Rides near Indio, CA??

Well, don't know about specific routes, but next door in La Quinta on Sunday morning several of us will be doing the Toyota Desert Tri. (At least three of us who've posted here in the race threads are staying in Indio Saturday night, actually.) I think there's a chance that some of us might ride the course on Saturday (though there's probably a higher interest in the practice swim in the lake that afternoon). Pre-race stuff starts on Sat. at around 1pm at Lake Cahuilla if you want to come by and suss out if folks might either be riding or are local and can recommend a ride. Race website -- http://www.kleinclarksports.com/deserttriathion.html

The weather is now looking to be very comfortable and there are lots of flat highways in the desert for a ride (and some not so flat).

Edited by tcovert 2008-04-16 1:26 PM

Ditto to the race. It's just next door to Indio so you should come out.

Otherwise, I live in the area (La Quinta). Let me know what part of Indio you're going to be in and I can send you some routes. Some areas of Indio/Coachella can be dicey, but I might be able to write something out for you.

I was looking at that race. My family has plans for us on Sunday and my first Oly is the next weekend, so it may be cutting it a bit close. But it would be fun.

It looks like if I started on Washington St near the 10 and rode north to Thousand Palms Canyon Rd, took 1000 Palms to Dillon Rd, turned right and rode SE on Dillon to 38th Ave and Used 38th to get back to the start it would be about 30 miles with about 1200 feet of climbing. Have either of you rode on Dillon Rd or Thousand Palms Canyon Rd across the 10? Is it safe for bikes?

The address of where I am staying is too new for mapquest so I am getting directions and will let you know which area I will be in when I have that info.

Thanks for the help and good luck with the race,

Scott

Oops, Just checked another map and 38th doesn't connect to Dillion like it showed in the BT route creator, butit looks like there are other ways around that mght be a bit longer.

Edited by TysDad 2008-04-17 11:36 AM

Ok, we are staying near the major intersection of Jefferson and Fred Waring.

Thanks,

Scott

Scott - I know that area well. I don't want to discourage you from it, but the route you've picked is a little tough.

1 - Once you leave the Washington/I-10 area you will be without any services for a LONG time. There's basically nothing on Washington or Thousand Palms. So, carry extra tubes, extra water, extra everything.

2 - Thousand Palms is a very narrow road with little shoulder. There's not too many blind turns, but cars will definitely sneak up on you. Ride with caution

3 - Dillon is generally fine, but again, few services. As you approach I10 again, it will get busy quick - it's a popular road for big rigs and there is a casino near by, so there's relatively heavy traffic, with about half of it being huge trucks.

How About This
If you're in the I10/Washington area, start by heading south on Washington to 111 (you'll pass by Indian Wells Tennis Garden). Take a right on 111 where you'll basically be climbing for the duration.

Once on 111, you can basically choose any major road to head north to Country Club to cut your ride short OR you can wait until 111 hits Country Club. Make a right on Country Club, back to Washington. That should give you a decent ride with a fair amount of climbing, about 20 miles.

Jefferson and Fred Waring? We're practically neighbors

In that case, use Fred Waring to reach the 20 mile loop I outlined. That will turn it into about 25 for the day and let you see quite a bit of the PS valley.

Thanks! The route you outlined looks good. And thank for the heads up on the conditions of the ride I was looking at. How are the bike lans on 111 and Country Club? Do you usually hit alot of red lights?

Thanks again,

Scott

Most of 111 will have bike lanes, so will Country Club. Either way, those roads are really wide, so you should be fine with very little debris in the road way. Plus, there's a ton of cyclists out here and cars tend to give us room.

There are quite a few lights, but they are mostly timed to traffic. So, they are not annoying, but might be less than ideal if you're looking for a full-on, aero TT. But I assume that you're looking for more of an early taper ride and that route will be just fine for that.

Thats exactly what I am looking for. My plan is to due this ride early Saturday morning. I'll let you know how it went.

Thanks again for the help,

Scott

Thanks for the ride! It was great. I left this morning at 7:15 and it look just under 1.5 hours. I could not have asked for better weather. The sun was out but it wasn't hot and there was little to no wind. I hit a few red lights but not too many. A perfect last ride before my race next Sunday.

Thanks again,

Scott

Glad to hear it! Let me know when you're back out in this area and we can go ride together

Will do. And congrats on your race finish! I saw your other post, sounds like you had a great race. Wish me luck this Sunday, its my first Oly.

Scott