90 Miles, 1998 Feet Climbed, Weather-overcast/cool to begin, sunny and warm, but comfortable at the end
It looks like we’re going to have unseasonably moderate weather for a while. Today started cool, which made the major climb on highway 79 into Banning easier. We grouped up on the western border of the Morongo Tribal Reservation. Going through the reservation avoided a nasty alternative route. The tribe insisted that we go through as a group, not individually.
On a precursor climb my slow leak of yesterday returned. It appears that we didn’t get all of the shard out, just enough so that the inside of the tire was smooth to a finger swipe. The tire was fine when I left the hotel but I’m guessing the new miles eventually forced the remainder out and into the tire tube. Doug was kind enough to stop and assist with fixing it. We were the last to the SAG but at the top of the Hwy 79 climb found some others fixing another flat. So my flat didn’t impede the group’s progress.
After leaving the reservation, we rode by the Desert Premium Outlets and then to the frontage road to the south of I-10. It was nearly all downhill into Palm Springs, with a cross/tailwind combination to add to the fun. Without pedaling at all, I reached 37 mph at one point. The pavement had plenty of little up-heaves, making the ride jittery.
We entered Palm Springs via Highway 111, eventually turning to the east. I’ve been going to the area at least once a year lately and we passed by familiar landmarks, golf courses, and timeshares I’ve stayed at.
Dinner was “on our own.” The nearest to our hotel was the Fantasy Springs Casino Resort. I had dinner there with my ex-wife, Pam, and her husband, Russ. We saw several riders at the restaurant.
