I’m leaving snowy Detroit for a winter escape in Palm Springs — and honestly, this trip almost didn’t happen. I explain why I paused my Van & Trike Tour: the expenses started outpacing what I was bringing in from the channel and shop visits, so I had to pump the brakes on the original plan. But then I got an unexpected call from Tri-A-Bike out in the Coachella Valley: “What if we fly you out and show you our riding area?” That kind of invite is hard to say no to, especially when it’s -10°C back home. This episode is a transit vlog — the calm before the desert miles. I take you through the chaos of getting out of Detroit (including a ridiculous moment where I showed up at the airport 24 hours early… after a concussion, which explains a lot). Then we land in Palm Springs and it’s instantly a different world: open-air airport, blue skies, palm trees, and that “why do people pretend they like winter?” feeling. I meet up with Graham and Harry from Tri-A-Bike, talk about the local cycling culture (too cold vs too hot seasons), and set up the next five days of rides — including me riding a fully electrified trike they’re lending me, with a few of my own accessories brought along for the experience.