Last week some friends invited me to go to Palm Springs with them. I thought, hey why not bring my bike and see what biking Palm Springs is all about?

I checked out some of the local cycling groups routes and printed them out ahead of time. I also checked on Google for the bike path activity. Saw some Type 1 bike path action (where it is off the street and protected) near the hotel I was staying at.

After kickin’ it in the hot tub the night before with my homies, we wondered why a large group of college kids appeared. Turns out it is spring break. You know you are getting old when you have no idea when it is spring break anymore. Sigh @ annoying college kids.

My sexy bike propped against the bed. Bikini already hanging to dry in the background.

I was so excited to go biking around Palm Springs that I got up an HOUR before dawn. Prepped my bike, took my thyroid meds, and napped a bit longer. Then around dawn, I got out there!

For those that don’t know Palm Springs, there is a huge mountain around it, and it’s a freakin’ desert. Like, sand and stuff desert. Here are some pics to demonstrate the beauty and desolation of Palm Springs.

Gorgeous, “fried by the sun” mountainside of Palm Springs

Sarah is not impressed with all the sand. Sand and bikes don’t mix.

More desolation

While biking along on a major street, I kept wondering where the protected bike lane was that Google promised me. I also kept noting signs for bikes on the other (read: wrong) side of the street. Why were signs pointing in that direction? That is the WRONG direction. Also, it was just a big side walk over there.

That is when I realized – the sidewalk WAS the “bike path”. FOR BOTH DIRECTIONS.

WRONG WAY, PALM SPRINGS. And this is a SIDEWALK, NOT A BIKE PATH!!!!

I was a tad confused and not very interested in biking on the sidewalk. But after some major pot holes and devious cracks in the road started to set in, I decided that maybe the sidewalk was less risky.

Bah – I felt safer on the road!!! There were people walking their dogs on the sidewalk, and in some spots the sidewalk ended and then I was stuck biking HEADFIRST into traffic! (SCARY).

More “bike path” pics

You may not know it, but Palm Springs has become THE place for gay people to go. They have an extensive gay community there; this means that Palm Springs is FABULOUS. Lots of gorgeous guys with great bodies walking around in tight clothes, and art art art.

Cool Fox Fence adds some nice color to the drab desert scenery

Ultimately, I only did about 17 miles and went back to the hotel.
And then proceeded to kick it in the hot tub.

Back to the hot tub I go!

Next time, I want to go and try to bike up to Idlywild, but I’ll have to get there before the heat kicks in and it becomes 24983274837 degrees.