Watch for the upcoming two day event, Tour de Palm Springs, on Friday and Saturday, February 8th and 9th. The event was started to promote having fun while pedaling a bicycle through our Valley with its gorgeous mountain views, in the balmy 70 degree sunny winter weather for which Palm Springs is known. At the same time, bikers each year are volunteering to raise money for local charities.
The first Tour de Palm Springs began in 1998 with just over 300 riders. That first year offered cyclists a choice of four courses – the 5,15, 25, and 50 mile rides. Founder Tim Esser chose to use the event to launch a personal ride which took him from Palm Springs all the way to Jacksonville, Florida over a period of 30 days and many challenges. Last year, Tim’s challenge ride was to the Grand Canyon.
Today, the Tour hosts nearly 8,000 riders of all ages and abilities, and a “century” ride of 100 miles has been added, to offer five choices of routes. The schedule of events includes a two day Expo of bike related apparel and equipment, and a Pasta Dinner on the eve of the races with music, entertainment, and raffle prizes.
According to Tour de Palm Springs sources, this event was recognized by the Coachella Valley Desert Business Association in 2001 as the “Best Event in the Valley”, even competing with the Bob Hope PGA Tournament, the Dinah Shore LPG, the Skins Game, and the Tennis Masters Series. Wow!
To read about the harrowing details of Tim’s first ride, to register yourself to ride in the event, or to see the routes so that you can cheer the cyclists along the way, go to Tour de Palm Springs for full details.