Class 2 Bike Lane Country Club Dr. facing west, one of many safe cycling routes in the Coachella Valley

The Coachella Valley has many bike lanes.  A problem is that they are somewhat haphazard and aren't always interconnected.  The main business route through the valley is Highway 111, which, in its entirety is a dangerouse route for cyclists.  The valley is great for recreational riding, but not always safe for commuting.  The Coachella Valley Community Trails Alliance (CVCTA) is dedicated to bike safety and safe routes including the creation of a Class 1 route cross-valley connecting Palm Springs and the Salton Sea by way of the Whitewater Channel.   Visit their website for information and a digital map of the existing bike routes: http://www.cvcta.org/.

Handcyclist Enjoying a Downhill Run

Photo of Fred Elliott, a frequent visitor to the Coachella Valley and a strong handcyclist rolling at speed down the Andreas Hill in the Palm Springs Indian Canyons.  Using just upper body strength to climb the hill is an amazing feat all by itself and Fred does it regularly.

Road Kill, Indian Canyons 02-28-09

A beautiful little creature posed in death.  I believe it is a kangaroo rat?

My Best Bike Photo Ever

Palm Springs Indian Canyons near the end of the best 2 1/2 miles of road in the desert.  $8 per person per visit or $45 for a 6 month pass or $75 for an annual pass.

Incight's Joy in Mobility Handcycling Team (www.Incight.org)

Taking a break on a team training ride: left to right on handcycles, "Pops" Carter and "Hotwheels" Sanchez,  left to right on the curb, Johnathan Hernandez and Eduardo Macias.

My View After the Ride

June through October in the Coachella Valley is hot.  The best rides are early in the morning and this is the view I have at the end of my rides cooling it in the backyard pool.

Palm Springs Indian Canyons 05-06-10

My favorite rattlesnake photo.  It looks healthy and well fed.

Bob & Jim in the Tour de Palm Springs 2006

This picture is of Bob Tyra (on the left) and me riding the first leg of the 100 mile TdPS.  Unlike most of the riders in the 100 mile ride who finish in one day, Bob and I take two years to complete 100 miles.

Lame Duck

Today's Ride, 06-22-10, 25 mile loop, came across this scene on the Dianah Shore Bridge over the Whitewater Wash.  A cyclist and a Cathedral City Police Officer tending to an obviously hurt and upset duck, apparently waiting for Animal Control.  Good samaritans in action.

An Ant an a Foxtail

Today, 06-20-10 was a 19 mile out and back.  I was slowly grinding my way up a steep hill when I saw this foxtail making its way across the road in the jaws of an ant.

Mt. San Jacinto, north face from old highway 02-04-06

Cycling is more than just a bike ride.

The largest muscles in the body

push a pair of eyes through space.

Highway 111 looking north to Mt. San Gorgonio and the Windfarms

06-19-10, Today's 26 mile Ride:  rode north on Highway 111 until the wind turned me around, then 3/4 mile up Tram Road to the 1,000 foot elevation sign, then south on 111 to Hermit's Bench in the Indian Canyons, then home.  Some of the Smoketrees are thick with their dark purple blossoms accompanied by the hum of hundreds of bees.  My point-and-shoot camera can't capture the color of the Smoketree blossoms properly.

In Memory

I ride with a decal of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade patch in memory of the men I served with.  Of the more than 58,000 Americans who died during the Vietnam War, 754 served with the 199th.  It will always be my honor and privilege to have known some of them.

Memorial Day 2009

The Traveling Wall, a 1/2 size replica of the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial a.k.a. The Wall, has made at least 4 visits to the Coachella Valley.  Another visit is scheduled fairly soon for Desert Hot Springs.  On those occasions when the Traveling Wall is in the valley I visit it frequently.

Today's Ride 06-17-10

Palm Springs 33 1/2 mile loop with side-trip out to the Indian Canyons.  Vista Chino, Date Palm, Varner, Ramon, Bob Hope, Dinah Shore, worked way south to Indian Canyons, then home near Ruth Hardy Park.  Fast ride down Varner, 30+ mph, with strong tailwind.  No really safe ways for cyclists into or out of Palm Springs, except what exists of the slow Whitewater Channel Trail: the only road routes are Highway 111, Dianh Shore, Ramon, Vista Chino and parts of all have no marked bike trail and are close to fast moving traffic.