2012 Tour of Palm Springs Century notes

[Lou]

 So if you rode it this year, you received a free left side dermabrasion on your bike and body. At the start going towards the windmills there was a ferocious wind coming through that valley. I heard that area is called "The Wind Tunnel" I was always wondered why they put those windmills there...
A lot of people were blown off the road before the first bridge going north out of town. I saw quite a few turning back. The sand was actually being blown horizontally. And it hurt your skin. Bikes were at about 10 degrees from vertical. Stacey, Rene, Tom Hicks, John Krukenberg, Greg P, and myself made it through though.
It was an epic adventure. Oh yeah, and fun too. Now that it's over.
I put on a new cassette and chain the day before. 
I had sand inside my left ear when I finished.
Was anyone else out there that we didn't see?
Did I say it was fun?
LouM...

[Anthony Smith]

Lou, I was there and yes the first 12 twelve mile was harsh. We caught a break when we headed east which made up for the hell winds. It took forever to get the sand out of my ears. Maybe next year I'll bring ear muffs 

[Margareth Demery]

Here it is almost a week later - still on an adrenalin rush.  This was Kat's and my first Tour de Palm Springs ride, Esperanza's her 5th and yes, what an adventure.  At about the 9-mile marker, there were many riders doing a U-Turn.  We looked at each other and thought that maybe we had taken the wrong turn, as the ride slip did not show us going left at that point.  The Highway Patrol staff were directing us that way so we went.  Oh well, on we peddled and then we finally got it... the wind gusts were undeliverable for the first 17.7 miles and then again at the 28.8 to the 42.4 miles after that to the 62.5 finish was smooth riding.  As Lou mentioned, riders were being blown off the road, but that did not stop us from continuing our ride.  We knew it could only get better, but when, we had no clue.  Thanks to Kat, she was able to shelter me from the wind somewhat to keep me on the road.  At one point the wind blew me clear over to the on coming traffic lane â€" lucky no cars at that particular moment.  We did get a nice down hill cruise at 42.5 mph â€" what a rush.  We saw many cyclists down, and that was sad not to mention a bit concerning as well â€" we could be next.  Crossing our fingers we journeyed on and finished totally unscathed and not a grain of sand in our ears…  Yes, GOOD FUN!
PegD