Thousands Expected At Tour de Palm Springs Charity Bike Ride

PALM SPRINGS, CA — The 26th annual Tour de Palm Springs charity bike ride will kick off its events Friday with an expo in advance of Saturday's main event, when thousands of cyclists will depart from downtown on journeys ranging from seven to 99 miles.

Starting at 6 a.m. Friday, Palm Canyon Drive between Baristo Road and Tahquitz Canyon Way will be closed as organizers set up the expo, which is set to begin at noon, according to city spokesperson Amy Blaisdell. The expo will run until 8 p.m.

On Saturday, Tahquitz Canyon Way between Palm Canyon and Indian Canyon drives will close from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the set-up and the ride. The starting and finish lines will be in downtown Palm Springs.

Blaisdell said that some roads, including Baristo and El Cielo roads, Avenida Caballeros, Mesquite Avenue and Dinah Shore Drive, will also be impacted by riders on the road.

The Palm Springs Police Department is asking drivers to remain patient and mind traffic laws as they share the roadways with cyclists, who are also required to obey the traffic laws.

Five groups of cyclists — riding routes of seven, 25, 50, 64 and 99 miles, some across the Coachella Valley — will depart at varying times from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., according to organizers.

Two groups, one each doing a three-mile walk and one-mile walk, will depart at 10 a.m.

The annual event has raised more than $4 million for local charities since it was founded in 1998, according to Blaisdell. This year, the ride will honor first responders, military and veterans.

More information about the event and routes can be found at tourdepalmsprings.com.