While the 2023 edition of El Tour de Tucson still months away, the longstanding Tucson event made national headlines earlier this month when USA Today’s “10 Best” (10Best.com) readers voted El Tour at No. 1 on the list of "10 best road cycling events for 2023.”
As 10Best explains, it's "a ride that’s been a part of the Tucson community for decades.”
That's true. This year’s El Tour, the event’s 40th anniversary, is slated for Nov. 18 with more than 7,500 cyclists expected. Per the event’s organizers, cyclists “of all ages and abilities" are invited to register and ride (or take part in the return of the 5K run/walk in 2023).
Previously as part of the 10Best Readers' Choice series, the Tucson region's Chuck Huckleberry Loop has twice (2021, 2022) won the title of “Best Recreational Trail.”
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The following list of "10 best road cycling events for 2023" is reprinted with permission from 10Best.com.
First organized as a sport more than 150 years ago, road cycling events remain a popular way for professionals and enthusiasts alike to compete against the backdrop of some of the United States' most stunning scenery. Here are the 10 best road cycling events in the United States for 2023.
A rider and a group of area neighbors exchange salutes as the main body makes the first few yards of the long climb up Pistol Hill Road from Old Spanish Trail during El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
No. 1: El Tour de Tucson
El Tour de Tucson is a ride that’s been a part of the Tucson community for decades. It has route options for cyclists of all skill levels, and all routes start and end at or near the Tucson Convention Center.
Options include The Century (102 miles), The Metric Century (62 miles), The Half Metric Century (32 miles) and the FUN rides (1-mile or 3-mile).
Lt. Steven Gardner, helping the U.S. Army man Aid Station #3 aids a rider needing air as the rest of the pack top Pistol Hill Road for El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
No. 2: RAGBRAI L | Iowa
RAGBRAI, which stands for Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is a weeklong rolling festival for cyclists that’s been going strong since 1973. It’s a ride across the state that attracts participants from around the U.S., with a route that averages 500 miles.
The race starts along Iowa’s western border and ends along the Mississippi River at the state’s eastern border.
No. 3: Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hill Climb | Gorham, New Hampshire
The Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hill Climb is a New Hampshire race that has been going strong for half a century. It’s a 7.6-mile ride from base to summit.
Proceeds from this race benefit the Tin Mountain Conservation Center which provides educational programs to foster a greater awareness of the nature and the environment.
David Juarez, of Whittier, Calif., pedals near the top during the Mount Washington Auto Road Bicycle Hillclimb on Aug. 21, 2010, pedaling 7.6 miles to the top up the highest peak in the Northeast, on Mount Washington, N.H.
No. 4: Wilmington Grand Prix | Wilmington, Delaware
Located in Wilmington, Delaware, the Wilmington Grand Prix is a criterium-style weekend bike race. It starts with a festive kickoff event and time trial on Monkey Hill. Then, high-speed racing happens on Saturday, followed by the Grand Prix’s Gran Fondo ride through scenic northern Delaware on Sunday.
No. 5: Tour de Summerlin | Summerlin, Nevada
The Tour de Summerlin is unique with its many biking lanes throughout its routes, which were planned to provide a safe and “rider-friendly” experience.
It starts and ends in downtown Summerlin, Nevada. Cyclists can choose from three different ride distances: 80, 40 and 20 miles.
No. 6: Bike MS: Escape to the Lake | Portersville, Pennsylvania
With a course that spans two days and multiple states, Bike MS: Escape to the Lake was created as a benefit for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, so we can ultimately have a world free of multiple sclerosis. It offers a variety of interesting route options, and participants can enjoy pre-ride activities each year.
The two-day experience starts in Portersville, Pennsylvania and it takes riders through the hills of Western Pennsylvania before finishing in Conneaut, Ohio.
No. 7: Bike MS: City to Shore | Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Riders who participate in the Bike MS: City to Shore Ride raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, an organization dedicated to ultimately finding a cure for the central nervous system disease while also helping people with MS live their best lives. This ride lasts one to two days and it starts in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Riders can choose from 20-, 40- or 75-mile routes on the first day, and the truly ambitious can add an extra 25-mile loop to bike a full 100 miles. On day two, riders who took the 75-mile or 100-mile track to Ocean City can choose to ride back to Cherry Hill.
No. 8: Limestone Cycling Tour — Maysville, Kentucky
The Limestone Cycling Tour takes cyclists along gorgeous rolling hills on curvy, seldom-traveled backroads in northern Kentucky.
Riders of different levels are welcome, and they can choose from four routes: the century, metric century, 44-mile loop or 26-mile loop.
No. 9: Tour of St. Louis | St. Louis
The Tour of St. Louis is a springtime bicycle race in St. Louis, Missouri.
The weekend event includes the flat 11-mile Wildwood Centaur Time Trial, the hilly 1.3-mile Carondelicious Criterium and the flat and fast Mike Murray Classic Criterium.
No. 10: Campagnolo GranFondo San Diego | San Diego
The Campagnolo GranFondo San Diego is a festive race that welcomes all levels of cyclists. Participants can choose from three route options: 34 miles, 60 miles or 101 miles.
At the finish line, cyclists are cheered, awarded with a medal and ushered to the Fantastic Finish celebration with Italian pasta, live music, a beer garden and a bike valet.
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
About 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards: Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
Editors for 10Best Readers' Choice "best road cycling event" (2023): Ava Roxanne Stritt; Catherine Smith; Scott Hoffman
Photos: 2022 El Tour de Tucson bicycle race in Tucson
Riders pass by Aid Station #3 on Pistol Hill Road on the far eastern leg of El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
Sean Christian, of Tucson, raises his arms as he crosses the finish line and wins the men's division of the 102-mile race in the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
Anna Hicks, a native of San Luis Obispo on California's central coast, won the women's divisoin of the 102-mile race in the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
Race winner Sean Christian of Tucson, second from left, and lead riders in a tight formation on Nogales Highway near Continental Road during the Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de Tucson amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022.
A large pack of riders heads down Nogales Highway through the FICO orchards during the Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de Tucson amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022.
A rider and a group of area neighbors exchange salutes as the main body makes the first few yards of the long climb up Pistol Hill Road from Old Spanish Trail during El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
Cyclists make the turn onto Aviation Parkway at the start of the 102-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
Cyclists wait for the start of the 63-mile race along Cushing Street during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
A cyclists adorned in holiday cheer makes the turn onto Aviation Parkway at the start of the 102-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
Laura Close, left, and Margaret Falkowski cheer for cyclists and Laura's daughter and friend, who has Type 1 diabetes, riding with a group representing Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation during the Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de Tucson amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022.
Andy Clark of Austin, celebrating his 52nd birthday on race day, grabs some Gatorade at Aid Station #7 on Mission Road while chatting with volunteer Joanie Rogucki during the Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de Tucson amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022.
Cyclists work there way up Mission Road at Twin Buttes Road in Green Valley during the Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de Tucson amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022.
Volunteer Mary Harris rings the cow bell for cyclists along Mission Road west of Green Valley during the Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de Tucson amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022.
Cyclists on Mission Road west of the mines during Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de Tucson amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022.
Volunteer Mary Harris holds bicycles from racers stopping to snag food and water at Aid Station #7 on Mission Road during the Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de Tucson amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022.
Lt. Steven Gardner, helping the U.S. Army man Aid Station #3 aids a rider needing air as the rest of the pack top Pistol Hill Road for El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
The lead pack of riders heads up Old Spanish Trail just before the turn onto Pistol Hill Road for El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
A small group of riders make the climb up Pistol Hill Road on the far eastern leg of El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
A large group of riders start winding up Pistol Hill Road as the riders pass through the far eastern leg of El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
Cyclists make the turn onto Aviation Parkway at the start of the 102-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
Cyclists make the turn onto Aviation Parkway at the start of the 102-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
Cyclists make the turn onto Aviation Parkway at the start of the 102-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
A young rider and other cyclists make the turn onto Aviation Parkway at the start of the 102-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
Cyclists make the turn onto Aviation Parkway at the start of the 102-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
Cyclists start to leave downtown at the start of their 63-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
Two fans show their support for riders at the finish line during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
A young rider joins other cyclists at the start of the 32-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
A cyclist rides with a stuffed penguin on his helmut at the start of the 32-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
Participants make their way down Cushing Street at the start of the 32-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
Jesus Villa, right, holds up a sign to cheer on his Nana as she rides her first 32-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
A police officer directs cyclists onto Continental Road from Nogales Highway during the Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de Tucson amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022.
A pack of leaders escorted a Tucson Police officer on Mission Road during the Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de Tucson amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022.
Cyclists manage the ups and downs of Mission Road near Twin Buttes Road in Green Valley during the Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de Tucson amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022.
The Rincon Mountains rise behind the riders making the long climb up Pistol Hill Road for El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
A handful of riders top a rise on Old Spanish Trail, headed for the turn onto Pistol Hill Road on the eastern leg of El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
The lead pack makes the high speed turn onto Pistol Hill Road for El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
The main pack of riders fight their way up the long rise of Pistol Hill Road for El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
The bikers competing in El Tour de Tucson, cycling is a team sport at South Nogales Highway and Lumber Street 6th Avenue from Irvington to Ajo, Tucson, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
The bikers competing in El Tour de Tucson, cycling is a team sport at South Nogales Highway and Lumber Street 6th Avenue from Irvington to Ajo, Tucson, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
Just after dawn Josh Goldstein sweeps gravel and peoples off the hard right turn from Old Spanish Trail onto Pistol Hill Road for the far east leg of El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 19, 2022. Goldstein showed up with others from the neighborhood to cheer on the riders, and brought the broom along to make the intersection a little safer.
