by the way..... i got a new bike!

[caligurl]

Caligirl,

Congrats on your new bike it looks like you had a great time breaking her in, and I think you are right pink accessories are the way to go.

My DH and I got MTN bikes this summer and have been to JTNP a few times to ride, how was Queen Valley Rd? Was there lots of deep sand? Any info on MTN bikes rides in your area would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Jones

queen valley is uber easy.... basically flat (no hills... some slight elevation changes)! NO soft sand! as a matter of fact... we did this twice in a row a couple months back and i swore i wouldn't ride it again! lol! however it was the perfect first ride for the new bikes! and it really is gorgeous... i'm used to road riding on the main roads.. but you do get a different perspective of the park on the dirt road!

now the geology tour loop... there is where you get some sand issues! darn it all! cut it's REALLY REALLY pretty in there! but that loop has a LOT Of car traffic and it really loosens the sand! once you are down in there... it was fine the day we rode it (they had just graded it)... but even with the traffic that day... the climb out was miserable and a walk fest cuz of loose sand! we parked at the geology loop area... crossed the road to queen valley... took that all the way to barker damn (rode around a bit there in hidden valley) then came back on the other road (instead of going to the left back on queen valley... stayed to the right).. it comes out on the main road and you have to turn left to get back to the car..... but it's a short time on the road!

another area is the "goat trails" in palm springs/cathedral city. you park at von's at 111 and gene autry... and climb on in! (you have to carry your bike around the gate)... the climb in is steep... i haven't been able to ride it without stopping or walking yet ("funny" thing... i've climed roads as steep on my roadie.... so i finally "get" that dirt is different!) anyways... once you get in there... there are fireroads... singletracks... just all over! very cool!!!!!

there's other places starting in palm desert... but i've not been to them so can't speak on them!

over at MTBR a couple of gals just did the... oh... what's it called????? *totally blank* ugh! the dirt road/mtb ride down by the cottonwood entrance of JTNP.... they said it was doable.... i want to go check that out some time soon too! and will post my experiences with it once we finally do!

those are really the only three places within the park (queen valley, geology, and the cottonwood ride) until congress gets off their duff and signs the bill for the other mtb area!