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Dear Shadow Tour Riders,
Welcome back to the Palm Desert Century (PDC). Hard to believe the 2nd Annual PDC is just 46 days away. We're proud to report there are 463 Registered Riders. Today is a great day to register and/or encourage a friend to join you for this marquee desert century!
The 2nd Annual Holland Cycles Palm Desert Century, rolls on Sat, Nov 10, '12 in Palm Desert, CA with exciting new features, such as the addition of an Optional 130-mile 'Super Century', and a 2nd Optional Chip-timed 15-mile TT segment on Box Canyon Rd to Chiriaco Summit.
As with all Shadow Tour events, early registrants are rewarded. "Early Bird" prices end Sep 30th. This email is sent to all past Shadow Tour participants & members of the Interest List. See the special coupon below for extra savings. Register Today & Save!
The latest 2012 PDC News:
> 2012 Palm Desert Century Strava Course Map
> Updated "Trips for Kids" Donation Link
> SCS Photoworks 2012 Official Photographer
> Applebee's Restaurant catering optional post-ride
Pasta Meal in the Start/Finish area.
> Holland Cycles returns as 2012 Title Sponsor!
> Desert Recreation District (DRD) joins PDC as the
2012 Presenting Sponsor! The DRD is providing
event Volunteers, in support of their Trips for Kids
Coachella Valley programs for at-risk local children.
> Trips for Kids Coachella Valley is designated as the
2012 Palm Desert Century Official Event Charity!
> View Flash Photo PDC Course Gallery courtesy of
Master Photographer Armando Estrada.
> CEP Timing, LLC: Official timer of the El Tour de
Tucson returns to provide chip-timing for the
Optional 15-mile Chiriaco Summit Time Trial(s).
> Clif Bar, Chamois Butt'r, Pearl Izumi, and
Vitalyte return as strong PDC Sponsors.
> NEW for 2012: Optional 130 Mile Super Century
> NEW for 2012: Optional Hanes "Tec T-shirts"
California deserts are spectacular in November. Deep blue skies, cool nights, and warm days. Past the summer sizzle, yet ahead of the Holidays--the sweet spot for desert cycling. With a Start/Finish in the idyllic City of Palm Desert, the PDC offers unsurpassed desert cycling paired with a World Class destination. Palm Desert is the premier Coachella Valley community, with abundant lodging options at many price points, a wide variety of fine restaurants, El Paseo Drive shopping, and cool family attractions. All within 2-3 hrs of Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Tucson, and Phoenix.
The Palm Desert Century route offers a singularly unique Coachella Valley cycling adventure. The out-n-back course design allows riders to select distances from 20 to 100 miles, based on personal conditioning, weather, winds, etc. The gentle start glides southbound through well developed cities of Palm Desert, Indio, and La Quinta, before turning east into the low deserts checkered with Orange and Date Tree groves, and vast fields of crops, at the northern shores of the Salton Sea.
Full Century PDC riders have a rare opportunity to ride Box Canyon Road. Just beyond the quiet desert town of Mecca, east the railroad tracks, Box Canyon Road transforms into a remarkable and scenic 15+ mile desert pass with no feeder roads, stop signs, stoplights, or intersections. It gradually ascends at a gentle 1-2% incline from 200 ft BELOW Sea Level, to the Chiriaco Summit, nearly 1,300 ft ABOVE Sea Level. The total climbing elevation for the full century is about 2,200 ft.
The showcase PDC segment starts near the 35 mile point and ends at the 50 mile turnaround, at Chiriaco Summit, adjacent to Interstate 10. This segment is designated as an optional "Chiriaco Summit Time Trial", a one-way uphill Individual Time Trial, from Mecca to Chiriaco Summit. Prevailing winds are usually tailwinds. Timing is completely voluntary. Chip timing services are provided by CEP Timing, the company that times the El Tour of Tuscon. The summit finish features a well-stocked Rest Stop and is the Full Century turnaround point. The most immediate reward is a paid-up freewheeling spin back down to Mecca. Sensational sight lines to the Salton Sea are visible though the canyons, near Mecca. The striking profile of the San Jacinto range looms large in the distance.
New for 2012: Full Course riders may extend the Century to a "Super Century". After reaching the 50-mile turnaround, riders may spin 15 miles back down to the start of the Time Trial and do a 2nd TT back up to Chiriaco Summit. This additional segment adds 30 miles to the century, making it 130 miles. Participation is optional, but subject to the same PDC Noon time cutoff for starting the 2nd climb, meaning riders need to be at mile 65 before Noon. The Super Century Option is included with all Full Century registrations.
Back to the route, from Chiriaco Summit, the century returns along the same roads to Palm Desert with full support. Subtle transitions emerge as riders leave behind the remote, sometimes harsh, and undeveloped low desert vegetation, revisiting La Quinta's immaculately groomed, wide peppertree-lined boulevards, past deluxe PGA Golf Courses and Resorts and communities, to a festive finish with food, music, medals, and exhibitors at the grassy 2.5 acre new University Park in Palm Desert. An included Subway lunch meal will be available here, for riders selecting the finish line option. An optional Post-ride Pasta meal catered by Applebee's will also be served at the finish. Bring folding chairs and blankets to enjoy hanging out post-ride in the park.
Shadow Tour's ambitious goal is to attract 1,500 adventurous riders, friends, and families to the 2012 PDC. Producing a major century ride against the headwinds of a tough economy, creates even greater permitting and funding challenges; more than we've ever encountered in our previous 19 events.
To cultivate wider Coachella Valley Goodwill, we are promoting and contributing to fundraising efforts for the Official PDC Charity: Trips for Kids Coachella Valley, a vibrant new organization assisting disadvantaged kids throughout Coachella Valley. This inspirational program uses Mountain Biking as a platform to teach life skills through positive mentorship, classes, and group cycling outings. Here's the Donation Link. Your contributions make a difference in the lives of some deserving kids. Every dollar helps, please show your support.
Which leads us right back to our Sturdy Rider base. We're counting on your continued loyalty & support to help make this Desert Gem Sparkle! We invite you to register for PDC today. To help, we're offering Early Bird prices, and a special 10% discount promocode PDC10PC to past riders & members of our Interest List.
Shadow Tour has listened carefully and implemented your thoughtful feedback over the years. We offer Long & Short Courses, with separate prices. Jerseys, T-shirts, and Post-ride meals are completely optional, so no need to purchase something you may not want. The innovative Shadow Tour Refund/Rollover/Transfer Policy helps if your plans change unexpectedly, and remains one of the only such policies in the business. We communicate details to riders before, during, and after the event. We maintain previous event Photo Galleries, weather data, Rider Lists, Full Century Finisher Lists, and Time Trial Results for historical continuity. We allow riders to choose Online or Mail-in registration. We accept Walk-up registrations whenever possible.
The PDC represents the capstone for our desert cycling events. Palm Desert offers vast potential for adding many more cool elements in the future.
Please join us! And once you're in, encourage all your cycling friends to join you. Consider bringing the whole family for an affordable high-quality family adventure with something fun for all. Whether it's visiting the Living Desert, a relaxed family Sunday Brunch at Tommy Bahama's, or a stroll along El Paseo Drive, there are countless reasons to make it a long weekend getaway.
To help grow ridership for this marquee event, reaching new riders is vital. Please share a message and link to Palm Desert Century on your social networks, blogs, and Club websites. Email your cycling buddies inviting them to join you. We're most grateful for your support!
It's easy to spread the word! Just click on the "Forward to a Friend" icon below. You're invited to Friend PDC and Shadow Tour Facebook pages too.
 New PDC Fan Page
New Shadow Tour Group
Here's what's included with your paid entry:
Ride Registration
Rider Email Updates
Detailed Final Rider Instructions
Included Lunch Meal
Route Cue Sheet
Free parking at University Village & CSUSB Campus
Veteran's Day Long Weekend
5 fully stocked Rest Stops + included lunch
Photography Services
Dedicated Law Enforcement
Roving Mechanical Support
Course sweep vans & vehicles
Lunch option at Halfway point or Finish
DJ / Expo / Band / Festivities at the Finish
Rider Goodie Bag
Gear drop at Start and Rest Stop #1
Optional Post-ride Meal
Options for Refund/Rollover/Transfer
50 miles out, 50 miles back
Start/Finish at the University Park
Optional Chip Timed Chiriaco Summit Time Trial
TT Results posted on website
Full Century Finisher names posted on website
Comprehensive Round-up email
Custom Finisher's Medal & Pin
Long Course / Short Course Pricing
New for 2012: Optional 130-mile Super Century
New for 2012: Optional 2nd chip-timed 15-mile TT
Sponsor Corner:
Pearl Izumi: Pearl Izumi is a proud sponsor for the 2012 Palm Desert Century! We will have a booth on Fri & Sat with great deals on Pearl Izumi apparel & accessories. Cya there!
Vitalyte: Vitalyte is pleased to continue Sponsorship of all Shadow Tour events. We'll have Vitalyte at every Rest Stop to keep you hydrated and feeling great!
Host Hotel: Homewood Suites by Hilton Palm Desert. Homewood Suites is offering PDC riders special rates, subject to availability. Includes a special early free light buffet breakfast. Visit website for details.
Event Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites Palm Desert is offering PDC riders special rates, subject to availability. More details soon, see website. Includes breakfast and ToGo Bags for riders. Visit website for details.
Event Hotel: Residence Inn Palm Desert by Marriott is offering PDC riders special rates, subject to availability. Visit website for details.
Event Hotel: Courtyard Palm Desert by Marriott is offering PDC riders special rates, subject to availability. Visit website for details.
Official Photographer: SCS Photoworks. Scott Stolarz and his expert crew will be photographing the 2012 PDC. Stay tuned for more details!
Box Canyon Road returning downhill from summit |
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