The Tour de Palm Springs is an annual bicycle race birthed out of an event organized by Tim Esser in January 1998 called Spokes for Different Folks. The bike event allowed cyclists to ride 5, 15, 25 and 50-mile routes. About 400 cyclists participated in that event that raised $20,000 for area Coachella Valley charities.
Tim and his mother Fran formed a non-profit organization called CVSPIN and the first Tour de Palm Springs was held in 1999, with 1,000 riders participating. A 100-mile ride was also added.
Since this first ride in 1999, the Tour de Palm Springs has been held every year and has continued to increase its ridership. In 2012, a total of $275,000 was dispersed among 142 local charities in the Coachella Valley.
The next event is scheduled to take place on February 8, 2014. CVSPIN has a goal of attracting 10,000 riders to this upcoming event. Ride routes range from 1 mile up to 100 miles. Registration will take place on North Palm Canyon in Palm Springs, one block north of Tahquitz Canyon Way, not far from the Forever Marilyn statue. If you are interested in participating, more information can be found at the official Tour de Palm Springs website.
We have rooms available and are located about 10 miles from the ride’s registration location.
