Tucson’s Premiere Bicycling Event is usually held the Saturday before Thanksgiving. This year (2011) the big race is November 19th. Begun in 1983, this is a charity event for University Medical Center (famous now for saving Congresswoman Gabriel Giffords’ life after a deranged man shot her in the head in January 2011. UMC = a serious trauma center. Do what you can to support them.)
El Tour offers several different events for all abilities: 109 miles; 79 miles; 66 miles; 40 miles; and even a children’s ride.
Personally, I think riding around Tucson all day with 9,000 other bicycle fanatics borders on insanity. But then, I think riding a bike up to Mt. Lemmon is insane. Thousands of others disagree. And Tucson is known for being one of the nation’s best cities for cyclists.
“Tucson best road-biking city in the country”
Outside Magazine, August 2010
“America’s Best Cities for Bikers” – Tucson #5
(Forbes.com, April 2010)
On any other day in Tucson, for a more serene riding experience you might consider Gates Pass.
Caution:
- Tucson is touted as a bicycle friendly city, and many of the city streets have bike lanes. However, most of the more scenic rural roads are narrow and do not have bike lanes.
- If you are not a contestant in El Tour de Tucson, you are hereby warned: DO NOT attempt to drive your car anywhere in the city on event day. You will face substantial delays and detours.
Many people ask us if they can rent bicycles here. The answer is yes. One such establishment is RC Bicycles downtown.
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