2020
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Looking for an unforgettable bike ride taking in the breathtaking views of Palm Springs? Vacation Bicycling has got you covered!
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Take in the Joshua Tree National Park areas by bicycle! This unforgettable experience will stay with you for a long time.
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Unpack only one time! We stay at the same hotel for the entire bicycle tour. Each room is a spacious suite featuring a separate living area and fully equipped kitchen.
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On your first day arrive to the warm weather and natural scenery that has made the Palm Springs area a world-renowned destination.
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Sunday brings our first of two days of bicycling in Joshua Tree National Park, seeing the beautiful and plentiful Ocotillo desert plant as we bike downhill, observing mountains, valleys and vast expanses of desert in the distance.
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We return to Joshua Tree National Park on Monday. Today we actually see the famous Joshua Tree and jumbo rocks (boulders) before ending our day with a long downhill before arriving at the Joshua Tree Bar & Restaurant.
- On Tuesday, we take another unique bike ride that you will always remember as you bicycle through the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and then travel downhill all the way to the Salton Sea, a destination most publications say you must visit at least once in your life. In the evening, we take the 2.5 mile Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up the mountain to our group dinner with views of the valley in both the daylight and at night.
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Wednesday arrives and you can enjoy a free day to play golf on one of the 100 area golf courses or visit museums or peruse art galleries or join the group as we tour on bicycles through the unique city and surrounding area, where it all started in Palm Springs.
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We leave from the hotel on Thursday and ride to the bottom of the mountains to the Desert Mountain Visitor Center, which overlooks Palm Desert then many riders will stop by The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, which is ranked as one of the Top 10 zoos in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler, which comments, "Seeing the animals here feels a little like stepping onto the set of The Lion King." You can even feed the giraffes or even ride a camel!
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Overall on this fabulous tour, you will bicycle and see unforgettable mountain, desert and lake views without ever climbing the mountains and in addition see the beautiful cities of Palm Springs and Palm Desert.
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Come join us!
Day 1, Saturday - February 15, 2020
Check out the area or on your bike, getting assimilated to the fresh air and the beautiful scenery. If you enjoy shopping, take time to visit the various shops in downtown. Get artsy exploring the artistic part of Palm Desert with an art walk on El Paseo or a public art tour. You can take in fine art, architecture or public sculptures. If you like to hike, climb one of the dozens of hiking trails in Palm Desert for a spectacular view of Coachella Valley, home of the well known Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival. After you have become assimilated with the beauty of the area, meet around 5:00pm to enjoy the welcome meeting followed by dinner at Bucatini Palm Desert with the group.
Dinner:
Bucatini Palm Desert
Palm Desert, California
Entrée Choices:
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Spaghetti & Meatballs - Fresh marinara sauce with homemade ground beef meatballs.
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Lasagna Familiana - Traditional style lasagna, with layers of meat sauce, ricotta cheese, béchamel topped with mozzarella cheese.
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Salmone Alla Griglia - Grilled fresh Salmon Fillet drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and herbs. Served with sautéed steamed broccoli florets.
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Fetuccine Pollo Limone - Sauteed chicken breast, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, lemon zest, white wine in a creamy Alfredo sauce.
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Eggplant Parmigiana - Baked eggplants layered with fresh marinara sauce, pecorino romano and basil. Finished with melted mozzarella and served with side of rigatoni marinara.
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Pollo Parmigiana - Breaded chicken breast, lightly fried and baked with fresh tomato sauce, mozzarella and Parmesean cheese. Served with fettucini in a creamy garlic Alfredo sauce.
Lodging:
Homewood Suites by Hilton Palm Desert
Palm Desert, California
(Unpack only one time! Stay at the same hotel for the entire trip.)
Day 2, Sunday - February 16, 2020
Joshua Tree National Park (eastside) Part 1 of 2 Days of Bicycling in the Park
Van to Joshua Tree National Park and begin your bicycle adventure riding to Cottonwood Visitor Center. Photograph the scenery, including the Cholla Cactus Gardens on your bike route as you going through the eastern section of Joshua Tree National Park. The coolest part of capturing photos here is that sometimes the cacti begin to glow in the light. You will also get to check out Octillo Patch, where you will find Ocotillo, a desert plant that can grow over 15 feet tall with beautiful orange-red tubular flowers. Your ride ends at Cottonwood Visitor Center with many exhibits key to the area to check out. This is an unforgettable way to begin your bike adventure in Joshua Tree National Park.
Breakfast provided by the hotel each morning.
Bicycling Route: 0 miles, staying at the hotel; or 27 miles, taking the van to Arch Rock in Joshua Tree National Park and bicycling to Cottonwood Visitor Center [The route is primarily downhill.]
Dinner:
On your own
Lodging:
Homewood Suites by Hilton Palm Desert
Palm Desert, California
(Unpack only one time! Stay at the same hotel for the entire trip.)
Day 3, Monday - February 17, 2020
Joshua Tree National Park (westside) Part 2 of 2 Days of Bicycling in the Park
Today we van to Joshua Tree National Park and bicycle the westside of Joshua Tree National Park taking in along the ride the popular spots, including Hidden Valley and Jumbo Rocks. Hidden Valley is a great introduction to Joshua Tree National Park and is one place that you cannot miss! It has boulder fields and Joshua trees and sometimes you are likely to spot beautiful wildlife. Jumbo Rocks is among the most memorable places in the park. This area has boulder piles, sandy flats and countless Joshua trees decorating this breathtaking desert bike ride. After we finish the bike ride, many cyclists will grab lunch for local cuisine at the most popular and well know restaurants adjacent to the park, Joshua Tree Bar & Restaurant, eating inside or outside.
Breakfast provide by the hotel each morning
Bicycling Route: 0 miles, staying at the hotel; 23 miles, taking the SAG vehicle to Live Oak in Joshua Tree National Park and bicycling to Joshua Tree Bar & Restaurant outside the park. [The route has rolling hills followed by a long continuous downhill.]
Lodging:
Homewood Suites by Hilton Palm Desert
Palm Desert, California
(Unpack only one time! Stay at the same hotel for the entire trip.)
Dinner:
On your own.
Day 4, Tuesday - February 18, 2020
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park & Salton Sea
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is overwhelming! This state park has a rugged landscape developed by the erosion of the uplifted mountains caused by rain, snow, ice and wind. Bicycling to the Salton Sea Beach in California will be spectacular! The Salton Sea is a jewel in the desert that you must visit once in your life. This unspoiled beauty is a great place to bicycle. This place is known for its relaxing vibe. Read up on the history of the Salton Sea before you go and you may find it even more interesting!
Bicycling Route: 0 miles, staying at the hotel; or 35 miles, taking the van to the SAG dropoff at the Anza-Borrego Visitor Center and riding the complete route to the Salton Sea. [The route is slightly downhill.]
Dinner:
Pines Cafe at top of Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
(After riding the 2.5 mile tram then have dinner overlooking the valley in both the daylight and at night.)
Salad:
- Salad - Select greens with shredded Mozzarella cheese and herb croutons and choice of dressing
Entrée Choices:
- Grilled Herb Roasted Chicken Breast - Grilled herb marinated 8oz chicken breast
- 1/2 Rack St. Louis BBQ Pork Ribs - Braised and glazed in a smoky BBQ sauce
- Vegetarian Lasagna - Creamy vegetarian lasagna topped with a toasted parmesan cheese bread crumb
- Beef Burgundy - Burgundy wine braised grass feed beef
Lodging:
Homewood Suites by Hilton Palm Desert
Palm Desert, California
(Unpack only one time! Stay at the same hotel for the entire trip.)
Day 5, Wednesday - February 19, 2020
Palm Springs
Enjoy your free day. (Or ride the optional route.) Here are a few ideas for enjoying Palm Springs: Hike along mountainsides and palm trees taking in the natural beauty surrounding you. There are many desert and mountain trails. If you are more of an Art Buff, Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert is a favorite! Of course, you can also enjoy downtown Palm Springs with its many storefronts, shops, architecture and history waiting to be discovered. Also, you can enjoy a round of golf in one of the 100 renowned golf courses in the Palm Springs area, which has gained a reputation as the top destination for golf.
Breakfast provided by the hotel each morning
Bicycling Route (Free day or optional ride): 0 miles, staying at the hotel; 20 miles, riding around, through and in Palm Springs, seeing the highlights of the city. [The route utilizes the designated recommended bike routes of the City of Palm Springs and is primarily on bike lanes to give a good overview of the city.]
Lodging:
Homewood Suites by Hilton Palm Desert
Palm Desert, California
(Unpack only one time! Stay at the same hotel for the entire trip.)
Dinner:
On your own
Day 6, Thursday - February 20, 2020
Palm Desert
Today is your opportunity to take in the city of Palm Desert, stopping for beautiful photographs that you will not soon forget. Ride throughout the Palm Desert area, seeing the beauty and highlights of the city. The first major stop will be at the Friends of the Desert Mountain Visitor Center, which overlooks the city and is at the bottom of rising mountains. Then make a stop at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, which is ranked as one of the Top 10 Zoos in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler. While in the zoo, you can choose your interactive adventure: Giraffe Feedings, Camel Ride or Lorikeets (colorful parrots) feedings. After the zoo take a leisurely ride back to the hotel while zigzagging through the city primarily on bike paths.
Bicycling Route: 0 miles, staying at the hotel; or 11 miles taking the van to the Friends of the Desert Mountain Visitor Center and then bicycling back to hotel, or 22 miles, riding from the hotel to the Friends of the Desert Mountain Visitor Center and bicycling back to the hotel . [The route utilizes bike paths and city designated bike routes with bike lanes. From the Friends of the Desert Mountain Visitor Center the route is slightly downhill to the hotel.]
Homewood Suites by Hilton Palm Desert
Palm Desert, California
(Unpack only one time! Stay at the same hotel for the entire trip.)
Dinner:
On your own
Solanos Bar & Grill
Palm Desert, California
Beginning:
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Baby Spinach Salad - Spinach, Bacon Bits, Dates, Goat Cheese, Candied Pecans and Blood Orange Vinaigrette
Entrée Choices:
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Blackened Salmon – Scottish Salmon Fillet & Jalepeno Tarter Sauce
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Double Pork Chop – Bourbon Apple Sauce
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Blackened Shrimp – Parmesan risotto
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Chicken Pappardelle Pasta – Applewood bacon, chicken breast, roasted red peppers, pine nuts and pesto sauce.
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10oz New York Strip – Green whiskey peppercorn sauce
Day 7, Friday - February 21, 2020
Enjoy the beautiful and warm Palm Springs area one last time before starting your journey home.
Breakfast provided by hotel each morning
Please note all trip information is based on previous trips and/or contracted lodging and restaurants and is subject to change based on availability or specific trip needs.
Riding difficulty:
- Riders who are comfortable riding at least 10 miles per hour should have an enjoyable trip. The routes are primarily on National Park, State Park or designated bicycle roads in Joshua Tree National Park and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. We will also utilize bicycle recommended roads with bike lanes and bike paths in Palm Springs and Palm Desert. Please see the daily routes descriptions for additional information. Of course, if a rider is tired or does not feel like riding, the SAG vehicle will transport the rider to the ride end. All riders may ride at their own pace, slow or fast or anything in-between.
Arriving by Automobile:
- Drive to the Homewood Suites by Hilton Palm Desert, 36999 Cook Street, Palm Desert, CA 32211; 760-568-1600, leaving your car at the starting hotel for the duration of the trip.
Arriving by Plane:
- Fly directly into the Palms Springs International Airport (PSP), then rent a car or take Uber/Lyft/Taxi 11 miles to the trip start at the Homewood Suites in Palm Desert
- Or alternatively fly into one of the Los Angeles area airports: Bob Hope/Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), John Wayne/Orange County Airport (SNA) or Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and rent a car and drive about 130 miles to trip start at the Homewood Suites in Palm Desert.
Deposit:
- $200 to reserve your spot and the remainder due 45 days before the trip start.
What is Included:
- Hotel lodging
- Ride packets, including maps & cue sheets (directions)
- Fully sagged, including ride leaders, luggage transport, SAG vehicle transportation and rider assistance
- Breakfast each morning
- Dinner with the group three nights (see above)
- Great riding, scenery, fun and enjoyment!
Bicycles:
- Most participants bring their own bicycles
- To ship your bike, we would suggest using shipbikes.com or bikeflight.com for shipping. To ship your bike to the hotel: Homewood Suites by Hilton Palm Desert, 36999 Cook Street, Palm Desert, CA 32211; 760-568-1600
- If you fly, most major airlines including Delta, American, United and Alaska Air now waive the oversize fee for bicycles (sporting equipment) and just the standard luggage fee applies. Please contact your airline for all the details.
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To rent a bicycle, please contact Bike Palms Springs Rental: bikepsrental.com
Weather in February:
- Average High 64° in Joshua Tree National Park area
- Average High 74° in the Palm Springs area