Registration may be done online, in our office or by mail. Registration closes Thursday, November 17 at 6:00 pm at Bike Expo. 

Online registration closes Tuesday, November 15 at 11:59 pm. After this date, all registration must take place at El Tour Bike Expo (see below). 

For questions about registration, call El Tour headquarters between 9 am & 6 pm at (520) 745-2033.

1.1

Bike Expo & Packet Pick Up / Completing Your Registration

New for 2011: each cyclist must now pick up his/her own packet. Photo I.D. required.

No pick-up option by friends/family. This helps assure that all cyclists have an opportunity to attend our Safety & Orientation Meetings where riders receive important information, handouts and most current event information about the route, rules, etc.  Thank you for your cooperation.

To complete your registration, you must do the following:

1. Pay remaining fees and/or contributions on/or before Friday at Bike Expo if you haven't already done so
2. Pick up your rider number, timing chip, packet and t-shirt at the Expo in the Tucson Convention Center (TCC):
   El Tour Bike, Fitness & Health Expo
   Tucson Convention Center
   260 South Church Ave
   Tucson, AZ 85701
   Exhibit Halls B & C, downstairs on the west side
   The Tucson Convention Center charges an $8.00 parking fee per vehicle for visitors, volunteers and staff.
   
   Wednesday      November 16    4:00pm –9:00pm
   Thursday          November 17    10:00am – 6:00pm
   Friday              November 18    10:00am – 9:00pm

Packet Pick-Up instructions upon entering Bike Expo:

• Step 1: Pick up rider-card and Expo Hall map from Station #1.
  
• Step 2: Find your name and rider number on boards behind Station #1.
  Cyclists not yet registered, skip to
• Step 4 and then proceed to New Registration tables to far right of packet pick area.
• Step 3: Write your name and your rider number on rider card.
• Step 4: Proceed to Station #2 (Sponsor goody bag)
• Step 5: Proceed to Station #3: Go to table corresponding to your rider number.
• Step 6: Attend a FREE Safety & Orientation meeting,brought to you by Ventana Medical Systems/Innovation Park/Grubb & Ellis. Attendance is highly encouraged for ALL participants. Important information is shared about the event, especially route changes and cautions, rules, etc.  Meetings held downstairs in Expo.

New for 2011: each cyclist must now pick up his or her own packet. Photo I.D. required. No pick-up option by friends/family. This helps assure that all cyclists have the opportunity to attend a Safety & Orientation Meetings where riders receive important information, handouts and most current event information about the route, rules, etc.  Thank you for your cooperation.

El Tour is unable to accept credit cards for fee payments except for online registration.  All registration fee/contributions at Expo must be made in the form of cash or check. 

Due to the high volume of cyclists arriving at Expo on Friday, Tucson residents and early arrivals are asked to minimize wait times by picking up ride materials on Wednesday or Thursday.

Tucson Convention Center (TCC):
From Interstate-10, take Congress Ave exit to downtown Tucson. Go east on Congress for 1/4-mile to Granada. Turn south on Granada. Go about two tenths of a mile, look to the east (left) for TCC building.  EXPO is downstairs in Exhibit Halls B & C on west side of the complex.  

The Tucson Convention Center charges all event participants, volunteers and staff an $8.00 parking fee per vehicle.

All registered cyclists are sent a Welcome Letter from El Tour headquarters for registrations received more than two weeks before the event. Online registrations receive an email; hardcopy registrations receive a letter via USPS.  Please allow 2 weeks to process your application. Click here to view the list of currently registered cyclists; make sure all information is correct. If you do not see your name, please call Perimeter Bicycling at (520) 745-2033 or e-mail registration@perimeterbicycling.com.

New for 2011: each cyclist must now pick up his or her own packet. Photo I.D. required. No pick-up option by friends/family. This helps assure that all cyclists have the opportunity to attend our Safety & Orientation Meetings where riders receive important information, handouts and most current event information about the route, rules, etc.  Thank you for your cooperation.

Complete information regarding El Tour will be given to you at the Expo/packet pick up.  All rules, activities, directions to start lines and El Tour tips are presented in this booklet. Due to last minute changes, the booklet is not available until packet pick-up. It is the responsibility of all cyclists in the event to familiarize themselves with the rules which are available here, with the exception of last minute changes. 
Event Rules

Arizona Bicycle Laws

3.0

Safety & Orientation Meetings, sponsored by
Ventana Medical Systems/Innovation Park/Grubb & Ellis

FREE Orientation meetings are held for all El Tour cyclists. Meetings will take place each half hour at El Tour Bike, Fitness & Health Expo/Packet Pick-Up and contain important information about route conditions, updated cautions as well as offer safe cycling tips. Attendance is highly encouraged for all cyclists regardless of how many times you may have participated in El Tour.
2010 El Tour Most Important Orientation Points
A revised list for 2011 will be available just prior to the event.

Cycling tips – before, during and after the ride.

4.0

Directions To Start Lines
(also see Section 12.0 for Starting Times and Locations)

Cyclists are advised to arrive one hour prior to your event starting time.  There is no check-in when you arrive. You have received all materials at Bike Expo. Click on the link for a directional map of your start line:

 111-mile Start Line - 7:00am start time
……this is the FINISH LINE for all events Armory Park, downtown Tucson, on 6th Avenue at 13th Street (0.07 miles from Tucson Convention Center

Updated parking information will be available closer to the event.

You may park anywhere in downtown area. There's plenty of parking at the Tucson Convention Center. See Section (3.2) for parking.Do not block driveways.  Please be careful as you walk/ride to the start line.  Most roads will not be closed and vehicular traffic must be expected.

Downtown Tucson parking map

85-Mile El Tour Start Line: 9:00am start.
Pima Community College East Campus, 8181 East Irvington Rd. at the intersection with Fred Enke Drive, in southeast Tucson.

Directions:
From Congress Street, head east; it becomes Broadway Blvd.
Right (south) on Kolb Rd (approximately 6 miles)
Left (east) on Golf Links Rd (approximately 4 miles)
Right (south) on Pantano Rd (approximately 2 miles)
Left (east) on Poinciana Dr.
Follow Poinciana through campus and around the football practice field.
Park where directed
 

60-Mile Intuit El Tour Start Line: 10:30am start    NEW LOCATION IN 2011
Swan Rd at Ft. Lowell Rd, midtown

Directions from downtown:
Head east on Congress which becomes Broadway Blvd.
left (north) on Swan Rd  (Approximately 5 miles)
Swan Rd will be closed at Glenn Rd (approximately 2 miles). 
Parking is available in the business plaza on the southwest corner of Swan & Ft. Lowell, on nearby streets and north in business plazas on Camp Lowell and Swan.   Nearby businesses will be open, so please be courteous to them and do not fill their lots.  If there are 10 or fewer parking spaces left, please find another place to park.  

42-mile Sanofi El Tour Start Line:  NOON start time. 
 2090 E Innovation Park Dr., Oro Valley, AZ 85755, adjacent to Sanofi offices

Directions from downtown
 Interstate 10 north to Ina Rd. (Exit #248). Head east approximately 4.1 miles and turn left on La Canada Dr. Continue north for 6 miles and turn right at Tangerine Rd. Drive 2.9 miles to E Innovation Park Dr and turn left. Park where directed. (E Innovation Park Dr from the north will be closed to all traffic.)

Diamond Children’s
El Tour Fun Ride
presented by McDonald’s: 8:30am start.
See the start info for the 111-mile event above. 

Armory Park, downtown Tucson, on 6th Avenue at 13th Street

5.0

Parking

111-Mile Event and Fun Ride- There is plenty of parking near the 111-mile start and finish in downtown Tucson.) 
Armory Park, downtown Tucson, on 6th Avenue at 13th Street

6th Avenue will be closed between Congress and 22nd Street
13th Street will be closed between Scott and Herbert Ave
12th Street will be closed between Scott and Herbert Ave

Parking is available at the Tucson Convention Center parking lots ($8.00 fee paid to parking concessionaire) The city and county parking garages will be open for parking. Caution: Remove bike from roof rack before entering parking structures!

6.0

Shuttles

All cyclists are responsible for transportation to event start lines.
Transpiration is NOT provided to cyclists to start the events.  However, UPON COMPLETION OF YOUR RIDE, transportation is provided to return cyclists back to “remote” event start lines (85, 60 and 42 mile events).

When you finish your ride at Armory Park, (Finish Line for ALL events), go to the Information tent at El Tour’s Fiesta.  Volunteers will direct you to the Bike Check and the shuttle vans/buses which will transport cyclists back to remote start lines.

THE SHUTTLE IS FREE.  Due to limited space, shuttle buses are unable to transport your bicycle with you.  All bicycles should be stored at "El Tour Bike Check " in the Armory Park Senior Center to the east of the Fiesta area.  Bike Check is free.  The cyclist will be given a Bike Check ticket that must be surrendered when you return to the park to retrieve your bike.  Don’t lose your ticket.  

Shuttles begin at 2:00pm.
All bicycles must be retrieved from Bike Check on Ride Day by 7:00pm. 

7.0

Medallion Times - 109-Mile Cyclists

111-Mile Event
       Medallion          Men                           Women
         Platinum            under 5 hrs              under 5hrs 30 min
         Gold                    under 6 hrs              under 6hrs 15 min
         Silver                  under 9 hrs              under 9 hrs
         Bronze                under 11 hrs            under 11 hrs

• 85 Mile Event, 60 mile event & 42-mile events:  Gold medallions
• Fun Ride:  Special Gold Medallion
• Indoor El Tour: Special Gold Medallion

8.0

Rider Numbers

Several "rider numbers” are issued for the event at packet pick up.  Each number serves a different purpose:

1. Official Rider Number (a.k.a. “bib” number).  This is your primary number; it will have the name of the event printed on it.  This number identifies you as an official registered rider and MUST BE WORN ON YOUR BACK, on the layer of clothing that you will finish.  Safety pins are provided in your packet.  Wearing this number properly not only identifies you as an official registered cyclist, but when you cross the finish line, this number is marked to indicate your (estimated) medallion.  At the Finish Line Fiesta, the marked number must be shown to the volunteers at the medallion tent to receive the correct medallion.  In some cases, when a person finishes very close to the end of a medallion type, the number may be marked incorrectly.  The final decision on medallion type is determined by your event finish time.

2. Handlebar/“gooseneck”/stem number.   This is a vertical number placed in front of the stem of your bicycle (the tube that connects your front forks to the handlebars).  NEW THIS YEAR:  it contains a computer chip that will record your time.  Failure to mount this number on your handlebars will cause your finish to NOT be recorded.  YOU MUST MOUNT THIS NUMBER VERTICALY to your handlebars/stem.  The secondary purpose of this number is that it helps identify you to Official Event Photographers who will be on the route and at the finish line.  When you see the photographer in the yellow vest, smile and wave, then look for your photo at www.FreezeFrameFoto.com. THIS NUMBER MAY NOT BE USED TO REPLACE THE OFFICIAL RIDER NUMBER/BIB NUMBER

3. Helmet number.   This is a smaller to be placed on front of your helmet. This helps officials on the road identify you as well as the photographers.

9.0

Dedication Recipient

Each year, El Tour is dedicated to an individual who displays outstanding support of cycling and/or healthy lifestyle activities. 

The 2011 El Tour Dedication Recipient is
Rahsaan Bahati –
World-Class Cyclist and Champion for Kids
Learn more

A Dedication Dinner will be held to honor Rahsaan on
Thursday, November 17 at 6:30pm
at the Tucson Scottish Rite Center
160 S. Scott Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701

10.0

Route

2011 Route map updated 9/30/2011
            new distances!
            new start lines!
            new start times!

Route map

Ride Day: LIGHTS ARE REQUIRED AT SUNDOWN by Arizona law.  Sundown is at approximately 5:20pm. Any cyclist not prepared to ride in the dark will be stopped and transported back to the start. Any cyclist who does not comply with this rule will be disqualified, removed from the route and may be cited by police.

NO EXCEPTIONS! If you believe that you might be on the route after sundown, come prepared with lights, both front and rear. See the Rules & Information Booklet for more details, available at Packet Pick-Up or review rules here.

Event Closes at 6:00pm. All course support, including traffic control and aid stations, will be discontinued at 6:00pm. El Tour support is available to those caught by the 6:00pm closing time. Finishing times will not be recorded after 6:00pm. 

Be prepared at all times to stop for motor traffic along the route!!! Everything will be done to try and get you through the route without stopping. However, at times, you could be stopped to relieve traffic congestion. Please be patient with the police in case you are stopped. They do a great service for El Tour cyclists; wave to them as you pass by!

PLEASE OBEY ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT DIRECTIVES AS WELL AS THOSE FROM BIKE PATROL AND OTHER EVENT OFFICIALS.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.

There are aid stations approximately each 5-8 miles (approx.18 stations total) serving bananas, oranges and water. Selected stations will serve grapes (or other fruit item), cookies and/or pretzels.

As water is the only beverage served to cyclists, if you have a special diet and/or nutritional needs, please come prepared.  Remember to drink BEFORE you are thirsty. 

ELECTROLYTE REPLACEMENTS.  To help reduce cramps and muscle spasms, drink plenty of water and eat bananas along the route or consider using an electrolyte replacement product.  You must bring your own electrolyte replacement.  It’s a good idea to test electrolytes on a training ride before the event.

For safety reasons, cyclists stopping at aid stations MUST remove themselves and bicycles from the roadway to avoid oncoming riders.

Aid Stations are closed per a schedule that will allow cyclists to finish the event by 6:00pm.  If your pace is not equal to finishing by 6:00pm, you may not encounter an active aid station.  Event officials may request that you stop riding and may “SAG” you in to the finis line. 

El Tour Cycling Tips

There will be approximately 125 trained Bike Patrol on the route to help with mechanical problems, minor medical needs and encouragement. If you experience a problem on route just flag down a Bike Patrol member and you will be given assistance. Bike Patrol cyclists are event officials; they are out there to help you; however, if necessary, they are also course marshals and will report rule violations to headquarters.  Remember cyclists violating rules may be disqualified; see section (11.0) on "Disqualification".

Carrying spare these items is strongly recommend.  Bike Patrol will help as much as possible, but may not have equipment to help:
            1-2 spare tubes             tire levers
            tire patch kit and other basic bicycle gear.
            1-2 water bottles            a cell phone or change for a pay phone
            Wear a CPSC-approved bicycle helmet (required).

El Tour Cycling Tips

10.4

Route: Map and Cue Sheet

Selected areas of last year’s route are currently under review.  El Tour officials will announce the revised route once it is finalized.

Route map

Cue Sheets:

UMC 109-Mile El Tour Event
79-Mile El Tour Event
Intuit 66-Mile El Tour Event
sanofi aventis 40-Mile El Tour Event

10.5

Route Cautions

Lower Santa Cruz River Crossing (111-mile cyclists only)

At approximately mile 8 into the 111-mile event, cyclists will dismount their bicycles and cross the Santa Cruz River bed on foot. This area is often dry and sandy. In the event of high water, an alternate route would be announced. Approximately 1 mile before the river crossing, all cyclists should begin to slow down to avoid crashes before dismounting. Caution signs and guides are placed along Drexel Rd, which is the road leading to the river crossing. The signs will notify cyclists of the upcoming dismount. An aid station is present at this location.

Sabino Creek Crossing (111-85-mile cyclists only)

At approximately mile 48 into the 111-mile event, off Summer Trail & Palisades Dr, cyclists must dismount their bicycles and practice same behavior as above. Crossing area lasts about 1/3 of a mile with conditions often dry and sandy. An aid station is present at this location.

Pay attention to route signs and slow down before approaching this area.

Cyclists will be updated with current conditions at El Tour Safety & Orientation meetings, held at Bike EXPO.

Railroad Tracks (all cyclists)

Tracks are located on the Interstate-10 eastbound Frontage Road between
Tangerine Rd. & Avra Valley Rd. After you pass the cement plant, there are
railroad tracks that traverse diagonally across the road.
Use extreme caution when crossing tracks.

Intersections

Every intersection that has either a traffic light or stop sign SHOULD have a police officer controlling the flow of traffic.
You will be given a “green light” as much as possible throughout the entire ride – BUT – police officers may be called away for emergencies at any time. If police officers are not present, then you MUST follow normal traffic rules! 

YOU MUST OBEY THE LAW:  IF YOU ARE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WITH A RED LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN – STOP!  UNLESS A POLICE OFFICER IS SIGNALING YOU TO PROCEED) 

 11.0

Disqualification

Solid Yellow & Double Line Rule To Be Enforced!

Violators will be disqualified!  For the safety of all El Tour cyclists, the rule stating cyclists shall not cross a solid yellow or double line WILL continue to be enforced. Police, Bike Patrol and other course officials will take rider numbers of violators, who will be disqualified, and who will, as a result of their violation, not receive a finishing time or ranking.

We appreciate your cooperation in following all event official rules, directives from event officials including Bike Patrol, and abiding by Arizona bicycle laws
Please do not become a DQ statistic! Help us keep El Tour as a safe, challenging and fun event for everyone!

12.0

Starting Times & Locations

111-mile The University of Arizona Medical Center El Tour start (7:00 am)
Downtown Tucson at Armory Part on S. 6th Avenue at 13th Street.

Diamond Children’s El Tour Fun Rides presented by McDonald’s(8:30 am)
Downtown Tucson at Armory Part on S. 6th Avenue at 13th Street.

85-mile El Tour start (9:00 am)
Pima Community College East Campus.
Irvington Rd at Enke Dr.
MapQuest Link:

60-mile Intuit El Tour start (10:30 am)
Swan Rd at Ft. Lowell Rd, midtown Tucson.
MapQuest Link

Cyclists are to line-up according to expected finish times in one of the following four medallion categories.  Posted signs will identify each area.

PLATINUM Medallion Section: Men under 5 hrs / Women under 5:30 hrs.
Special requirements must be met to line up in the platinum section.  See "Platinum Information" below - Section 14.0. 

Must have special pass to Platinum Section - see "Platinum Information" below - Section 14.0.

GOLD Medallion Section: Men under 6 hrs / Women under 6:15 hrs.

Cyclists expecting to place with a GOLD finish time will begin to line up as early as 3:30 a.m. (no kidding).  Arrive early if you expect to be near the front of GOLD!!!  Bring warm clothing as morning temperatures may range from 35F – 55F.  Due to limited space, late arrivals may be asked to line up in an alternate section.

SILVER Medallion Section: Men under 9 hrs / Women under 9 hrs.

BRONZE Medallion Section: Men & Women under 11 hrs.

14.0

Platinum Information

Platinum cyclists are those with extensive experience in riding in a paceline/peloton formation. Cyclists meeting ONE event of the following criteria will be permitted to line up in the Platinum Medallion area:
 

1. Perimeter Bicycling events Platinum times chart
View the listing of those cyclists completing a Perimeter event with a Platinum finish time.

USACycling Cat #1 or #2 (Must show USACycling license)

3. A top ten nationally or internationally ranked cyclist, triathlete or duathlete.

4. A Tour de France or Giro d' Italia qualified starter

Visit the Platinum link on our site for more information.

Questions? E-mail platinum@perimeterbicycling.com

14.1

Platinum Passes, Meeting, List and Starting Time

1. Platinum pass: Entrance to Platinum Section requires a special Platinum Pass.  To obtain a pass, qualified riders must be on the Platinum List and must attend a Trisports.com Platinum Meeting at Expo.  No meeting on ride day.

2. Trisports.com Platinum meetings: there will be TWO Trisports.com Platinum Meetings. Attendance at one is required for qualified riders to obtain a pass.  The meetings will be at Expo at the Tucson Convention Center.  Dates and times will be announced when confirmed.  Be sure your name is on the Platinum list BEFORE you come to the meeting. 

~Photo I.D. required~

NO MEETING ON RIDE DAY.   PASSES WILL NOT BE ISSUED OUTSIDE OF THE MEETINGS. 

3. Platinum list: a current Platinum list is posted on this website.  Your name must be on this list before the mandatory meeting. 

If you believe your name is missing from this list, please call 520-745 2033 or e-mail:platinum@perimeterbicycling.com

4. Platinum Line-Up - all Platinum Cyclists must be on the 111-mile start line no later than 6:30 am.  If you arrive at the start line AFTER 6:30 am. you will not be allowed to enter the platinum area. 

A computer chip/transponder will automatically record your time as you cross the Finish Line.  This chip will be embedded in a special vertical rider number that must be affixed to the front stem/handlebars of your bike. If it is not affixed your time will not be recorded; you will not appear in the results.

START TIME IS “GUN TIME.”  This means that the official clock starts for everyone at the same time, when the gun goes off at the start.  When you cross the START line has no bearing on your recorded time.

If you change your event mileage on the morning of El Tour, you must inform an event official at the INFORMATION AREA at your new start location. If you do not tell us, your results and the results for your original distance will be wrong. 

Unofficial results will be posted less than one hour after you finish at the El Tour Finish Line Downtown Fiesta.  Check for location at the Information Booth.  Results will also be posted throughout the day at www.perimeterbicycling.com on El Tour Day.

Please check results, if you have questions at the Finish Line, please speak with an official or visit the white timing trailer adjacent to the finish line (CEP Timing). 

We are working to get Unofficial results published in Tucson’s newspaper, the Arizona Daily Star, the day after El Tour. 

Compliments, Concerns & Issues

Should you have any issues, compliments or concerns after the ride, please e-mail us at: publicaffairs@perimeterbicycling.com.  We are closed the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday after El Tour for recuperation and Thanksgiving, but we will get back to you as soon as possible. 

We hope you have a great ride and thank you for participating in El Tour!

To request a review of your results; if any changes are needed, please notify us immediately at the finish line, calling 520-745 2033 on Monday after El Tour or e-mail: registration@perimeterbicycling.com with your request.  Please include your name, rider number and specifics about your finish.

We will research the information you give us and make changes as warranted as quickly as possible.  

17.2

Office Hours After El Tour

El Tour offices will close for the Thanksgiving holiday starting the first Wednesday after El Tour, continuing through Sunday.
.

For answers to your questions not found here, contact us
Monday through Friday
9 am - 6 pm at (520) 745-2033
registration@perimeterbicycling.com!

Thank you for your attention to all of the above and have a safe, fun ride!