles; Vista Chino - Da Vall - Dinah Shore Loop with side trip to the PS Indian Canyons.

Palm Springs Commuter, 04-05-11

Palm Springs' South Canyons' Area, 04-05-11

Photo looking south-south east from the top of the road that goes to the entrance to Tahquitz Canyon.  The Santa Rosa Mountains are in the far background.
Today's ride: 20  miles out-and-back to PS Indian Canyons.

Mesquite Country Club, Palm Springs, CA, 04-03-11

Today's ride: 32 miles with Gary.  Very windy and dusty ride out Vista Chino - 30th - Da Vall and then back to the beautiful Indian Canyons where there was barely a breeze.