For the Uzeta’s El Tour 2025 will be a “Memory in Motion” as they honor Dad

This is a Father’s Day story. Not just because it’s Father’s Day on Sunday, but because a couple of families will be honoring a dad on El Tour Day, Nov. 22, 2025.

They are doing it for the man they love – and adore – because he loves cycling and has for years. They’ll call it a “memory in motion.”

“This year’s Tour de Tucson holds a special meaning for the Uzeta’s,” wrote daughter Judith, in a letter not intended for anyone specific but for anyone who wanted to know. “More than just a cycling event, it’s a celebration of legacy, perseverance, and the incredible example set by their father – a proud immigrant who came to the United States over 40 years ago with a dream and unstoppable determination.”

He’s Emeterio (Emmett). And he’s 71 years old and has been riding for about 15 years.

“He’s ridden a bike for a long time but actually cycling (seriously) is about 15 years,” Judith said. “When he bought his cycling outfits, we were like, ‘what the hell is he wearing?’ But now that we are cycling, we understand.”

The Uzetas and Ashley Munoz decided to ride in El Tour in a few months, then friends ‘chimed in” and wanted to be part of the action.

There will be about 10 total riding, coming from all parts, including New York where brother, Edgar, will be coming from.

They rode the 10-mile El Tour ride in 2022. This year, they plan to take on the 62-miler.

“He used to ride back in the day,” Judith said. “My brother started riding two years ago, remembering dad riding.”

A couple of bad falls on the bike had him stop riding for a short time before getting back on the bike, deciding to ride in the 10-mile ride.

Now, here they all are, riding as a “tribute” to dad.

The thought of riding with their dad so cool, Ashley said, “I want to do it!”

After all, she’s been working “on herself” to get improve herself and “get into my fitness,” she said. “So, I said let’s do it.”

They will get shirts to show their family commitment/bonding for the ride.

They have been preparing for some time and are about halfway ready for the 62-miler.

And dad has been doing “good” as he prepares for ride, getting on the stationary bike as much as he can.

Their father, now in his 70s, is the “embodiment of resilience,” Judith said. “He’s been a quiet but powerful source of inspiration, showing through action that with discipline, heart, and purpose, anything is possible.”

So, come November, the Uzeta family will be buckling helmets, and “riding alongside the man who taught them what true endurance looks like – not just on the bike, but in life.”

“We’re doing the Tour as a tribute to him,” she said. “It’s about honoring everything he’s given us – his work ethic, his love, his example. It’s our way of saying: ‘we see you, we’re proud of you, and we’re riding with you.’”