Thousands of cyclists are gearing up for the annual Tour de Palm Springs that kicks off Friday, February 9.
The anticipation for this year’s event continues, but the event will go forward with some changes due to weather related closures.
Joel Lozano owns the Bike Shop CV and is helping some cyclists with last minute touches for this year’s Tour de Palm Springs.
He’s participated in the race eight years in a row, and has taken note of this year’s changes.
“I know a couple of roads in Palm Springs are closed,” said Lozano.
Event organizers and Palm Springs city leaders shared that a new route for the the Tour de Palm Springs was finalized on Tuesday.
“The major changes are that we’ve had to adjust our routes due to weather changes,” said Cody Shelton, Executive Director with the Tour de Palm Springs. “We’ve been working around the clock for the past two weeks with the city officials, all the sheriff’s departments.”
Although cyclists will complete the same mileage while traveling on the 99 mile route, this year’s trail will divert cyclist from the Desert Hot Springs area to avoid weather related dangers.
This year cyclist will instead travel into Indio, then backtrack that trail leading them back into Palm Springs to finish the race.
“That’s probably most peoples’ concern, the rerouting and hopefully, people don’t get lost,” said Lozano.
Although cyclists are switching gears for this year’s tour de Palm Springs, organizers say it’s all in the name of safety.
“We want to make sure they have the safest route possible to where again, we have no injuries. And again, it’s a safe and fun route for them. That’s the big reason for doing the change this year,” said Shelton.
Even if you’re not participating in the Tour de Palm Springs, you still want to keep an eye out for additional traffic stops if you’re driving throughout the valley.
In Palm Springs roads including Baristo and El Cielo along with Avenida Caballeros, Mesquite Avenue and Dinah Shore Drive will be impacted by cyclists.
You can view maps of closures throughout Palm Springs below.
