Clear Skies and a Cool Start for the Holualoa Companies 26th and final Tour of the Tucson Mountains

Sunday, April 29th, 2012

TUCSON, Ariz. – Richard DeBernardis, Founder & Executive Director, announced that some 900 event participants were treated to a breezy cool start with beautiful blue skies that transitioned into a fairly warm day.

This year’s event was dedicated to Tucsonan Steve Bohn who has been instrumental in bringing hundreds of professional and amateur cyclists to Tucson every spring to compete in his Tucson Bicycle Classic.

Beginning and ending at the Marana Town Hall, Brian Forbes from Mesa held off a large peloton of 41 cyclists by well over a minute to claim the individual men’s title in a time of 2:51:49. Mike Ciasca from Marana took the field sprint to place second in a time of 2:53:03 while Tucsonan Chris Chesher rounded out the men’s podium in a time of 2:53:04.

Tucsonan Emily Francone placed first for women in a time of 2:54:44, forty-fourth overall and less than a minute behind the lead peloton. Bora Leonard from Sierra Vista was second for women in a time of 3:05:08 while Tucsonan Jennifer Jen rounded out the women’s podium in a time of 3:16:34.

Brian Robinson and Lynn Kernaghan from Silver City captured the tandem title in 2:59:21. Tucsonans Andy Duval and Scott Smith placed first in the men’s tandem division in a time of 3:03:39 while Debbie Williams and thirteen-year-old Ripley Russum took the women’s tandem division in something under 5 hours, having to stop and make a complicated flat-tire repair.

Men’s 27-mile defending champion, David Murray of Phoenix, placed first for the fifth year in a row in a time of 1:19:57. Tucsonan Meredith Reifschneider was awarded the women’s 27-mile title, finishing in 1:20:19.

The Pizza Hut Fun Ride delighted kids and their parents as they rode either the 4-mile or the ¼-mile course on flat roads surrounded by the beautiful Marana countryside. Eight-year-old Seth Villa was awarded the unique Tour Conquistador in the Best Decorated Bike Contest during the Performance Bicycle Grand Cycling Awards Ceremony with four-year-old Molly Murry and ten-year-old Dara Russum as runners up.

This year’s event grossed approximately $4,500 and will benefit University of Arizona Alumni Association, University of Arizona Medical Center – South Campus Children’s Center Clinic, TMC Children’s Miracle Network, Pima Community College Foundation, Marana Community Food Bank and other Perimeter Bicycling charities. Since its inception, the event has welcomed over 23,000 participants and raised nearly $331,000.

The 2012 event was also supported by Ajo Bikes, Alvernon Optical, Bianchi Bikes, Bohac Consulting Services, CEP Timing, Citi, Clif Bar, DakotaPro.Biz, Greater Arizona Bicycling Association, Highway Technologies, Madden Media, Metro Restaurants and Performance Bicycle Shop.

Perimeter Bicycling also organizes the Diamond Ventures El Tour Adventure Run, September 15^th, Cochise County Cycling Classic, October 13^th and University of Arizona Medical Center El Tour de Tucson, November 17^th.