A lil history of biking in Tucson

Click here to head back to our giant cycling guide.

Tucson has always loved the bicycle.

One of the first bike groups in the Old Pueblo — Tucson Bicycle Club — was formed in 1892, according to Perimeter Bicycling, the organization behind the annual El Tour de Tucson. The club had around 60 members who rode through Sabino Canyon.

By the 1920s, bike shops and merchants started to pop up around the state, including in Tucson with Russell & Sheperd in 1929.

Cycling races gained traction, too. One of the first major documented bike races in Tucson took place in 1921, according to Perimeter Bicycling. The race took riders from Tucson to Phoenix for a total of over 140 miles.

By the early 1980s, a little thing called El Tour de Tucson was founded and has become an annual tradition for Tucsonans and cyclists worldwide.

Back to homepage

Subscriber Login

Keep reading with a digital access subscription.

Subscribe now

Now, Tucson has more bike events, repair shops and riding groups than you can count on one hand. 

Reward your days and discount your nights with Checking PLUS from Hughes Federal Credit Union.

Get discounts and deals on dining and shopping at the big AND local brands you love. Save on pet insurance, identity theft restoration, personal services, discounts on entertainment, home improvement and plan your next trip with your own travel concierge. Explore the savings and possibilities with Checking PLUS. Visit HughesFCU.org/PLUS.