Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This page contains ongoing and frequently updated information that is important to anyone participating in El Tour de Mesa. The information below is from the previous year and is for reference only. When an update is made, the date will be noted. Please check back for more information as the event approaches.

(1.0) Registration (1/22/2013) top^

(a) Online and paper registration is available . At initial registration, you can pay in full or pay just the processing fee then pay the balance as late as Packet Pick Up.

(b) If balance is due for registration, all remaining fees and/or contributions must be paid on/before Friday, April 5 at Expo/Packet Pick Up.  Cash or checks only; no credit cards at Expo.

ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND EXPO/PACKET PICK UP. PHOTO ID REQUIRED. Each cyclist is required to pick up his/her own rider packet.  This helps assure that all cyclists have an opportunity to attend an Orientation Meeting to learn as much as possible about the event where important handouts and the most current event information is given. Thank you for your cooperation.

(1.1) Registration Confirmation

Online registrations are immediately sent an email welcome letter. To ensure receipt, please add onlineregistration@perimeterbicycling.com to your safe senders list.

Registrations completed by a hardcopy application are mailed a welcome letter via USPS within 2 weeks of receipt. If you have not received a welcome letter by this time, please contact Registration.

Check the Registered Cyclists list after you receive your welcome letter. Updated every weekend, this list is posted so you can make sure we have your information entered correctly. Questions? Write Registration or call (520) 745-2033.

(2.0) Event Manual / Information & Rules Booklet

This booklet contains complete information about the event and is issued at Expo/Packet Pick Up. Learn more about the RULES. Other information in the booklet includes event activities, directions to start lines, Awards and cycling tip. Due to last minute changes, the booklet will not be available until Packet Pick-up. In the meantime, please read all updates here and visit our Rules page.

(3.0) Packet & Timing Device Pick Up (1/22/2013)

All registered cyclists must pick up his/her packet, rider number, timing device, T-shirt and other goodies at El Tour Bike Expo:

Date: Friday, April 5, 2013
Time: 10:00am – 8:00pm
Location: Mesa Convention Center
263 North Center Street Mesa, AZ 85201
Free parking outside building. Learn more.

Each cyclist is required to pick up his own packet. Photo I.D. required. No pick-up option by friends/family. This helps assure all cyclists attend our Safety & Orientation Meeting and receive all important handouts and most current event information. Thank you for your cooperation.

There is NO packet pick-up on ride day except for Fun Ride.

Questions? Info

Exhibitors: inquire with Ila Stadie: Development

Packet Pick-Up instructions upon entering Bike Expo:
Plan to attend an Orientation Meeting prior or after your pick up.
Steps

  1. Pick up a “route card/expo map” at Station #1.
  2. Find your name on the boards next to Station #1 where you will find your rider number. Write your name and number on the “route card.”
    (Cyclists not yet registered skip to Step 5).
  3. Proceed to Station #2 for a goodie bag.
  4. Proceed to Station 3, to the station that corresponds to your rider number. ( New cyclists : Go to NEW REGISTRATION table.) Here you will receive your rider number and timing device after you have paid registration in full.
  5. Proceed to chip check station where your data, for results purposes, can be confirmed.
  6. Visit the vendor and exhibitor booths at Expo.
  7. Pick up your event t-shirt.

CREDIT/DEBIT cards cannot be accepted for fee payments except for online registration. At Expo/Packet Pick Up: cash or check only.

For Expo exhibit information, contact Ila Stadie at 520-745-2033 or email Development.

(3.1) Safety & Orientation Meetings

Attendance Highly Encouraged !

2012 Important Information: Orientation Points - will be updated for 2013 within 2 weeks of the event. 
FREE Orientation meetings are held for Tour cyclists. Meetings take place each half hour at Expo/Packet Pick-Up and present 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 the event. Route conditions are subject to change each year. Every cyclist is encouraged to attend one of these meetings, which last approximately 15 minutes, starting at 10:00am and continues every half hour through 7:30pm.

(3.2) Platinum Designation (1/22/2013)

Visit the Platinum page to learn how to qualify for platinum designation. Two meetings for pre-qualified cyclists will be held at Expo/Packet Pick Up.  Details on the platinum designation page.  

BE ON TIME. Late comers to the meeting will not be admitted.
BE ON TIME. Late comers to the startline will not be admitted even with a pass. Arrival at start line: no later than 5:45am. No exceptions.

All pre-qualified cyclists MUST attend one meeting. No exceptions. A special pass will be issued after the meeting. These meetings are the ONLY place a “platinum pass” will be issued. There is NO platinum meeting on Ride Day; no pass = no admittance. Platinum information

(4.0) Dedication (1/22/2013)

Each year the event is dedicated to a special person who has made significant contributions to the bicycling community. Please visit this link to learn more.

(5.0) Hotel Information (1/22/2013)

Official Hotels for El Tour de Mesa offer special rates to cyclists and families.  Please make your reservations early to insure a room and you must call the local number to receive the special Tour rates.  Dont’ delay – El Tour Twilight Criterium will be held the same day as Expo and the hotels are expected to fill quickly!

For more information on our hotels please visit our “Hotel Page.”

(6.0) Medallion Times for 70-Mile Cyclists (1/22/2013)

All medallions will be given out at the medallion tent at the Finish Line in the Fiesta area of Downtown Mesa.

Platinum ( Qualification information )
Men: Under 3:00 hrs
Women: Under 3:15 hrs
Gold, Men & Women: Under 3:45 hrs
Silver, Men & Women: Under 5:15 hrs
Bronze, Men & Women: Under 6:45 hrs

(6.) Medallions for 28-Mile Cyclists (1/22/2013)

All 28-mile finishers will receive a Gold Medallion regardless of finish time.

Medallions will be given out at the medallion tent at the Finish Line Fiesta. Don’t forget to get yours!

(7.0) Event Start Times, Locations & Parking (1/22/2013)

Plan to be at your start line a minimum of 30 minutes before start time. You must start your event at the appointed time, at the appointed place. Late starts violate the terms of permits obtained from local municipalities and interfere with traffic control/plans along the route. Please be on time.

70-mile event:
Start Time: 6:15am
Location: Downtown Mesa, Az; on Center Street just north of 2nd Street
at the Mesa Convention Center: 263 N Center St

28-mile event:
Start Time: 8:15am
Location: Red Mountain Ranch Elementary School : 6650 E Raftriver, Mesa, AZ . Nearby major intersection: Bush Hwy & E. Thomas Rd.

10 & 4-mile Fun Ride
Start Time: 11:00am
Location: Downtown Mesa, Az; on Center Street just north of 2nd Street at the Mesa Convention Center

1/4-mile Fun Ride
Start Time: 11:15am
Location: Downtown Mesa, Az; on Center Street at just north of 2nd Street at the Mesa Convention Center.

( 8.0) Finish Line (1/22/2013)

ALL Events finish in downtown Mesa on Center Street north of 2nd Street, adjacent to the Mesa Convention Center and amongst The Great Arizona Bicycle Festival.

(9.0) Route Closure / End of Event

The course closes at 1:00pm per the terms of permits for the event. Any cyclist still on the course at 1:00pm will be “SAG’d” to the finish line. No exceptions. All course support including traffic control and aid stations will be discontinued at 1:00pm. Aid station closures along the route are based on the distance from the finish line and the time needed to complete the route by 1:00pm from that location. Route closure includes dismissal of police officers at each of the traffic light intersections along the entire route and breakdown of Aid Stations.

The route map for aid station locations, including individual closure times.

(10.0) Route Map

ALL cyclists (both distances) will continue south on Usery Pass (which becomes Ellsworth Rd after crossing McKellips Rd). 2013 Route Map/Cue Sheets

(10.1) Route: Aid Stations , Food & Water

There are 7 aid stations total along event routes serving bananas, oranges and water. At selected stations, cookies and/or pretzels will be offered.

Nutritional/electrolyte replacements are NOT OFFERED. In the dry Arizona climate, electrolyte replacements are often necessary. If you have a special dietary and/or nutritional needs, please come prepared. To help reduce cramps and muscle spasms, drink plenty of water and eat bananas along the route. Please come prepared.

What should you bring with you? It is strongly recommend that you carry one or two spare tubes, tire levers, tire patch kit and other basic bicycle gear. Carry at least one water bottle, a cell phone, change ($$) and wear a CPSC approved bicycle helmet (required).

Please bring with you any nutrition you will need to complete the ride. 

Earbuds in BOTH ears violate event rules. We strongly discourage use of earbuds.

(10.2) Route: Bike Patrol

There will be approximately 20-30 trained members of Perimeter Bicycling’s Bike Patrol team on the routes helping with mechanical problems, minor medical needs and encouragement. If you have a problem flag down a Bike Patrol member. Bike Patrol cyclists are event officials. They are there to help you and help the event be as safe as possible which includes reporting cyclists who disregard rules for disqualification. Learn more about Bike Patrol.

(11.0) DOUBLE LINE RULE WILL BE ENFORCED !

Violators will be disqualified! Forthe safety of all El Tour Cyclists, the rule that states cyclists shall not cross a double line WILL 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, ranking or a medallion.
Please do not become a DQ statistic! Help remain El Tour a safe and fun event for all cyclists.

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

(12.0) Results

Unofficial results will be posted at the Tour Results Board within 45 minutes of crossing the Finish Line. Updates are reposted approximately every 45 minutes. At the same time, the results will be posted on our website (baring internet/computer glitches). Tell your friends and family to check your results on their computers or smart phones.

Please review results BEFORE leaving the venue and contact us immediately with any corrections. Results will be published in the May/June issue of Tail Winds newspaper, so be sure to check your results to help in sure they will be in print correctly.

(12.1) Timing Device/Chip. (1/22/2013).

CEP Timing is the Official Timer for the tour.  “GUN TIME” is used: start time for everyone in a given distance is the same time. Your finish time is recorded when your chip crosses the finish line.

Handlebar mounted timing device. El Tour’s Official Timer, CEP Timing, uses a handlebar mounted device which is disposable.  This device is the same used worldwide in marathons and cycling events. Recently the system was used in the Boston Marathon where a new world record was set and was used at El Tour de Tucson accurately recording over 7500 fast-finish results.  You must mount it properly on your bicycle.

(13.0) The Grand Cycling Awards Ceremony (1/22/2013).

The Ceremony will be held in the Fiesta area on the stage of the Great Arizona Bicycle Festival on the grounds of the Mesa Convention Center adjacent to the Finish Line.  Held in segments throughout the event, the first is at 11:00am. All cyclists, volunteers and friends are invited to attend and celebrate everyone’s accomplishments and cheer on the recipients.

Awards presented include 1st thru 3rd Place in the 70 mile & 28-mile events, Outstanding Volunteer, Highest Money Raiser awards, and more! Come join and celebrate with us!

(14.0) Post Event: Comments, Concerns and Issues

After the Tour, if you have any issues, comments or concerns, please let us know at the Finish Line (Information Booth) or write Publicaffairs. Your comments are important to us as we are always looking to improve the event.

(15.0) Additional Information

(a) Check back periodically for the latest information
(b) Follow us on facebook
(c) Call El Tour Headquarters: 520-745-2033
(d) E-mail us at: Info

We hope you have a great ride and thank you for your participation and your support of Perimeter Bicycling events!