2016 Indoor El Tour was Bigger and Better than Ever The 2016 Tucson Conquistadores 11th Indoor El Tour presented by Arizona Health involved the most diverse group of riders since its inception. Riders ages ranged from 10 to 80-plus and hailed from multiple states included Arizona, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Colorado, Missouri and Kansas. Some of the organizations involved were the Falcon Field Fitness Center, the Pascua Yaqui Wellness Center, The Federal Correction Complex of Tucson, La Fronteras/ La Paloma Family Services, Crossfit
Chanhassen and Cakes for Causes. Riders from these groups and many others - at all fitness levels - rode on indoor cycles for minutes not miles in pursuit of raising their fitness level. And helped raise awareness of the health benefits of indoor cycling. The Indoor El Tour allowed riders that were not able to participate in the road event another way to be part of the Tucson Medical Center 34th El Tour de Tucson presented by Casino Del Sol. These stationary bike riders shared the same camaraderie that only
an event like El Tour can create. All of the groups that were new this year are already talking about next year and planning for the 12th Indoor El Tour. Perimeter Bicycling is very excited to be working with all the groups and sharing in the fun and enthusiasm they bring to the Indoor El Tour event. Perimeter is also looking forward to all the new riders we will be adding to our growing list in 2017! Until next year, keep pedaling in good health!
Increase in School and Youth Teams with Tucson Conquistadores by Elaine Mariolle With support from Tucson Conquistadores as title underwriter, the number of school and youth teams increased from three in 2015 to eight in 2016. In addition to returning contenders ~ Desert View High School, Dietz K-8 and Lauffer Middle School ~ there were five new teams from Doolen Middle School, Imago Dei Middle School, Jr. El Tour, Pascua Yaqui Youth and Utterback Middle School. A total 2,022 youth (with teachers, staff and mentors) pedaled 65,875 minutes. The Tucson Conquistadores and its members are dedicated to promoting amateur athletics among youth, particularly disadvantaged and mentally challenged children. As part of their primary purpose to foster interest in athletics for youth, the Tucson Conquistadores helped underwrite the 2016 Indoor El Tour School/Youth Program. For the seventh year, the Desert View High School Jaguars claimed top honors and the Education Team Award with 786 riders pedaling 33,323 minutes. Although Desert View has the logistical advantage, running all week with 34 LeMond spin bikes in their fitness center, the mighty middle schoolers put in a valiant effort. Utterback was the top middle school with 417 riders pedaling 11,249 minutes followed by Lauffer with 448 riders pedaling 9,238 minutes. “Utterback truly appreciated the opportunity to be part of the El Tour de Tucson,” said Tina Green, Utterback PE teacher. “Most of our students have not experienced riding ... What an awesome opportunity for Utterback students!” Indoor El Tour was also an excellent opportunity to integrate special education classes into the festivities. Students who are not ready to ride on the road had a great time logging in minutes for their school. All five of the schools in the Perimeter Bicycling/Pima County Middle School Program participated in Indoor El Tour (Dietz K-8, Doolen, Imago Dei, Lauffer and Utterback) Each school has a fleet of hybrid bikes and Pima County bike ambassadors lead bike skills
classes and activities during PE, and/or after school. “It was great,” said Thom Luedemann, principal at Lauffer Middle School. “The kids were really into it. They rode during PE classes then and came back to ride on their own time during lunch. It was also exciting to see the office staff getting into it as well. Ali Romo and Krystal Gandara [front office] had a competition to see who could ride the most minutes ~ they both went Platinum” [riding 120 and 111 minutes respectively]. Jr. El Tour held their Indoor event in the Tucson Jewish Community Community Center spin bike room (where they train on Tuesday and Thursday evenings) in preparation for riding the 40-mile El Tour event. Also participating for the first year were Pascua Yaqui youth who rode Thursday night of El Tour Super Week. Special thanks to Pima County middle school bike ambassadors who helped coach, cheer and record the student rides: Ashton Burris, Deidra Bustos, Ben Bustos, Raphael Duarte, Andrew Gannon, Pam Patterson, Cynthia Quijada, Missy Russum, Cathy Stewart, and to long-time Indoor El Tour volunteer, Trudy Duffy.
Youth from six schools and two fitness programs participated in the 2016 Indoor El Tour. Elaine Mariolle Photo
Jr El Tour regularly trained Tuesday & Thursday nights at the Tucson J in preparation for riding the 38-mile El Tour. 47 youth, mentors, parents and coaches celebrate w/ their medals after riding Indoor El Tour. Tiffanie Bialis Photo
Youth Team/School Desert View High School /Captain: Matt Utterback Middle School / Captain: Tina Green Lauffer Middle School / Captain: Cheryl Morales Dietz K-8 / Captain: David Paun Doolen Middle School / Captain: Andra Karnofsky Imago Dei Middle School / Captain: Cameron Taylor Jr. El Tour / Captain: Scott Blanchard Pascua Wellness Center Youth / Captain: Michael Edwards TOTAL
Riders 786 417 448 165 76 54 46 30 2,022
Minutes 33, 323 11249 9238 4341 2961 1981 1840 942 65,875
10 Hours on a Bike – “I Feel blessed” By Ole Olson Hi, folks. With the assistance, coaching and cheering from Class of 1954 classmates Joe DiTomaso, Oscar Mercado, Macario Colmenero, Dean Lattman, Victor Avalos, Bert Mercurio, and Bob Eusebio, we had one heck of time and a heck of a ride. Mission accomplished: 10 hours, five seconds - and way over 100 miles. Without these guys, their friendship, bad jokes, terrible stories, and many lies, etc., this ol' boy just may have stopped in the last half hour. It was getting incredibly tough and I was hurting pretty good. But, with these amazing guys there, their lifting me up, all the food they brought for the party, there was no chance I’d quit. Joe was there an hour before, remained after all the other guys had to leave, and didn't leave until an hour after we finished (a 12- hour stint) just an awesome guy/friend/classmate/and supporter. Bert and Bob came between hours 9 and 10 and where there when we passed the 10-hour finish line. What would I have done without them all, and all you folks out there who were so kind to believe in and support this ol' boy in his caring for and support of this amazing organization, Tu Nidito? And, of course, the little ones and families they care so immensely about! As I write this, I’m feeling exactly the same, even after a
1/2 post race ride this evening to dispense of the trash built up in my system from the 10-hour ride, I just feel so blessed, and, so happy we came, saw, and we conquered!!!!! Thanks again everyone … you're amazing, and special in my heart...."Ole" P.S. I got off the bike so hurting last night, in such bad shape from those 10 hours - the last two were difficult, the last 1/2 hour really really hurting - and I probably may have quit had it not been for the guys being there and cheering all along. But I was able to jump in a hot Epsom Salt-filled bath tub and soaked. Oh how good that felt, though it took maybe a solid minute or two to simply get down into the tub, and then later, to get out. Unbelievably, when I got out, I felt absolutely brand new, no pain anywhere. Then got up this morning and felt exactly the same, i.e. absolutely awesome, better than I have felt in months ... nowhere was there pain, soreness or stiffness. What a huge, amazing and wonderful blessing. As I write this, I’m feeling exactly the same, even after a ½-post race ride this evening to dispense of the trash built up in my system from the 10-hour ride. Ole Olson rode 10 hours on his indoor bike. Photo Courtesy Ole Olson
Results become official February 1, 2017 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 7
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 — I N D O O R E L T O U R
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