Tour de Palm Springs switches gears for new location

Many cyclists for the past 17 years come to the city of Palm Springs to switch gears and take a day to bike for miles throughout the Coachella Valley. But a date change in the last few years, caused some cyclists to miss out. “We were down 30 percent the first year and this year we are down again,” said Tour de Palm Springs founder Tim Esser. Organizers for the event say the city asked them to switch their regular February start date to January because of other conflicting events. Race organizers tried the new date but say the results ended up costing them more than 3,000 cyclists a year. They say the only way to get more cyclists is to move. “We really didn’t want to move but, you know what, Palm Desert has some great things to offer for us,” Esser said. Organizers are in talks to have the race in the city of Palm Desert. One bicycle show owner says this would be great for his shop. “From a business standpoint, yeah it’s like the Super Bowl for bicycles in the Coachella Valley. It’s the biggest cycling event by far and it gives us quite a bit of exposure,” said Tri-A-Bike owner David Odonnell Another rider says he usually cycles his way to the race. For him a new location in Palm Desert would be perfect. “I like it. It’s a bit closer to ride from my house to the start line so it would mean I wouldn’t have to ride as far,” said 5-time Tour de Palm Springs cyclist Victor Camero. For the organization, they say the change would be good for the race, but it’s a change nonetheless. “It’s definitely a mixed feeling because the tour has been in operation in Palm Springs in the last 17 years,” said Tour De Palm Springs President Aftab Dada. As far as the nationally known name, Tour de Palm Springs, founders say it may have a little tweak. Palm Desert City Council will discuss the option of adding this event to their city at their next meeting.