Support Ben's Bells & Be Kind - Ride El Tour!

The mission of Ben's Bells is to teach individuals and communities about the positive impacts of intentional kindness and to inspire people to practice kindness as a way of life. Research shows us that kindness benefits our physical and mental health, increasing happiness and satisfaction. But just as solving a calculus problem requires advanced math skills, the challenges of daily life require advanced kindness skills. Ben’s Bells helps communities build these advanced skills through educational programs like Kind Campus, working with hundreds of schools to build social and emotional skills such as self-compassion and empathy for others; and through the bells them-selves, made in our four studios by tens of thousands of amazing volunteers - hanging ceramic flowers distributed throughout our communities as recognition of community kindness heroes, and reminders to continue carrying kindness forward in our daily lives.

Ride Day: Saturday, November 23, 2019

Held annually the Saturday before Thanksgiving, El Tour is a fund raising adventure ride attracting over 9,000 cyclists of all ages and abilities from throughout the United States and worldwide. Participants are novice, intermediate, advanced, and professional cyclists riding 100% human powered bicycles.

The Participants

El Tour riders share a desire to ride, meet great people, raise contributions for charities and have fun. Participants enjoy the ride and its festivities out of a passion for cycling, as a benchmark for a wellness program , as a symbol of surviving a major illness or other life challenge or to honor another person.

The Route

Main event distances are 100, 50, or 25 miles featuring beautiful vistas of Tucson’s four surrounding mountain ranges against the backdrop of the iconic Saguaro cactus. Course profiles range from flat to rolling or moderately hilly. The 25-mile route is mostly flat - great for families and perfect for a first-time event! The 100 mile event features the famous “creek crossing.”

The Finish

The 100-mile start line is at Armory Park in Downtown Tucson which also hosts the finish line celebration for all distances. Cyclists collect a special finisher’s medallion based on distance and/or finish time. Party with family and friends at the Fiesta complete with non-stop music, the Beer Garden, food vendors, El Tour Perimeter Store merchandise, kids activities, the Grand Cycling Awards Ceremony!