Riding for Izabella

Jose and Claudia Portillo honor their late daughter, Izabella, who passed away last Saturday after losing her battle to Stevens-Johnson syndrome at the age of 8. The family received a custom bike from TMC and did the 5-mile walk in her honor at #TourDeTucson. pic.twitter.com/jLIMs3PMnQ

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) November 17, 2018

As participants of the fun ride crossed the finish line at El Tour de Tucson at Armory Park in downtown Tucson, Jose and Claudia Portillo pushed an empty tricycle. On it sat a bright pink poster bearing the photo of their late daughter, Izabella.

Izabella died Nov. 10 at the age of 8. She suffered from Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a rare disorder of the skin that can create a rash and flu-like symptoms. Izabella was supposed to participate in the quarter-mile fun ride in her custom-built tricycle, a gift from the Children’s Rehabilitative Services (CRS). She received the bike five days before she died.

“The support we’ve gotten has been amazing and the fact that they do this for children of special needs is amazing,” Claudia said Portillo said.

The Portillo family met last week to create the poster and corresponding T-shirts honoring their late daughter. They wore the shirts Saturday.

“In her honor, we wanted to do the five-mile fun walk for her,” Jose said.

Jose, Claudia and other family members each took turns pushing the bicycle for five miles to remember Izabella.

“It means we’re keeping her memory alive,” Jose Portillo said. “Even though she’s gone, she’s still with us and I don’t have the words right now, but it was worth it to do it for her.”

Fighting diabetes

Roughly 90 members from Pascua Yaqui Tribe are out here for #TourDeTucson to spread awareness for diabetes. pic.twitter.com/xZ1czfVrkG

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) November 17, 2018

Roughly 90 members of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe participated Saturday, and at least one tribal member competed in every distance. The riders’ jerseys included a message, “Fighting diabetes one mile at a time,” along with the Pascua Yaqui tribe flag.

Native Americans have a greater chance of developing diabetes than any other racial group in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Pascua Yaqui tribe has created a diabetes prevention program to spread awareness of the risks of developing the disease. For Jose Montana, cycling and riding in El Tour de Tucson was a way to stay healthy. Montana, his son and daughter all participated in the fun ride. They all said they were honored to represent their tribe.

“A lot of us get sick and have health problems, so we’re just trying to put an end to it,” Montana said. “Diabetes has always been in our family and it’s genetic. … I didn’t believe it when I was younger but now that I’m older, I can feel it.”

Members of the tribe ride bi-weekly starting in May. They also set up meetings twice a month, and while it’s organized, there isn’t an official name for the group, “just Pascua Yaqui Tribe looking out for each other.”

Montana said he goes for a 10-mile ride twice a week to stay healthy.

They said it

“Smells like ponies!”

— Group of cyclists passing “Rocking K Ranch Stables” on Old Spanish Trail.

The big number

This bike is worth $10,000. 😳 pic.twitter.com/GsDUwzEE93

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) November 17, 2018

$10,000

Price of a 15-pound Specialized S-works bike that raced in El Tour de Tucson.

The (really) big number

4,525

Number of riders who finished Saturday’s four competitive races — 100 miles, 75 miles, 50 miles and 25 miles. Even more riders took part in the 1/4-, 1-, 4- and 10-mile “fun rides.”

She said it

In her second #TourDeTucson, Shelby Reynolds is the winner of the women’s race. “It was awesome, it was surreal. ... I literally stared at a butt for 106 miles last year so the entire thing was a different experience.” pic.twitter.com/UU8GkBWJPm

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) November 17, 2018

“I literally stared at a butt for 106 miles last year so the entire thing was a different experience.”

— Shelby Reynolds, the first female finisher in Saturday’s El Tour. Reynolds rode tandem last year, and was going to it again Saturday before her partner suffered an injury. Reynolds rode solo instead.