Tour De Palm Springs Rolls Through Valley
Thousands of cyclists from around the country are resting up after another big ride for the 13th annual Tour De Palm Springs.
You may have spotted them out on the road earlier this weekend.
A record turn-out was expected as organizers hoped to raise up to $200,000 for local charities.
“When we started this event 13 years ago we had 300 riders and ten volunteers. Now we have hundreds of volunteers and it looks like our numbers will exceeded 10 thousand riders this year. Best numbers we’ve ever had,” said Tim Esser, the tour’s founder.
Friends Jim Brown and Pat Dugan flew out from the midwest to ride in the tour.
They said the weather was unbeatable.
“Love it! It was 20 below yesterday when we left Rihnlander Wisconsin so this is amazing,” said Dugan.
Together they finished the 10 mile course on Brown’s tandem bike.
“Started riding tandems about 15 years ago. It’s just easier on your shoulders and your neck,” said Brown.
Cyclists can ride anywhere between 5 and 100 miles.
13-year old Alex Camacho flies out from Portland, Oregon every year to visit his grandparents
He just started riding in the Tour last year.
“We just saw it one day and I enjoy cycling, it’s one of my favorite sports, and so they just decided to go out there and try it and I really enjoyed it. I hope to keep coming back,” said Camacho.
And with thousand of tourist dollars flowing into the local economy, the city of Palm Springs hopes, Camacho and the thousands of other rides also return again next year.
