check here regularly for more updates (last update 11/17/02)
(1.0)

Registration Closes Thursday, Nov 21 @ 9:00 pm … to find out where and how to register call El Tour Headquarters: 1-520-745-2033 (call between 9 am & 6 pm)

(1.1) To complete your registration, do the following:
(a) Pay remaining fees and/or contributions on/or before Friday, Nov 22 if you haven't already done so
(b) Pick up your rider numbers, packet and T-shirt on: Thur,11/21, or Fri, 11/22, 10 am - 9 pm at Tucson Convention Center (TCC)
(1.2) Confirm that your are registered
All registered cyclists are sent a welcome letter from El Tour. If you didn't receive a welcome letter from El Tour, please check with us to see if we received your application and that you are registered in this year's event. You can confirm your entry by calling Perimeter Bicycling Association of America at: 520-745 2033 or by e-mailing: registration@pbaa.com
(2.0) El Tour Information Booklet
Complete information regarding El Tour will be given to you at the time of packet pick-up in the El Tour Information Booklet. All rules, activities, directions to start lines and El Tour tips are presented in this booklet. Due to many last minute changes, the booklet won't be ready until packet pick-up. In the meantime, please read all the El Tour Updates
(3.0)

Pick Up Packet, Rider #s and T-shirt at El Tour Bike Festival
All registered cyclists must pick up your packet, rider numbers, T-shirt, etc at El Tour Bike Festival on Thursday, Nov 21st (10 am - 9 pm) or on Friday, Nov 22nd (10am - 9 pm) at Tucson Convention Center (TCC) in downtown Tucson.
(3.1)

Directions to all El Tour Start Lines (also see Section 6.2 for starting times and locations)

108-Mile Start Line: Go to Congress and Granada in downtown Tucson. Take I-10 to Congress Exit. Head East on Congress for about ¼-mile and you'll see the Start Line at Granada & Congress. You can park anywhere in downtown area. There's plenty of parking at the TCC. See Section (3.3) for parking. Follow designated path to walk your bike to start area.

81-Mile Start Line: Moved to Mesquite Ranch on Houghton Rd. Take I-10 to Houghton Exit. Go north on Houghton for approximately 5 miles to Mequite Ranch, which is about one-mile south of Irvington on East Side of Houghton. If you get to Irvington, you've gone too far - turn around and go back. Plenty of parking at Mesquite Ranch.

65-Mile Start Line: Go to Morris K. Udall Center on Tanque Verde Rd, east of Sabino Canyon Road. Take I-10 to Grant Exit. Head east on Grant for about 9 miles to Tanque Verde Road. Head north on Tanque Verde Road for 1.5 miles to Morris K. Udall Center, just pass Sabino Canyon Road. Plenty of parking at Udall Center.

35-Mile Start Line: The specific location and directions to the 31 mile start line in the Town of Oro Valley to be announced at a later date.

Kids Fun Rides: Held at downtown Tucson at Congress and Granada - see directions for 108-mile Start Line (above).

(3.2) Directions to El Tour Bike Festival & PacketPick-up in downtown Tucson at TCC
Take I-10 to Congress in downtown Tucson. Go east on Congress for 1/4-mile to Granada. Turn south on Granada. Go about two tenths of a mile, look to the east and you'll see the TCC up on a hill. Enter TCC and you'll see El Tour Bike Festival
Note: If Congress Exit is closed on I-10, please exit on Speedway or 22nd Street. TCC is on the east side of I-10 and about one mile from Speedway and 22nd St. exits.
(3.3)

Parking for El Tour Events

108-Mile Event - There is plenty of parking at 108-mile start and finish in downtown Tucson at Congress and Granada. You may park in the TCC parking lots. There is also a parking lot directly behind Garcia's Restaurant, which is less than a ¼-mile east of I-10 on Congress. There is a small charge to park there. The City and County parking garages will be open for parking. Caution: do to park or pullinto these garages if you have your bicycle on top of your car. You'll never make it through parking entrance … and then you won't make it to the start line!!! Or you will, but with an unusual bicycle!!!

All other events - There is plenty of parking at or near each start line. Please check Section (3.2) and (6.2) for directions to start lines and locations of each start line.
(4.0) Medallion Times for 108-Mile Cyclists
 

Platinum Male (Under 5 hrs) Female (Under 6)
Gold Male (Under 6 hrs) Female (Under 7)
Silver Male (Under 9 hrs) Female (Under 10)
Bronze Male & Female (Under 11 hours)
All Medallions will be given out at finish line in Downtown Tucson
(4.1) Rider #s - You must place your rider number in 4 different places

When you pick up your packet and T-shirt, you will also pick up 4 types of rider numbers:

  1. Shoulder # - to be placed on your right shoulder
  2. Helmet #s - two helmet #s, one to be placed on front of helmet and the other placed on right side
  3. Frame Number - on your bicycle frame
  4. Bib or main event # - placed on your back - see section (8.1) No TAG No Time!!!!!

The first three numbers will be given to you by Candid Color Photography which are used to identify you in event, as well as to take and send photographs of and to you. The 4th # is for results and medallion distribution. Without this number, no results, no medallions - please read (8.1) very carefully
(5.0)

Dedication Recipient's Schedule (El Tour XX is dedicated to the World's Greastest Woman Cyclist, Jeannie Longo of France.)

Thursday, 11/21/02,
6:30pm - 10:00pm Dedication Dinner (Invitation only)
Friday, 11/22/02,
2:00 am – 4:00 pm El Tour Bike Festival @ Poster Booth
6:30 pm – 6:45 pm Platinum Meeting at TCC
7:00 pm Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Dinner.
Saturday, 11/23/02,
6:30 am @ 108-Start-Will ride 108-mile event
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm Grand Cycling Awards Ceremony (TCC)
(6.0) Ride Day: Event Closes at 6:00 pm
Cyclists will be taken off the course at 6:00 pm. No exceptions. All course support including traffic control and aid stations will be discontinued at 6:00 pm. Cyclists riding after 6:00 pm can be fined by local police and/or disqualified by El Tour Officials. Those stopped by the 6:00 pm closing time will be SAGGED back to El Tour’s finish line.
(6.1) SOLID YELLOW & DOUBLE LINE RULE TO BE ENFORCED!
Violaters will be disqualified! Due to concerns for the safety of all El Tour Cyclists, the rule that states cyclists shall not cross a solid yellow or double line WILL continue to be enforced this year. Police, Bike Patrol and other Cource Officials will take rider numbers of violaters, who will be disqualified, and who will, as a result of their violation, not receive a finishing time or ranking.

Please do not become a DQ Statistic! Help us keep El Tour as a Safe, Challenging and Fun Event.
(6.2)

Starting Times & Locations
108-mile start (7:00 am)
Downtown Tucson at Congress & Granada
Kids Fun Ride (8:00 am)
Downtown Tucson at Congress & Granada
81-mile start (9:00 am)
Mesquite Ranch on Houghton, south of Irvington.
65-mile start (11:00 am)
Morris K. Udall Center on Tanque Verde Road, East of Sabino Canyon Road
35-mile start (12:30 pm) Wilson Elementary in Town of Oro Valley on Glover Rd. west of La Cholla.
(6.3)

Lining Up at 108-mile start
108-mile cyclists are to line-up according to expected finish times in one of the following four medallion categories:

Platinum Medallion Section:
Men 5 hrs or less Women 6 hrs or less. Must have Special Pass to Platinum Section - see "How to qualify for platinum?"

Gold Medallion Section:
Men 6 hrs or less Women 7 hrs or less

Silver Medallion Section:
Men 9 hrs or less Women 10 hrs or less

Bronze Medallion Section:
Men & Women under 11 hrs
(6.4) How to Qualify for Platinum Category?
Cyclists meeting one of the following criteria will be permitted to line up in the Platinum Medallion Area:
  1. Completed the '99, '00 or '01 El Tour de Tucson 111-mile event (men) under 5 hrs (women) under six hrs
  2. Completed the '00, '01 or '02 Tour of the Tucson Mountains 100K or 58-mile event under 2.5 hrs (men and women)
  3. Completed the '00, '01 or '02 El Tour de Phoenix 70-mile event (men) under 3 hrs (women)under 3.5 hrs
  4. Completed the '00, '01 or '02 Cochise County Cycling Classic 252-mile event (men) under 12 hrs (women) under 14 hrs; the 157-mile event (men) under 9 hrs (women) under 9.5 hrs; the 92-mile event (men) under 5 hrs (women) under 6 hrs
  5. USCF Cat #1 or #2 (Must show USCF Card)
  6. A top ten nationally or internationally ranked cyclist, triathlete or duathlete
  7. A Tour de France or Giro D'Talia qualified starter
(6.5)

Platinum Passes, Meetings, List and Starting Time

  1. PLATINUM PASS In order to get into the Platinum
    Section you must have a platinum pass. This pass will
    be handed out at a special Platinum Meeting.
    Remember you will not be given entrance to Platinum
    Section without a Platinum Pass.
  2. PLATINUM MEETINGS There will be two
    Platinum Meetings: (1) Friday, Nov 22, 2002@ 6:30
    pm at El Tour's Bike Festival & Packet Pick up at
    Tucson Convention Center (TCC). Go to El Tour's
    Info Booth at TCC and you will be given directions
    to the Platinum Meeting. (2) Saturday, Nov 23, 2002 @ 6:15
    am at TCC near the 108-mile start area. Enter TCC
    from the southwest side near Cushing & Granada.
    Meeting will be held in Grand Lobby of TCC where
    El Tour Bike Festival was held.
  3. Platinum List
    El Tour has a platinum list with all qualified platinum
    cyclists' names. If you are unsure whether or not you
    are on this list, you may call or e-mail to see if
    you are on the list.Call 520-745 2033 or e-mail:
    sponsorship@pbaa.com . Also,a Platinum list is posted on this website
  4. Platinum Line-Up All Platinum Cyclists must be
    on the 108-mile start line by 6:30 am.
(6.6) Disqualification
Actions resulting in immediate disqualification:
  1. Starting anywhere other than the official start area - cyclists must line up in "official" start line area
  2. Cycling without a helmet
  3. Crossing the a solid yellow line, whether double or single on your side.
  4. Unsportsman-like conduct
  5. Disobeying police, bike patrol or other event officials
  6. Riding with or receiving support from unregistered cyclists - bandits!
  7. Drafting or holding onto motorized vehicles or receiving support from moving vehicles
  8. Passing the lead vehicle
  9. Cutting into line-up or improperly entering platinum or gold section at the 108 start line-up
(7.0) Route: Right of Way on El Tour Day
Our five police agencies (DPS, City of Tucson Police, Pima County Sheriffs, Town of Oro Valley Police and City of Marana Police) have agreed to give El Tour cyclists the right of way on El Tour Day. Traffic will be stopped for you; however, at times, our police will have to hold up cyclists due to emergencies and/or excess motor traffic buildup. Please be patient with our police in case you are stopped. They are there to help you, not to police you. We appreciate the support of all of our police agencies. Thank them as you cycle by!
(7.1) Route: Aid Stations, Food & Water
There are aid stations about every 5-8 miles (19 stations total). At these stations we will be serving: Basha Bananas, Oranges, Wild Oats Grapes, Sierra Springs water, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Mothers cookies and pretzels. Please note Krispy Kreme Doughnuts will only be served to the 108 mile cyclists at the first river crossing, which is the lower Santa Cruz River crossing.
If you have special diet and/or nutritional supplements, please come prepared.
We do not serve any salt products; except salted prezels, however, bananas have potassium and will help reduce cramps and muscle spasms. Just drink plenty of water and eat bananas along route and you should be fine.
Pack in a Clif Bar to eat along the route. You will be given a Clif Bar at Packet Pick-up on Thursday or Friday of El Tour Week.
(7.2)

Route: Bike Patrol
There will be approximately 125 trained Bike Patrol out on the route to help you with mechanical problems, minor medical needs and encouragement. If you have a problem on route just flag down a Bike Patrol Member and you will be given assistance. Bike Patrol Cyclists are event officials. They are out there to help you; however, if necessary, they will disqualify cyclists for blantantly not following rules - see section (6.6) on "Disqualification"

We strongly recommend you carry with you a one or two spare tube, tire patch kit and other basic bicycle gear. Carry at least one water bottle, cell phone, change($$) and wear a CPSC/Snell approved bicycle helmet.
(7.3) Route: Cue Sheet
Click here to get a detailed directional listing of every street and turn on El Tour's route. Special thanks to Bike Patrol, Richard Corbett, for preparing this year's "Cue" sheet.
(7.4)

Construction Announcements-check here periodcally for updates on constuction.

Areas of concern to look out for:

Grande Rd. Upon leaving the 108- mile start, the 108-mile cyclists will head west to Grande, where the cyclists will turn south onto Grande. On Grande there are three "planted islands" which serve as road dividers. Because of these "planted islands" the City of Tucson Police is closing Grande to all motorized traffic. Cyclists will be able to use both side of Grande; however, please exercise exrteme caution and go around the three "planted island". Do not become planted in islands. Cones will be placed around the islands for your safety. Follow directions given by event officials.

Lower Sant Cruz River Crossing At approximatley 8 miles into the 108-mile event, cyclists must dismount their bicycles and cross the Santa Cruz River bed on foot. About a mile before the river crossing all cyclists should begin to slow down to avoid crashes before dismounting. Caution signs and guides are placed along Drexel, which is the road that takes you to the river crossing. The signs will notify cyclists of the upcoming dismount. Please pay attention to these signs and slow up before dismounting.

Sunrise between Swan & Craycroft will be Closed to motorized traffic. There is a major project going on, so please use extreme caution. Follow all directions from the respective police agencies. You may be required to compress the pack if you are in a pack. This area is heavily barricaded. Sunrise will be closed to motorized traffic between Swan and Craycroft from the hours of 9:30 am to 1:30 pm for the safety of all cyclists. El Tour thanks all the Pima County officials who were involved in making this decision. Although this area is closed to motorized traffic, cyclists, please exercise caution.

Moore Rd . Presently 1/2-mile of Moore Rd. is unpaved. Beginning Tuesday of El Tour week thru Friday, the Town of Oro Valley will be reconstructing this road to make it a safe passage for all El Tour cyclists. The project will take four days to complete. El Tour thanks the Town of Oro Valley for their concern and the special attention given to El Tour cyclists.

Please use caution in all of these areas. Be aware of any traffic control signals and obey all traffic control personnel and signs. Any disregard of traffic control, barricaded areas may be subject to disqualification.

(8.0) RESULTS (Unofficial) will be posted:
 
  1. Less than one hour after you finish at the El Tour
    Information Booth at the finish line.
  2. On PBAA's web site: www.pbaa.com by 11 pm,
    Saturday, 11/23, Ride Day
  3. In Tail Winds, Dec/Jan Issue ... a copy will be
    mailed to you by mid December
  4. Please check results, if we need to make
    corrections, please call or e-mail us
  5. Official Results will be published in Tail Winds,
    Feb/Mar Issue
  6. Results from previous El Tours.
(8.1) Tag must be pulled or No Results
All cyclists must wear a rider (bib) number on their back. This is your main event number. Without this number you can not ride. This number not only identifies you, but it also tells us the time you finished, as well as is used to get your medallion at the finish line. Without this number
you will not be given a time nor a medallion. Please wear it!!!!

When you cross the finish line, you must go through the finish line chute. At the end of the chute our officials will pull the results tag from your number. If we do not get this TAG, you will not be included in the results. It is your responsibility to make sure your TAG IS PULLED!!!! No Tag, No Results, No Time!!!!

Also, if you don't go through finish line chute, you will not get results because we can't pull your TAG. You must go through the finish line chute! You must have your TAG pulled!
(9.0) After El Tour: Compliments, Concerns & Issues
When El Tour is over, if you have any issues, compliments or concerns, please e-mail us at: registration@pbaa.com, call us at: 520-745-2033 or post a message on our message board and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We hope you have a great ride!
(9.1) After El Tour: Result Corrections
If we made an error in your results (omitted or reported incorrectly), please notify us immediately by calling 1-520-745 2033 or e-mailing: registration@pbaa.com . Please excuse our error; but we will make the correction once we are notified. Thanks for riding El Tour XX.
(9.2)

Office Hours after El Tour
Closed Wed, 11/27/02 thru Sun, 12/01/02

Since our staff has been working almost 4 weeks straight without a break, our office will close down for the Thanksgiving holidays on these days: Wednesday, 11/27/02, Thursday,11/28/02 Thanksgiving , Friday, 11/29/02, Saturday, 1130/02 and Sunday, 12/01/02

If you need us for any reason, call us Monday through Friday 9 am - 6 pm at 1-(520)-745-2033.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Perimeter Bicycling Staff!


Special El Tour Info Here

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Special El Tour Info Here

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Special El Tour Info Here

 

 

 

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