On the morning of Sunday, November 10, midtown Tucson was alive with the spirit of cycling as riders hit the streets for the annual Fall Fondo fundraiser, a key event organized by El Grupo Youth Cycling.
The event, now in its 11th year, attracted dozens of riders who took on 75-, 50- and 35-mile routes to raise money for the organization, which focuses on empowering Tucson’s youth through biking.
The Fall Fondo serves as El Grupo’s largest fundraiser, with proceeds supporting the group’s mission to provide accessible biking opportunities, equipment and safety education for young people.
Executive Director Denise Aquino shared that El Grupo’s goal is to ensure that every child, regardless of their background, can experience the benefits of cycling.
“We just want to make sure that bikes and bike safety are accessible to anyone in Tucson,” Aquino said.
Aquino noted the various health and personal benefits of cycling as a reason to get youth hooked early.
A recent study by the National Institutes of Health found that biking reduces the future risk of osteoarthritis and knee pain .