Got the Tour De Palm Springs invite:
TDPS


Last year, this was my first ride with other riders.
Where I started riding. Rode a Torker Skookum mtb
I did the 26 mile one, should've done the 50 mile ride. But had no clue what to expect.
Last year it was a leisurely ride thru Palm spring on a nice hot sunny day. Meet lots of good folks.
(Wearing an Alaska jersey I got a few "Sarah" comments)

Have heard horror stories in past event about the wind, hope to not experience that.

If I can be there this year, will do the 50 mile ride.
Have thought about the 100 miler , but never rode over 62 miles.
Not sure how the body will do.
Have a little better bike for it this time. If I can get me & it there ??? Sirrus elite carbon (Flatbar road bike.)

Anyone else riding in it.?
How are the hills on the 50 mile part?
What avg speed do yo need to do the 100 mile ?

I rode it a couple of years ago on a SS Cannondale Mountain Bike. I did the Hundred in 6 hours and 22 minutes. It was extremely windy in the beginning. So much so, I saw women and kids literally lifted up and blown into the sand dunes. At least they had a soft landing. Seeing everybody leaned over 45 degrees into the wind was a sight I'll never forget. I went seven miles in the first hour. A couple of miles before the first Water stop the road turned around and there was a tail wind for the next forty miles. For me the hills were brutal but there was no way I was going to step off my bike. I had changed my pedals with my old road bike and had rode for three weeks clipped in. It made a huge difference. The fifty mile goes on the same route as the Hundred until you get to the top of Desert Hot Springs. From my vantage point it looked like a straight long downhill glide back into Palm Springs. To go the full Century you continue on from the top of Desert Hot Springs thru some rolling terrain that was not that bad. You spend some time on level ground cruising around the Date Palms above Salton Sea. Then you ride back up to Palm Springs in wind shadow of the mountains. I got lost once while chatting up a Gal rider but only for a block. I suggest going for the full Century as it is a bucket list item for most. If you are not feeing it you can always just glide downhill back into town on the 50 mile turnoff.

Over 60, so yea, a Century ride is definitely on the bucket list.
The route does seem to have several bailout spot to head back downtown if needed.

Like you , if I start, my nature will make me push to finish. You'd think by now I'd have outgrown that stuff.

Am 60/40 for dong the 100, Maybe 60/30 now.
Gonna try to get there a week or so before the ride to tune & tone up

Have done it every year for the last six years. They flattened it out a bit for this year turning on Dillion at the top of the climb so the fifty should be easy. The wind is in the morning and not bad once you make the turn after the climb. I am still recovering after surgery and can't get on the road bike till the last week of December so I may have to cut back to the 50 till I see how tired I get. They have moved it up to January 23 from February 13th this year so I will have just 4 weeks to get ready for it.

Yea
3 week earlier might reduce the number of riders.
I can get to Dillon road from where I stay. All up hill though .

My wife and I have already sent in our registration so we'll be there for sure, both of us doing the 100. The 100 is really pretty easy and the support along the way is excellent so you should really be able to do it, no problem.

It's great the way the whole city seems to get behind this event! I'd recommend it unless you're the type that likes a lot of climbing.

Rick / OCRR

After looking at the new route, it seems they have cut the major uphill portion of the ride out. I had a whole grain pancake breakfast before the ride at IHOP on the South end of Palm Canyon. Don't usually eat at IHOPs but they were open early and I was hungry and didn't want to "Bonk out". Was excellent and the place had a Rider vibe. Get there early because as I left there was a line to get in. Great noisy energetic crowd. I parked by a golf course near the Start line. Again, many riders prepping for the ride. Get started at the 7 am start and you face less afternoon heat. Yes it was warm at the finish. Enjoy the applause at the finish. It took a lot out of me. I passed all the Hoopla, got in my truck and drove back to Anaheim. I didn't do a thing for two days after.....Now I know a recovery ride the next morning would have been a good idea. Just go for it!

I went from a 11-30 cassette to an 11-34 for the hills here after one 34 mile ride.
Hoping it works out. Now waiting on the longer chain.

If the hills aren't an issue, maybe I'll do the 100,
Will stop & enjoy the "Hooplaaa" to R&R , not a race for me.
More of a goal.

Will have to look the route over.

7 AM Start
this retired guys like to sleep in

Yea
The 26 mile last year was a lot of fun, just short.

Couple questions
2 water bottles?
Spare tube, spoons, patch kit ,pump, multi tool under the seat
What's a good jersey pocket food ?

Any insider tips to know ?

Two water bottles yes, I carry two tubes Dillon can be goat head city. The sag stops have spare tubes. Levers, multi tool with Allen wrenches. You don't need much food the sag stops are only 15 miles apart. They have food and electrolytes plus shot blocks. The kids will even hold your bike while you use the facilities. I even cut a tire one year and the sag stop had a spare to get me home.

2 bottles √
2 tubes √

You run slime?

I did one year, well flat attack anyway. Got a goat head on the road bike right at the start of the ride but it sealed and I made the 100 with no problem. But I cut the tire two weeks later and it took hours to clean the stuff off the frame. I have had flat attack in the MTB tires for two years.

2016 TDPS Routes link:

2700 foot climb

Routes - Coachella Los Angeles | Tour de Palm Springs

Remember that is not a steady ten percent climb. It is mostly from an area right by the start. Then the rolling terrain after Desert Hot Springs. The downhills give you momentum for the up hills. Most of this is with a downwind push. After you end up by Salton Sea the rest is a study, almost unnoticeable climb back to Palm Springs. My every other day ride has a thousand feet of climbing and it surprised me after hooked up a Garmin 20 and found out.

I am not sure it is a five percent climb. The winds on Indian and Garnet can be a beast but once on Dillon you are home free.

Rick / OCRR

Thanks
Getting the bike ready soon.
1st week of Jan I hope, if no more "life issues" get in the way

LBS will pack in a cardboard box
Gonna haul as baggage on the airline. $75