GABA joins El Tour, expecting to see a ‘fast, fun and safe day’

Keeping the kids and communities of Tucson on the road, GABA helps to repair bicycles that need fixing. As the largest cycling club in Southern Arizona, they help to purchase helmets, parts, and accessories. They also help with training activities.

GABA promotes and encourages bicycle riding for recreation, fitness, and transportation by offering local day rides and multi-day rides. They partner with local organizations serving school-age children teaching bike and road safety skills while also teaching bike maintenance and repair.

Advocating for the rights of cyclists to be able to share the Arizona roadways with motorists with safety and respect and GABA advocates for the development of an infrastructure in Tucson and Pima County that will support a bike friendly Culture.

As the president of GABA, Mark Harmon is excited to be with El Tour for the first time as an organization.

“It’s all about letting folks know that our organization is here,” said Harmon. “It is a cycling club that people can join, and we offer day rides, which are an excellent means of training for El Tour.”

The goal for this year, outside of bringing the community together, is to help bring in donations for the bike repair program.

“We’ve set a goal as an organization for $2,000, we’re not sure if we’ll meet it but it’s okay if we don’t,” said Harmon. “We just want to get as many people out here as possible, and to strengthen the cycling community in Southern Arizona.”

Harmon and GABA wait with great anticipation for El Tour de Tucson, which is still over 50 days away.

“One of the great things about the El Tour course is that regardless of the course a rider has chosen, they are great routes,” he said. “We expect that for everyone that is participating, whether they are a member of GABA or not, that it is going to be a fast, fun, and safe day.”

To learn more about GABA, follow this link: https://bikegaba.org/