NOVEMBER RIDER UPDATES
Welcome Palm Desert Century Registered Rider!
Thank You for joining the 3rd Annual Palm Desert Century (PDC). We're pleased to report a strong field size of 500+ pre-registered riders. Thanks for all your help in spreading the word!
With 1 week until PDC rolls on Sat, Nov 9, '13, it's time to provide a last round of important final details about the ride. Please take about 30 minutes to carefully read this email and study your Rider Instructions. Also review the Course Strip Map, containing vital course and support details.
Visit the website for any last-minute changes before departing for Palm Desert.
Final November Rider Updates:
1. Weather: The weather picture looks fantastic for ride weekend! As of Fri, Nov 1st, Accuweather forecasts for Palm Desert on Sat call for "A Full Day of Sunshine, Lo 49F, Hi 80F. Winds will be from the North at 5 MPH, gusting to 15 MPH. Desert weather changes frequently, click here for up-to-date forecasts.
a. Clothing: Expect a Cool A.M. & Warm P.M. At the minimum, we recommend wearing a base layer under your jersey, arm warmers, and a wind vest to start. Pearl Izumi will have a booth on Fri & Sat packet pick up if you need to purchase any last-minute additional items. They are offering some special deals as well.
b. Ride to Mecca: Mecca is situated about 180 feet below Sea Level and Palm Desert is at El 224 ft. This means that cool morning air will collect down to Mecca. Expect the cooler early morning temps to continue all the way to Mecca.
c. Safety: This wide temperature differential means every rider needs to use even more caution while riding. Drink extra water, right from the start, even if you're not thirsty. By noon, it will almost certainly be much warmer. Expect and anticipate side wind gusts. Be ready at all times with a solid grip on your bars.
d. Return Ride to Palm Desert: The current weather picture suggests side winds on the outbound direction, with mostly headwinds returning to Palm Desert, depending upon where riders choose to turn around. The desert is NOTORIOUS for unpredictable temperature swings with headwinds and side winds all the way back from Chiriaco Summit to Palm Desert. Be ready!
e. Plan Your Ride & Ride Your Plan! This weather forecast is just the Desert being the Desert. During 18 previous desert events, Shadow Tour riders have learned that desert weather is always tricky! On Sat, riders need to be ready for anything. Preparation & Flexibility are key. First, see how you feel on Sat morning. Bring and wear extra clothing in layers to retain warmth. Next, evaluate the weather picture and what you actually see and feel on Sat morning. Third, break your ride down in smaller pieces. Step through Rest Stop-by-Rest Stop, or even hour-by-hour. Constantly reassess how you feel. Err to the side of caution by turning back early. At Rest Stops, check the wind in the direction of the return trip. The return ride is usually more challenging, especially for full course riders. If in doubt, make a Safe & Legal u-turn, and ride back to Palm Desert.
2. Arrival & Venue Map: This strip map is posted on the website and shows the location of University Park (Start/Finish), primary parking lot in University Village, and overflow Parking in "Lot B" at the CSUSB Campus. Also shown are the Homewood Suites Hotel (Host Hotel), Hampton Inn & Suites, Residence Inn, Courtyard, and several Restaurants. Click here for a downloadable PDF.
a. Host Hotel: The Homewood Suites, by Hilton Palm Desert, located adjacent to University Park, has a few remaining rooms. Special rider rates start at $119 + tax. Click here for more details on nearby event hotels and special rider rates.
b. Arrival Coffee: On Sat, the Desert Mirage High School Vol's have arranged for coffee generously donated by the nearby Starbucks. The Vol's will set up the coffee station after 5:30 A.M. at the Reg Tent. Donations are much appreciated!
c. Fri & Sat: Pueblo Viejo Grill Mexican Restaurant, located in University Village, near the Start/Finish, is kindly offering a special 10% discount to all PDC riders. Just mention you're with the ride at the time you place your order.
d. Hampton Inn/Starbucks/Subway/Arco AM/PM: These businesses are located on Cook St, 1 block south after exiting Interstate 10, at the corner of Cook St & Gerald Ford Dr. The Hampton Inn & Suites Palm Desert is offering a special rate to PDC riders, starting at $99 + tax, based on availability. Starbucks & Subway are offering 10% discounts by mentioning the ride. The Arco Station has (relatively) affordable gas. On Oct 26th the price for Regular was $3.39/gal.
3. Parking: Parking lots open at 5:30 A.M. The University Village (adjacent to Start/Finish) has a capacity of 300+ cars. The layout of the lot is elaborate, so be patient finding an open spot. Alternatively, the CSUSB Campus, located on the east side of Cook St, directly across from the Start/Finish, has a large parking lot "Lot B". Riders desiring easier parking may park in the CSUSB "Lot B". Vol's will be at the Cook St park entrance directing arriving riders. Riders may select either parking lot, until The University Village lot is full, at which time all arriving riders must park in the CSUSB parking "Lot B".
4. Mini Rest Stop: For 20-Mile Course riders, there is a special Mini Rest Stop set up at Mile 6. This Rest Stop is exclusively for 20-Mile riders and should not be used by other riders unless there is an emergency. The Mini Rest stop is also situated at Mile 14 for riders returning from the 20 Mile Course. The Mini Rest Stop will be in operation from 7:00 to 11:00 A.M.
5. Short Course Riders: IMPORTANT, Short Course Rider MAY NOT RIDE BOX CANYON RD. This segment is exclusively for Full Course Riders. Short Course riders may upgrade to the Full Course for $15 at the Reg Tent on Fri or Sat. Last year, 50+ Short Course riders ignored these instructions. This year, Vol's at Rest Stop #3 will check wristbands to insure Short Course Riders do not ride Box Canyon Rd. Besides being unfair to riders who paid for the Full Course, supplies at Rest Stops 3 & 4 are carefully planned based on Full Course rider pre-registrations. Many Thanks for your understanding & compliance.
6. Desert Mirage High School Fundraising: The bulk of 2013 PDC Vol's are DMHS Students, Staff, and Parents. Let's all return the favor! Here's their Donation link. Click through and see riders who have already opened their hearts. We send our sincere Gratitude. Donating to the DMHS cements the PDC commitment to assist local citizens and fosters Goodwill among the Desert Cities and Local Agencies. DMHS fundraising efforts at the event also include:
a. DMHS Arrival Coffee: Next to Reg Tent on Sat morning. Have a cup of hot Starbucks coffee! No cost, Donations gladly accepted. :)
b. Post-ride Expo: Ice cold sodas, Nite Rider lights, and baked goods will be for sale at the DMHS Tent in the Expo, next to the Reg Tent. You're invited to stop by & learn more. Please help fill the DMHS Donation Jar!
7. Club Competition: New for 2013! Clubs, Teams, and Organizations are competing for most Club Members riding the Palm Desert Century. This is part of the all-new Shadow Tour
Club Central Program. Top Clubs will be posted on the website. Visit
Club Central for more details and ask your Club Contacts to join!
Pre-ride Club Standings:
Desert Bicycle Club: 14
Triathlon Club of San Diego: 12
PLT: 7
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Below is a repeat of the October Rider Updates
1. Rider Instructions: You may download the Rider Instructions, or view them on the website. Carefully study these 3 pages and the 1-page Course Strip Map. Cue Sheets/turn-by-turn directions for all courses will be at packet pick up.
Highlighted below are some of the most important details:
a. Start/Finish Directions & Location: University Park, Palm Desert, CA
- Address: 74-902 College Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92211
- Google Maps/Directions: Click here
- Park is newly constructed. Use care with GPS devices & Mapquest.
- Actual Start/Finish: Traffic Circle at the South end of University Park
(near the entrance from Cook St)
- San Diego Riders: We do not recommend driving on CA-79 through
Temecula. Best route to Palm Desert: I-15 to I-215 to CA-60 to I-10.
Cook St is Exit 134 off I-10, then 2 blocks south, turn right into park.
b. Event Parking:
- Opens at 5:30 A.M, Sat, Nov 9, '13
- Parking Volunteers/Police will direct arriving riders.
- Be Patient! PDC is a Rage-Free Zone! (it's way too early to stress).
- Primary Parking: University Village Parking Lots
- Overflow Parking: CSUSB Campus Parking Lot "B" (ONLY), located
directly across Cook St. Campus Lot "B" closes at 6:00 P.M.
- Do not park in areas marked "No Parking" or "No Event Parking"
- We're very fortunate to have permission to use these lots!
Please be cool out there. Don't park in Homewood Suites spaces
(unless you're a guest), nor in Carl's Jr, the Dialysis Clinic, or reserved
spaces. If in doubt, don't!
c. Rider Packet Pick up: Riders may pick up packets on Fri or Sat.
- Fri, Nov 8, '13
University Park, Registration Tent, next to the basketball court
Noon to 8:00 P.M.
May pick up friends' packets with permission note/email
Walk-up Reg's, if not sold out. Visit website first. Cash/Credit Cards.
Fri: 2-hr parking in University Village Lot
-Sat, Nov 9, '13
University Park, Registration Tent, next to the basketball court
5:45 to 8:00 A.M.
May pick up friend's packets with permission note/email
Walk-up Reg's, if not sold out. Visit website first. Cash/Credit Cards.
Sat Event Parking in Univ. Village Lots & CSUSB Lot "B" until 6:00 P.M.
d. Safety: Rider safety is the most important aspect of the event.
- This is a "Rules of the Road" event, meaning riders must comply with
all Traffic Laws, including stopping at red Light Signals and Stop signs.
- Red Zones: Potentially hazardous areas, max speed of 20 MPH, ride
single file, with Extra Caution, as far to the right as safely possible.
(1) Ave 52 Traffic Circle: Flow only North & South on Jefferson St.
thru Traffic Circle. Traffic Circle is not a course turnaround point.
(2) Box Canyon Rd: Both directions, ride to the right, call out passing
vehicles, watch for uneven road surfaces. USE EXTRA CARE!
(3) All Left Turns on the course require extra vigilence. Use arm
signals to communicate your intentions to traffic. Announce
"Turning Left/Right!" to other riders.
- Riders ignoring Traffic Laws may be ticketed by Police, and will be
disqualified from the event, and will not receive credit for completing
the Full Century/Time Trial. PDC is not a race, just take 'er easy!
- Bottom Line: STAY ALERT! Protect yourself at all times. Ride
safely and defensively, like your life depends on it, because it does!
e. Bike Inspection: We strongly recommend a complete Tune up and Safety
Inspection of your bicycle prior to PDC. The desert is no place for worn,
or questionable tires, brakes, or wheels. Bike parts wear out, it's a fact of
life. Each rider is responsible for their own bicycle. Mechanics will roam
the course on Sat. Pay mechanics for any parts they replace.
f. Start Times: There will be a 'Start Window' from 6:30- 8:00 A.M. on Sat.
Vol's will segment riders into waves of about 50, starting every 2-3 min.
This is a mandatory Permit requirement. Full Century Course riders
should be in position near the park Traffic Circle Start Line by 6:30 A.M.
All riders may start 6:30-8:00 A.M, regardless of distance.
2. Volunteers Needed: Anyone interested in volunteering at PDC please
contact Jim. Please visit PDC Vols page for positions available. Thanks!
3. Coachella Valley Unified School District/Desert Mirage H.S. ASB: The Official PDC Charity is Desert Mirage High School ASB (DMHS). This is the DMHS primary annual fundraiser to increase school spirit, promote school involvement through clubs & activities, increase student & teacher recognition, and provide positive safe activities creating student life memories.
The bulk of 2013 PDC volunteers are DMHS students, staff, and parents. Let's all return the favor! Here's the Donation link. Click through for yourself. You'll see riders who have already opened their hearts. We send our sincere Gratitude and Thanks. Donating to the DMHS cements the PDC commitment to assist local citizens and fosters Goodwill among the Desert Cities and Local Agencies.
Please reward DMHS Volunteers for supporting your ride by making a generous donation. 100% of the proceeds go directly to DMHS. It's a wonderful way to support their ambitious student goals & programs. Many Thanks!
4. Rider Levels: This webpage provides a wealth of no-nonsense advice on how to prepare and ride PDC. There are comprehensive details about the course, weather factors, hydration techniques, and more. Your input is requested following the ride to improve this advice for future riders.
5. Preparation: Preparation is the key to a successful desert ride. That includes the obvious, being well-conditioned for the distance you wish to ride, but it also includes mental prep. Become well-informed about the event. Study the Rider Instructions ahead of time. Knowing what to expect builds confidence and leaves less to chance. It also widens the safely margin. Have a Ride Plan in advance. Use a checklist before leaving home to ensure you have your helmet, shoes, gloves, full water bottles, etc. Make the last checklist item a final visit to the Palm Desert website for last-minute changes, or updates. PDC is the 23rd Shadow Tour cycling event. We've learned things can (and usually do) change at the last minute. Weather is a good example. Be flexible!
6. Ride Smart: A 100-mile ride is a supreme single-day endurance test. Treat it with much due respect. Break your own ride distance into bite-sized chunks. Don't exceed your limits. Non-emergency SAG's are no fun, sitting on the floor of a bumpy cargo van. Ride one Rest Stop at a time. Plan your Ride & Ride your Plan!
7. Go Easy on Vols and be Cool: Vol's are doing their best to support you, but they won't know every event detail. Be flexible! We'll listen carefully and implement your constructive feedback in future years. Perfection is our Goal, not our Promise. Take care of yourself and be safe. Help other PDC riders needing assistance if you can. Be the Rock Steady Rider who reads the instructions, knows what to expect, and follows all the rules.
