tour de tucson 2023 dates

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Countdown to El Tour on November 23, 2024!

Get on a bike, learn more about the family fun ride.

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 nearly $121 million for local and international charitable organizations.

2024 Dedication Recipient

2024 primary beneficiary.

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Million raised for local, national & international charities.

Proclamation by Pima County - El Tour de Tucson Week.

LATEST TAILWINDS

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A Ride of Silence will be held in Tucson's Reid Park at 5 p.m. on…

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The Rob Dollar Foundation has been out there working its magic for more than six…

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Pedal Adventures

Your resource for mountain bike travel

The Complete Guide to Riding El Tour de Tucson 2023

2023 marks the 40 th year for the El Tour de Tucson . Over 7,000 cyclists ride in this event (that’s huge!) and they have a ride for everyone. El Tour de Tucson is about charity, community, health and wellness and it is truly a ride you should check out at least one.

El Tour De Tucson is held every year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Amateurs and pros of all ages and abilities participate. It’s a great way to see Tucson by bike and meet new people.

Our Experience

Our trip to Tucson happened to coincide with El Tour de Tucson.  Randy did the 109 mile ride while Kalden and I did the 6 mile fun ride. This is a great event attracting over 9,000 cyclists of all ages. Kalden and I got up early to watch the 109 mile ride take off at 7am. It was a huge group and it took about 10 minutes for all the riders to cross the start line.

At 8am we lined up for the fun ride. It was mostly families (except for #30). Kalden was very excited to be up front and start “the race.”  As always once we actually started he became cautious and made sure to stay in control and be aware of the cyclists around him. It was a good strategy as the group ability amounted to a bunch of kids and inexperienced cyclists. When the road opened up Kalden did put the hammer down. The event was very well run. There were police at every intersection stopping traffic for us and about 3 aid stations for the 6 miles. The crowd for the fun ride was also refreshing to see. In Colorado these types of events are dominated by hardcore cyclists trying to get their kids interested in the sport. Here it was mostly non-cycling families out to enjoy this event and spend time together. At the end everyone got a medal and there were smiles all around.

Since we had to wait a few hours for Randy we headed to Whole Foods and then In and Out for a well deserved burger! When we got back to the event around 11:30 the first cyclists were finishing. It was a tough year with 20-30 MPH winds. Randy came in around 6.5  hours and was beat. He pretty much did the ride “off the couch.” He was still very excited about the event and experience. It was amazing to see the amount of people and the different types of riders. Some people were out on the course for 11 hours! An event to keep on the radar if you are in Tucson around Thanksgiving!

El Tour de Tucson 2023 Dates

The event will take place on Saturday, November 18, 2023.

El Tour De Tucson 2023 Routes

All Rides/Routes start and finish in downtown Tucson.

• The Century (7:00am start) 102 Mile
• The Metric Century (9:00 am start) 62 Mile/100 Kilometer
• The Half Metric Century (10:15 am start) 32 Mile/50 Kilometer
• The FUN Rides! (8:00 am start) 10 Mile / 5 Mile / 1 Mile

The Century

The metric century, the metric half century, tour de tucson expo.

The Expo & Fiesta  is at the Eckbo Plaza of the Tucson Convention Center.  Most of the activities including the live music, food, beer garden and exhibitors are outside.

The longer routes enter the Sonoran desert including Davis Monthan Air Force Base, the mountainous and saguaro lined vistas of Old Spanish Trail, and Colossal Cave. The route will also pass through the communities of Corona de Tucson, Vail, Sahuarita and Green Valley.

Note: Rides close at 4:00 pm.  All support ends at that time.  Each aid station will close prior to that time according to a schedule that will allow finishes by 4:00pm.

The Fun Ride is only $15 per cyclist.

There are three to chose from and all start at 8AM on Cushing Street (just south of the Tucson Convention Center).

• 10-mile course starting on Cushing Street (just south of the Tucson Convention Center) and heads to the Santa Cruz River multi-use path – scenic and mostly away from traffic.
• 5-mile course: easy and mostly flat along the Santa Cruz river path.
• 1-mile course a very easy, all flat ride out-and-back ! Starting on Cushing Street (just south of the Tucson Convention Center) to Stone, to 18th Street, to Meyer and then back to Cushing Street.

Family Notes : Pulling a child (pulled in a trailer or a kid in a seat on the bike) is FREE for the child but full registration is needed and the adult must register and fully pay the entry fee.

If you are signed up to ride in El Tour’s late morning events (the 63 mile or the 32 mile) you can ride one of these before the event with your kid!

Where to Stay in Tucson

You definitely want to be staying near downtown for this ride. Tucson is huge and even driving 10 miles and take forever with the traffic and lights. Tucson is just not an easy town to drive around. Plan to bike to the start line.

Best Spots (within 1 mile of start/finish)

Doubletree Convention Center – This hotel is right at the start/finish/expo! Can’t get a better location than this but book early.

Hampton Inn – Also a good location plus they have a nice pool and breakfast options.

The Downtown Clifton – If you want a more unique and vintage vibe check this hotel out. The price is also reasonable for being right downtown.

The Tuxon – Another unique and modern place is The Tuxon. They call it a hotel but think of it more like an upscale modernized motel. And that’s a good thing. the have a pool, a bar, and a fancy breakfast!

Things to Do in Tucson

Bike the loop.

Need to warm up for the event or want to spend more time biking after. Check out the loop for road riding routes around Tucson.

Visit Saguaro National Park

Both the East and West section of Saguaro National Park are amazing for biking, hiking, and sight seeing. We love the 8.3 mile The Cactus Forest Loop route around the east side. The views are unmatched and it’s an overall great experience on a bike. It’s one way so you don’t have to worry too much about speeding cars. The west side has a museum, campground, road and mountain biking!

Bike Mt Lemmon

If you’re in Tucson you need to bike up Mt. Lemmon at least once. You start off at about 2,500 ft surrounded by saguaro cactus and mesquite trees and climb to over 8,000 ft to pine trees and cool to cold temps. Mt Lemmon is a climbers dream road as the road is in great shape with a wide shoulder.

Tucson Bike Shops

Tucson is all about biking so there are plenty of shops for service, rentals, gear, and places to ship your bike.

El Tour De Tucson has a partner bike shop, Bicycle Ranch Tucson . They are able to receive your bike as well as assemble, disassemble and repack. Bicycle Ranch Tucson will receive your bike and reassemble, ensuring that things like your  shifting is good and there was no damage in shipping. The assembly cost is $55 and if you are needing to repack the bike after El Tour, then the total price to $90.

Fair Wheel Bikes. Fair Wheel Bikes is Tucson oldest and most reputable bicycle shop. They have a famous road ride that leaves from there on the weekends called the Shoot Out. They are well known for specializing in high end exotic road bikes, especially through the internet, but do have a strong local shop presence in Tucson

Have you ridden the El Tour de Tucson? What did you think?

I am an avid cyclist, wife, sometimes racer, full-time tech worker, non-profit founder, and, of course, mom. Cycling is my passion. Heck all the socks in my sock drawer are bike socks!

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El Tour de Tucson

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El Tour de Tucson

This bucket-list-worthy ride is a tucson tradition, el tour de tucson: ride for wellness or challenge, returns november 2025.

El Tour de Tucson continues to monitor and adhere to all authoritative mandates issued by the CDC and local health officials. To stay informed of changes related to this event, check out the  El Tour de Tucson website  or  register for their newsletter .

Tucson's must-ride cycling event

El Tour de Tucson is a premier fundraising ride in the United States and the longest-running event of its kind in Arizona has been a Tucson tradition since 1983. Participants range from novices to professionals who enjoy the ride and festivities out of a passion for cycling, as a benchmark for a wellness program, as a symbol of surviving a major illness or other life challenge or to honor another person. All while helping nonprofit, and charitable agencies raise funds for their organizations.

Three Routes Under 100 Miles

The main event distances are 100, 57, and 28 miles. Fun Ride distances are 10, 5, and 1 mile. Main event routes feature scenic landscapes and the crisp, cool air of a Tucson morning. Mountain ranges and saguaro cacti will surround you. Course profiles range from flat to rolling or moderately hilly. The 28-mile route is mostly flat, which is great for families and ideal for first-time participants and beginning bicyclists. In 2021, the 28-mile route will be open to Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes (no throttles) for the first time.

The Start/Finish

The finish line for all events and the start line for the 100-mile, 57-mile and Fun Rides is on South Sixth Avenue between Armory Park and the Children’s Museum Tucson, near downtown Tucson’s renowned dining and entertainment district. The 28-mile route starts at Marana Heritage River Park and ends at Armory Park-Children’s Museum Tucson.

Parking & Lodging

If you drive here for El Tour de Tucson, you’ll find plenty of parking garages downtown near the start/finish line around Armory Park and the Children’s Museum Tucson. The area is easily accessible to the Tucson Sun Link Streetcar, a four-mile line that connects lodging, dining and entertainment districts in the downtown and university areas.

Staying for the weekend? Explore things to do in the  Downtown Tucson District . Check out  lodging options  and  official event host hotels  in metro Tucson. 

Featured Cycling Events

5th annual texas canyon mountain bike race.

• May 18, 2024
• Amerind Museum

El Tour Loop de Loop

• September 21, 2024
• Rillito Regional Park

El Tour de Tucson 5k Run/Walk

• November 21, 2024 - November 23, 2024
• Tucson Convention Center
• November 23, 2024

Road Biking

Mountain biking, more things to do.

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41st El Tour de Tucson

Banner - university medicine 41st el tour de tucson november 23, 2024.

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El Tour De Tucson Road Closures 2023

Published on November 14, 2023

On Saturday, November 18, 2023, the 40 th  Annual El Tour de Tucson will take place throughout the community. The following travel restrictions and road closures will be in place for the day-long event.

Downtown Road Closures – On Friday, November 17, 2023, beginning at 6 a.m., Cushing Street from Stone Avenue to El Paso Avenue will be closed to motorists.

On Saturday, beginning at 4 a.m., Sixth Avenue from 15 th  Avenue to 22 nd  Street will be closed to all motorists. Sixth Avenue from 15 th  Avenue to Stone Avenue will reopen at 11:30 a.m.

On Saturday, beginning at 4:00 a.m., Stone Avenue  from 14 th  Avenue to 18 th  Street will be closed to all motorists. This area is scheduled to reopen at 12:30 p.m.

Expect additional street closures in the downtown area, including Main Avenue, 12 th  Street, Simpson Street, 15 th  Street and Fourth Avenue between 4:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Additional Road Closures Include:

• Alvernon Way southbound from Valencia Road to Aerospace Parkway will be closed from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Aviation Parkway eastbound from Broadway Boulevard to Golf Links Road will be closed, including on and off ramps, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Valencia Road eastbound at the Kolb Road righthand turn will be closed from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Driveway Road and Dawn Road will be closed at Houghton Road from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
• Continental Road from Camino Casa Verde to Duval Mine Road will be closed to all traffic from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Mission Road northbound from Duval Mine Road to Helmet Peak Road will be closed from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

On Ramp and Off Ramp Closures Include:

• The I-10 westbound on-ramp will be closed.
• The I-10 eastbound off-ramp will be closed.
• The eastbound I-10 on-ramp and westbound off-ramp will remain open.
• The eastbound on-ramp and all westbound ramps will remain open.
• The I-10 eastbound on-ramp and all westbound ramps will remain open.
• The I-19 northbound and southbound off-ramps will be closed.
• The northbound and southbound on-ramps will remain open.
• The I-19 east side and west side Frontage Roads will remain open. Left turns from the west side Frontage Road onto westbound Continental Road will be restricted. 
• The I-19 northbound off-ramp and southbound on-ramp will be closed.
• The I-19 northbound on-ramp and southbound off-ramp will remain open.

All roadways are anticipated to reopen as the last rider passes through the closures, with all roadways scheduled to reopen by 5 p.m.

There will be additional traffic restrictions regionally to accommodate this event. Emergency services personnel will be allowed to travel through the closures in case of an emergency.

El Tour de Tucson is Arizona’s largest and longest-running bicycling event. Held annually on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, El Tour is a fundraising adventure ride attracting cyclists of all ages and abilities from throughout the United States and worldwide. Further information about El Tour de Tucson, including route maps, can be found at  https://eltourdetucson.org/ .

Attendees are encouraged to arrive early in order to avoid traffic detours necessary for the event. Please note that pedestrian and bicycle access will be maintained in and around road closures. Businesses, parking garages and parking lots are open and accessible.

Motorists may experience lengthy traffic delays associated with this event, so please plan accordingly. The traveling public should use caution when driving, bicycling or walking in these areas. Please watch for event participants, obey all traffic control, and watch for detour signs and personnel providing traffic control.

For questions regarding the event and related road closures, please contact Director Steve Rivera at (520) 661-5302 or the event hotline at (520) 745-2033.

• Transportation and Mobility

Banner-University Medicine 40th Anniversary El Tour de Tucson 2023 Banner-University Medicine 40th Anniversary El Tour de Tucson 2023

Tucson, us november 18, 2023.

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Banner-University Medicine 40th Anniversary El Tour de Tucson 2023 - The Century 102 Mile Banner-University Medicine 40th Anniversary El Tour de Tucson 2023 - The Century 102 Mile

November 18, 2023

Banner-University Medicine 40th Anniversary El Tour de Tucson 2023 - The Metric Century 63 Mile Banner-University Medicine 40th Anniversary El Tour de Tucson 2023 - The Metric Century 63 Mile

Banner-university medicine 40th anniversary el tour de tucson 2023 - the half metric century 32 mile banner-university medicine 40th anniversary el tour de tucson 2023 - the half metric century 32 mile, find your photos, find all pictures of the event, finisherpix newsletter.

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Watch CBS News

Maps of northern lights forecast show where millions in U.S. could see aurora borealis this weekend

By Alex Sundby

Updated on: May 11, 2024 / 8:54 PM EDT / CBS News

Americans as far south as Alabama and Northern California were being treated to a show of the northern lights this weekend from a powerful geomagnetic storm which reached Earth, officials said. If the weather conditions are right, people in wider areas on the map could look up and see the aurora borealis .

The storm prompted government forecasters to warn of potential disruptions to communications systems, the power grid and satellite operations, but it also put on a fantastic light display in the night sky Friday. 

"The aurora is when we get energized particles that have left the sun in more quantities than usual, and they interact with Earth's magnetic barrier," Shawn Dahl, senior space weather forecaster for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, explained to CBS News.

The geomagnetic storm reached Earth Friday evening as an "extreme" G5 , according to the NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. Geomagnetic storms are ranked from G1 to G5.

"This one is pretty large, It think it's pretty extreme, we got to the G5, which is the highest in terms of strength," said Dr. Nour Rawafi, an astrophysicist with the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.

It marks the first G5 geomagnetic storm to reach Earth since October 2003. A G5 is so large it can disrupt satellites we rely on for communications and GPS. Elon Musk's Starlink satellites were reporting "degraded service."

Dahl explains a G5 storm can potentially disrupt the GPS we use on our phones.

"It could, because most of our phones are single-frequency GPS systems," Dahl said. 

Experts say the aurora borealis will likely be viewable again Saturday night, with the best chance to see the northern lights between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Sunday. 

"If you happen to be in an area where it's dark and cloud free and relatively unpolluted by light, you may get to see a fairly impressive aurora display, and that's really the gift from space weather, is the aurora," Rob Steenburgh, a space scientist with the NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, told reporters Friday morning.

Northern lights map for Friday night

A map from the center showed the aurora would be visible for much of the northern half of the U.S. Friday night. A red line on the map shows how far south the aurora forecast went.

The National Weather Service's St. Louis office said people in the area should leave the city for the best possible chance to view the northern lights.

"Get away from city lights into a dark, rural surrounding and look north," the office said on social media . "Aside from some clouds associated with a passing front, much of the time looks mostly clear."

The prediction center notes on its website that people don't need to be directly underneath the aurora to see it. Instead, it can be observed from as much as 620 miles away.

The weather service's office for the San Francisco Bay Area had been less optimistic when asked if there was a chance for a nighttime show there. 

"Probably not, but I'll still look up while walking my dog," the office said . But the weather service turned out to be wrong, the northern lights were visible from the Bay Area. 

Northern lights map for Saturday night

Friday night wasn't the only opportunity for a northern lights show. The storm was expected to last through the weekend, and the prediction center released a forecast map for Saturday night.

Officials said people in the southern U.S. who can't see the aurora with their naked eyes could still take some dazzling pictures with their phones.

"Cellphones are much better than our eyes at capturing light," the Space Weather Prediction Center's Brent Gordon told reporters Friday. "Just go out your back door and take a picture with a newer cellphone, and you'd be amazed at what you see in that picture versus what you see with your eyes."

Stunning photos showed the vivid display of the northern lights over Europe and the U.K. after nightfall there on Friday.

— Michael George contributed to this report. 

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• National Weather Service
• Aurora Borealis
• Northern Lights

Alex Sundby is a senior editor at CBSNews.com. In addition to editing content, Alex also covers breaking news, writing about crime and severe weather as well as everything from multistate lottery jackpots to the July Fourth hot dog eating contest.

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