Today’s ride commenced in Palm Springs, CA, and ended in Blythe, CA (just west of the Arizona border). It took about 20 miles to wend our way out of Palm Springs, Palm Desert, and many other localities that seem to be focused on golf. There sure were some sweet courses…wish I had brought my clubs!

 

After going into more agrarian areas near the Salton Sea, including the little town of Mecca, we climbed up through Box Canyon. The road went on for at least 15 miles, at a steady upward grade, surrounded by rock walls and neat geological formations. This road eventually dumped us out onto Interstate 10, the main highway between L.A. and Phoenix. Riding on interstates is legal in many western states, but doing so has its own unique hazards. Cyclists must ride on the emergency lane, which is covered with debris from disintegrated truck tires, glass, etc., while the emergency lane itself is separated from the vehicle lanes by a rumble strip, which can loosen your fillings and kill your ass should you mistakenly ride across one!