Tour de Zona: Kid friendly and ‘the most accommodating for families’

Sean Pantellere is proof positive Tour de Zona is more than a three-day event but is also a family affair.

He’s been there and done that with his family – and had a great time.

This year it’s March 21-24 and starts in Sierra Vista with rides to Bisbee and Tombstone.

“Of all the events I’ve done, it’s probably the most accommodating for families,” said Pantellere, a cyclist at heart and an El Tour veteran.

They go to about 10-15 events a year.

“We had heard about (Tour de Zona) the previous year, and it felt good to do,” he said.

They borrowed a van and took it down there and it was their home base at the Tour de Zona designated park.

“Overall, we really enjoyed it because it was family friendly,” he said.

In part because their young son – wasn’t bored – “because there were other kids, too, and there were locals who checked out the event (to hang out and enjoy),” he said. “There was enough for him to do to keep him occupied.”

And there is enough stuff for the adults to do – meet other cyclists, enjoy the music, food and beer.

Camping, cycling and family time – it couldn’t be better for the Pantellere’s.

“That’s the only way it’s going to work for us,” he said. “We put it all together … we pick and choose how it all works.

Sometimes it’s just an event for my wife or just for me (to go to) but as often as possible we combine it where everyone gets to enjoy the event.”

It’s clear the family that rides together stays together.

His wife, Jessica, started cycling seven years ago and now she’s riding El Tour’s 63-mile ride. His son is riding just under 30 miles now. Sean has been riding since he was a teenager.

For a living, he’s an event manager so he’s able to visit other venues and events to see what they do to make things work. He works for NICA – the National Interscholastic Cycling Association.

And is a former El Grupo executive director a few years back.

He knows cycling. And he loves Tour de Zona.

Come see why! To register for the event visit: https://eltourdetucson.org/el-tour-de-zona/

This year it’s March 21-24 and starts in Sierra Vista with rides to Bisbee and Tombstone.