Success!!!

First day of serious hill climbing

Monday 13^rd May, 2019

Day 3

Location: Riverside to Palm Springs to Indio, CA

Distance: 99 miles

Temp: 60 F morning marine cloud to 92 F sunny in desert

Cumulative climbing distance: 3133 ft

9 hr 20 min

 

Today was at day of varied weather and terrain.  But the main memory is hill climbs 

 

Started in Riverside with cool cloudy marine air and ended in the desert heat in Indio (20 miles east of Plan Springs).  Great morning for biking but a 3 mile hill climb during the first 45 min set the stage for the 8 mile continuous grade hill climb at mid day.  Able to bike the entire stage distance,  Judi biked about half.

 

 

 

 Nearing the summit on the 8 mile hill climb.

Typical SAG wagon stop. Usually 2 per day. Much food and bike adjustments or repairs, if needed.  Offers opportunity to share daily stories, bathroom break and to recharge.

 

 

  Again many flat tires.  Judi had her second today

 

  Huge dairy operations.  Cows basically in feed lots.  No grass pastures.

  Starting 8 mile long hill climb on divided 4 lane highway.

 

 

  Huge windmill farms just west of Palm Springs.

 

Today briefly on entrance - exit ramp of I-10.  Tomorrow basically the entire day riding on the shoulder of the freeway across the desert.

  Judi at 26 mph down a 5+ mile grade into Palm Springs with a 20+ mph tailwind.

  Main street in Palm Springs.

Arriving in Indio via residential streets.

Day ended with steak dinner at local Indian casino.  Too exhausted to think about any gambling.


Tomorrow 98 mile mainly spent I-10 thru the eastern California desert with about 99 F temp.