7-year-old Carter ‘really excited to return to El Tour’ for a second time

Weighing in at 60 pounds and standing 52 inches, Carter Sollenbarger plans on riding in El Tour de Tucson in November.

It’s his return after completing the 63-mile event a year ago – likely shorter and smaller.

He’s seven years old – riding since he was two – and looking forward to his second ride, maybe even the 102-mile ride.

We’ll see, but he’ll be there with dad, Peter, riding alongside.

“It was fun,” Carter said, as any 7-year-old would say.

What made it fun?

Everything … although Peter best explained it.

“He had never been in a race where he was able to stop with people and have fun,” Peter said.

“I told him he’d have to work really hard training; he had only done mountain bike riding,” Peter said. “It was his first attempt on a rod bike.”

It was his first time on a road bike, with the help of El Grupo, who provided the bike.

He confirmed it “was cool” riding with his dad in the big event.

He overcame a flat tire and some fatigue, but “he pushed through because he really wanted to finish what he had committed to,” his mom, Baha, said.

There was a time or two it looked like he wanted to quit and we asked him saying, “we can come back next year and do it again,” Peter said, “but it was amazing. He yelled to everyone and me that he wasn’t going to quit. Everyone was very inspirational to him.

“Riding through the finish line there was like 50 people and let him lead the pack. Everyone we rode with was very inspirational, asking how old he was and they were cheering him on. It was an amazing, fun time for everybody.”

So, they will ride it back in November for a second go at the ride – maybe even the 102-miler.

“I’m really excited,” Carter said.