Event Description
The 8th Annual Palm Desert Century is a recreational road bicycle event in the low desert Coachella Valley. Mostly low traffic roads & pristine desert scenery flanked by the soaring San Jacinto Mts make this another marquee safe, scenic and sensational century ride on roads less traveled Shadow Tour century experience.
The ride starts and finishes at the new grassy University Park on Cook St, just off the I-10 Freeway in Palm Desert. The course proceeds southeast through Indio and La Quinta to the small desert town of Mecca, located near the north shores of the Salton Sea, about 200 ft below Sea Level. From there, the very remote Box Canyon Road, proceeds gradually uphill for 15 miles to Chiriaco Summit, which is the 50 mile point, and course turnaround. The course then returns to the Start/Finish in Palm Desert along the same route.
Total climbing elevation for the century is about 2,200 feet. Riders may ride distances from 20 to 100 miles, based on individual conditioning levels and weather factors on the day of the event.
SHORT COURSE RIDERS: May select distances from 20 to 60 miles.
FULL COURSE RIDERS: May select distances from 20 to 130 miles. Full Course Riders may participate in the Optional Chip-timed Individual 15-mile gentle grade "Chiriaco Summit Time Trial" from Mecca, below Sea Level, to Chiriaco Summit, el 1,300 ft. Additionally, Full Course Riders may participate in an Optional "Super Century" of 130 miles, riding the Chiriaco Summit section twice. subject to time cut-offs. The TIme Trial and Super Century are free options, included in the Full Course price.
