Palm Desert Weekend Ride 2009

By Michelle Kashima

Pictures

 

A total of 10 riders and 3 sag vehicles took off early Friday morning on October 16, 2009 from our start hotel at Best Western Anaheim Hills and pointed our front wheels toward Palm Desert.

 

This year we turned onto the Santa Ana River Trail from the hotel we were welcomed by no wind in our face!  We were all happy.

 

We traveled through Corona and to our first sag in Riverside before riding down beautiful Victoria Avenue.  We then climbed up Arlington and after that the long climb of Alessandro before heading into flat Moreno Valley.  Whooshed down Redlands Avenue to San Timoteo where Marcy was waiting with nice cold water and Gatorade.  From San Timoteo we encountered our first BIG signs of a really strong head wind for at least 10 miles until we turned and headed toward our lunch stop in Beaumont.

 

Lunch was a very welcome sight for all the riders, with Lee Stebbins and Jeff Rich supplying all the chef expertise in making our sandwiches (and very good I might add).  Jeff made sure the hand sanitizer and baby wipes were out and used (at the encouragement of Michelle…lol) for all those “dirty, stinkin paws.”

 

After a good lunch it was off through Banning, Cabazon (which we tried a slightly different route but won’t continue it) and then YES!!! Palm Springs.  We made our turn off highway 111 just across from the Palm Springs tram entrance.

 

From there we cruised through the back side of Palm Springs to our next and last sag stop.  Then a quick pop down highway 111 to Palm Desert and our host hotel.

 

It was hotter this year than last year so our weary group checked in, took showers and rested before heading down to the hotels private dinning area for some pizza (thanks to Lynne for picking it up), salad, wine, beer, cookies and brownies.  Six members (including the president) from Desert Bicycle Club came by with some more pizza, salad and drinks and we all had a great time.

 

Then it was off to sleep before waking up on Saturday, and for those with strong legs, i.e.:  Liz Clark and Doris Bingo (GO GIRLS!) a nice 50 mile ride with the folks at Desert Bicycle Club.  I hear all the guys drafted behind Liz and Doris all 50 miles…..Wimps!

 

All those weary legs then relaxed at the home of Bob & Evelyn Burks Saturday evening for a welcomed BBQ of hamburgers, orzo salad, fresh fruit and of course the usual beer and wine.  That is until Bob came out and offered up a little stronger elixir!  Would you believe that almost half our group ran inside to get their glasses filled!!  Party!

 

After desert of homemade carrot cake the bunch all landed in the jacuzzi with Liz and Greg Clark testing out the pool.  What a fun evening.  Thank you Bob and Evelyn for opening up your beautiful home, pool and jacuzzi to us for the second year in a row!

 

Then a good nights rest and early rise for the ride back to Best Western in Anaheim Hills, with 8 riders and 4 sag vehicles.

 

The route back is a little different by knocking out San Timoteo and a climb into Moreno Valley, opting instead for a nice long descent from Beaumont into Hemet Valley, Lake Perris and picking back up the route out in Moreno Valley heading down once again beautiful Victoria Avenue in Riverside and then our last sag stop in Corona.  After that a fairly quick stint on the Santa Ana River Trail before turning into Best Western Anaheim Hills.

 

What a great weekend!  Thanks OCW!!

 

The only expense to members on this ride was their group rate hotel rooms at the Fairfield Inn by Marriott in Palm Desert, and of course any shopping or sightseeing that was done on Saturday!!

 

You can’t ask for a better little weekend (working on your bike) vacation.

 

However without the generosity of our members help this yearly member ride would not be possible.  So I also want to thank our great sag support team:

 

Lee Stebbins – team food sag

Jeff Rich – team food sag

Marcy Vaughan – water/Gatorade sag

Lynne Billie – Photography 

Alan Vester – Sunday water/food/Gatorade sag

 

The middle of the desert is a lonely place to be unless you have the support of many!  Thanks to all.

 

Pictures to come soon!  Please check back.