El Tour de Tucson returns Saturday, Nov. 22, marking the 42nd year that the city has hosted one of the Southwest’s largest road-cycling events. All activities — from packet pickup to the finish lines — are centered at the Tucson Convention Center, with a three-day Zenni Expo & Fiesta kicking off Thursday, Nov. 20.
The Expo opens at noon on Thursday and runs through the weekend in downtown Tucson. Organizers say it will feature more than 100 exhibitor booths offering activities, giveaways and merchandise, with headline bands performing each day on the Stewart Title Main Stage. Packet pickup will coincide with the Expo beginning Thursday.
Ride day starts early on Saturday: riders for the 102-mile route will line up as early as 5 a.m. for a 7 a.m. start. The El Tour 5K Run/Walk for all ages begins at 7:15 a.m., with all finishers receiving a medallion. After the 102-mile field departs, a 62-mile ride will start at 9 a.m. and the 32-mile ride at 10 a.m. A Fun Ride with 3- and 1-mile options departs at 8:15 a.m…