24tdps Emergency Rain- Updated 98FS/64WSE/50GC/25LOWES(020624CS)

1. SAG stops needed HANDWASH STATIONS in additional to port-a-potties! Horrible oversight. Everyone touching private parts and dirty toilets and then everyone grabbing food and using the spigots on the sports-drink coolers was disgusting and a recipe for a norovirus outbreak. Only the start/finish line has handwash stations and paper products. 2. The main turnaround for the 50-mile DID NOT HAVE RESTROOMS or FOOD or WATER! Nothing. Literally just a parking lot for a turnaround. Which left a long gap between restroom breaks. And being mostly city stroads, there was no way to "take a nature break" without drawing attention or breaking the law. 3. There needs to be a logo redesign before I spend money on merch again. It's nice to have a jersey from a ride, but with all due respect, the TdPS logo is so amateurish and cartoony it's just silly. My spouse saw the jersey and half-jokingly asked if they have children submit artwork each year for the logo and merchandise. I don't mind bright colors, especially since it's Palm Springs, but it just looks extremely dated and amateur. Especially for the prices. I love Palm Springs, but considering that TdPS was still registering riders the day before (my friend signed up that day) there's no way I would prepay in advance for registration again. The risk of another route change due to weather and the risk of SO MUCH WIND is just too great. (The blowing sand was torture on my eyes even with eye protection.) I'll wait it out and if the weather looks good and the route remains stable, I'll register a day or two before the ride if I do it again. No 20% early registration discount is worth risking the expense to travel there and the cost of hotels to risk another out-and-back ride to a Lowe's parking lot on busy city stroads. Kudos to the volunteers, school bands, and all the community support for their hard work. (And that meatloaf at the SAG stops was the best part of the entire event!)

Pleasant scenery, mostly flat. However, the turn around at the midpoint is not very plesant, lots of traffic, not nice surroundings, and goes over an overpass. Overall, still recommended.

Mountain views were nice. And ride was softy challenging. Wind can be an x-factor.

Even though this was a revised route due to the rain earlier in the week. The ride was quite fun . Will do it again next year.

Quite a few traffic lights. 2/3 in light city areas.

Pros: 1. As a novice century cyclist, I really appreciated that we turned onto different roads every few miles because it broke up the ride into bite-sized pieces which made it easier to accomplish. It really helped to be able to focus on getting to the next turn, and then rinse and repeat. Multiple small goals with a few milestones (i.e. SAG stops) along the way definitely made it more manageable to progress through and complete. 2. Most of the route was cyclist-friendly (with a bike lane/path). 3. Weather (temperature) was great. 4. Stocked SAG stops and supports. Cons: 1. EXTREMELY WINDY!!! It felt as if we had a constant 15-20 mph headwind the entire ride. If I decide to not attend next year’s event, this would be the reason. 2. It would be nice if there were more “pit stops” along the way. More than once, I found myself needing to empty the tank, but the next stop wouldn’t be for miles. For us novice riders (especially those with smaller bladders), that posed an issue haha. A couple port-a-potties near the midpoint of each SAG stop would’ve been great. 3. Parts of the route had poor condition roads and/or no bike lane, but it was only for a few short stints.

The Tour de Palm Springs was a century I had always wanted to ride in. I wanted to ride it for my 60th bday. Overall, the "century" (98miles) was an easy ride (it was shortened by 2miles) . Days before the ride, the route had to be changed due to rain and flooding the week prior. I was disappointed, but day of the ride the sun was shining in the low 60s. Due to the route change, there was little to no elevation. However, the wind did kicked up. My hope is in 2025 the classic original TDPS century route will be available. Any of the adjusted routes would make an enjoyable ride. Ride safe.

First 40 miles starting at 6:30 am had a tail wind, for the 98 miles of this route perhaps 35 miles was with a cross or head wind which I thought was acceptable. Great route for the Tour de Palm Springs when Dillon road is washed out due to heavy rains.

Supper windy. But probably common in the area. It was nice having police support at most stop signs.