Easy Scenic Winter Biking in the Coachella Valley

In contrast to the previous warm, dry winters, the Coachella Valley has had its more typical cooler temperatures during 2015-16 with precipitation bringing snow cover to the surrounding mountains.

After the storms pass, the scenery of green palms, colorful desert vegetation, blue skies and white mountains beyond creates a spectacular riding viewscape.

Following are photos from our bike rides around Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage, known in enCYCLEpedia as rides RM1, RM2 and PD1.  Although these rides are mostly on the legal sidewalk ped/bike paths, the routes (except Hwy 111) typically have ample bike lanes for those that prefer.

After the storm but before the clouds cleared, Steve poses along the Desert Willow path in Palm Desert .

Lovely palm-lined pathway along Parkview Drive at Palm Desert Muni Park near College of the Desert.

Along Frank Sinatra Dr in Palm Desert choose between a lovely landscaped ped/bike path or an ample bike lane.

Frank Sinatra Dr in Rancho Mirage, where there are great sidewalk pathways as well as a bike lane.

 

Bike bridge along the Hwy 111 path in Rancho Mirage, much safer than braving the adjacent highway that has no bike lanes.

The bike path along Hwy 111 in Rancho Mirage passes the entrance to Thunderbird Heights, a community familiar to several presidents.

A pathway past The River dining/entertainment complex in Rancho Mirage.

The Butler Abrams trail in Rancho Mirage. The planned CV Link trail will hopefully extend this path for 25 miles in either direction if Rancho Mirage does not block the plan as they are trying to do.