tour de tucson bike route

El Tour de Tucson Bike Route

The El Tour de Tucson  is held annually the Saturday before Thanksgiving in Tucson, Arizona.

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 the United States,” and Bicycling Magazine (October 2002) ranked El Tour as “one of the top three fundraising rides” in the country.

Potential Hazards

There are tons of riders so be careful.

Plus there is two river crossing that makes for an interesting bike ride. Most riders dismount their bikes and walk the river crossings. The condition of the river crossing all depends on the amount of rain Tucson gets leading up to the race.

El Tour de Tucson Bike Route Subject to Small Changes

Keep in mind the route has been known to change slightly from year-to-year based on road construction.

Bike Ride Map and Elevation Details

is the ride going to be ran clockwise or counter clockwise. thanks

counter clockwise.

• Best Road Bike Rides in Tucson, Arizona | Top Bike Rides September 22, 2017 at 11:25 am Log in to Reply […] community is earning honors as a “bicycle friendly” city that hosts major biking events like El Tour De Tucson. El Tour De Tucson is the largest perimeter cycling event in the […]

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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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102 Mile Platinum

102 mile mtb, 102 mile recumbent, 102 mile handcycle, 102 mile tandem, 63 mile mtb, 63 mile recumbent, 63 mile handcycle, 63 mile tandem, 32 mile mtb, 32 mile recumbent, 32 mile handcycle, 32 mile tandem, 32 mile e-bike, unknown participants, results question, please be sure to choose the correct division before searching your bib number, we are done reviewing camera footage. you have until december 3 to submit an inquiry about missing results. all results will be final at midnight december 3, 2023..

When submitting an inquiry, use this FORM and please include the following information:

• What time you finished
• The color of your jersey
• Where you number was placed (on jersey and on bike)
• Who you started next to
• Who you finished next to

Tour Website

Additional Tour information can be found at https://eltourdetucson.org .

Description

This page is for results only. For more information, please visit: https://eltourdetucson.org  

If you have questions about your 2023 results, please submit this FORM .

All inquiries will be discontinued and results will be final on December 3. 

Tour Contact Info

If you have any questions about this Tour, click the button below.

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Interactive Race Day Experience with RaceJoy

Live Phone Tracking, GPS Progress Alerts and Cheers!

We are providing you with RaceJoy as part of the official race experience for the El Tour de Tucson.

Download the RaceJoy mobile app in advance to ensure proper phone setup. Invite your friends and family to track you and send you cheers!

Some key RaceJoy features include:

GPS Progress Alerts

• Receive continual progress updates as you complete your goal.

Live GPS Tracking

• Remote spectators can track your progress live in a map view. You can also track others.

Send-a-Cheer

• Receive supportive audio cheers from remote friends & family.

Virtual Results (virtual events only)

• Enter your race-assigned bib number to automatically submit your finish data for real-time scored results.

Enter your email address and we will send you instructions to reset your password if there is an account for that email. Check your spam folder if you do not receive it.

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41st El Tour de Tucson

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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT PLATINUM

Platinum cyclists are those in the 102 mile distance and starting in 2023 for the 63 mile distance with extensive experience in riding in a pack/peloton. Cyclists must meet specific criteria to earn platinum designation and must attend a special meeting. 

The meetings for El Tour de Tucson will take place on Thursday at 1pm and 6pm and Friday at 1pm and 6pm in the Exhibition Hall of the Tucson Convention Center at Packet Pick-up.  This is where you will receive your special platinum wristband to gain access to the Platinum Corral at the front of the race. 

The meetings for Tour de Scottsdale will take place on Friday at 1pm and 6pm in the North Hall of WestWorld at Packet Pick-up.  This is where you will receive your special platinum wristband to gain access to the Platinum Corral at the front of the race. 

Visit the Platinum Designation link for full details, including meeting times, how to get the pass required to enter the platinum corral on ride day, etc.

CURRENT PLATINUM RIDER LIST (as of February 13, 2024) 

All Rides/Routes start and finish at the Tucson Convention Center (Cushing Street) and the surrounding area.

• The Century (7:00am start) 102 Mile
• 5K Run/Walk (7:15 am start) 3.1 Mile, certified 5K run/walk
• The FUN Rides! (8:00 am start) 3 Mile / 1 Mile
• The Metric Century (9:00 am start) 63 Mile/100 Kilometer
• The Half Metric Century (10:00 am start) 32 Mile/50 Kilometer

The El Tour Expo & Fiesta will be at the newly renovated Tucson Convention Center.  Most of the activities including the live music, foodtrucks, beer garden and some exhibitors will be outdoors!

Rules are created to keep the playing field level for all participants. Violation of any rule may result in disqualification or time penalties. click here  to review rules

Frequently Asked Questions

Please click here if you’re not finding the information you need.  If you still have questions contact us at [email protected]

2024 El Tour Countdown!

What people are saying.

EL TOUR DE TUCSON is checked off my bucket list!!!! What a great experience and I placed in the top 800!!! It’s not about winning it, it’s about finishing it!

Tucson is an incredible city and beautiful location for a large cycling event. El Tour brings together cyclists from all over the world and promotes cycling, personal fitness, and community engagement.

El Tour de Tucson is becoming an annual family tradition. So much fun!

Amazing! We were able to raise community awareness, serve our charity and have our multi-generational family get addicted to a new sport- cycling!!

El Tour is a fantastic experience and celebration of Tucson’s cycling community.

Loved the ride. This is the 18th time I’ve done the ride and hope it comes back next year bigger and better.

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El Tour de Tucson: Routes, History and Winners

El Tour de Tucson is one of America’s most prestigious cycling events, drawing thousands of cyclists nationwide. Held annually in Tucson, Arizona, this event offers a challenging and scenic route that showcases the region’s beauty. With its rich history and strenuous routes, El Tour de Tucson has become a must-attend event for cycling enthusiasts.

Routes El Tour de Tucson features four major races, including the renowned “Century Race,” which covers a challenging 102-mile route. The race begins at the Tucson Convention Center and loops south and east, offering riders a diverse and picturesque landscape.

The route takes cyclists through stunning vistas, including the scenic Green Valley and Sahuarita, before concluding in downtown Tucson. Each leg of the race presents its challenges, from steep inclines to winding descents, testing the endurance and skill of every rider.

History First established in 1983, El Tour de Tucson has grown into one of the premier cycling events in the United States. Over the years, it has attracted top cyclists and cycling enthusiasts alike, all eager to test their mettle against the challenging terrain of southern Arizona. The event has also become a platform for charity, with participants raising funds for various causes, further solidifying its status as a community-focused event.

2023 Winner of El Tour de Tucson The 40th annual El Tour de Tucson witnessed more than 9,000 cyclists converge in Tucson to participate in this prestigious event. Among them, 26-year-old Noah Anastassatos of Scottsdale emerged victorious in the grueling 102-mile “Century Race.” Anastassatos crossed the finish line with an impressive time of 3 hours, 41 minutes, and 27 seconds, showcasing his skill and determination.

The race starts at the Tucson Convention Center and takes riders on a challenging route encompassing southern Arizona’s scenic beauty. Anastassatos’ victory was hard-earned, as he faced stiff competition from over 50 cyclists vying for the top spot. A late crash near Nogales Highway added to the drama, creating opportunities for Anastassatos and other riders to make their move toward victory.

In addition to the Century Race, El Tour de Tucson featured other races of varying lengths, catering to cyclists of all skill levels. News 4 Tucson’s Robbie Reynold participated in the 32-mile race, finishing a respectable 54th out of 1,231 riders with a time of 1 hour, 43 minutes, and 42 seconds.

El Tour de Tucson is not just about the thrill of the race; it’s also about the community and camaraderie among cyclists. As participants come together to celebrate their love for cycling, they also have the opportunity to support charitable causes. Additionally, fans and spectators can enhance their El Tour de Tucson experience by using the latest ESPN Bet Promo Code , which offers exclusive deals and discounts on cycling-related merchandise and more. With the ESPN Bet Promo Code, fans can elevate their El Tour de Tucson experience while enjoying the excitement of the race.

The Spirit of El Tour de Tucson Beyond the competitive aspect, El Tour de Tucson embodies the spirit of community and camaraderie. The event brings together cyclists of all backgrounds and abilities, united by their love for cycling and the desire to challenge themselves. The support and encouragement among participants create a sense of belonging, making El Tour de Tucson more than just a race—it’s a celebration of the cycling community.

Charity One hallmark of El Tour de Tucson is its impact beyond the race itself. The event serves as a platform for charitable giving, with participants raising funds for various causes. Over the years, El Tour de Tucson has raised millions of dollars for local and national charities, making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. This philanthropic aspect adds depth and meaning to the event, inspiring participants to push themselves for personal achievement and the greater good.

As El Tour de Tucson looks ahead to its future, the event remains committed to its core values of community, charity, and cycling excellence. The event continues to evolve each year, attracting new participants and spectators alike. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a casual rider, El Tour de Tucson offers an experience blending the thrill of competition with the beauty of Arizona’s landscape.

Final Thoughts One of the best examples of how cycling can unite people and have a beneficial influence is the Tour de Tucson. As the event develops and grows, it continues to symbolize the endurance, community, and friendship that characterize the sport and serves as a guide for cyclists worldwide.

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Dificulty: Hard

Average time: 05:30:00 AM

Ride Mileage: 100+ miles

Climbing Elevation: 100+ miles

Type of ride: Rolling

Road/Mountain: Road

Best Tucson Road Biking: There are better road cycling century rides to be had.

What The Bike Bandit Says…

“Start as early as you can and blare your lights. You are in for a long and intense day of biking. By going early you can avoid traffic. You can plan better century rides in Tucson.”

Jason, The Bike Bandit

Tucson’s El Tour de Tucson is a great ride.

ROAD BIKING, TUCSON, Arizona  – The El Tour de Tucson is one of the most popular one day rides in the USA. Typically, over 9,000 riders of all abilities gather to bike. From the novice to the professional, El Tour de Tucson is quite the Tucson cycling spectacle.

Many cyclists come here to ride the 100 plus mile route on their own. With traffic, it is quite the undertaking. Without the roads being closed, this is one of our least favorite century rides. El Tour takes you around all the way through South Tucson and areas that are not the most cycling friendly. There are better century rides one can plan in Tucson that will be more enjoyable and safe.

BikeTucson.com Rents and Delivers Road Bikes for El Tour de Tucson

Tucson Bike Rentals and Tours  at BikeTucson.com delivers and picks up carbon rental road , mountain , hybrid , kids bikes to all of Oro Valley and Saddlebrooke. We are the official Tucson, Arizona bicycle guiding and rental arm for the Arizona Bicycle Association at BikeAZ.org . All cyclists receive free helmets and maps .  When cycling Tucson, only rent from the best.

Mountain Bike Tucson! Bike Delivery to Mountain Bike Trails

There is a two rider minimum delivery. Bike for 1 to 5 hours, finish riding and we pick up the bikes! No need to worry about loading mountain bikes in your rental car! Price is generally $100 per bike – depending on location of trailhead. Don’t know where to ride? BikeTucson.com! offers rides that are beginner, intermediate to advanced. We deliver mountain bikes to Tucson, Oro Valley, Green Vallley and the Southern, Arizona area. We rent top of the line full suspension and hard tailed mountain bikes. Click here!

Best Tucson Road/Cycling In Oro Valley/Tucson by BikeArizona.org

El Tour de Tucson 2021 to feature new route, higher turnout than ’19

TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — After COVID-19 forced a one year hiatus, El Tour de Tucson returns on Saturday, with a few changes.

The 102-mile route once again will start and finish at Armory Park in downtown Tucson, but riders will take a different path this year.

“This time, we’re going south,” executive director T.J. Juskiewicz said. “We haven’t been down in that area. Like Sahuarita, Green Valley, around the Pima Mines. All along those pecan grove trees. So it’s gonna be a different style of ride.”

Mari Holden, a cycling World Champion and silver medalist at the 2000 Olympic Games, knows El Tour well. She is participating in the 102-mile ride on Saturday.

“This is the first time with the new course for me, so I’m super excited to see what it’s like,” she said.

Holden says she has been training in Tucson for about 30 years and has close friends who live in the area.

This year she is giving back, teaming up with USA Cycling to give away 50 bikes and helmets to kids as part of a safety and skills course, giving more people an introduction to the sport.

“If we can get more kids on bikes, A. We’re gonna have a healthier population, but also we’re gonna hopefully find the next Olympians out there, which is gonna be awesome, too,” Holden said.

Juskiewicz says about 6,500 riders are expected to participate across all the different routes this year, an increase of about 1,500 from 2019.

Many of those riders are first-timers, like Cody Frolander and James Edwards from the Phoenix area. Cycling became their go-to way to get in shape once lockdowns began last year.

The brothers-in-law are jumping in to the 28-mile ride that begins in Marana and ends in Armory Park. Their goal is to conquer the 57 and 102 mile treks in the next two years.

“We decided that we should seal the year off with a Tour de Tucson,” Frolander said. “I’ve heard a lot about the Tour so we wanted to come out and do it.”


“So we brought the family out to come cheer us on at the finish line and encourage us to get the job done,” Edwards added.


Juskiewicz says teams are riding for about 50 charities and are expected to raise at least $5 million this year.

He also says that organizers worked on re-branding efforts this year and on ways to improve both the riders' and non-riders' experience.

“There’s a beer garden on the finish line, so if you’re not riding and you just wanna come down and cheer folks on, there’s food trucks here, great music that’ll be playing all day long," Juskiewicz said. "Just a lot of fun. So even if you’re not on a bike and riding 102 miles, you can still experience El Tour de Tucson.”

For more information about routes, road closures and more, click here .

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Tucson's favorite way to get around.

Enjoy a ride, walk, or run on the Chuck Huckelberry Loop – #1 on USA Today’s 2022 “10Best Readers’ Choice List” for Best Recreational Trail.

How did The Loop get started? It was born as a flood-control project in the aftermath of disastrous floods in 1983. Dry most of the time, it pours sometimes, as they say, after heavy seasonal rains. The dirt walls alongside the Rillito, Pantano and Santa Cruz riverbeds were reinforced and, at the same time, access roads were built along the banks to make maintenance easier. 

"Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road, healthy, free, the world before me, the long brown path before me leading wherever I choose."

In a seemingly accidental win/win situation, inspiration struck and these paths were expanded to create a massive network of paths making for one continuous stretch that in March 2018 was completed with 131 miles. The system connects the communities of  Tucson,  South Tucson , and Marana .

Besides the fact that it’s awesome to have a bunch of trails to ride without the drama of dealing with cars, there’s also a community aspect to the Loop. The Loop connects parks, BMX tracks, farmer’s markets and the city as a whole.

For more info visit  The Loop's official website  or check out the  Ride the Loop Facebook page  for frequent updates.

Road Biking

El tour de tucson, loving the loop, more things to do.

Adam Roberge and Katja Verkerk win elite titles at Canadian Gravel Championships

Roberge holds off Gagné in final men's sprint while Haley Smith takes women's silver

Results - elite men top 5

Adam Roberge (Felt UN1TD) outsprinted Julien Gagné (Équipe Qui Roule) to win the elite men’s title at the Canadian Gravel Championships on Sunday, while Katja Verkerk (Physical Culture Straight Up Cycles) outlasted Haley Smith (Trek Driftless) to take the elite women’s gravel national title.

The 118km course featured a clockwise loop in western Alberta with 6,800 feet of climbing, the highest point of the route hitting at the half-way point and climbing to 5,400 feet above sea level. Rolling hills prevailed throughout a cold, wet and rainy day.

"It was hard from the beginning and with the weather, it was hard to draft,” said Roberge in a Cycling Canada media release. “I figured being patient would be better with that type of course."

After the third and final feed zone with 30km to go, Roberge and Gagné had made separation with Michael van den Ham (Giant Cycling) at the front of the race. Van den Ham was dropped with 5km to go. In the final kilometres on the pavement, Roberge rushed to the line for the win in 3:44:31, three seconds ahead of Gagné. Van den Ham held on to third place, 44 seconds back.

Verkerk came into the gravel championships after a spring of road racing, where she had stage wins at Valley of the Sun Stage Race and Tucson Bicycle Classic in Arizona in category 4 and 3 divisions, respectively. The Victoria, British Colombia rider took the solo victory in 4:37:45, 2:54 in front of Smith. Anna Gabrielle Traxler was third, another one minute back.

“I’m new to racing, so I don’t know anyone,” Vervek said in the media release. “I tried to follow the first five to ten wheels and I followed an attack from a rider I followed for a while, until she had a mechanical, where I could pass her. I wasn't expecting to put a Canadian jersey on today, so it’s kind of crazy.” 

This year’s nationals were part of Ghost of the Gravel weekend, an hour from Calgary in Water Valley. The same 118km course, called the Scary Ghost, was used for other start waves for recreational fondo riders. Last year the gravel nationals were held in Ontario.

Results - elite women top 5

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Jackie has been involved in professional sports for more than 30 years in news reporting, sports marketing and public relations. She founded Peloton Sports in 1998, a sports marketing and public relations agency, which managed projects for Tour de Georgia, Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah and USA Cycling. She also founded Bike Alpharetta Inc, a Georgia non-profit to promote safe cycling. She is proud to have worked in professional baseball for six years - from selling advertising to pulling the tarp for several minor league teams. She has climbed l'Alpe d'Huez three times (not fast). Her favorite road and gravel rides are around horse farms in north Georgia (USA) and around lavender fields in Provence (France), and some mtb rides in Park City, Utah (USA).

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