Historic Rains On El Tour Day Brought Out The Warmth Of The Tucson Community by Elaine Mariolle Although it rained on the parade of bicyclists in the 31st El Tour de Tucson presented by Casino Del Sol Resort, the deluge brought out the warmth of the Tucson community. Riders from near and afar turned the adverse weather into an adventure and members of metro Tucson rallied to support the cyclists on their annual trek around the perimeter of town. The historic nature of the rains cannot be understated: Not only was it the first time it rained on El Tour day but it was the first time it rained in 131 years on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. El Tour’s founder and director, Richard DeBernardis selected El Tour day based on historical weather data from The Farmer’s Almanac. “I wanted a fall date with optimal weather,” DeBernardis said. “It never rained in 100 years on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, so that was the day I picked.” And it did not rain on El Tour day until this year. And rain it did. There was so much water in the Santa Cruz that the course was rerouted to go up Irvington. The Sabino Creek crossing was passable until 11 a.m. when the Sheriff closed the crossing. The front groups were able to ride through but riders coming later waded across. Approximately 500 to1,000 people were rerouted in smaller groups up Bear Canyon to Tanque Verde and Sabino Canyon Road. Local riders were teamed up with those from out-of-town. This impromptu rerouting was an adjustment to help keep riders on the road. (See the photo gallery on pages 4-5). A special thanks goes to Ventana Medical Systems Bike Patrol, the Aid Station volunteers and the route SAG vehicle drivers for exceptional service during what
El Tour XXXI All results become official February 1st on our Website PerimeterBicycling.com EVENT...................................................................PARTICIPANTS 107-Mile..................................................................................3,301 81-Mile.......................................................................................642 57-Mile....................................................................................1,639 38-Mile....................................................................................1,505 Bike Patrol .................................................................................135 Fun Ride....................................................................................574 Indoor El Tour .........................................................................1,860 Total Cyclists.................................................................9,656 Volunteers...............................................................................2,993 Spectators ............................................................................26,733 Grand Total Participants............................................ 39,382 Money Raised For: Money Raised For: .......................................................................... ACCION..............................................................................$20,000 American Parkinson Disease Association..........................$33,000 American Youth Understanding Diabetes Abroad ..................2,700 Arts-Express............................................................................$120 Boys & Girls Club .................................................................$5,400 Cakes for Causes....................................................................$575 Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation ......................................$3,000 Catalina Community Services - Greater Vail Community.....$6,980 Children's Success Academy...............................................$2,310 Easter Seals - Blake Foundation...............................................$50 Grey 2K USA Education Fund .............................................$5,000 Habitat for Humanity...........................................................$15,827 Integrative Touch for Kids .....................................................$2,297 International Rett Syndrome Found .....................................$7,700 Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation..........................$800,000 Lions Club ................................................................................TBD Leukemia & Lymphoma....................................................$235,536 Pima Community College Foundation.....................................$100 Platelett Disorder Foundation.............................................$14,783 Rotary Polio-Plus...........................................................$2,250,000 Susan G. Komen for the Cure ............................................$24,000 The Bahati Foundation.............................................................TBD The Haven ............................................................................$2,855 The Winded Foundation .......................................................$3,000 Uphill Into The Wind ...........................................................$10,000 Water for People.................................................................$17,500 Women's Foundation ...........................................................$2,122 Wright Flight .............................................................................TBD Young Life ...........................................................................$10,000 Tu Nidito Children & Family Services ...............................$325,000 Total .........................................................................$3,799,855 RECORDS Total Cyclists ........................................................... 9,122 ...2007 111-Mile Event ........................................................ 5,077 ...2007 85-Mile Event ............................................................. 649 ...2012 60-Mile Event .......................................................... 1,700 ...2012 42-Mile Event .......................................................... 1,540 ...2008 Bike Patrol .................................................................. 184 ...2007 Fun Ride..................................................................... 602 ...2011 Indoor El Tour ............................................................1860 ....2013 Adventure Run ........................................................... 591 ...2003 Volunteers ............................................................... 3,000 ...2011 Spectators ............................................................. 35,000 ...2011
Other Perimeter Bicycling Charities Arts-Express ................................................................. $400 AZ-1 DMAT................................................................. $1,000 Armory Park Senior Meal Program............................... $500 Bike N Box .................................................................... $500 Children's Museum Tucson ....................................... $3,000 Community Food Bank SO AZ................................... $1,000 Downtown Tucson Partnership ....................................... TBD Fred G. Acosta Job Corps.......................................... $1,500 Sabbar Shrine Temple................................................... $100 Safford K8 Middle School ............................................. $200 Tucson Fire Department................................................ $300 Tucson Youth Development ........................................... $500 Total ............................................................. $9,000.00
2013 El Tour Dedicated to
John Hewko
Top finishers in the 107-mile event taking the hill together. (L-R) Micheal Sayers (second place) Juan Magallanes (first place) Rafael Escarcega (third place) and David Solomon. Jerry Rosen Photo
General Secretary of Rotary International and El Tour's Highest Money-Raiser
may go down as the most challenging El Tour day on record! These members of route support staff braved the elements, changed hundreds of flat tires, picked up tired, wet and cold riders. One member of Bike Patrol changed 28 flats! Perimeter Bicycling also extends our deepest gratitude to police and fire units who worked on the route, sometimes tending to riders who were too cold and wet to continue. The staff at the Senior Center at Armory Park opened their facility so that riders and volunteers could get out of the rain and cold. They offered hot coffee, cocoa and soup for free. The City of Tucson and Sun Trans provided additional buses to pick up people with hypothermia. Private citizens who were spectators along the route offered encouragement, blankets, hot beverages and a myriad of services to scores of riders. It was a day that pulled the community together and brought out the best in human kindness. Many riders crossed the finish line and said it was among the safest rides in the pack - everyone knew the roads were slippery and folks were extra careful. Tragically, at 5:20 p.m., a motorist veered into the coned-off bike lane on the I-10 frontage road and fatally injured El Tour rider, John Henderson. The incident is still under investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with John’s family and friends. This issue of Tail Winds is dedicated to John Henderson. A message from Richard DeBernardis is published in the Editor’s Riders wading across Sabino Creek . Scott Shipman Photo Note (on page 3 of the shell - This is the insert) B
Highlights from El Tour’s Dedication Dinner by Steve Rivera Where would you get the likes of Lute Olson, Bill Walton, John Hewko, John Howard and some of the best people/cycling enthusiasts in the United States? Well, Tucson, of course. All were at the annual El Tour Dedication Dinner, where more than 400 attended heard stories of inspiration from a number of people including Tucsonan Brendan Lyons who was recently injured in a cycling accident in the fall. "Humbled while speaking, we received a standing ovation from the entire room of about 500 professionals, distinguished leaders and standout athletes," said Lyons, who stood up from his wheelchair to give his speech. "It was difficult to hold back the tears." Many in the audience couldn't hold back the tears. Neither could Lorena Evans, who stood next to him on the stage.Evans is his girlfriend "Brendan is my hero. He is my hero for more than one reason," she said. "He is the one who got me interested in cycling and he is the one who protected me on the day of the collision. Aside from that - he is my hero for working tirelessly throughout his own recovery to ensure the awareness and safety of cyclists as well as drivers." (Brendan Lyons and Lorena Evans were named El Tour Man & Woman of the Year see page 4) It was a night to remember - for everyone. It was where Perimeter Bicycling President Richard
DeBernardis announced more than $3.79 million in money was raised for more than 35 beneficiaries. "Tucson has a history of being a very giving community," said Olson, one of the guests. "It's always been there for those who need it. I'm glad to be part of this community." John Hewko was in for the weekend and he enjoyed every moment. Hewko, General Secretary for (L-R) John Hewko, Bill Walton, Lute Olson and Greg Rotary International, was named the ride's LeMond. Arnie Bermudez Image Dedication Recipient for 2013. Last year, he raised "It was cold and wet – I thought I was home in more than $240,000 in his successful Ride to End Chicago and not in the middle of the desert," he Polio. This year, he raised three times that amount, joked. "But knowing we were raisingalmost $2.25 breaking his own record. With matching funds at a 2million for polio eradication meant there was no way to-1 ratio - through the Gates Foundation - Hewko that I was not going to finish with a personal best." said more than $2.2 million could be raised. It turned out to be a terrific time all around. He's "I really enjoyed the Dedication Dinner event," met new friends and, once again, did an amazing job Hewko said. "I was able to meet some terrific people in raising funds. who all share a passion for cycling and doing good in "Bill was great. He is just a super, down-to-earth the world. I was particularly honored to have been person. He was very supportive of Rotary’s polio able to address the event on Rotary’s behalf as this eradication efforts. His participation in El Tour is year’s Dedication Recipient and to share with the what “leading by example” is all about," Hewko said. audience Rotary’s efforts to make history by eradicat"Brendon was a true inspiration and I was very ing the crippling disease polio from the face of the moved by his story and speech at the event. I admire earth." the tremendous work that he has done with Hewko rode the 107-mile event in five hours, 32 Look!Save a Life to raise awareness of bicycle safety minutes. on the roads and I wish him a speedy recovery from his terrible accident. B
Perimeter Bicycling wishes to thank the following sponsors for making the 31st El Tour so successful! Aardvark Printing & Marketing ..............................................................Supporting Printer AGM Container Controls, Inc. ............................................................Supporting Sponsor Ajo Bikes ..............................................................................Official Kids Bicycle Provider Alvernon Optical ................................................................................Supporting Sponsor Arizona Daily Star ...........................................................................Official Media Partner ASARCO..........................................................................................Official Food Sponsor Arizona Stagecoach ............................................................Official Shuttle Transportation AZ-1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team .................First Aid & Medical Assistance Team Bohac Consulting Services ........................................Official Internet Solutions Provider Canyon Ranch....................................................................................Supporting Sponsor Casino del Sol Resort ...................................................Presenting Event Underwriter Casino del Sol Resort.................................................................................Featured Hotel Casino del Sol Resort ....................................................................Dedication Dinner Site Citi ...................................................................................................Official Rider Number City of Tucson .................................................................................................Hosting City Clif ..................................................................................Official Energy Bar, Chew & Gel Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists ............................................................Supporting Sponsor Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona ..............................Official Food Distributors Community Partnership of Southern Arizona ..........Sponsor of the El Tour TV Broadcast Cord Blood Registry ...........................................................................Supporting Sponsor Cortiva Institute/Desert Institute Of Healing Arts ..................Official Massage Therapists CP Graphics ...................................................Official Poster & Perimeter Journal Printer Cushman & Wakefield/ Picor Commercial Real Estate Services .................Man & Woman of the Year Award Dakotapro.Biz ...........................................Official Telephone & Internet Service Provider Dark Horse Media ..................................................................................Media Consultant Denny’s..........................................................................................................Family Award Desert Mountain Insurance Services ...........................Almost El Tour Award Co-sponsor Diamond Ventures ..................................................................El Tour Community Partner Diamond Ventures ..................................Title Underwriter for the El Tour Adventure Run El Charro/Sir Vesas Restaurants ....................................................An Official Restaurant
Enterprise Rent-A-Car .......................................................................Supporting Sponsor Envision Eye Care Center ...................................................................................Mile #60 Epic Rides ........................................................................................Mountain Bike Award ESPN Tucson ...........................................Official Media Partner / Ride Day Radio Show Evaero, Inc. ........................................................................................Supporting Sponsor Evan & Susan Unger Family.................................................................................Mile #47 Fred G. Acosta Job Corps ......................................................Official Packet Stuffing Site GABA, Inc. ...................................................Official Bicycle Education & Safety Sponsor GEICO ................................................................................................Supporting Sponsor Genesis OB/GYN..........................................................Almost El Tour Award Co-sponsor Golden Eagle Distributors ..........................................................Official Beer Distributors Greg Maciulla & Family .................................................................Supporting Underwriter HSL Properties ..............................................................................Downtown Fiesta Host Intuit ....................................................................................................Title 57-mile El Tour Journal Broadcast Group – KGUN9 ......................................................Official TV Station Kola’s LLC ......................................................................................Official Screen Printer LeMond..........................................................................................Sponsor Indoor El Tour Madden Media ................................................................................Official Media Partner MarathonFoto .......................................................................Official Cyclist Photographer MapMyFitness ....................................................................................Supporting Sponsor McDonalds ..............................................................Presenting Sponsor El Tour Fun Ride Metro Restaurants .............................................................................Official Restaurants Metro Water District.......................................................................................Official Water Michelob Ultra ................................................................................................Official Beer Pactimo ....................................................Official Custom Cycling Clothing Manufacturer Performance Bicycle ............................................................Official Late Night Bike Shop Paul L’Ecuyer Family .............................................................................................Mile #82 Perimeter Bicycling Association of America, Inc. .........................Official Event Producer Pima County ..........................................................................Home of El Tour De Tucson Pizza Hut ...................................................................................................Treasure Chest Pizza Hut ......................................................................................................Official Pizza
Polar Bottle ........................................................................................Supporting Sponsor Proactive Physical Therapy ........................Official El Tour 101 Training Class Instructors Pyramid Coaching ...................................El Tour Jr.Youth Development Program Trainer REI-Tucson ...............................................................................................Bronze Sponsor Rio West ........................................Builders of Perimeter Offices & El Tour Headquarters Rio West ..............................................................................................Official Contractors Rosemont Copper Company ......................................................107-Mile Event Sponsor Rosemont Copper Company .....................................................Ride Day Radio Sponsor Royal Kia..................................................................................Official Car & Pace Vehicle Rusing Lopez & Lizardi, PLLC .............................................................Dedication Dinner Sabino Cycles ..........................................................Official 57-Mile Mechanical Support Sanofi ..................................................................................Title 38-Mile El Tour Sponsor Sanofi ..............................................................................................................EXPO Host Scott K. Baker & Dan Rudrud...............................................................................Mile #74 TAZ Entertainment.................................................Producer / Director El Tour TV Special Tail Winds ............................................................................................Official Newspaper The University of Arizona Medical Center ...............Title Underwriter of El Tour Fun Ride TnT Illinois Cyclists ...............................................................................................Mile #48 Tucson Water.................................................................................................Official Water Tuff Shed, Inc......................................................................................Supporting Sponsor Transamerica................................................................................Official Results Sponsor Trek .............................................................................................................Official Bicycle Ventana Medical Systems ................................................Official Bike Patrol Underwriter Visit Tucson ....................................................................................Official Visitor Sponsor Volk Company ...............................................................Official 107-Mile Tandem Awards WSC Sports.............................................................................................Hotel Consultant XanGo.............................................................................................Official Wellness Drink Zuckerman Community Outreach Foundation .......Kids Riding For Those Who Can’t Program Zuckerman Community Outreach Foundation......................................El Tour Safety Tips Zuckerman Family Foundation .........................................Jr.Youth Development Program
Results become official February 1, 2014 and are posted on our website www.perimeterbicycling.com. Contact the El Tour office with changes or corrections: (520) 745-2033; E-mail registration@perimeterbicycling.com J A N UA RY / F E B R UA RY 2 0 1 4
T A I L W I N D S I N S E R T — U N O F F I C I A L R E S U LT S — 3 1 S T E L T O U R
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