Tour de Scottsdale

You’ll see plenty of red, white and blue at Tour de Scottsdale on April 13.

Cemex is back as a great sponsor for El Tour events and Tour de Scottsdale is our new one.

They’ve been front and center with their big, red-white-and-blue striped truck at El Tour and now will be back at Scottsdale.

And, they plan on having a DJ, pickle shots and cold towels for riders. We appreciate them.

This is the fifth event they’ve made their presence involving El Tour – and first with Scottsdale - having been part of the two years of El Tour and one with El Tour de Mesa.

Once again, they will be there to promote their “Safer Roads Together Program.”

“Cemex is a proud sponsor and participant of the El Tour de Tucson and Scottsdale races here in Arizona,” said David Nabavi, Cemex President – Southwest Region. “Promoting our Safer Roads Together program and educating racers on how to safely share the roads with our trucks showcases our commitment to Own Safety, Act Safely. Participating in the El Tour de Tucson at the end of last year set the tone for a safe and focused 2024. We look forward to continuing our support to these impactful community events.”

Safety is paramount for all things involving El Tour events. Next up is Tour de Scottsdale on April 13. Cemex does about a dozen similar events promoting its Safer Roads program.

Cemex officials want to make sure when their truck is around town people are safe and to make sure to avoid or be careful around blind spots, whether you are a cyclist, runner, walker, driver, anyone. 

“We really like to align ourselves with community races or bike races just because we share the road with pedestrians and people on their cars and bikes and our ready-mix trucks are on the roads 24/7 just servicing projects all across the state of Arizona, building homes, hospitals, schools, whatever it may be taking our building materials to those projects,” said Bri Kaites, Cemex community relations. “They are big, heavy pieces of equipment on the road, so we like to go to those specific events and connect with racers and community members and just kind of allow them to sit in the driver's seat and just see what our drivers can see in terms of visibility.”

See what they see when on the road. Sharing is caring.

“They will understand the visibility we are dealing with … it allows us to be good neighbors,” Kaite said.

Cemex, once again, will have a team of cyclists, who will be out on the roads with the other more than 2,000 cyclists in Scottsdale. They had a team in El Tour as well.

“We have some pretty serious riders on our executive team,” she said. “They all ride and part of a club and wear their fancy outfits. Not only do we support the event and try to make headlines in it we also want to have a great time in it.”

It’s not always about business. It’s about making the public aware of their presence on the road and in the state.

They have aggregate facilities, cement terminals, ready-mix concrete plants, where they mix the concrete that goes out to projects. Anything for housing and infrastructure where concrete is needed.

There are about 35 ready-mix plants, 30 aggregate facilities throughout the state, but are a global company and in 50 countries. They were founded in 1906.

They will see you on April 13 at Tour de Scottsdale. 

We welcome our non-profit partners! Tour de Scottsdale is a charity ride and we have so many looking for cyclists

It’s a new year and a new ride for El Tour de Tucson as we help the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy get Tour de Scottsdale going again. We are looking forward to being part of this ride, one established 20 years ago. We plan on continuing its success. We’re going to have so much fun with so many people: cyclists, volunteers, elite cyclists, sponsors and entertainers.

And, of course, our non-profit partners. Remember – this is a ride for charity. We’re shooting for more than 60 nonprofits and with seven months left we already have 38 on board.

We look forward to seeing many nonprofits and their cyclists. 

It takes a village to get this ride going – so many involved – but the nonprofits are our inspiration with all their efforts and great stories.

If you are going to ride, think about riding for any one of the nonprofits listed.

Welcome to all the nonprofits that have signed up and to all the ones who will be joining us for our ride on April 13, 2024

Go to our website to register and visit each and everyone of our nonprofits listed.

McDowell Sonoran Conservancy
Honor Health Foundation
ACBVI
Alzheimer’s Association
American Diabetes Association
Arizona Blood Alliance
Bahati Foundation
Desert Voices
The Drawing Studio
El Grupo Youth Cycling
The Hope Foundation
JDRF
National MS Society AZ/NM Chapter
Uphill into the Wind

Want to be part of what we think will be a fun and rewarding experience at Tour de Scottsdale? Come be a part of the ride's Expo! It’s at the WestWorld of Scottsdale.

Join non-profits, sponsors, tour representatives and like-minded companies/organizations for the grand return of Tour de Scottsdale.

It’s a great chance to reach potential clients and customers for cycling and beyond.

Think merchandise sales, product demos, giveaways and contests. It’ll all be at the Expo.

And don’t forget the music and entertainment, food and beer … and packet pickup and rider meetings. It’s all there and indoors.

More than 2,000 cyclists from all over the United States will roll into Scottsdale Friday-Saturday, April 12-13 for a great experience and equally city. The exhibitors will have two days of interaction with fans and friends.

The Expo starts from noon to 9 p.m. on Friday and from 5 :30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. It’s all being held at WestWorld of Scottsdale – North Hall.

Here's who we have so far. Visit Tour de Scottsdale Expo to join us!

Cyclologic
HonorHealth
Cycling Out Loud
Bicycle Ranch
The Hope Foundation for Cancer Research
Blue Zones Project Scottsdale
REBOPS for Parkinson's 
Pedego Electric Bikes McDowell Mountain
Sweet Endurance Sports Products
Life Guard Imaging
Bicycle Art LLC
American Diabetes Association
National MS Society

Penske Automotive
Rob Dollar Foundation
Santini Cycling

Vantage West Credit Union is true to its word when it comes to supporting events – it thrives in helping communities and those people in those communities.

They are one of the many sponsors for Tour de Scottsdale set for April 13.

They’ve done exactly that in Tucson and will be in the Valley, continuing to do so with the upcoming Tour de Scottsdale and the 2024 El Tour de Tucson.

We know their value – and they know ours – given they’ve been with El Tour for more than two years.

“We’re super excited,” said Rosanna Ramirez, Vantage West’s Community Impact Manager, referring to Vantage West being part of Tour de Scottsdale.

Vantage has been the volunteer sponsor, proving shirts and having a booth or two at the Expo. They’ve also had – and will have – a team of cyclists who will hit the road with more than 2,500 other cyclists in Scottsdale.

“We have a few enthusiastic cyclists in our team, so they are excited about the event,” she said.

Vantage West has been part of the Tucson and Scottsdale communities for some time, having branches in both areas. Vantage West has a branch on 32nd and Shea.

“I have a strategy where I try to look at areas  that we serve with our branch locations, and really try to embed ourselves in the community and things that have to do with we're huge on financial wellness and that contributes to health and mental and so we feel like activities like cycling, or races, outdoor activities, anything that has to do with fitness is good for the body and soul,” Ramirez said.  “And then that contributes to healthy financial wellness. They go hand in hand.”

What has impressed Vantage West is El Tour has become internationally known.

Ramirez has been so impressed with the events that this year for Scottsdale she’ll move from behind the scenes to help out at the Expo.

“I’ve heard such amazing things that I want to be part of the action,” she said. “I’m kind of jealous that way.”

She’s looking forward to being part of the Scottsdale event given she’s attended a number of events at the venue “and that area in Scottsdale is very nice.”

“I was excited for (a ride) to come north,” she said, being from the Valley originally. She works out of the Tucson area now.

“Having it so close to home (in the Valley) … I’m really excited,” she said. “I believe the lure of Scottsdale will help promote Tucson as well. And vice versa.”

Mallory Glenn has already witnessed the power of being part of the Tour de Scottsdale as one of its nonprofits. 

Visibility.

“As a nonprofit partner of this event, we have already seen a swell of new donors and donations come in,” said Glenn, Development Associate for The Hope Foundation for Cancer Research. “We truly appreciate your and the Tour de Scottsdale team's assistance and are grateful to be involved in this event!”

They’ll be there on April 13 for the 20th HonorHealth Tour de Scottsdale. We will be glad to see them as they do great work. They will also have a team of cyclists who will raise money and awareness for The Hope Foundation.

They are Team Hope!

Hope's Tour de Scottsdale team is led by Dr. Parminder Singh, a SWOG member, physician-investigator at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Singh will participate in the 62-mile event as a nonprofit rider for The Hope Foundation. Additional Mayo Clinic staff and friends encompass Hope's team of NPO riders, "Team Hope." So far, they’ve raised nearly $7,000 in preparation for the big ride.

“Let’s ride to fight cancer!” Singh said.

It’s important. You can donate here: The Hope Foundation (tourdescottsdale.org)

According to the Foundation, it was founded in 1993 by researchers and passionate about impact, The Hope Foundation for Cancer Research is a public charity with the mission to raise and contribute funds for the treatment and prevention of cancer. Hope specifically directs funds to the SWOG Cancer Research Network, one of the four adult cancer groups within the NCI's National Clinical Trials Network. Hope provides 16 unique research programs and helps fund SWOG's annual educational, professional meetings. Hope invests in innovative, promising research conducted by SWOG members; Hope funding helps to significantly improve lives through cancer clinical trials and translational research. Hope has received a four-star Charity Navigator rating for more than a decade, placing it in the top 3% of charities nationwide. Hope has found that funded projects have led to highly cited publications, numerous presentations at national and international conferences, larger clinical studies, and outcomes with the potential to change standards of care. SWOG clinical trials have changed the standards of care more than 100 times.

There will be nearly 20 non-profit partners at Tour de Scottsdale riding in the event and making people aware of who they are how they are to help.

One is REBOPS for Parkinson’s which is “fully committed to ‘Keeping you upright & in the fight.’”

REBOPS is Exercise, Boxing, Overcoming Parkinson's.

According to REBOPS neurological disorders, led by Parkinson's Disease, have become the leading cause of disability worldwide. Over the last 25 years, the number of people with Parkinson's has doubled to over 10 million sufferers now. There's currently no prevention, cure, or way to predict who it will strike next. It's not just for "old men" anymore!

Since 2016, REBOPS has been breaking the stigma around Parkinson's, making it everyone's concern. REBOPS helps support those living with Parkinson's, their caregivers, and those who may not realize how close they are to this condition.

“At REBOPS we see Parkinson's Disease (PD) as "The Un-One", because it is Unpredictable, Unpreventable, Uncurable (Incurable) and if we all would choose to live in such a way as to minimize its effects on our bodies and minds through specific exercises, movements, dietary practices and stress management, it is unbelievably valuable to our longevity, health and happiness ... Whether we ever contract the disease or not,” said Jim Hall, CEO/Founder of REBOPS.

REBOPS is proud to part of Tour de Scottsdale Expo. Representatives from the Parkinson's Support providers programs at The Pound Gym, The Valley of the Sun JCC, The PWR! Program will be there. 

They want to get the word out for this important and dreaded disease.

“Because anyone can get Parkinson's, we believe everyone should learn more about it and take steps to minimize it, both personally and to help others,” Hall said. “REBOPS is 100% committed to expanding all our ‘radar,’ so we're more aware and more involved... everywhere, for everyone. That's why we are traveling to Arizona during April.”

Why is it important? Because it could happen to anyone.

Then comes Jim’s final words: “I want to thank every single person I've ever met who has Parkinson's; I may have taught many of you how to be a boxer, but you've shown me what it means to be a fighter."

Design. Print. Promote.

That’s what Cirrus Visual does when it comes to helping companies – and events – highlight their activities. 

It’s as simple as wash, rinse, repeat. And it’s all good when it comes to Cirrus Visual, who have been part of El Tour events for a couple of years now. It will continue the tradition by being a sponsor in Tour de Scottsdale on April 13.

We love seeing them and they enjoy being part of the action with their bright, colorful signs.

“We haven't done well in having a presence in the Phoenix market before, so we’ll be leveraging our experience that we've had with El Tour in joining the Scottsdale ride,” said Brandon Blair, President of Cirrus Visual. “We see the Tour to Scottsdale is a good opportunity for us to put a toe into the Scottsdale community.”

It’s all about opportunities … and El Tour is doing the same in Scottsdale.

“Not only is Cirrus part of the action,” said TJ Juskiewicz, El Tour’s executive director, “but they there physically to make sure everything we need is exactly what we wanted. They care about the client, which is important.”

Brandon and his brother, Matt, will also be part of the event, as riders.

“We’ll be right in the middle of it all,” Brandon said. “We are also recruiting others to join us.”

Cirrus has been around for a quarter of a century, providing customers with high-quality, professional graphic design, printing and promotional products.

According to their website, “we successfully support hundreds of clients with their marketing, printing, and graphic design needs. We measure our success by our ability to help our clients achieve their own.”

When the HonorHealth Tour de Scottsdale came on the radar of Bike MS: Arizona, it took only a moment or two to say, “we are in!”

It was a natural to participate in an event that promotes cycling and good health. In fact, the two rides are perfect bookends to great cycling in the Valley, given one is in April and the other in the fall.

“Bike MS: Arizona is in the fall, and a lot of our riders are looking for a spring ride they can participate in and enjoy,” said Chris Marshall, President, National MS Society Arizona-New Mexico. “Tour de Scottsdale was a beloved event by so much of the cycling community, and we are excited it is back. We hope a few riders will participate in Tour de Scottsdale on behalf of the National MS Society. And we will be well-positioned to promote Tour de Scottsdale to our Bike MS cyclists for 2025, and to encourage riders to support both events.”

Respect begets respect. What would this world be without partnerships on any level?

So, there Bike MS: Arizona will be on April 13 for the ride and Expo. They will be one of the many nonprofits at the event, now celebrating the 20th year. It took a hiatus for the COVID year but is coming back strong.

Others see that and are joining in. They will be at the Expo on Friday and Saturday, sharing information about MS and the National MS Society where they will be promoting Bike MS: Arizona. 

“As a leading nonprofit organization in the Valley representing a large constituency of cyclists through our signature Bike MS event, we feel it is important for us to participate, promote and have a presence at Tour de Scottsdale,” Marshall said. “We not only try to increase awareness of Multiple Sclerosis and the services we provide but also look to collaborate with the local cycling community whenever possible. We also have a strong and growing partnership with HonorHealth and their Neurology/MS Center so we were excited to see them involved as the Presenting Sponsor.”

Awareness is key, especially at a “popular and high-visibility event” like Scottsdale’s, Marshall said.

According to Marshall, there are about 20,000 people in the Arizona-New Mexico Chapter living with MS and roughly 1 million nationwide.

“We have found that about 60 percent of those living with MS have connected with the National MS Society in some capacity and we look to continue to increase our reach,” he added. “The Society provides important programs, services, education, advocacy and healthcare access to people in our MS community, and we hope everyone who is affected by MS knows about the resources available. Additionally, we are leading world-class research efforts that are discovering more disease modifying therapies and ultimately our mission is to cure MS.”

To donate to MS Bike: Arizona or to donate visit: Bike MS: Arizona

Steve Tepper loves to cycle, ever since he was a youth, in fact.

“I love the feeling of freedom you get when on a bike, but also the immense challenge of racking up the miles and trying to go further than you thought possible,” Tepper said.

Dave DeCero (l), Marc Blonstein (m) & Steve Tepper

It’s a reason why he is a part of Tour de Scottsdale as a nonprofit and a rider. He’s the Executive Director of the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. He thought it was a “no brainer” to be part of a great ride on so many levels.

“It’s about joining the Tour and helping to raise money for two causes important to me: The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy and Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.”

Adding, “I am a big believer every person has an opportunity to make a difference.  So, while my contributions and the contributions of those who support me in these efforts might be relatively small, you never know which dollar will profoundly affect someone’s life and/or change an outcome.”

That’s the goal and has always been the goal – to help people.

So here he is with a team – maybe two to five cyclists and he’s still recruiting – riding in the event on April 13.

“The cycling community is incredibly inclusive and so while I am riding with a few friends, I am also hopeful to meet some new people, have an outstanding day, and raise money for two causes I care deeply about,” he said.

Tepper said the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired serves approximately 300 clients a year who lose their vision due to accident or illness.

Steve Tepper

According to its website, ACBVI has been empowering people with vision loss since 1947. Their highly skilled and experienced multi-disciplinary team of professionals offer individualized training utilizing state-of-the-art technologies and proven rehabilitation practices. 

ACBVI assists clients in coping with vision loss – with courage and dignity and a “Can-do attitude.”

“The majority of our clients are food insecure, and many are either at risk of homelessness or coming out of homelessness,” he said. “It is an honor to raise money to help them in their fight for independence and a return to work.

To help ACBVI on the ride or to register to ride for them, visit ACBVI (runsignup.com)

We’re excited to have Mari Holden as part of Tour de Scottsdale.

The former USA Olympian cyclist will be with a few other well-renowned cyclists – George Hincapie and Bobby Julich - for the Prix (on Friday) and the ride (on Saturday), April 12-13.

It's all happening at WestWorld.

“Tour de Scottsdale is going to be awesome,” Holden said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Holden is representing Pinarello, one of the many great sponsors for Tour de Scottsdale.

“Pinarello is excited to be able to support USA Cycling and a world class athlete such as Mari Holden in continuing to develop the next generation of great American cyclists,” Pinarello said.

Holden, through USA Cycling, is helping “create an environment for others to achieve their goals.”

She’s currently working with the USC Cycling’s Development Foundation.

“I’m an ambassador for them, doing events and attempting to get more women on bikes,” said Holden, a silver medalist in the 2000 Olympic Games and representative of USA Cycling. “I’m out there talking with people and showing off my beautiful bikes.”

She’s long been a Pinarello representative when she raced in Italy.

I’ve always loved the brand,” she said. “Even before I started as an ambassador here in the states, I’ve always been on a Pinarello. It was a natural fit (to be a representative).”

Now, she and Hincapie and Julich will be part of a star-studded group with Friday’s Prix Ride where cyclists who have signed up are able to ride with the pros to get ready for Saturday’s 62-miler or 32-miler. 

“We’re really excited that they are bringing back the Tour de Scottsdale,” she said. “It’s going to be larger than any year before so that’s great.”

The future looks bright in cycling, locally and abroad. It’s why Pinarello is involved in Tour de Scottsdale and beyond. Much of the success is because of Holden and others.

“It’s going great,” she said. “When I look at the results of rides we are having, it’s incredible. We haven’t had this kind of success in a long time. Development for programs has been very good because it takes years for the success and to win a world tour type of event.”

USA Cycling is doing what it can to make sure it happens, “and now we’re starting to see results,” she said. “It’s been an amazing thing, seeing all the hard work come through. The Olympics are in Paris this year and then looking down the road in 2028 (in Los Angeles) it’s going to be nice because we are on a great trajectory to do well. Having been a kid watching the 1984 Olympics, I know what kind of impact the Olympics it had on me and had on our country. It’s going to be awesome for people to see our athletes in our own Olympics.”

Again, Pinarello has helped her with support with the foundation and now with Tour de Scottsdale.

“They’ve been supportive of helping with everything and have been a great partner, and with things that I care about,” she said.

Scottsdale is one of them. She’ll be riding in Saturday’s event as will Hincapie and Julich. They’ll be riding in the 62-miler.

“I’ve heard that the course is beautiful,” she said. “It’s the perfect length because you get a great ride and you’re not so tired that it feels like you’ve been out there all day on a bike. You can be (at the post-ride event) with your friends and enjoy the festivities. It’s going to be awesome.”

Gary Boenzi can’t wait for Tour de Scottsdale.

He’s part of the nonprofit East Valley Children’s Theatre and is looking forward to raising money for it.

“I’ve worked very hard preparing for the Tour,” he said. “It’s not something you simply do. It takes preparation.”

So, he’s taken time to prepare, not just for himself but for EVCT and the Mountain Bridge Cycling group that will be there helping. 

He’ll also be helping East Valley Children’s Theatre raise money. He’s a volunteer there. You can visit (www.evct.org) for more information to donate or join in on the ride.

For 27 years, East Valley Children’s Theatre has provided a safe environment for children to gain self-esteem, explore creative outlets and grow and mature into community-minded young adults.

Dave Lowry (left), Gary Boenzi (center) and Jim Dickert

“I'm very excited and can't wait for the Tour de Scottsdale,” he said. “I would be grateful for your support!  Thousands of cyclists will put themselves to the test on this challenging route.”

He’s used to challenging routes, given a few months ago he rode in El Tour de Tucson, where he found out about Tour de Scottsdale and thought it would be a perfect opportunity to help raise money and ride.

“I ride about three times per week, aiming for at least 75 miles,” he said.

It’s all in hope of helping the kids at EVCT, where the “focus is to prepare children for their performances,” he said. “As this is done, the kids also prepare for their future lives as adults.  As the saying goes, ‘If you’re not early, you are late!’

“As I prepare for TDS, I’m thinking of all the kids that passed through EVCT, including my grandson Josh. … Thank you for your support of East Valley Children's Theatre. Your gift truly makes a difference. Thank you for giving and inspiring others with your generosity.”

The family that loves together, cycles together.

At least that’s the case with the Bailey family … and as it pertains to the Tour de Scottsdale and other rides.

You see, the Baileys love the ride, and because Tour de Scottsdale is back after a handful of years, so are the Bailey's. They will have eight – yes, eight – cyclists at this year’s event on April 13. They are team: United We Ride.

Team Bailey "United We Ride"

“We are super excited for the Tour de Scottsdale and happy that we have this amazing opportunity to ride in it again,” said Jamie Bailey, the mom.

The Bailey family has been riding together since 2007, thanks to husband, Eric’s parent’s (Rose and Gary), who are “big cyclists.”

At the time, it was all new to Jamie, given five knee surgeries. The rides started in 2010 for a ride that went from Seattle to Portland (STP).

Slowly but surely the family – the youngsters, too – started to join the rides, as did Jamie. 

“When our oldest son turned 10, he joined our family team and completed the ride on his own bicycle in 2019,” she said. “Our two younger children also wanted to do the ride when they turned 10but then Covid happened, and our family took a break from participating in the STP.”

Now, they are back on the bike and “excited to be riding together again!” she said. “Our kids are now 11 (Jasmine), 12 (Kai) and 15 (Jarem) years old. Our kids are on their own bicycles participating, but they've spent countless hours in bike trailers with us from the time they were born.”

Jasmine (l) Jarem (m) and Kai 

Cycling is in their blood, as is the love for cycling in the Valley. They’ve done a few of them, including El Tour de Mesa and, of course, Tour de Scottsdale.

They are ramping up for the April 13 ride quite nicely.

“Our rides have been going well so far and we've been slowly building up the miles of training for our daughter since she's the newest member to join our team,” Jamie said. “We love the exercise that cycling provides but more importantly, we love spending the time together outdoors.”

A bonus – to the family dynamic – Eric’s parents are flying in from Washington to ride along with his aunt Linda, who will be renting a bicycle to join in. It’s also the two youngest first ride. 

“We are so lucky to have three generations of cyclists spending this time together!” she said. “My in-laws are specifically to thank for bringing cycling into our lives. They've taken many cycling tours to other countries and have had the opportunity to see the world from the comfort of their bicycles. Rose and Gary have been tremendous mentors and coaches for all of us.”

Some members will ride the 62-miler and others the 32-miler but will be together – in spirit, too - on the ride.

“We love the Tour de Scottsdale and can't wait to ride together,” Jamie said. 

See everyone there!

HonorHealth, behind CEO Todd LaPorte, is Tour de Scottsdale’s title sponsor, and is proud to be part of what should be a great event. Already, more than 2,300 cyclists have registered with more expected by ride date, April 13.

LaPorte will be one of the many cyclists involved, even though he joked he might be the last one in. First, last … it doesn’t really matter, as long as one participates in the return of Tour de Scottsdale, celebrating its 20th year.

“Walking before I run… before I spin,” LaPorte said, referring to this preparation. “But the training is the best part, and while I realize April will be here before we know it, I’ll be ready. I love the Lost Dog Trailhead that is maintained by the Conservancy. So, if you see me out there, please say hi!”

HonorHealth CEO Todd LaPorte

Say “hi” to all involved. It takes a village to pull off a successful ride and one that means so much to so many people.

“We are excited to see the return of the Tour de Scottsdale and honored to play a role in getting it off the ground,” LaPorte said in the winter issue of Mountain Lines, the magazine for the McDowell Sonoran Conservatory. “As a healthcare system with roots in the Valley that go back almost 100 years, we know the impact being active has on overall health. We want to do everything that we can to encourage people to live a healthy lifestyle. Our hope is twofold: that our involvement will encourage other organizations to get involved, and that we will encourage cyclists from the Valley and beyond to see all that Scottsdale has to offer. We also hope this event becomes an annual tradition, growing in popularity year after year.”

As do all those involved. Scottsdale in April is the perfect place and time to see like-minded cyclists meander through the Scottsdale streets on safe routes, raising money for a number of nonprofits, including the McDowell Sonoran Conservatory.

“We hope that HonorHealth’s involvement will lead other organizations to get involved and provide a foundation for the community to come together to support this event, the riders, the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, and many amazing nonprofits who will benefit from the cyclists’ fundraising efforts,” LaPorte said. “This will truly be a community event made up of participants, volunteers, and organizations coming together to impact positive change in the Valley, and we are excited to play a leading role.”

After all, HonorHealth’s “mission is to improve the health and well-being of those we serve, and we want to be the partner of choice as we transform healthcare for our communities,” LaPorte said. “That transformation starts before people get sick. It means encouraging people to stay active, to get connected to their communities, and to live a healthy lifestyle.

“These are all principles that the cycling community already knows, but this will be another opportunity to spread the message broadly in the Valley.”

And it coincides with Blue Zone’s Project Scottsdale, of which HonorHealth is a primary sponsor. Blue Zone is making its debut in Scottsdale in 2024. Blue Zone areas involve participants who practice a set of healthy lifestyle habits in regions around the world that have lower rates of chronic diseases and longer life expectancies.

“Cycling enthusiasts already incorporate many of these characteristics into their lifestyle,” LaPorte said, “and the Tour de Scottsdale will shine an even brighter light on the benefits of adopting the Blue Zone’s core principles.”

It had to be six maybe seven years ago when Michael Famiglietti decided to get Penske employees in shape, so he started a cycling club. 

Why not, right? Have some fun on a bike and reap the benefits of health and fitness.

It started with 30 people, some who cycled regularly and others who had no idea what it would take. 

“We had people show up on all types of bikes, wearing sneakers and shorts,” Famiglietti said. 

Penske Club (Photo courtesy Michael Famiglietti)

Optimistic, Famiglietti told them they’d be riding in the annual Tour de Scottsdale.

“They told me, ‘you’re crazy, Michael,'” he recalled.

Crazy like a fox. That group lost 350 pounds – collectively - in the first year and, indeed, rode in the Tour de Scottsdale. 

“We spent $47,000 at two bike shops,” he said, and they rode in the event, kicking off what will once again happen again on April 13 when the Tour returns after a five-year hiatus.

Penske Arizona is back and is a major sponsor, raising money for the event. Penske will also provide one of its stores to host the VIP reception, where Ferraris, Maserati’s as well as other vehicles from their auto complex.

“That group of 30 started it – some are no longer (participating) - but we are now at 124 people as part of the cycling club,” he said, of which Penske helps support the club. 

They have ridden in other events, too, but Penske is near and dear to Tour de Scottsdale, and all its key principles, including the Mayor of Scottsdale. 

Michael’s wife, Jodi Stokes who owns and operates Jodistokesfitnes, will do the warmup before the 2,500 or so cyclist who take to the road on Saturday.

“This was a big event for us,” he said. 

And because it is big, Penske is back! Penske is a sponsor and pays for the cyclists in the club. Carfax is another big contributor to the cycling club, as well as several other sponsors that support the club. 

“We’re very involved with the charities, that's the whole premise of wanting to give back to the community,” he said. “It’s why I get sponsors to help us. Our riders don’t pay for anything.”

There will be 44 cyclists participating on April 13, including a cyclist from Buffalo, N.Y., who is coming in just for the event.

“It’s a great group of cyclists,” he said. “I’ve gotten to meet some great people through the years. We have a core of employees, friends and family members of employees who are part of it.

“It’s not just a group ride, but engagement to get employees healthy.”

He said not long ago a club’s cyclist won their age group, 

“It’s a lot of fun,” he said.

Of course, he’ll be riding, too. 

“It’s a great group of people,” he said.

No doubt, a determined one. They’ve prepared with their weekly Sunday ride, where they ride about 33 miles. And some of the riders cycle on their own to stay fit during the ride. 

He waxed poetic on the ride coming back, and its importance, especially that its starting and finishing at WestWorld, in the heart of Scottsdale.

Penske will be providing sag vehicles – an Aston Martin, a Maserati and Volkswagen – and the pace car will be an Aston Martin DBX 707.

“It’s all going to be super cool,” he said. “I think leaving from the WestWorld and making it an event having two rides is great.

“Our club is looking forward to this event.”

Ready for a great warmup before Tour de Scottsdale? 

Jodi Stokes – JodiStokes.com - will get you ready for the great ride(s) on April 13 at WestWorld in Scottsdale.

She’ll be there for the 35-miler and the 62-miler as cyclists prepare for their time on the Tour.

There will be three to four warmups for each ride and there will be about three-to-five minutes of ‘high-energy” movements to get them “psyched up and given them energy” for the day and ride, Stokes said.

Jodi Stokes

Expect some high-energy music, too.

She’s a let’s-get-this-going woman!

“That’s me,” she said, laughing. “High energy.”

"It’ll be deep breathes and warmups from head to toe,” she said.

Stokes working her magic!

“We’ll get some shoulder and upper back warmups because if they are riding 62 miles there might be some back and shoulder stretches,” she said.

She knows of what she speaks. Jodi has been in the fitness business for 30-plus years and has a degree in exercise science and a degree in cognitive behavioral therapy, among others.

“I've been teaching and training for quite a while,” she said. 

She’s done a number of events through the years, including walking, running and cycling events

“It’s all about getting ready for a great event,” she said.

Again, remember high energy! 

If you want to follow her on YouTube @Jodistokesfitness she will get you in shape fast with her 21- 12- or 10-day program.

Visit JodiStokes.com for more information.

What lengths would a parent go for their child to make sure they are happy and healthy?

Well, Kristina and Stephen Johnston have done everything they can and more.

They want to make sure their child sees a bright future. 

So, they’ve started A Race Against Blindness, a nonprofit to end childhood blindness.

Back in 2021, her then 8-year-old son, Luke, was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition that causes the loss of eyesight. It’s called retinitis pigmentosa and “he’s going blind.”

Luke

“We’ve struggled with a lot of grief and denial for a number of years as any parents would, but in 2023 we started the nonprofit,” said Kristina, a non-practicing nurse who now runs the nonprofit.

They had been told “there was nothing we could do about it” in a cure.

Now, they will be part of Tour de Scottsdale as a nonprofit trying to raise money to help the non-profit. They will ride in the event, as well. To help by donating visit here.

Luke, Kristina & Tyler

Back in 2021, the family, her ex-husband (Stephen), a physician, did some research and found a biotech company in the United Kingdom that has an animal model with Luke’s, condition. It’s so rare that only 2,000 kids or so have the condition.

“The fact that they have an animal model that has it is wild,” Kristina said. “And they have treatments that they brought all the way through the animal clinical trials, and they're ready to launch into safety trials in humans.”

They have since networked with their healthcare community in the United States and have teamed up with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, which has agreed to be a clinical site for a trial.

“We are fundraising to make this trial happen,” she said. “Hopefully we will be able to save the eyesight of 1000s of kids.”

More importantly, “we have real hope that it will work,” she said. 

Now, as their website says, “We’re on the cusp of funding a clinical trial for a revolutionary new gene therapy. Our goal is to cure retinitis pigmentosa caused by Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS) – a rare but devastating cause of childhood blindness.”

When first diagnosed, They didn’t want to tell Luke what he was up against.

“We just wanted him to enjoy his enjoy his childhood,” she said. “But, when we started the nonprofit, we knew we were going to be talking about the issue and advocating for it. We had to sit down and have a conversation with him about it. So, he knows.”

Of course, children know. He’s getting services at school and learning what assistance devices are available to him. He’s learning Braile.

“He’s just a normal, sweet 10-year-old kid,” Kristina said. “His eyesight right now is  okay, 20-50 vision, but with his condition the first thing that happens is his retina actually starts to degenerate. He loses vision in low light … eventually, it’s like looking at life through a straw.”

He’s expected to be legally blind as a teenager, so time is of the essence. 

“We decided this year we’re going to do everything we can to launch the clinical trial,” she said.

And the race is on! 

To learn more about Race Against Blindness, visit A Race Against Blindness - Nonprofit funding sight-saving research. 

The Arizona Blood Alliance nonprofit will have about 10 cyclists at the 20th Tour de Scottsdale – and they can’t wait to ride.

Anything to help their organization raise money for a good – no, great – cause.

In fact, they put on at least a couple of events a year to help their cause, but knowing Tour de Scottsdale is back and has a reputation for being a big event, they have joined to possibly have a bigger impact on the charity.

“We don’t do anything of this magnitude,” said Cindy Komar, the nonprofit’s executive director. “This has been great, just by having a greater reach, being able to use the infrastructure that is available to us. It’s difficult for us to do on our own.”

It’s one of the reasons why Tour de Scottsdale is here: to help others help themselves, assisting more than 20 nonprofits raise money.

Arizona Blood Alliance (ABA) provides advocacy, education, and community for those living with inherited blood conditions in Arizona. ABA provides a unified voice for those living with inherited blood conditions and provides education to patients and their families. They provide financial and emotional support for those they serve to help improve their quality of life. 

“A lot of times bike riding is actually really good for (those affected),” Komar said. “A sport like this (helps). We want people to be active and get out, so something like this (ride) is complementary given it’s a fundraiser. And, 0we’re trying to attract anyone who wants to ride and give back to a cause.

“Additionally, it’s a sport conducive to allowing them to participate.”

Anything and everything help. Their 10 riders – a good number for a first year – will ride either the 65-miler or 32-miler.

“Our goal for this year is just to get in and get started and to see where it goes from there,” Komar said.

If you go, be sure to see their booth at the Tour de Scottsdale Expo on April 13 at WestWorld. And if you’d like to donate, visit: Arizona Blood Alliance

Got thirst?

We know you will at The Tour de Scottsdale on April 13. We have a solution with the help of the Athletic Brewing Co, which “is dedicated to crafting delicious non-alcoholic beer you can enjoy anytime and anywhere.”

It’s fit for all times!

On April 13, they will be at WestWorld in Scottsdale, the host site of the event.

“We’re excited to be part of it,” said Adam Butman, West Region Sales Director for Athletic Brewing. “It’s the perfect pairing for a hot sweaty day or nice workout.  Nothing better than reaching for an ice cold, great tasting brew post run or ride, but some people don’t want the alcohol – it’s such a great fit for the event”

According to Athletic Brewing Co., it is the No. 1 non-alcoholic brand in the country and has about 20 percent share of the total N/A beer category.

Athletic leads the charge fueling the non-alcoholic category with the largest growth percentages, in what is still the fastest growing segment across total beer.

They are getting out there with their brand lending credence to Butman’s phrase “rocket ship” success in just six years of existence.

As such, Athletic Brewing Co., is at thousands of events such as Tour de Scottsdale annually.

“We do a ton of hyper local events similar to Tour de Scottsdale to really engage with the communities,” he said.

So, they will be there at WestWorld, sampling out their award-winning craft brews.

“It’s for outdoor enthusiasts and the healthy, active modern adult,” Butman said. “We’re really a product for any and all walk of life.

“If you are a new parent or an outdoor adventurer, a health junkie or living a high-performance life where you are hitting career goals, you can still enjoy a great-tasting brew without the compromise.”

Butman said Athletic trends to the “younger side anywhere from 22 years to the mid-40s” where about 80 percent of the consumers land.  “Athletic set out to de-stigmatize non-alcoholic beer and be an answer for the modern adult.  It’s great to see the adoption across all age groups, especially awareness across Millennials + Gen Z as they are drinking a lot less and looking for options.”

Butman said Arizona is a “hot state for us in terms of consumer awareness and retail sales growth.”

“Whether it’s the sober consumer or it’s someone who just loves great beer and is looking to have alternatives that pair with an active lifestyle,” Butman said, “we can be an additive to literally any walk of life.”

See you at Tour de Scottsdale!

The Tour de Scottsdale isn’t just a ride, but a way to meet people and create a synergy for life and, well, a love for cycling.

It’s also about raising money and awareness for great causes. The Coalition for Radical Life Extension is one of them. In fact, it’s one of 20 or so non-profits participating in the event on Saturday at WestWorld in Scottsdale.

“Being active is an important part of my long-term physical and mental health. I rode in the 2019 Tour de Scottsdale and enjoyed the camaraderie of the riders at this well-organized event,” said Jean Weidmann, Business Development Coalition for Radical Life Extension. “It is special this year, riding to raise funds for my charity, the Coalition for Radical Life Extension, which produces www.raadfest.com.”

Jean Weidmann

She’ll be riding again in the event, after the Tour took a five-year hiatus. She’ll be the team’s lone rider but looks forward to having a number of members riding next year. She considers her a novice cyclist but is always “enjoys a new adventure.”

Having ridden in it before allows for a sense of knowing what to expect because it “is allowing me to combine my love for sports and the outdoors with a cause that is incredibly important to me,” she said. “As a supporter of radical life extension, I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to live a long, healthy life. This belief is strengthened by my experience at the Tour de Scottsdale, where I see firsthand the impact of combining my passion for cycling with fundraising efforts for the Coalition for Radical Life Extension. I'm excited to participate in this event and future events to continue supporting this important cause.”

The Coalition is committed to the advancement of super longevity They are committed to advancing the interests of all stakeholders in the super longevity ecosystem. They do this through public policy advocacy, education, awareness campaigns and community building. The Coalition is the presenter of RAADfest.com, the largest super longevity event in the world. They provide critical connection to our members and member organizations, enabling and accelerating collaboration between researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs, advocates and the general public.

Being part of Tour de Scottsdale allows the Coalition to raise awareness about their annual event www.RAADfest.com held Sept. -8, 2024 in Anaheim, CA. It’s the world's largest science event focused on anti-aging, age reversal and longevity for a general audience.

“Financial support means the world to us,” Weidmann said. “Whether it's $5, $50, or any amount that is contributed, every penny counts and will be greatly appreciated.”

To help visit Coalition for Radical Life Extension (tourdescottsdale.org)

Get ready for more than 2,500 bikes on the Scottsdale roads on April 13. The Tour de Scottsdale is back and expecting a great day of cycling.

The ride returns after a five-year hiatus. HonorHealth is the presenting sponsor with CEO Todd LaPorte scheduled to ride in the event.

"HonorHealth is thrilled to be the presenting sponsor for this year’s Tour de Scottsdale,” LaPorte said. “Since 1927, our roots in Arizona have grown deep, and we remain steadfast in our mission to improve the health and well-being of community members from every walk of life. This commitment is woven into the fabric of who we are – and it shines through in events like the Tour de Scottsdale.”

After 20 years of producing this event, DC Ranch has turned the reins over to the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. Teaming up with Perimeter Bicycling Association, the Conservancy aims to revive the Tour de Scottsdale. 

Vickie McWatters, Director of Development and Marketing for the Conservancy, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to be bringing back this iconic event for Scottsdale. With its long-standing reputation as a well-known cycling event, McDowell Sonoran Conservancy wants to ensure we deliver an event that everyone in Scottsdale can be proud of. Recognizing this, we knew we needed to partner with the best cycling event producer out there. Our alliance with Perimeter is a perfect match.” 

The ride(s) – a 62-miler and a 35-miler – will begin and end at the popular WestWorld in Scottsdale. The 62-mile ride begins at 7 a.m. with the 35-miler starting at 8 a.m.

“Tour de Scottsdale has a nice history of being a popular ride,” said TJ Juskiewicz, executive director of Perimeter. “We’re happy to be partners in this event, which will be the best one ever, given the response we’ve received. It’s going to be a great day of cycling in the Valley.”

The ride has been called a “destination event” given the great weather and Scottsdale being a premier city to visit, not just in the spring, but any time. Cyclists have registered from 41 states and five countries.  There will be an Expo, with several nonprofits and sponsors involved in the event.

“Scottsdale has long been known as a healthy community, where all generations can enjoy clean air, sunshine, scenic trails, and beautiful landscapes,” Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega said. “Whether you are an avid cyclist or new to the sport, Tour de Scottsdale will captivate, lead you to share passionate conversations and steer you to new friendships.  Scottsdale is your gold-level, bike-friendly city!”

Tour de Scottsdale also offers other nonprofit organizations to join them while providing the tools to fundraise for their nonprofit’s mission. We have over 20 nonprofits joining us this year who have already raised more than $25,000. 

There are no road closures, but there will be heavy bike traffic on the route (see below).

Thompson Peak westbound will be impacted from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. And on Thompson Peak eastbound from 9.m. to noon. There will also be impact going east on Dynamite into Rio Verde from 7:30 a.m. – noon. 

You can view the route map here for both rides: Tour de Scottsdale: Routes

April 12 is the last day to register for the event. You can register by going to: www.tourdescottsdale.org

Some cyclists in the HonorHealth Tour de Scottsdale will see a familiar face at the start and finish lines at WestWorld of Scottsdale. They might not know the voice, though.

Adam Wadsworth will be at the microphone handling the announcer duties throughout the 62-mile and 35-mile rides.

The name sound familiar? Well, he finished first in the 2019 Tour de Scottsdale and is a familiar name to cyclists in the Valley in as much as he’s a member of the Jet Set Cycling team.

“They (Tour officials) were looking for someone who knows the local cycling scene,” said Wadsworth, 39. “I’m kind of plugged into the cycling here and I understand the course.” 

Adam Wadsworth

As he should being the reigning champ. But he’s stepping aside to get behind the mic and have a little fun.

Another factor is, well, “I'm just not in a place right now,” he said. “It's fitness. I’m not good enough to do it. Luckily, there's three or four guys on my team who are more than capable of pulling it off on Saturday. So, I'm hoping that they're going to deliver it for me. Not this year for me … I'm not I'm not in great shape.”

Vocally, he’s in perfect shape. So, you’ll hear him make the announcements, deliver platitudes, talk results and more.

Is he nervous? Hardly. He had been running a podcast on cycling for some time.

“I’ve done a little cycling media,” he said. “I interviewed professional cyclists.”

The new gig has him “really excited” to interact with spectators and cyclists alike. He’ll be working from WestWorld of Scottsdale beginning at 7 a.m. when the 62-milers start and again at 8 a.m. with the 35-milers head out. He’ll know a few of the more the 2,700 cyclists on the course.

“I'm pretty familiar with the local race scene and who the contenders are,” he said. “I know some of the stories and legacies behind each of the teams that will be there competing. I understand the course pretty well.”

And, in his opinion, Tour de Scottsdale has the best racer’s course in Arizona “because the terrain is very suitable for strategic attacks and strategic race techniques. So, it's going to be an exciting race.

“I'm excited to see how the teams can use the terrain to their advantage, and to see the different contenders who are more than capable of winning. We've got quite a few riders who are more than capable of winning on Saturday, so it should be a great race.”

Sean Herd will be riding in his first long-distance cycling event. He’s confident he’ll do well.

Of course, he does have support given his father, Michael, and mother, Laurel, will be riding with him.

And, oh yeah, they came in from Utah to ride along with him. They are more cyclists than Sean is, so they are here for support, and, well, to get in a nice ride at Tour de Scottsdale.

Michael (l), Laurel and Sean Herd

It all came about around Christmas when they saw the event was going to occur and decided “it would be fun.”

“He (Michael) is a long-distance cyclist, and I don’t cycle much at all other than mountain biking with my son,” Sean said. “We thought it would be fun to get back together so we decided to do the event together.”

Son, Logan, 13, will ride, too.

They will be riding in the 62-mile event.

Being it’s Sean’s first ride, he’s both excited and nervous, but he’s prepared “and I feel good about it.” He and his son have been riding on the course preparing, riding longer each week to get ready. They’ve ridden about 44 miles of the course.

“That’s as far as we got,” he said. “We thought on race day we’d be able to push the last 18 miles.”

Michael is confident for his son, “I think he’s going to kill it.”

“We told ourselves that this was going to be a nice ride with three generations,” Sean said.

So, they’ll be there at 7 a.m. taking on the 62-miles.

Cyclists came from all over the United States and five countries to participate in the HonorHealth Tour de Scottsdale.

Art Fessler, 58, was one of them. And, well, he loved the ride, the weather and accommodations as did more than 2,700 cyclists who rode in the event.

Saturday had perfect conditions for the Chicagoan, who flew in just for the ride. After all, they don’t get rides like these in Chicago, right? At least not at this time of year.

Art Fessler

The former mountain biker has transitioned to the road bike quite nicely, becoming a platinum cyclist.

“The ride was awesome,” he said. “The route was technical, fast with a lot of challenging climbs. I liked the technical part of it because it jives with my genre. It was a big race and competitive.”

Well, for those who wanted it to be. Not all made it a race, but a fantastic ride for a weather-proof day. He finished his ride in 2 hours, 52. 50 minutes.

“There was a nice group of riders,” Fessler said. “People being really nice, a lot of talking.”

He’s aware of the varied styles of the cyclists, given he’s ridden in El Tour de Tucson. It was there he found out about Tour de Scottsdale and decided he was returning to Arizona to ride this spring.

He’ll be back at El Tour in November, and be back for Tour de Scottsdale next year, too.

“For sure,” he said.

“This weather is much better than in Chicago in April,” he said, “so this is a big treat.”

He got it all: nice ride, friendly people and more.

He was riding with a group of about 30, but he was way ahead of that group. He spent his time soaking in the sun, enjoying the atmosphere.

It all started at RAGBRAI in Iowa where a group road and then agreed to join again in Tucson and then again in Scottsdale.

There are no punch cards for any or all Perimeter Bicycling events, but if there were Doug Nering would have most of them.

Tour of the Tucson Mountains. Tour de Phoenix. El Tour de Mesa. Cochise County Classic. El Tour de Tucson … check, check, check, check and check!

The HonorHealth Tour de Scottsdale ride is another one. He’s seen it all and ridden them all. It all started in 1989 with the Tour of the Tucson Mountains and now Scottsdale.

Doug Nering

f“I just do it to do it,” said Nering, 74. “I really like riding and I enjoy the somewhat competitive nature of the Perimeter rides.”

He finished ninth in his age group of 70 and older. He finished in two hours, 14.56 minutes.

He really liked Saturday’s ride, where he rode – and he called it – “the short one” of 35 miles.

“I’ve ridden it before, but I enjoyed it more than in the past,” he said. “The course was more organized, and I appreciated the consistency of having Scottsdale Road coned off. It was good not to go all the way to go to Cave Creek Road like we used to.”

Nice shrine to Nering's cycling exploits.

Nering returned to the ride - again - after it's five-year hiatus. He rode for GoDaddy back then and has since retired but sported their kit on Saturday.

“It’s fantastic to have it back again,” he said.

Jose Tellez may never be in an Aston Martin again – then again there’s always next year – but his ride in the Tour de Scottsdale was special.

Very special in as much as he was the first one who crossed the line in the 62-mile ride. He was the lead driver in the pace car.

“The ride was good, the car was good,” said Tellez, a veteran of a few El Tour rides as the pace-car driver.  “It had great throttle response, and the brakes were very good … it’s a beautiful car. It was very responsive … like I say, it was a great ride.”

Jose Tellez

The ride was provided by Tour Bronze Sponsor Penske Automotive Group, which also provided the SAG vehicles for the ride.

Tellez led the way for about 1,500 cyclists in the 62-mile event. Another 1,200 rode in the 35-mile ride.

He wasn’t able – for good reason – to get out and move fast but staying in front of the lead pack of the Tour had him going about 49 miles an hour at one point. 

“At points downhill we were clocking that,” he said.

It was his job to make sure the cyclists were safe, and that he had a good view of the course and that, it too, was safe - so looking back and looking forward were always on his mind.

“As I'm looking forward and looking back when I see the racers and the motor cops (trailing him on the route for safety) kind of encroaching, it was it was great to have that throttle response,” Tellez said. “It was smooth and quick.

“I felt very comfortable.”

He added it was like driving a motorcycle, in as much as, “it’s like you have more control of the road. It was fun.”

What do you do when you have 7,000 bananas for a big event?

Make sure they are ready, ripe and worthy of the quality event.

That’s what Mike Ciasca did – and made sure it would happen – when the Tour de Scottsdale rolled around on April 13.

He had a vision, and it was pulled off – or in this case peeled off.

“I know how finicky bananas can be,” Ciasca said, “going from perfect to banana bread in days. You can’t really predict that, but if you have a banana that’s not ready it could take a few days to become ready.”

He knows for experience – professional and recreational. He is a district sales representative for Shamrock.

Back in 2009, he rode in an El Tour event – his first – and remembered being at the second river crossing (you remember those, right?) and there were 100s of people at the aid station. He was hurting and wanted to have a couple of bananas. When he got there the bananas were green.

“They tasted like chalk … I was so deflated,” he said. “I just wanted a good banana.”

Photo provided by Mike Ciasa

Fast forward to the last few years as more than just a participant – being a rep for Shamrock, who provides El Tour’s fruit now and not back then – he wants to make sure the bananas and good and ready for the ride as they were for Tour de Scottsdale. Shamrock has provided the produce for six years.

“I didn’t want to be the guy who brings in the green bananas,” he said.

Instead, he was the guy who made sure the bananas were ripe and ready.

“I wanted them to be perfect,” he said.

And they were … but there’s also a process Ciasca and Shamrock did to make sure they were ready.

Del Monte came through as did Shamrock.

It took a village – which was about a handful of people, Ciasca said, that played a part in it.

He wanted to make sure 70 cases of bananas – 2,800 pounds – were ready. The process started in February, and they started to “work things backwards.”

There were a lot of moving parts.

“We wanted them to be absolutely perfect for that Saturday morning,” he said.

Del Monte ripens the fruit for Shamrock, but “they needed to place special eyes on these, and they handpicked cases of the perfect bananas” three days prior to the ride on April 13.

They were “baby sat” and later put on pallets that had a sign that said: Tour de Scottsdale bike race.

“There were not to be put in regular inventory for the Shamrock customers,” he said.

“When I saw the bananas before the race and hand one,” he said, “I thought this was the most perfect, ready-for-consumption banana. It made me feel really good because our company Shamrock put so much into it that the 70 cases were absolutely perfect.”

All that for a banana, he said, but “I’m proud of Shamrock the buying team, our specialists working with me to make it happen. My hat goes off to them. And for them to look at me as an employee and put in that special care that makes sure nearly 3,000 riders had a good experience.”

Mike Ciasca

Oh, by the way. They provided 50 cases of oranges, too. They too were super good.

“They aren’t as finicky,” he said. “They are ready to go once they hit our warehouse.”

“They were nice and juicy and sweet,” he said.

And, oh by the way, he loved the ride. He's a platinum rider. 

 “It was awesome,” he said. “The course was spot on. The roads were fabulous, and the police support was spot on … it was a perfect venue.”