Arizona Daily Star

A bicycle's eye view of riders in the 2000 El Tour, taken with a camera mounted on a bicycle charging up a rolling hill on Anklam Road.

Chris Richards / Arizona Daily Star

Some of the more than 4,000 riders wait for the start of El Tour de Tucson in downtown Tucson on Nov. 22, 2003.

Aaron J. Latham / Arizona Daily Star

This was a shot taken at the first El Tour de Tucson in 1983.

El Tour de Tucson was founded by Richard DeBernardis. That first year, fewer than 200 cyclists participated. By 20 years later, more than 8,000 cyclists rode the course.

"Obviously, we would not have been chosen the No. 2 best bicycling city in the USA by Bicycling Magazine if not for El Tour," Tucson City Councilwoman Janet Marcus said in 1996.

Debra Reingold / Arizona Daily Star

The start of El Tour de Tucson, at 7 a.m. Nov. 20, 2004.

Terry Ketron / ShutterHawk News via Arizona Daily Star archives

Cyclists riding in the 109-mile version of the 25th Annual El Tour de Tucson make their way south on Mission Road as the sun rises on Nov. 17, 2007.

David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star

A continuous stream of cyclists pours into the dusty Santa Cruz Wash along Drexel Road during the 25th annual El Tour de Tucson on Nov. 17, 2007.

Greg Bryan / Arizona Daily Star

A pack of riders navigates the route on Colossal Cave Road at the Pantano Wash during the 36th El Tour de Tucson perimeter bicycling race on Nov. 17, 2018.

Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star

in 2013, a mountain bike rider had an advantage as he cycled through a puddle of water near Sabino Creek during the 31st El Tour de Tucson presented by Casino del Sol Resort. Heavy to light rains did not deter an estimated 8,400 cyclists in that year's event.

A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star

The leaders pass the aircraft boneyard during the 35th El Tour de Tucson bicycle race on Nov. 18, 2017.

Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star

Julie Hudetz (# 12) smiles after winning the women's portion of the Alpha Graphic's El Tour de Tucson bike race on Nov. 22, 1997.

Jim Davis / Arizona Daily Star