Platinum Information

At the start line for all Perimeter Bicycling cycling events (except Cochise County Cycling Classic), there is a special area cordoned off in front called the “Platinum” section.  Cyclists in this area have earned "Platinum" designation by meeting the criteria and requirements listed below. 

IMPORTANT: Please read the Tail Winds article explaining our 2010 revised Platinum policy.

Mandatory Platinum Meetings for Upcoming Events Passes allowing entry to the Platinum section at the start line are issued only at the Platinum meeting at Expo/packet pick up the evening before the ride.  PICTURE ID IS REQUIRED and your name must be on the list.  * There is NO MEETING on ride morning and    no passes will be issued on ride morning.  * Each cyclist must attend for him/herself.     No representatives or agents will be accepted.  * For a tandem to line up in Platinum BOTH cyclists must have a platinum pass (or VIP).* For a tandem to line up in VIP, BOTH cyclists must have a VIP pass. * All platinum cyclists must be at the start line     no later 30 minutes prior to start time. Cochise County Cycling Classic There is no mandatory meeting for Cochise Classic.  However, it is highly recommended that all cyclists attend the Pre-Ride meeting at Expo/Packet Pick-Up the day before the event. El Tour de Tucson Two meetings will be held; choose from one: Wednesday, Nov 17 or Friday, Nov 19, both starting at 6:30pm at El Tour Bike, Health & Fitness Expo at the Tucson Convention Center. Attendance is mandatory to receive your pass. For address of Expo/Packet Pick Up, please visit each event’s site Available from http://www.perimeterbicycling.com

In this section you will find the following information:
(1) What is the Platinum Category
(2) Platinum Qualifying Criteria
(3) VIP Qualifying Criteria
(4) When is the Platinum Meeting for El Tour de Tucson?
(5) Qualified Platinum Cyclist List



(1) What is the Platinum Category:
"Platinum Riders lead the way"

Cruising along at speeds up to 24 miles per hour at the front of El Tour de Tucson and other Perimeter Bicycling events is a tightly-packed group of cyclists now known as “Platinum cyclists.” They are a group of professional racers, highly ranked USA Cycling amateurs, and the fastest and most skilled of Perimeter Bicycling event participants who have earned the designation.

With the safety of all cyclists a priority, Platinum designation was officially created for Perimeter Bicycling events in 1998.  This designation allows paceline-experienced, super-fast cyclists to start at the front of the 5,000-plus cyclists who ride in the 100-mile plus El Tour de Tucson and the longer distances in other Perimeter Bicycling events.  Starting these cyclists in front has proven to prevent problems when these experienced and faster riders would overtake slower riders who do not have the same speed, training, experience or reaction in the wake of the Platinum wave. 

Platinum designation exists for reasons of safety for all participants and should not be considered an award status.  Speed does not recognize age or gender, so those are not considerations in time set for platinum finishes. The result of this designation and starting these cyclists in front is that there are fewer accidents at the start line and along the route, which has made for happier riders overall.

Platinum cyclists must meet certain criteria, follow special rules on the event route and MUST attend each event’s Platinum Meeting to pick up a Platinum Pass, required for entry into the Platinum Starting Area on ride day. 

Questions? email platinum@perimeterbicycling.com

(2) Platinum Qualifying Criteria
The primary qualification for Platinum is overall finish time. Earned Platinum status expires after 3 years. To qualify, cyclists must meet one of the following requirements:

• Cat #1 or Cat #2 USCF cyclist (must send a copy of license to platinum@perimeterbicycling.com)

• A top-ten nationally or internationally ranked cyclist, triathlete or biathlete.

• A Tour De France qualified starter.

• Finished any one of the Perimeter Bicycling events listed below under the specified time within 3 years of the event in which you wish to be designated as "platinum."

• For a tandem to line up in the platinum section, BOTH riders must have earned platinum designation

IMPORTANT: Please read the Tail Winds article explaining our 2010 revised Platinum policy.

(3) VIP Qualifying Criteria (updated for 2010)

VIP Riders line up at the front of the Platinum Riders. Earned VIP designation expires after 3 years.  VIP riders must attend the mandatory Platinum meeting the evening before the event. 

In order for a person to receive VIP designation, he/she must satisfy the criteria listed below. Perimeter Bicycling will not automatically assign VIP designation. For tandems, BOTH riders must have obtained VIP designation to be issued VIP passes. VIP designation must be applied for and granted prior to the Platinum Meeting during which the Platinum Passes and VIP Passes are issued. The following is a guide for requesting VIP designation.   

A. Must satisfy Platinum Qualifying Criteria (See above.).

B. Must have satisfied at least one of the following criteria within the past
3 years:

• An overall 1st through 10th place 109-mile El Tour de Tucson individual male finisher.

• Captain or stoker of a 1st place through 3rd place overall 109-mile
  El Tour de Tucson tandem.

• A 1st through 10th place 109-mile El Tour individual female cyclist whose time is under 4:45.

• Any participant who rode in the Tour de France.

• Any Cycling Olympian who won a Gold, Silver or Bronze medal within the past 4 years.

• 1st through 3rd place overall finisher of an internationally recognized cycling event of stature equivalent to Giro d’Italia, Tour of China, etc.

• 1st place overall finisher of a nationally-recognized cycling event of stature equivalent to Tour of Georgia, Tour of California, Tucson Bicycle Classic, etc.

• 1st place overall individual male OR 1st place overall individual female finisher in the full El Tour de Phoenix, the full Tour of the Tucson Mountains or the 92-mile Cochise County Cycling Classic.

• Approval by Perimeter Bicycling Rules & Information Committee. Write platinum@perimeterbicycling.com to request review.

(4) When is the Manditory Platinum Meeting for
El Tour de Tucson?

The Platinum meeting is held at the Bike, Fitness & Health Expo for each Perimeter Bicycling event, the day before the event. THERE IS NO PLATINUM MEETING ON RIDE DAY.  No passes will be issued to anyone without proper identification. Qualified platinum cyclists MUST attend the entire meeting to receive the special pass ( issued after the meeting ) that will allow ride day platinum section access. The meetings are listed in the box at the top. There will be no other meetings.

(5) Qualified Platinum Cyclist List

After attending the Platinum meeting the evening before the event, everyone will be checked against the Platinum List. The list is posted below. Please be sure your name is listed. The list is periodically updated after each Perimeter Bicycling event.
Please contact us at platinum@perimeterbicycling.com, or (520) 745-2033 with questions or corrections

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