Memorium

Rest in Peace

Tree Falls on Bike Trail, 02-09-2012

Whitewater River Trail just east of Cathedral Canyon Dr.
Today's ride: 31 1/2 miles, Da Vall Loop + Indian Canyons, http://connect.garmin.com/activity/148320176

Desert Surfing & Chimney Climbing, 02-08-2012

Today's ride: 26 miles, Snow Creek Village Out-and-Back, http://connect.garmin.com/activity/148105732
Cool clear morning with barely a breeze, went out to Snow Creek Rd.  I was at the turn around point of a very nice ride at the top of the village when a car approached and stopped with the driver indicating she wanted to talk to me.  When I stopped, she pointed a camera at my face and took my photo, then proceeded to tell me I couldn't ride there and that if I did she would call the police.  I told her that for the location the sheriff would be more appropriate and that I would wait there with her for them to come if she wanted.  I told her I didn't think they would think I was a high priority.  We didn't like each other's attitude and she finished up by telling me "You are an old man who never grew up."  I like to think that maybe she is right about that.

1,000 Palms Canyon Wash, 02-02-2012

Photo facing north, taken from Ramon Rd. just east of 1,000 Palms Canyon Rd.
Today's ride: Washington Loop, 42 1/2 miles, http://connect.garmin.com/activity/146640933

Po-a-tree in Death, 1-31-2012

Beautiful even as it dies.  Victim of recent windstorm.  Francis Steven's Art Center.
Today's ride: Hermit's Bench, out-and-back.

Power to the People, 01-26-2012

New utility pole next to Varner Rd. just east of Date Palm.
Today's ride: Varner - Monterey - Country Club Loop.

Memorium

Mountain View south of Dillon, Desert Hot Springs.

Safest Road in the Desert, Palm Drive, 01-25-2012

Palm Dr. is closed between Vista Chino and I-10 as Edison replaces the wooden utility poles with metal poles.  The wooden poles were damaged in last Saturday's wind event.
Today's ride: Palm Drive - 20th - Mountain View - Dillon - Indian.

Aftermath, A Windy Day in Palm Springs, 01-23-12

Two days ago Palm Springs got hit with high winds... the photos show some of the aftermath.  My house was relatively lucky.. lost one grapefruit tree and one of our two awnings blew into our swimming pool.
Today' ride: Hermit's Bench, out-and-back.

First Ever Trail Ride on The Whitewater River Trail to the Salton Sea

 Kurt, Gary and Gary at the end of the ride.

 Bird nests with the Salton Sea in the background.

Birds against the Salton Sea and Sky.
Today's ride: 18.62 miles on the Whitewater River Trail from Indio to the Salton Sea on mountain bikes.  This may be the first time anyone has done this.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yopes/sets/72157628871671827/
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/141637344

Fixer Upper, Great Location, 01-12-2012

Today's ride: 17 1/2 miles, Hermit's Bench, out-and-back,
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/141158373

Varner Rd. Looking West, 01-11-2012

Today's ride: 35 miles, Palm Desert Civic Center Loop,
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/140872145

Asleep in the Whitewater Wash, a Man and His Bike, 01-09-2012

Today's ride: 27 miles, Varner - Bob Hope Loop, http://connect.garmin.com/activity/140349627

Road Hazard, 01-06-2012

Today's ride: 32 miles.  My bike has been in the shop for over a week waiting on a replacement left crank arm.  I was finally able to climb back into the saddle this morning.  The planned ride was Varner out to Bob Hope then to the Indian Canyons.  Once I topped the hill on Varner just east of Date Palm I ran over the broken pad lock (pictured).  It somehow caught on my tire and flew up knocking my rear left brake pad off kilter locking up my rear wheel, bringing me to an unplanned fast stop.  I was able to get the bike rideable to get back home and fix it, finishing up with a ride to the Indian Canyons.  I was lucky I didn't fall, lucky no damage was done to the rim or the bike.  Bottom pic of Mt. San Jacinto taken from where my bike made its unscheduled stop.

Letter to the Editor,The Desert Sun, January 1, 2012

My bike is in the shop waiting for a new crank arm, so instead of bike riding I am bike writing.