El Tour De Tucson: Exactly One Month Until The Biggest Cycling Event In Tucson Arizona!

The El Tour de Tucson is the biggest cycling event in the state of Arizona, bringing in over 9,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities from throughout the United States and beyond to Tucson, Arizona!

People ride El Tour for many reasons: either they have a strong passion for cycling; it's part of their healthy lifestyle; or it's because they are a cancer or other illness survivor and have chosen this event to shine. 10 years ago my husband received an El Tour Decade Award, and this year marks his 20th year riding and he does it because the event supports Tucson.

For me - an 18 year El Tour volunteer and rider of 12 of them - I do it because I want to help the benefiting charities, get a little exercise and really - it's fun!

Whatever your reason and whether you ride the 109, 80, 67 or 35 miles, or the 4-mile & 1/4- mile Fun Ride - you are sure to have a great time and meet some great people!

So for the average athlete like me - you might be wondering if it's too late to train to do this ride! I say NO WAY! If you already exercise and your doctor gives you the thumbs up - here is my advice to get started!

(Disclaimer: if you want to keep up with the big wheels or intend to place or break a record time - this plan isn't for you! This is for the average cyclist and is what works for me so I can enjoy the greatest cycling event Tucson has to offer!)

Lose a little weight- but not so much that you are struggling or starving - even 5 or 10 pounds makes a difference on a long ride.

Start riding today- and mix it up a little - do some hills, flats - just ride!

Cross train - run the track, run stairs, swim, anything to supplement and get your body moving will benefit you on days that you can't ride.

Ride Mt. Lemmon - even if you only ride to MP 10 - it feels like you've ridden 30 miles.

Every week take one long ride - if you think you will be sitting in your saddle during El Tour for at least 4 hours - go an ride for a minimum of 3 hours. The idea is not to race or gain speed, it's to get used to sitting for that long and peddling!

Whatever bike, cycling shoes, clothing, helmet you have - use it! Don't change equipment this late in the game. Same goes for fuel - whatever food or drink your body is used to - keep using it -- making changes at the last minute will only hamper your performance!

Sign up and just go an enjoy the ride - enjoy the people, the cheers, the volunteers and you are sure to come back, like I have for over 17 years, to ride in this event!

Gabrielle (Kamahele) Rhind - 2009. If you want to reprint parts of this - just email me for my permission rhindohana@msn.com. Buying or selling Tucson Arizona Real Estate? Click info@gabriellerhind.com and let me know how I can help you! Or visit www.BuyMyTucsonHome.com.

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