Twentynine Palms/Joshua Tree - Seeking Advice

[tmanley]

Hello-

A couple of years ago I did an out'n'back ride in Joshua Tree that I really liked (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=16264) .

I'm heading back down that was and I'm interested to know if anybody has every cycled (or driven) down to the Cottonwood entrance of the park on the south side. The online message boards aren't providing me much info and I'm thinking of putting together a 1-way ride from Twentynine Palms through the park via Cottonwood and end up down in La Quinta.

Any insight into those roads would be useful.

-Thanks, Todd

[Viper]

I'll PM Bono and bounce it off him. Stay tuned.


:beer:

[tmanley]

I'll PM Bono and bounce it off him. Stay tuned.


:beer:

Streets with names would be useful. Riding a bike where the streets have no names gets you lost.

[Viper]

Streets with names would be useful. Riding a bike where the streets have no names gets you lost.

Aside. Two things and then I'll quit while ahead. One, anytime I hear someone with the last name Manley, I assume they are Australian. I dunno why, well I do, I believe it stems from watching Endless Summer 18K times before the age of ten. I owed Blockbuster over $200.00 in late fees, they were threatening to take me to court. So I'm not saying you are from Australia, but just so you know, you might be Australian. You are.

Lastly, Streets Without Names. First time I heard it was on the radio back in 87'. I thought he was talking about Heaven. Fast forward to 2001, a book came out Into the Heart, an explanation of all U2 songs. Turns out Bono and his wife were in Ethiopia, back when the place was all but dead, early 80's doing charity group/work and the place didn't have names on the streets:

http://www.muorji.se/U2MoL/index.html

BTW, these are the three best versions of the songs fwiw:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogN5gdbJwkA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBxAUB42mxM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq08ouOwiqQ

September 14, 1987 they played Giants Stadium, opened with Streets and I was on the floor/stage. It was a Monday. I dunno what I had for lunch. A song which I thought was about Heaven, was about Hell. That means something. Then just days after September 11, 2001 they played this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUvAA7jOFs8&feature=related

There were 12K people crying in Madison Square Garden that night. He went into REM at 4:40 above. It was cool.

[cadence90]

I've ridden in Joshua Tree several times and have always loved it.

The one problem has been some bad (old) roads and the lack of any decent shoulders when the RVs are slamming past you. You probably know that already.

The other issue is that sometimes the winds out there can be brutal, but you probably know that as well.

But the landscape and the views from the peaks: wow!
This is a great time to go ride out there.

They have been repaving the roads and those are immaculate.

My advice is to call the JT Ranger Station and ask them about the condition of the roads on your proposed route.
They are very helpful people.
In 2 minutes you'll have your answer: I hope it's a positive one and you enjoy a heck of a ride.

And when you do: ride report and many pics REQUIRED, of course. :)

[Blue Jays]

Yep, I've heard that one should be prepared for wind, and lots of it! :)
Enjoy the ride!

[cadence90]

It can be truly brutal out there.
I do not advise using disc wheels.