“Tucson best road-biking city in the country”
Outside Magazine, August 2010
“America’s Best Cities for Bikers” - Tucson #5
(Forbes.com, April 2010)
The Ride
Held annually the Saturday before Thanksgiving, El Tour is a fun ride attracting over 9,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities from throughout the United States and beyond, consisting of novice, intermediate, advanced, and professional riders. Southwest Airlines’ in-flight magazine, Spirit (June 2001) named El Tour de Tucson “one of the premier organized rides in United States,” and Bicycling Magazine (October 2002) ranked El Tour as “one of the top three fundraising rides” in the country.
The Participants
Cyclists enjoy El Tour and its festivities simply due to their passion for cycling, while others choose the event as part of a healthy lifestyle change or even as part of their wellness program as a survivor from cancer or other life-threatening illness. Many are attracted to El Tour’s fundraising programs for its many charitable agencies, for which the event raised over $1,627,210 in 2010. What all riders of El Tour share is a desire to get on their bikes, meet great people and have a fun time doing it!
The Routes
Participants may cycle 111, 85, 60 or 42 miles, plus the 6, 3 & 1/4- mile Diamond Children’s El Tour Fun Ride presented by McDonald’s, open to all abilities. Main event routes showcase scenic areas of Tucson, with beautiful vistas of its local mountain ranges - three rising over 9,000 feet- complete with the backdrop of the mighty Saguaro cactus, icon of the Southwest’s Sonoran Desert. Course profiles can be rolling to moderately hilly, though the 42-mile route is basically flat and is often a family affair or for beginners! Two often dry but sandy river crossings will greet 111-mile riders, while 79 cyclists experience just one. No crossings for the 60 & 42-mile participants. All routes offer aid stations, spaced each 7-12 miles, full police support at intersections and plenty of morale-boosting volunteers and spectators. The Fun Ride offers an exciting 6-mile route and an easy 3-mile route, highlighting special cultural aspects of downtown Tucson.
The Finish
The 111-mile startline (and finish line for all events) is located at Armory Park, across the street from the Children’s Museum in downtown Tucson at the corner of S. 6th Avenue at 13th Street. Upon crossing the finishline at the end of their ride, cyclists collect a special finisher’s medallion to commemorate their accomplishment. El Tour’s Downtown Fiesta will be in Armory park featuring food vendors, kids activities, the Michelob Ultra Beer Garden, El Tour Perimeter Store merchandise booth, and non-stop music and celebration throughout the day!
The Alternative
The Lemond Fitness Indoor El Tour is a stationary cycling event – no traffic, no safety hazards, no headwinds, but still loads of fun. Ride for minutes instead of miles while supporting Perimeter Bicycling charities and receive a special medallion. Indoor El Tour begins one week prior to the main event and may be ridden on any stationary bike or at the finishline on Ride Day.
*Participants may opt to pay the processing fee now to reserve their space, with remaining fees/contributions due by the Friday of Bike Expo
Perimeter
Bicycling