Tucson Orthopaedic Institute ‘thrilled to be back’ at El Tour

Safety is paramount during El Tour de Tucson. It has been since the ride’s inception more than 40 years ago.
Every effort is made to make sure the ride is safe and that’s why Tucson Orthopaedic Institute is involved and has been for a few years now. It is back as the Safety Sponsor for El Tour.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be back with El Tour,” said Paula Hecht, the CEO of Tucson Orthopaedic Institute. “Every year it gets a little better, and bigger. It’s a tradition we are proud to be part of.”

More than 9,000 riders are expected this year on Nov. 23 in Downtown Tucson to ride in what was named the best road bike ride in the United States in 2023.

Hecht was there – cheering on her cycling team as well as the thousands of riders throughout the day.

“It was great,” she said. “It gets more exciting every year because of numbers. And I’m always overwhelmed because of the diversity of the riders – age, abilities … grandmas, little kids – everything.”

With so many cyclists – likely the most in a two-year stretch in the event’s history – comes the need for increased safety and/or getting the message out.

The Safety Meetings are huge, given all riders must attend to get the rules of the road for ride day. Safety is priority No. 1 to El Tour and Tucson Orthopaedic Institute.

“We want people to have a great experience,” Hecht said. “We want to make sure everyone is reminded when you are going out and having a good time and excited about having a beautiful day to take care of yourself. Do all the things you need to do to be safe.
“We are here if you need us, but we don’t want you to need us.”

That said Tucson Orthopaedic Institute will be open on ride day at its Tucson Medical Center campus, available through the TOI After Hours Care.

Hecht can’t wait for the event. She’ll be back cheering on her team of cyclists – maybe even a doctor or two or three.

“Tucson has the most amazing infrastructure for this kind of ride,” she said. “The whole community embraces it. They say it takes a village to put on an event to put on something of this magnitude.”

We are grateful Tucson Orthopaedic Institute is one of those dedicated to make it all happen!