Tour de Palm Springs Events Kick Off Friday Morning
The 14th annual Tour de Palm Springs will start tomorrow with a downtown vendor expo.
The expo will be open Saturday, the day of the rides. About 10,000 cyclists of all experience levels are expected to ride five routes to raise money for local charities, Tour de Palm Springs spokeswoman Chris Martello said.
The expo, replicating the weekly downtown Palm Springs street fair, is open to the public, and vendors will sell items ranging from bicycle equipment and apparel to jewelry and food. The “Tour de Jazz” tomorrow night will feature performances during the expo by local band Penny University, the College of the Desert jazz band, and bands from Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Shadow, Indio and La Quinta high schools.
On Saturday, cyclists will ride 5, 10, 25, 55 and 100-mile routes. The first — and most popular — 100-mile ride starts at 6:30 a.m. at Palm Canyon Drive and Amado Road.
Palm Canyon Drive between Tahquitz Canyon Way and Amado Road will be closed to through traffic from 9 a.m. tomorrow until 6 p.m. Saturday. Additionally, northbound Indian Canyon Way from Amado to Tachevah Drive will be reduced to one lane from 6 to 11 a.m. Saturday, city spokeswoman Amy Blaisdell said.
Local bike shops Fun Seekers, Big Wheel tours, and Tri-A-Bike will offer rentals, Martello said.
All Coachella Valley charities can receive funds from the event by signing up with event producer Coachella Valley Serving People in Need. Last year $225,000 was raised and distributed to 118 organizations, Martello said.
For information, go to www.tourdepalmsprings.com or call (760) 674-4700.
