Bike Rides: 2015-02-03 - By Ural to Borrego Springs and Return with my Canadian Snowbird Neighbors

Bike: Ural Tourist
Miles: 225.4
Start Time 9:24
Moving Time: 6:02:02
Elevation: 11,364
Avg Spd(M): 37.4
Max Spd(M): 65.3
Temp Out:
Temp In:

A great ride to Borrego Springs for lunch and a quick look at the animal sculptures on the south edge of town. We got away at a decent hour and after a quick stop at the local bank in an attempt to get cash (the ATM was down) we started up the hill into JTNP. It was a cool but not cold morning and we had a very pleasant ride through the park with stops in one of the exhibit areas in Pinto Basin and another at the Cottonwood Visitor Center. We exited the park and crossed I-10 onto Box Canyon road. We stopped for photos about 3/4 of the way through the canyon. After passing through Mecca we turned onto CA-86 and were soon at our first gas stop in Salton City. We took San Diego County S-22 west from Salton City to Borrego arriving about 1:00. We had a good lunch at the local Mexican Food emporium then headed down the street to the city park in Christmas Circle where we had a quick break before riding south and east on Borrego Spirings Road to view the animal sculptures at Galleta Meadows. After viewing and photographing the art works (Karen did most of the heavy photography) we retraced our route to Christmas Circle where we had another quick break before heading east on S-22. We stopped in Mecca for fuel and a breather then reversed our route through Box Canyon and into the park with another stop at the Cottonwood Visitor center. We had a pleasant ride back through the park in the last sunlight of the day and got home shortly after sunset.

This ride has to rate as one of the most enjoyable I have ever taken. Good company, good weather, good food, good scenery and a relaxed pace made the day one to be long remembered. Karen had invited me to come to a gathering at their friends down the street after we got home. I spent about 2 hours there enjoying pizza and some good conversation. A long but very satisfying day.

Karen and Ron at Box Canyon: