Palm Canyon
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This is a fun but very demanding ride that drops from Idyllwild into the outskirts of Palm Desert.  The ride itself takes 6 hours or more.  It has a variety of the terrain... single track, dry creek beds, open desert, tight canyons, cliff-edge trails, sand, dirt, rocks, etc.  We will encounter lots of cactus and cat-paws so bring lots of extra inner tubes (we had 34 flat tires on one trip with 24 riders!).  The ride is about 24 miles one-way with roughly a 5000' decent and 1000' of climbing.  It can take a long time because of sandy conditions and mechanicals.  There is a fair amount of climbing at the end of the ride.  This ride is exhausting, so don't consider it unless your are in very good shape.
 
The drive from San Diego takes around 2 1/2 hours.  We will meet at the lower trailhead, drop vehicles and shuttle riders and bikes to the top.  When we finish the ride we will grab something to eat, then shuttle all the bikes and riders back to the top.  From there we will head back to San Diego the back way.
 
The shuttle for this ride is especially difficult to arrange because of not going home the same way we came in.  The carrying capacity of all the vehicles needs to be twice as much as the actual number of riders and bikes.  To make it work we need to minimize carpooling.  I know it isn't politically correct but you need to show up with extra room in your vehicle for bikes and riders.  Shuttle assignments will be made in advance for both legs of the shuttle.  If you want to go on this ride you will need to participate in both legs of the shuttle.

Special Note

Due to it's epic nature this ride should only be done by advanced riders.  There will be no general announcement made for the rides I lead here.  They are open to advanced riders who have ridden with our group for awhile.
 
If you plan to do the ride on your own be careful it is very long and it's easy to get lost.
 
7  Rider Level:  Advanced
9
  Technical:  Moderate to Difficult
8
  Aerobic: Strenuous
6  Pace:  Moderate to Fast
7
  Distance: 17 Miles
7  Riding Time: 6 hours or more

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