Tag Archives: Cycling
El Tour De Tucson
Charity · Community · Health & Wellness
El Tour de Tucson is now preparing to host the 41st year for what we think is one of the premier bicycling events in the country. We hope you participate in this year’s event on November 23, 2024. You won’t be alone given that annually over 9,000 cyclists participate in the renowned and popular event.
Charity, community, health and wellness are what Perimeter Bicycling and El Tour are all about. They all go hand-in-hand when it comes to building awareness for a bike ride that has been part of the Tucson community for nearly four decades.
Did you know that El Tour de Tucson enables nonprofit, charitable agencies to raise funds for their respective organizations? Learn about their programs and sign up to ride on their teams here. Since 1983, Perimeter Bicycling events have raised over $115 million for local and international charitable organizations.
Ride the Arizona Divide
CLICK HERE FOR INTERACTIVE MAP
For those interested a group of individuals will be riding the 450 mile Ride the Arizona Divide route starting September 23rd. Why 9/23? It’s simply the best time of the year to ride the White Mountains and Northeast Arizona! The are no entry fees or registration. The route uses public roads, anyone can join in. This is not an organized or sanctioned event in any way. Each rider is responsible for their navigation and well being. We will be following the current route posted on this page. For those that want to start at the same time meet at Tall Timbers Park in the community of Heber AZ at 6:00AM on September 23rd. Do not leave your vehicle at the park.
If you own a tracking device (e.g., SPOT, Garmin InReach) and would like friends and relatives to view your progress or have a record of your ride you can register your device with the Trackleaders service. More info can be found on their website: http://trackleaders.com/ They are not affiliated with us, AZ Gravel Rides or Ride Across Arizona.
All updates for the route will be posted here and here only! No emails, texts, FB messages or Instagram messages. If you have anything you would like to share (water sources, camp spots, etc.) please forward them on to us and we’ll get them shared here.
We view RAD as a long, hard unofficial ultra endurance cycling challenge that tests our perseverance, self sufficiency and competence. It’s also a fantastic workout! The idea behind the Grand Depart type of start is to be able to have a like minded group of individuals on the route at the same time to boost camaraderie and safety. However, be advised, this is not a “group” ride. You will be on your own most of the time but might be lucky enough to encounter another rider here and there. It’s that simple. Ride as far as you can as fast as you can and above all try to remain positive and have fun.
Universally Accepted Rider Etiquette:
General:
– Complete the entire route under your own power.
– LEAVE NO TRACE. If you carry it in, carry it out. The goal is to keep the area we are rolling through better than we found it.
– Follow all traffic laws. You must use lights when riding at night on any public road.
– Unless you can actually see another rider coming behind you, always close a gate you open
– No trespassing. Please respect private property.
Popular ways to ride the RAD course and accepted definitions from other similar rides:
Self-supported Bikepacking (example: Tour Divide)
Solo Riders:
– No support crews or caches of any kind.
– No motorized transport along the route.
– Unplanned support from a fellow rider is allowed.
– Gas stations, restaurants, hotels, campgrounds, and any other commercial services along the route are fair game as long as they are not pre-arranged.
– If your bike breaks and you wish to continue the ride, you must hike, walk or crawl to the next town to get it repaired. Once fixed, you must return, under your own power, to the exact spot you left the route. This is a completely self-powered ride. If you get in a motorized vehicle, your ride is over (you may switch to the supported category**).
– You may ride with other people, but drafting is not allowed.
Duo Riders (same as above except):
– You and your partner may share resources.
– You and your partner should stay together for the duration of the ride.
– Drafting off your partner is allowed.
Supported (example: RAAM)
Solo Riders:
– Support vehicles allowed to follow along and provide assistance (high clearance vehicle required, 4wd highly recommended).*
– Any number of bicycles or replacement parts may be used during the ride.
– If a rider makes a wrong turn and rides off the event route, regardless of the reason, the rider must return (either riding or support vehicle) to the exact spot where the course deviation was made, then continue riding.
– No hand offs or mechanical support from a moving vehicle.
Relay Team (same rules for supported riders as above except):
– Riders share and exchange a single tracking device.
– Riders determine when to exchange.
– Both riders can ride at the same time sharing pulls and drafting, you decide what is best for your team.
Project Echelon
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El Tour De Zona
ARIZONA’S MULTI-DAY CYCLING TOUR & FESTIVAL!El Tour de Zona is a three-day, fully-supported bicycle tour during the day and a fun festival at night visiting the towns of Sierra Vista, Bisbee and Tombstone. The ZONA is all about having FUN! Enjoy three-days of destination loop bicycle rides mixed with post-ride festivals featuring live music, great food and a local craft beer gardens.
Come out for just a day or ride all three.
Choose Your Registration *
Thursday March 21, 2024 – Sunday March 24, 2024
Open to ages 17 and under.
$99.00 + $6.94
Thursday March 21, 2024 – Sunday March 24, 2024
Open to ages 18+.
$219.00 + $14.14
Friday March 22, 2024
$49.00 + $3.94
Saturday March 23, 2024
$99.00 + $6.94 SignUp Fee
Sunday March 24, 2024
$99.00 + $6.94 SignUp Fee
Thursday March 21, 2024 – Sunday March 24, 2024
$179.00 + $11.74 SignUp Fee
Thursday March 21, 2024 – Sunday March 24, 2024
$99.00 + $6.94 SignUp Fee
Thursday March 21, 2024 – Sunday March 24, 2024
$49.00 + $3.94 SignUp Fee
GABA – Wednesday Loop Ride-St. Phillips B/1/55
Details
Ride Description:
This full Loop ride will be clockwise with at Decibel Coffee House at the 35-mile point. We will be treated to views of four different mountain ranges as well as the Tucson skyline along the way.
This ride will start near Ren Coffee House in St. Phillips Plaza.
As a GABA Training ride, stops will be about every ten miles for a few minutes. If you are further off the pace than that allows, you may navigate to the coffee shop or finish. This ride is about gaining some fitness, and of course spending time with new and old friends.
Notes:
Start Time: Arrive by 7:45 AM for sign-in, meeting others, and overview. Wheels rolling by 8:00 AM.
Final rolling average- 17+ mph. Rolling speeds may be higher.
Terrain: Relatively flat bike paths, and climbs on open roads.
Total Elevation Gain: 960 ft.
Traffic: Special attention is required along Ajo and Benson Highway
Ride Type: Training
Parking: Ample parking on the south side of St. Phillips Plaza.
Group size: 12 riders
Ride Coordinator: Dave McElwaine (781) 367-8643. If you are running late, give me a call.
Ride with GPS Route
Please be responsible for your own navigation.
Participation rules:
Your GABA membership should be current. If not, please consider joining at www.bikegaba.org. Bring food & fluids for 4 hours. Front and back flashing lights are encouraged on The Loop. Helmets must be worn at all times while riding. No ear buds. This ride is unsupported. Please obey traffic laws and represent GABA well.
Ride Codes:
• A 20+ mph
• B+ 18-20 mph
• B 16-18 mph
Terrain Codes:
• 1 Flat
• 2 Minor Hills
• 3 Moderate Hills
• 4 Long Climbs or Very Steep
COVID-19 safety measures
COVID-19 vaccination required
Event will be outdoor
The event host is instituting the above safety measures for this event. Meetup is not responsible for ensuring, and will not independently verify, that these precautions are followed.
GABA – OFF THE GRID: Big Square Metric B-/4/61
Details
Ride Description:
This spectacular ride includes the climb over Picture Rocks Pass, a gigantic square on the west side of the Tucson Mountains, a traverse across Saguaro National Park West, and a climb over Gates Pass. Whew!
The scenery on this ride is off-the-charts gorgeous as we get a first hand look at the Tucson Mountains, cotton fields. and the National Park.
This ride features 2,000 feet of climbing, some of it steep. ! It is not easy. There are limited support services on the route so bring enough water for at least three hours plus extra tubes.
As a GABA Training ride, re-groupings may be as much as ten miles apart and only for a few minutes. If you are farther off the pace than that, please navigate to the Felize Paseo Park or to the finish at Camino de Cerro.
Notes:
Start Time: 7:45 AM sign-in. Wheels rolling 8:00 AM.
Ride Type: Training
Final Average: 17+mph, rolling speeds can be higher.
Terrain: Significant climbing-Picture Rocks Pass, Gates Pass. Some rough roads are likely out west.
Total Elevation Gain: 2200 ft.
Traffic: We will be riding on streets and bike paths. Very little shoulder on Gates Pass. Fast traffic. on Picture Rocks Pass.
Support: This ride is unsupported.
Meeting Spot: Feliz Paseos Park See map.
Group size: This ride will be limited to ten riders.
Big Square Route
Please be responsible for your own navigation.
Participation rules: Your GABA membership must be current. If you are not a member, please consider joining at https://www.bikegaba.org/ . Helmets are mandatory. Rear flashing lights are recommended. Please obey traffic laws and represent GABA well.
Ride Code:
• B- 16-18 final average.
Terrain Code:
• 4-Long Climbs
COVID-19 safety measures
COVID-19 vaccination required
Event will be outdoor
The event host is instituting the above safety measures for this event. Meetup is not responsible for ensuring, and will not independently verify, that these precautions are followed.
GABA- OFF THE GRID: Parker Canyon Lake B-/3/61
Details
Ride Description:
This may be our most scenic 100k ride. It takes us through Elgin wine country east of Sonoita, past cattle ranches, to the lush Canelo Valley, and finally to Paker Canyon Lake. We will enjoy spectacular views of the grasslands, the Mustang Mountains, and the Huachuca Mountains.
Once at the lake we will take a leisurely break for refreshments. There is a convenience store there where you may buy snacks and water. If the weather allows, we will have lunch on the patio of Copper Brothel after the ride.
This ride features endless rolling hills and 4,000 feet of climbing! It is not easy. There are no support services on the route so bring enough water for at least three hours and extra tubes.
“Off The Grid” rides are intended to get you out of the Metro area and try something new. As a GABA Training ride, regroupings may be as much as ten miles apart and only for a few minutes. If you are farther off the pace than that, please navigate to the Lake or to the finish in Sonoita.
Additonal Notes:
Ride Type: Training
Pace: Final rolling average 17+ mph.
Terrain: There are plenty of hills with gradual climbs of up to 5 miles, and shorter steeper hills typically of a mile or less.
Total Elevation Gain: 3958 ft.
Traffic: Country roads but with some vehicles moving at up to 50 mph.
Start Time: Arrive by 8:15 AM for sign-in and route rap. Wheels rolling by 8:30 AM. sharp.
Group size: This ride will be limited to twelve riders.
Route: Parker Canyon Lake
We ask everyone to be responsible for their own navigation.
Ride Coordinator: Dave McElwaine @ (781) 367-8643. If you are running late, give me a call.
Participation rules:
Your GABA membership should be current. If you are not a member, please consider joining at www.bikegaba.org. Front and back flashing lights are encouraged. Helmets must be worn at all times while riding. No ear buds. Please obey traffic laws and represent GABA well
Ride Codes:
• A 20+ mph
• B+ 18-20 mph
• B 16-18 mph
Terrain Codes:
• 1 Flat
• 2 Minor Hills
• 3 Moderate Hills
• 4 Long Climbs or Very Steep
COVID-19 safety measures
COVID-19 vaccination required
Event will be outdoor
The event host is instituting the above safety measures for this event. Meetup is not responsible for ensuring, and will not independently verify, that these precautions are followed.
Wednesday Loop Ride-Nexxis B/1/54
Details
Ride Description:
This is a recurring full loop ride that takes place every two weeks. We will make a brief stop for coffee at Ren Coffee House at the 35-mile point. We will be treated to views of four different mountain ranges, as well as the Tucson skyline along the way.
This ride will start at Pour My Coffee at the intersection of E Valencia and S. Nexxis Dr. We will travel gradually downhill through the Julian Greenway to the Santa Cruz bike path. We will return along the Rillito and Pantano washes, and then finish on the fabulous bike path next to Fantasy Island.
Re-groupings may be as much as ten miles apart for a few minutes. If you are farther off the pace than that, please navigate to the coffee shop or finish.. This ride is about gaining some fitness, and of course spending time with new and old friends.
Participation rules:
Your GABA membership should be current. Bring food & fluids for 4 hours. Front and back flashing lights are encouraged on The Loop. Helmets must be worn at all times while riding. No ear buds. This ride is unsupported. Please obey traffic laws and represent GABA well.
Notes:
Start Time: Arrive by 8:15 AM for sign-in, meeting others, and overview. Wheels rolling by 8:30 AM.
Final rolling average- 17+ mph. Rolling speeds may be higher.
Terrain: Relatively flat bike paths, one easy climb of less than 200 ft.
Total Elevation Gain: 960 ft.
Traffic: Special attention is required along Ajo.
Ride Type: Training/ Re-group.
Parking: Ample parking at Safeway parking lot.
Group size: Ten riders
Ride Coordinator: Dave McElwaine (781) 367-8643. If you are running late, give me a call.
Ride Codes:
• A 20+ mph
• B+ 18-20 mph
• B 16-18 mph
Terrain Codes:
• 1 Flat
• 2 Minor Hills
• 3 Moderate Hills
• 4 Long Climbs or Very Steep
COVID-19 safety measures
COVID-19 vaccination required
Event will be outdoor
The event host is instituting the above safety measures for this event. Meetup is not responsible for ensuring, and will not independently verify, that these precautions are followed.
Epic GABA Century B-/2/102
Details
Ride Description:
This EPIC tour around the Tucson area takes us from the Camino del Cerro ball fields to Green Valley via bike paths and Mission Rd. Along the way we will see some impressive copper mines, pecan groves, and very few cars. While in Green Valley we will refuel at Posada Coffee.
From Green Valley we will head east up Sahuarita Rd, and north on Wilmot to The Loop for the final 33 miles. Usually we will have the wind at our backs for much of this section, and of course it is gradually downhill.
Please note that this ride is UNSUPPORTED and limited to 10 riders. We will make use of public bathrooms, convenience stores, and coffee shops. If you are looking to do a non-stop ride or are concerned about elapsed time, this ride is NOT for you.
Notes:
Start Time: 7:45 AM sign-in. Wheels rolling 8:00 AM SHARP.
Ride Type: Training
Pace: 17+ FINAL AVERAGE. Rolling speeds often higher.
Terrain: Flat bike paths, rolling hills, and long climbs/descents.
Total Elevation Gain: 2500 ft.
Traffic: Special caution in Green Valley area
Support: This ride is unsupported.
Regrouping: Four places including Dunkin, Pousada Java, Kolb bathroom
Ride Leader: Dave McElwaine 781-367-8643
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41352341
Participation rules:
Your GABA membership should be current. If not, please consider joining at www.bikegaba.org. Bring food & fluids for 3 hours. Front and back flashing lights are encouraged on The Loop. Helmets must be worn at all times while riding. No ear buds. This ride is unsupported. Please obey traffic laws and represent GABA well.
Meeting Spot: Camino del Cerro ball fields
Ride Code:
• B- 16-17 final average.
Terrain Code:
• 2-moderate hills
COVID-19 safety measures
COVID-19 vaccination required
Event will be outdoor
The event host is instituting the above safety measures for this event. Meetup is not responsible for ensuring, and will not independently verify, that these precautions are followed.