My blog from the day before the rides (click here).

Another great day of El Tour de Tucson, the 28th annual. The weather was terrific, but a bit windy I hear.

Congratulations to all the 8,000 plus (8,695) participants!

panorama view at start of El Tour de Tucson

28th annual El Tour article already written by Co-editor Ryn Gargulinski (click here).

For more details: go to Perimeter Bicycling Association’s website, www.perimeterbicyling.com.

Several rides tomorrow November 20:

The Routes
Participants may cycle 109, 79, 66 or 40 miles, plus the 6, 3 & 1/4- mile Diamond Children’s Fun Ride, open to all abilities. Main routes expose participants to 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. The Fun Ride offers an exciting 6-mile route, highlighting the many special cultural aspects of downtown Tucson. Course profiles can be rolling to moderately hilly, though the 40-mile route is basically flat and great as a family affair or for beginners! Two often dry but sandy river crossings will greet 109-mile riders, while 79 and 66-mile cyclists experience just one. No crossings for 40-mile participants. All routes offer aid stations, spaced each 7-10 miles, full police support at intersections and plenty of morale-boosting volunteers and spectators.

The Finish (downtown):

“The 109-mile startline (and finish line for all events) is located at Jacome Plaza in downtown Tucson at the corner of W Church St & E Pennington St, just .03 miles from the previous year’s venue. Upon crossing the finish line at the end of their ride, cyclists collect a special finisher’s medallion to remember their accomplishment and then onto the adjacent El Tour Downtown Fiesta, a festive atmosphere complete with food vendors, Michelob Ultra Beer Garden, El Tour Perimeter Store merchandise booth, and non-stop music and celebration throughout the day!”

Proceeds from El Tour benefit Tu Nidito which is Southern Arizona’s “little nest” for seriously ill and grieving children. “Yearly, Tu Nidito provides comfort, hope and support to more than 800 children during the most difficult times imaginable. Thousands of children and families have received support from Tu Nidito over the years as a result of contributions made from cyclists of El Tour de Tucson. ” I am familiar with the work of this terrific group (as our son was a Tu Nidito child for 7 and a half years) and that is why I volunteer every year at the El Tour Bike, Fitness & Health Expo downtown at the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. This Expo runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today.

UPDATE: 11/20 unofficial results posted online (click here).

El Tour 2009 poster