We go bouldering there quite a bit - but never cycling. The roads have no shoulder, and can get pretty busy around the holidays. If you're going to be in the PS area, this is a much better ride - http://www.strava.com/activities/112340532

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Next races on the schedule: none at the moment

Overall there are only a couple of roads to and in the park. The only entry from the Palm Springs side is Cottonwood. Fairly long uphill into the park from that gate. As far as I know no water so be sure to take more than enough as it is still dry and fairly warm there. If you drive up into the park the ride out to Keys View isn't bad. Last time I was there the road wasn't in the best condition but rideable. On a nice day you can see across the Coachella Valley and beyond from Keys View.

If you drive up into the park I would say the road over to the West side of the park has more views than going East and North toward 29 Palms. Unless you want to drop down into 29 Palms, but of course you have to turn around and face about a 12 mile climb (Hwy 62 to Skull Rock or so).

http://www.nps.gov/...t/upload/jotrmap.pdf

Joshua Tree riding is awesome. If temperatures cool off have your wife drop you off in middle of park and ride back to Palm Springs via box canyon side. Rode this last March and was very memorable. Take 3 +water bottles or camel back. Visitor station on box canyon side had water and very long down hill after box canyon exit. You will end up on farm roads end return to the La Quinta side of Palm Springs which is great riding.

Few years back we rode from Joshua Tree to the northern entry gate across the park to the southern gate (the palm springs side), then back, about 112 miles. As noted above, there is no water between the two. My wife drove SAG so we had some liquids if we need. It was hot and windy, and the difficulty of the first 56 miles was eclipsed by the second 56. So if you do it the second half will be easier :) There are some offshoot roads you can take, and you can take the north eastern road out of the park to 29 palms rather than to JT.

Not sure if you are from SoCal so here are a few.

LOVE box canyon one of the best ride with little car traffic.

Agree if you get dropped off at Interstate 10/Box canyon it is about 60 miles back to PS via La Quinta, Palm Desert to PS. Long drive to get to the top of the summit, prob 45 drive from PS.

Ride One: I would drive from PS to La Quinta, park and ride to Box Canyon via Mecca to Box canyon and back, approx. 70 miles. Several gas stations along the way. Map below
Ride Two: ride from PS to the 74, climb to the fire station approx. 60 min climb, narrow emergency lane but doable.


https://www.strava.com/activities/283500176

Box Canyon Rd!

Yep, Box Canyon is great. An easy way to do it is park at the Starbucks in Mecca, and do an out and back to the Joshua Tree visitors center a few miles into the park. They have water. But it can be hot. Friends do the (long) loop and go all the way through the park counter clockwise, and love it. The rumor is there's very little traffic in the park.

If you are fighting the heat, it's popular to ride to Idyllwild from the fire station on Hwy 74, or from the junction up the road. It's cool up there and very pretty.

Also, the TdPS route above has some very fun parts. I've never met someone who didn't love to ride Dillon Rd from 1000 Palms on a TT bike.

JT from Mecca: https://www.strava.com/activities/254968313

Idyllwild: https://www.strava.com/activities/159213790