Incight Handcycles 09-29-2013

 Some of Incight's handcycles lined up for test riding after spending the summer at Incight's Portland Office.

 Gary helping Incight get the handcycles tuned and ready to ride.

Terry fixing a tire.  Thanks to Terry for hauling a trailer full of handcycles from Portland back to their home in the desert.

 Gary test riding one of the handcycles.
Incight's Joy in Mobility: https://www.facebook.com/JoyInMobility

Nice Tail, 09-28-2013

 North bound Hiway 111, just north of Overture Dr.

Looking north on Hiway 111, just south of Overture Dr.  It was a beautiful, windless morning with an early fall feel in the air.  Summer may finally be over?
Today's ride 24 1/2 miles Snow Creek Village, out-and-back, http://connect.garmin.com/activity/382533911 .

Hawk, 09-27-2013

 Hawk on Los Alamos Rd. between Ramon Rd. and Dinah Shore

 $Five on Rattler Rd. between Ramon Rd. and 30th St.

Whitewater Wash Crossing at Frank Sinatra Dr.
Today's ride: 25 1/2 miles, Los Alamos Rd. Loop. http://connect.garmin.com/activity/382050596 .

Lake Tahoe Ironman Competition 09-22-2013

 Swimmers beginning their 2nd lap on the 2.4 mile swim.  Air temp when they first got in the water was 29 degrees at an elevation of about 7,000 feet.  The race leaders are already out of the water and on their bikes when this photo was taken.

 2,500 bicycles waiting for the riders in the bike transition area.

 Some of the race leaders beginning the 112 mile portion of this competition.

This is the end point of the 26.2 mile marathon portion of the race.  Photo taken on the day after, as all roads were closed so I was unable to see the running portion of this event.

Skatin' Tim, 09-19-2013

Tim riding his board on Rattler.  My GPS put his speed at 17 mph.

Living Dunes, 09-19-2013

 38th St. between Varner and Washington.

Washington between Ramon and Varner.
Today's ride: 37 miles, Washington Loop, http://connect.garmin.com/activity/378089525 .

Larry of Palm Springs, 09-17-2013

Larry on a morning commute.  Physically fit at 60 years old.
Today's ride: 18 miles, Araby Wash Loop, http://connect.garmin.com/activity/377222121 .

Jim of Sun City, 09-14-2013

Jim has reported that he is now a card carrying old person with a Medicare Card to prove it.  This photo taken at corner of Da Vall and Gerald Ford.
Today's ride: 32 miles, Cook Loop, http://connect.garmin.com/activity/375543974 .

Confessions of a Cyclist

I admit it.  As a cyclist I don't always follow the rules of the road.  The above photo is an example.  It is looking north on the Date Palm I-10 Overpass that is under construction.  Rather than stay on the restricted roadway, I rode around the barriers on the closed section so that I could be away from car traffic, which made for a considerably safer crossing.  Further down the road, the shoulder ends on the north-bound lane. There exists a wide shoulder on the south-bound side and against the "rules of the road" I crossed over and rode north on the shoulder facing oncoming traffic, which is much safer than if I had stayed on the north-bound lane.  The first five stop signs I came to on today's ride I rode through without stopping, since there were no motorists in sight.  If no one saw me, did I do wrong?  Did it even happen?

When I am in traffic I am respectful toward motorists and obey the "rules of the road."  My own safety is of prime importance to me.  I know that if I make a mistake or a driver makes a mistake it could be deadly for me and most likely just an inconvenience for the motorist.  The above photo is looking south on Cook toward the intersection with Dinah Shore.  Note the two right turn lanes ahead, the first into the strip mall and the second at the intersection.  This is a common route for me as a cyclist and a place where I often experience rude and dangerous motorists.  Some drivers don't seem to understand that by the rules of the road, if I am going straight, I use the through lane and not the right hand turn lanes.  I get to stay to the right of the through lane allowing drivers going straight to pass me on my left and drivers turning right to pass me on the right. Often it is the right turn drivers that can't seem to figure out how to pass me on the right from their own lane and feel it is best to pass me on the left and then cut in front of me causing me to jam my brakes, as they yell obscenities at me and/or honk their horn.  I could go on about the rudeness of some motorists and their dangerous ways.  The reason for this discourse is to make the point that it isn't always about the cyclist being the cause of problems on the roads, we are just the ones who pay the most when things go wrong. Drivers... sometimes it is worth considering taking your foot off the gas for just a moment when passing cyclists and if you are hauling a trailer wider than the vehicle you are driving, then remember to give a wider berth to cyclists.

Cherie, Running the WRT, 09-12-2013

Cherie is an amazing long distance runner.  in photo she has just crossed the washed out Whitewater River Trail crossing in Rancho Mirage.
Today's ride: 29 miles, Bob Hope Loop, http://connect.garmin.com/activity/374600661 .

Gate Art, 09-12-2013

Beautiful and unique gate on Peterson Rd. in Rancho Mirage.

Paul of Palm Springs, 09-08-2013

Paul on Snow Creek Rd.  I got to see and speak with Carol and Chops on this morning's ride.  Always a pleasure.... Carol has been dealing with mud overflows on the road and Chops is rehabing his yard after raccoons went on a grub hunt tearing it up.
Today's ride: 25 1/2 miles, Snow Creek Village, out-and-back, http://connect.garmin.com/activity/372665090 .

CJ of Palm Springs, 09-06-2013

 CJ, a local triathlete, on a morning training ride.  Photo taken at the Belardo Bridge by the Tahquitz Creek crossing.

The Palm Canyon Wash, looking south from the Bogert Trail Bridge.  The Palm Springs' Indian Canyons are closed due to road, trail and bridge flooding.
Today's ride: 19 miles, Palm Canyon Wash Loop, http://connect.garmin.com/activity/371485268 .

Got Goats, 09-04-2013

Goats on Desert Cove Ave., Rancho Mirage.  Who would guess that there is a goat herd living in Rancho Mirage?  Even though we had never met before they seemed happy to meet me.
Today's ride: 32 miles, Monterey Rd. Loop,  http://connect.garmin.com/activity/370533705 .