I'm out in the area quite often, but stay in Indio. I'd say the Palm Springs area directly is probably not all that great, but I never ride there - I usually either start in Indio then head south to La Quinta, or drive to Lake Cahuilla and park and ride from there. Getting through Indio to anywhere is not super awesome if there is traffic. Most roads have bike lanes but not all, and when there is a lot of traffic I'm not 100% comfortable. Once down in La Quinta is much more sparse. Again, some of the roads are like butter, and others closer to marginal. They key is not to go too far south or east as it gets pretty sketchy. I've been chased by dogs and as my buddy said "your bike is worth more than those people's houses". That being said, most people give me TONS of space when passing, because there is usually nobody coming in the other direction.

You could in theory go from PS up to Dillon road, around Indio then drop back down, although that's not my favorite road and 2 cyclists were just hit there in the Tour de Palm Springs, 1 killed. And you're in the middle of nowhere, so the chances of support from a stranger are b/w slim and nil.

I've ridden in the PS area quite a few times - was just there last weekend. The best/safest riding in the area is in La Quinta, but if you are staying closer to the City of Palm Springs, Palm Desert or Rancho Mirage, that may be too far and too much traffic for you to access, so you may be better off riding east of the 10.

If you give some info about where you are staying, when you're visiting and how long of a ride you are looking for, people will probably have more suggestions.

Next week if Nevada weather is too cold. (Vegas). Open to ideas where to stay, 65 mile rides each day. If la Quinta is safer then I will go there

La Quinta is definitely the place to stay. Now how are you with group rides? I used to live there and almost everyday there is a group ride, usually leaving or passing through La Qunita. Most of them are smallish groups, except for the weekend ones that go out into the upper desert. But even those have different ability starts, so maybe that could be a possibility for you.

I dont recall the actual website that has the times and blast off locations, someone here probably does if you wish to go that way. Then you just follow!!!

Here are some rides I did:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/11783084 - There is a great hill loop around the Living Desert/Zoo that you can do laps on.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/11797000 - Fairly flat except where it kicks up on Sinatra Drive on the west side of Palm Canyon Drive.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/11789185 - Hated being on the 111 from Palm Springs back into Palm Desert because of all the driveways in/out of fast food restaurants/gas stations.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/11776375 - Sort of got lost coming out of Indio and the road south into Indio was shattered asphalt but not too long.
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/11790482 - I wouldn't venture up Pines to Palms too far because of traffic and the switch backs with minimal shoulder and sight lines BUT a good section for hill repeats up to the scenic overlook spot before the switch backs begin.


There are a lot of bike lanes. There is a cycling presence in Palm Desert area with lots of riders and most drivers are aware of that.


When planning routes, especially runs be aware that many of the roads are into gated communities, which you can't enter!!! It made for some longer runs and exploring that I hadn't intended.
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Straightenin' the curves; Flattenin' the hills
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Coached by Mike Plumb @ TriPower MultiSports
https://www.strava.com/athletes/1149072 - https://www.instagram.com/thoswoods/

@monty good info. Used to be a cat 2 racer and I ride with large groups all the time

@morecowbell - thanks for posting these I will check them out this eve and plan to ride some

Then you should definitely hook up with some of the group rides, and you get to meet some locals( well mostly Canadians) to maybe hook up with or just get some good info on things to do, places to eat, etc..

I recommend staying in La Quinta. It has everything you need and the least amount of traffic, particularly as you ride southeast. The tris in the area are all staged from Lake Cahuilla in La Quinta and ride east.

Here's the typical La Quinta-based longer ride: ride up the Cove (Avenida Montezuma), down Avenida Bermudas, right/east on Avenue 52, right on Jefferson, left on Avenue 54, right on Madison, left on 60th. This takes you past the Trilogy golf club (called Golf Club at La Quinta on the map), which is the southern boundary of La Quinta. Ride past Trilogy and take a right on Monroe and then a left/east on 62nd. Once you turn left on 62nd you will pass a bunch of working fields and you will no longer be in the part of the desert most people are familiar with. It's more rural. This is where there can sometimes be dogs that chase you, but I've never actually seen anyone get bitten. Just ride fast. From the town of Mecca, you can continue east on 66th for a climb into the Box Canyon. Not much traffic and there are views of the Salton Sea to the south. Re-fuel in Mecca on the way back.

If you want to swim, the Palm Desert Aquatic Center is a nice option.

ETA: my husband rode with one of the groups last weekend. I'll ask him which one and if it was any good.

Enjoy!

My wife and I rode with these guys when we were there this past summer. The linked cue sheets were also really nice for exploring and were pretty safe routes. The long one took us out towards joshua tree and it was really pretty cool riding.
http://www.cycleclub.com/rides/

I also did a couple of climbs up tramway while I was there
https://www.strava.com/segments/8676669

I went sight-seeing atop the Tramway and wish that I would have brought my running clothes. Not sure how long the trails are up there but the views are amazing. If anyone does venture up that way...take extra clothes regardless if you are working out or not!

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Straightenin' the curves; Flattenin' the hills
------------------------------------------------------------
Coached by Mike Plumb @ TriPower MultiSports
https://www.strava.com/athletes/1149072 - https://www.instagram.com/thoswoods/

I believe this is one of the rides I used to do every once in awhile, good group with some challenging sections where many go balls out. Then a regrouping and even a small coffee/donut break in the middle..




A-2 Ride – LA QUINTA COVE / TRILOGY RIDE
7:30 am start @ Palm Desert Civic Park
LENGTH: 45+ Miles SPEED: 20+ mph SKILL LEVEL: Advanced

 
A contigent of riders from Idaho goes down there to ride every Feb, I have been down there twice with them for a 500 mile week.

Favorite ride for me by far is Box Canyon. There are a few options, you can ride from wherever you are at to the top of Box Canyon. Or you can park in Mecca and ride up Box Canyon then go on to the ranger station in the Joshua Tree National Park, you can get water there for the return trip. We once rode all the way through the park and back but ran out of water and it got miserable.

Another fan favorite is "Tram Day" ride from wherever you are staying to the tram and ride up the nasty grade to the gate.

We usually take a day to go to Borrego and do the Montazuma climb as well, that is a fun day, cool views up at the top.

If you want to stay in town the PGA West is a nice area to ride.

We do the Tour de Palm Springs while there, decent route and not too bad traffic wise out toward the windmills. But it is a bit isolated and probably not something I would want to do solo.

Great info Ron. Do you have any of these on Strava?

https://www.strava.com/activities/494510261

https://www.strava.com/activities/496033693

https://www.strava.com/activities/497250865

https://www.strava.com/activities/492890706