• Home
• Tour Dates
• What's Included
• Why Ride With Us
• Photo Gallery
• Bike Rentals
• Registration
• Contact Us

California Cycling Tours

Joshua Tree National Park

& Palm Springs

5 Days • 400 Miles • 18,000' Elevation • $2,495.00

Why spin on a trainer or ride in the cold when you can ride in the desert and mountains all winter long in sunny southern California! Averaging 350 sunny days a year, Palm Springs is a favorite desert getaway for travelers in the know.

Our basecamp for this winter bike tour is Palm Springs, a true oasis in the desert. We'll stay 4 nights in Palm Springs and 1 night in Joshua Tree. With balmy days and colorful nights, Palm Springs is the perfect launch pad for either long flat centuries or big climbs up into the San Bernardino National Forest. Palm Springs sits at an elevation of 440 feet, while San Jacinto Peak towers 10,834 feet above it.

Scroll Down for Route Profiles

Day 1 - Meet in Palm Springs @ Rennaissance Hotel

We start the week with a bang by riding the popular Tour de Palm Springs Century route. From there we ride up into Joshua Tree National Park. In our two days riding through the park, we will pass through three ecological zones and two deserts, the Mojave and Sonoran. We'll also climb up into the San Bernardino Mountains that tower above the Palm Springs valley, and take a tram ride 8,500' above the valley floor to have dinner with a view! This is winter riding at it's finest!

Day 2 - Palm Springs Century

Today we ride the Palm Springs Century route that loops around the valley through the towns of Desert Hot Springs, Thousand Palms, Indio, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage and Cathedral Desert. Or, if you'd rather cut it short, loop back before the full century for a 78 mile ride.

78-100 miles / 3,400 ft. elevation gain

Day 3 - Joshua Tree National Park

Get ready for a ride through two eco systems as we climb up into Joshua Tree National Park from the south. There is only one quiet road and we will ride all of it.

The ride starts in a long narrow canyon near the Salton Sea. We will shuttle 50 miles to the start of the ride.

As we ride up out of the desert we'll pass forests of Cholla and Ocotillo cactus, and at the summit, Joshua Trees. An 8 mile downhill takes us into TwentyNine Palms.

We stay at the Holiday Inn Express tonight right in the middle off town.

64 miles / 5,500 ft. elevation gain

Day 4 - Joshua Tree National Park

Today we ride back through Joshua Tree National Park from the north-west end of the park. After a short 20 mile shuttle to the Park Visitor Center, we start by climbing up to the summit of the park from the North.

As we ride we will glide through towering rocks that climbers have been coming to scale for years. Riding through the park is surreal. It is like being on another planet. After summiting the south end of the park, prepare for an hour of downhill to the Salton Sea.

After the ride we shuttle back to Palm Springs.

78 miles / 3,745 ft. elevation gain

Day 5 - Layover Day

Today is an off day. Stroll the town, go to art museums, go for a hike, or go for a ride! For dinner tonight we will take Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, World’s Largest Rotating Tramcar, up to the top of the mountain. Enjoy the view as we dine at 8,500'.

66 miles / 4,400 ft. elevation gain

Day 6 - Palm Springs Valley Loop

Day 5 is a short loop around the Palm Springs Valley following the century route, but turning back through Thousand Plams and a cruise through town back to the hotel, a shower, and an afternoon departure.

65 miles / 2,000 ft. elevation gain

Meals:

Lunch on ride days is always included. On this Tour two group dinners are included and riders are on their own for the remaining, with suggested seating times for those wishing to dine with others. A continental breakfast is always included of Greek yogurt, a selection of natural cereals, Bagels, cream cheese, etc. Hot breakfasts are on your own and require eating early in the Lodges.

Return to top