Stupidly, my friend and I went on a road ride yesterday morning (Sunday) from Palm Canyon Resort in Borrego Springs without checking the weather forecast. It's a nice 35 mile loop up S-3 to 78 west up Yaqui Pass back to Borrego, have done it several times, great ride.

Well yesterday they had the wind storm of the last 20 to 50 years depending on who you talk to to about it. 90 mile an hour gusts I am told. We made it back on our bikes but were literally scoured by the sand blasts. Got knocked down by the wind, had to stop and hug the ground to protect the face and neck, flying sheet metal everywhere, stop signs flying through the air. It was nuts. I learned how to ride a 50 mile an hour crosswind by leaning and tacking into the wind, no joke.

He has a go-pro video of some of it which I may post if it's any good.

Needless to say the post-ride refreshments were some of the best ever!

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"We'll ride it until they pave it."

-Big Clyde

Yikes. Glad to see you survived to tell the story.

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"Those skilled at the unorthodox are infinite as heaven and earth, inexhaustible as the great rivers."
— Tzun Tzu

Lol.....we were out at Ocotillo Wells on Saturday. It was pretty damn bad too, but i doubt it got over 50-60mph winds....so apparently we had it good compared to you.
i also learned something new this weekend.......i.e. how to ride a dirtbike completely sideways and damn near parallel to the floor....

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'the notorious North County Sancho'

Some of the best biking experiences are not what one expects.

I once rode the Carrizo Gorge in similar conditions. The bridge crossings were just wonderful

BUT...once we hit Dos Cabesas (sp?), with the wind to our backs, we were out of the desert section of the ride in less than an hour (usually takes 2. The taller I sat in the saddle, the faster I went!

when I ride the Silver Strand, I usually do that when I have a tail wind. Solely because my ass and love handles act like sails.

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Best riding advice I ever got... "make sure you have air in your tires"

Kimba I hope there's a video, that's funny. I rode in pine valley, was chilly at the start but no winds, there's still a little bit of snow on top. Ride on.

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"Just stop this walking shit and let's get this done"
Avidtesty (Arch 2019)

Must of been a weekend for the desert.
We were out there too. 50 Boy Scouts & the adults for their annual 50+mile 2day ride. We started in the rain, about 10 miles above the Great Southern Overland Stage Route into Agua Caliente Springs. Then into Ocotillo Wells on Sunday.

Going down the hill on Saturday we turned right into the wind and it was like a Star Trek episode, where a the gods reached out and stopped our momentum. Kinda cool. Time & space slooowed. And yes, wicked crosswind, but the tailwind shaved a solid hr half.

Saturday I rode six miles out & back farther. From the hot Springs, clipping along 17 -29 mph. On the way back mostly single, 5-11mph.

Sunday added 2.5 miles out & back. for a 75.5 miles.
I was the oldest rider ..damn. On my trusty '94 Univega on Town & Countries.

Dang, I missed this thread!
I live out here in Borrego Springs and the wind that Sunday was off the charts, and I've been out here for twenty years.

ON a side note though, recently our weather has kicked the coastal weather's butt!!!!

On another side note, we will be getting a bike shop here in town soon!
Right next to the circle.

Next time any of you are coming out here, let me know and I'll join you.

Rick

Is that new shop being opened by Dan Cain? I think he had one at one time, and also operated, or still does, out of his garage. If you've been there 20 years I'd guess you know him.

Most years about this time I get out there to stay at the Palms or Hacienda Del Sol for my wedding anniversary, and bring my mountain bike for a solo ride while the wife sleeps in. But this year I'm broke and broken.

I love Borrego Springs. I'd like to retire there, if there were any hope of me being able to retire.

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Thus, if we are to understand the world, we should live somewhere between judgement and amazement — Alfredo Lopez Austin

Yep, Dan Cain's shop.
He had one here when we first moved out but it closed some time ago.
Like you said, he has been opperating out of his garage but the location couldn't be beat and its time to step up again.
Hope he gets it opened up soon, I need a few things.

Devils Slide Ocotillo Wells....

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"My favorite part of riding a bike is when I get off the bike." - Jim Gaffigan

Devils Slide Ocotillo Wells....

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"My favorite part of riding a bike is when I get off the bike." - Jim Gaffigan

That's not top of blow sands?

Not that I've been out there enough to really know, just don't remember sand like that elsewhere out there.

That looks like the area on the right side of devils slide. There is a little area full of sand and it runs east for a short stretch. You can see what looks to be the end of the hill in the background. There are a couple of climbs up the hill to the left that bikes and some quads run up and down.

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You never know what tomorrow will bring so go ride your EBike today or walk your pooch
Fear the Yeti
"Go ride your bike today, don't let the old man in.."

Mike

Nice will have to check that out next time.