Arrived too late to start with the leading bunch. It took a while to get through registration even though I registered online in advance. Got to within 2 miles down on the lead group by the turn around in Indio. Caught a lot off huge splinter groups and worked through them quickly to head on for the next group ahead. Outbound leg was perfect temperatures even if arm and leg warmers were needed. About 40 miles in I had to pull off a really nice and fast group to remove all the warm gear as temperatures rose into the low 80’s fast. God I love the clean air, sunshine, 90% of the roads were in really nicee condition. Police throughout the whole 100+ mile loop holding car traffic at lights and even pulling over cars that came too close to us in one group I was working my way through. Motorcycle cop pulled over 2 cars together that tries to buzz the group too close. 👁️👍🏾 Lots of well stocked aid stations with water and fruit along with all the food like stuff and toxic drinks. I stopped at the turn around one… pretty muchh everyone did. Then a couple more coming back as the heat had me drinking more water than the outbound leg. They had lots of dates! Yummy 😋 Lots of both sexes and couples on tandem which made for great drafting up to the next group on some legs of the journey. As the heat came on, the power went out in the legs. So the last 20-25 miles were just tootling along enjoying the scenery and a few conversations with riders that I found myself side by side with. Back at the finish, I forgot I still had to ride the 2-3 miles back to my car and ended my ride on Garmin and Ride With GPS. Sat and chatted with a wonderful French man waiting for his wife to arrive. He’s A hiker and she’s a cyclist! He came to support her in her escapades. We talked of European cycling life… 🚴🏾🚴🏾🦶🏽🦵🏾🫁🫀🏔️👁️💗☀️😊 Then I mounted my trusty steed and rode back to my car through some of the most beautiful neighborhood ever. Pictures attached.