Exercise R Us

Question:

>I’ll be out to Palm Springs on business during the first week of >October and am wondering whether to bring my road or mountain bike out >with me.

Doug, back home and dug out the book I promised its "Mtn Biking Coachella Valley" by Coachella Valley Cycling Assoc PO Box 2355 Rancho Mirage. All Proceeds to their trail fund. They also suggest Desert Map Shop in Palm Desert on 346-1101 or the BLM, South Coast Resource Area Office, 63500 Garnet Ave, N. Palm Springs, CA 92258.   I did Switchbacks off Hwy 74 (drive long way up to SugarLoaf cafe, take trail to left and  climb up for 6 miles – great views) in late May one trip. Also did Goat trails in late Sep once (nr Cathedral City on Hwy 111). There are many more in the book Cant remember the bike store name I used Good luck and have fun in the warmth Alistair Lowe

Response:

Doug!!          What kind of traitorous notions where going through your head!!  Leave that Road bike at home and bring your mountain bike.  Big Bear is a must for one day, that cannot be denied.  However you’ve got some awesome trails in that 11,000 foot wall of rock on the southwest side of Palm Springs. There’s the Palm Canyon ride that is beyond sweet, about 27 miles of pure decent ending in Palm Springs.  And of course at the bottom of the page there’s a write up I did on the Romona Trail only 45 minutes from the Springs.  The Santa Rosa Truck Trail will humble you on it’s 6000 foot ascension to the top with absolutely breathtaking views of Salton Sea and the San Andreas Fault line.  And there’s Jack Rabbit mountain and Horsethief canyon, great night rides, both are remote, arid, a complete blast, and perfect at night in October when the temps finally fall below the 100’s.  And although there are some awesome trails starting at the Top of the Tramway it’s wilderness area and your not allowed to ride them!  Go to Big Bear, ride the lifts, then come back and ride trails so remote it will send a chill up your spine.  And since your open minded about going all the way to Big Bear, I’d be remiss if I didn’t suggest the Santa Anna River Trail (http://www.ilgm.com/racemtb/rides.htm), depending on the way you take, it’s on your way and it’s another of my all time favorites.      If you want to ride some truly revelating rides send me some E-mail, I’ll be your guide for a week or so.         Here’s one I just found:  It’s called the Ramona Trail and it’s in the San Bernardino N.F.  In Southern California.   More Specifically in the San Jacinto Mountains above Hemet Ca.  This little trail network would probably be of most interest to those in the Hemet or Palm Springs areas, since it’s about a 45 min drive from both locations.   Ok here’s the location of the Trail Head;  Take Highway 74 east from Hemet (West from Palm Springs) until you get up to the pines in the beautiful  Garner Valley.  Right in the micro establishment called Thomas Mountain you’ll see a sign on the South side of the rode saying "Ramona Trail".  Guess what?!  That’s the trail head!  The singletrack is open for mountain bikes & is remote enough that you’ll rarely meet anyone else.  It’s climbs from the head aprox 1500 – 1800 feet in about 5 miles to the peak of Thomas Mountain.  The trail itself is awesome for riders that can hold their own.  Tight switchbacks, huge boulders to navigate through and over as well as some screaming, smooth, sweeping singletrack.  (most of that is on the way back down.) Anyways you can do like I do and make a nice loop out of the ride by parking your car out by lake Hemet and taking the fire road  on the East side of the lake to the peak of Thomas Mountain and have a thrill ride down singletrack I just described.  If you do that its 15 miles total and about 2000 foot elevation gain.          If anyone is interested in riding out in this area or trying this trail send me some E-mail, I’d be more than happy to meet other mountain bikers in this area.     – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi all, > I’ll be out to Palm Springs on business during the first week of > October and am wondering whether to bring my road or mountain bike out > with me.  Any suggestions?  I’m a Sport class racer and also race > road.  I hear that Big Bear is near by also.  Any pointers would be > Doug > Dirthead Zombies Mountain Cycling Club > New York City > Join IMBA – International Mountain Bicycling Association > Have trails to ride tomorrow!! > IMBA > P.O. Box 7578 > Boulder, Colorado  80306 > CONTACT: Tim Blumenthal > TITLE: Executive Director > PHONE: 303-545-9026 > Oggi, la forza di due uomini.

Response:

Hi all, I’ll be out to Palm Springs on business during the first week of October and am wondering whether to bring my road or mountain bike out with me.  Any suggestions?  I’m a Sport class racer and also race road.  I hear that Big Bear is near by also.  Any pointers would be Doug Dirthead Zombies Mountain Cycling Club New York City Join IMBA – International Mountain Bicycling Association Have trails to ride tomorrow!! IMBA P.O. Box 7578 Boulder, Colorado  80306 CONTACT: Tim Blumenthal TITLE: Executive Director PHONE: 303-545-9026 Oggi, la forza di due uomini.

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