Palm Springs

By Simon

Monday 23 September

We arrived in LA at around 7.30pm and were quickly through passport control. We were staying close to the airport, at the Holiday Inn Express, which boasted a 5 minute shuttle transfer. Well maybe at 3.00 am, but not not at 8.15 pm!!! We arrived at the hotel around 9.00 pm and checked in, only to find out that there was no restaurant. No probs, the receptionist said, the restaurant next door shuts at 10.00 pm. Unfortunately, not on a Sunday to Thursday when they shut at 9.00pm, we stood there looking through the window as they packed away the salad bar. Our savalvation came though, in the form of the local 7/11 store. They did a 12 inch pizza for $6, heaven.

Tuesday 24 September

We were awake early due to the jetlag, but neither of us were bothered that much as we just wanted to get on our way. I picked the car up from Hertz, and then we set off to Palm Springs.

After 9 years of Alderney driving, I don’t think I was quite prepared for the six lane freeways (a Dodgem Track might be a more appropriate description), cars overtaking and undertaking you and then swerving in front and behind of you. The safest method just seems to be, pick a lane and stick in it at 70 mph!!! I asked Gina to map read, but she replied that she was watching the road and not available for map reading (or at least words to that effect). To be fair we did have a sat nav in the car, hence her response, but that in itself seemed to give last minute confusing directions. We eventually made it to Palm Springs. It was dam hot, 100 degrees F.

We were too early to check in for the hotel so decided to go and find the apartment we have rented from Friday. We found it a few minutes later on a quiet road less than a mile from the main street.

We pulled over to have look, only for a police car to pull up behind me with its blue lights flashing. Not good. I sat there and waited, and just as in the movies, the policeman walks along side and then asks me for my licence and insurance. His partner came back a few moments later and asked me where I was actually from, I guess he hadn’t seen a Guernsey driving licence before. I explained where it was. He then asked me if I knew what I had done. I looked at Gina and then back down the road and saw a “STOP” sign. “Gone through a STOP” sign I asked? “. “Yes” was the reply. He looked at my licence and then said that it was my lucky day as I was from Guernsey, he wasn’t going to give me a ticket, but that if he had given me a ticket, next time I came back to the US, there would be warrant out for my arrest (visions of the unpleasant scenes from the Shawshank Redemption were now running through my mind). I can only assume people don’t bother paying there fines when they come on holiday. He then gave me a lecture on making sure I pay attention to the road signs, which I assured him I would. He also asked what the diagonal lines are on UK roads. I mumbled that I think it means to slow down (I haven’t clue what he was talking about) but it was the only thing I could think of. He let us go, and to be fair we were quite freaked out by it.

We drove straight to the hotel, and fortunately they let us check in early. We are staying at the Andreas Spa and Hotel, just off the Main Street in Palm Springs. It’s a great little hotel, with friendly staff and great amenities, and we are there for 3 days before checking in to our apartment on Friday. A quick dip in the pool and then we were off to find a ‘happy hour” to perk our spirits up.

The pool at the hotel

Palm Springs used to be a big hit with movie stars in the 50’s and 60’s, and in homage to that, a giant statue of Marilyn Monroe confronts you as you walk on to Main Street.

Wednesday 25 September

We were awake early again, at around 5.00 am. Out came the Scrabble, and the “Dent World Championship” continued (sadly Gina is currently dominating proceedings). After breakfast, time was devoted to researching prices on bikes and accessories, before heading off to the bike store at 11.30 am. 2 1/2 hours later, we left the store, with everything either bought or ordered. We had expected it to take several visits to the shop before we ordered anything, but after test riding the bikes and being happy with them we just went through our list and choosing all of the items we needed, a good day at the office. We pick the bikes up on Friday, then let the training commence.

Back to the hotel, we dropped the equipment off, then it was off out to celebrate the start of the next phase of our trip, (it doesn’t take much these days).. We had the early bird supper at a restaurant called “Lulu”, which at $16 for 3 courses between 3.00 pm and 5.00 pm, was great value for money.

Then it was back to the room at the hotel, where the Scrabble tournament recommenced. Finally a dip in the jaccuzi, it’s just too hot to use during the daytime.

By Gina

Thursday 26 September

Another early wake up, because of the 8 hour time difference we seem to be taking a long time to adjust. Just gives me more opportunity to beat Simon at Scrabble. We spent the morning by the pool, it was cooler today at about 28 degrees. As the day warmed up we headed out to look at the supermarket options. It was then time for another early bird special and back to the jaccuzi to chill out. Tomorrow we move to what will be our home for the next two months, we are really looking forward to putting some roots down for a while after nearly six months of moving around. We are also looking forward to starting training on Saturday, we have missed the daily exercise and routine since finishing LEJOG.

Friday 27 September

We are starting to wake slightly later which is good news. A quick dip in the jaccuzi and then time to pack, the last time we will have to do it for 2 months, hoorah! The apartment isn’t available until 2pm so we visited the visitor information centre for some maps of cycle routes.

View of the mountains from the visitor centre

We also drove up 2,500 feet to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Station. Our goal is to be able to ride up to this at some point in the next two months. When we do, we will take a tram ride up to the top , some 8,500 feet (in a little over 10 minutes to the top), the views should be stunning.

The Tramway Station

View back down in to Palm Springs from the Tramway Station

We then did a pretty large shop as the car goes back on Sunday, we will then have to rely on the bikes. By this time the car was full, we headed to the apartment. We were both over the moon, the apartment has been fully refurbished and we are the first guests, it is stunning and such a bargain. We booked the apartment through Airbnb, whom we used when we went to Clearwater. Basically Airbnb act as a conduit between you and the owner of the property, and once you have found what accommodation you are looking for on the Airbnb site, you then deal direct with the owner. We were able to negotiate a 15% discount off the advertised rate.

The apartment

It was time to pick up the bikes. One of our biggest worries is dealing with cleats, (cleats are the metal part that attaches to the bottom of your cycling shoe and snaps in and out of the clipless pedal) we have to ride with these to be efficient, but have also read that you are likely to fall off a few times, as you get used to them. Si went first in the shop trying them out and was a bit of a pro, then me, I was ok but not as confident. We rode the bikes back to the apartment, Si with cleats, me using normal shoes. Tomorrow we will have our first proper session on them.

The rest of the evening was spent enjoying the home comforts and a BBQ.

Saturday 28 September

We were up early and for the first month, we plan to be out by 7.00 am each day, train for up to 4 hours and get back before it gets too hot. I had a quick practice in the underground car park, first using one cleat, this went well so I ventured to 2. No problems until I got distracted and forgot both feet were locked in, next thing I was on the floor as I tried to stop. The good news, the bike landed on me so no scratches, and somehow Si managed to keep a straight face.

My first bruise of the day (Si thinks it looks like one of our future destinations!!)

Off we set and pretty soon I was using both cleats without any problems, long may it last. After Si’s run in with the police, we are anal about stopping at every stop sign, which is the law here, this allows plenty of practice in and out of the cleats.

We had been going for 1.5 hours and really enjoying it when Si became concerned about his back tyre. We carried on a bit further when it became apparent that it needed air, we hoped it wasn’t a puncture. Si tried pumping it up, only to realise our new super duper bike pump has an extra attachment that was sat in a plastic bag back at the apartment, so no air was going in. We were about 3 miles from home at this point, it is impossible to walk far in the cleats, plus it would damage them. I had spare shoes so it was agreed I would walk with Si’s bike and he rode mine. We were home by 10am. Si checked his tyre, and found a small puncture, so fixed that. Better luck tomorrow!!!