El Tour de Tucson: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
At 163 kilometres, the Century is the longest distance at El Tour de Tucson, the biggest cycling event in the American Southwest. The loop runs from the Tucson Convention Center out into the Sonoran Desert and back on closed roads, with only 910 metres of climbing, but a long, barely perceptible drag out to Green Valley that decides the race.
Course & Elevation
The start is at 07:00 on Cushing Street beside the Convention Center, at about 726 metres. The route leaves Tucson to the south-east, passes Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and runs through Vail and Sahuarita to Green Valley, the southern turning point and, at roughly 900 metres, the high point of the day. The return leg crosses open desert on the west side of the city before the closing kilometres drop back into downtown. The profile is unusual for a 163-kilometre loop: there is no real climb anywhere, but there are 80 kilometres that tilt almost imperceptibly upwards and an equally long stretch that tilts gently back down. The surface is paved throughout, aid stations come roughly every 20 kilometres, and course support closes at 16:30.
Pacing Strategy
With no climbs to break it up, the group is what matters here. Riding in a bunch saves a great deal of power over the long flat sections, and finding and holding a working group counts for more than any climbing number. Placings are decided on gun time, and the fastest riders go off in the seeded Platinum group at 07:00. Realistic targets: strong riders finish in 4:30 to 5:15, while the broad middle of the field takes 6 to 7 hours. November desert mornings are cold and the middle of the day is warm: plan clothing you can shed, and drink deliberately from 100 kilometres on.
Training plan for El Tour de Tucson: 12-week build
Preparation targets sustained flat-road output rather than climbing form. The core is long endurance rides of four to six hours at a steady heart rate, backed by tempo intervals of 15 to 20 minutes just under threshold, precisely the demand the long drag to Green Valley creates. Anyone chasing a fast time should train in groups: drafting, taking turns, and holding high speed in a bunch. Two or three four-hour rides using race-day nutrition will settle the fuelling plan.
Course Map
Profile Parameters
Slope Distribution
Climbs on Route
| Start (km) | Length | Ø Gradient | Max Gradient | Elev Gain | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KM 42.6 | 0.9 km | 3.8% | 6.7% | +35m | — |
| KM 102.8 | 0.3 km | 3.8% | 6.3% | +12m | — |
| KM 104.0 | 0.6 km | 3.1% | 5.1% | +18m | — |
| KM 104.7 | 0.3 km | 3.1% | 4.8% | +10m | — |
| KM 105.6 | 0.6 km | 3.1% | 4.9% | +18m | — |
| KM 111.8 | 0.9 km | 3.5% | 4.9% | +33m | — |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
Course as GPX
Download the Century (102 Miles) course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Adaptive race preparation
Let YOUB adapt your plan for El Tour de Tucson dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Frequently asked questions
How long is El Tour de Tucson?
El Tour de Tucson is 162.9 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does El Tour de Tucson have?
El Tour de Tucson has around 910 m of elevation gain over 162.9 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of El Tour de Tucson?
El Tour de Tucson is classified as Flat, averaging 5.6 vertical metres per kilometre. 63% of the route is flat, 18% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 0% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does El Tour de Tucson have?
The hardest climb of El Tour de Tucson starts at kilometre 42.7, runs for 0.9 km at an average of 3.8% and gains 35 metres. 6 climbs are mapped in total.
Is El Tour de Tucson a loop course?
Yes, El Tour de Tucson is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the El Tour de Tucson course?
Yes. The El Tour de Tucson course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for El Tour de Tucson?
Preparation for El Tour de Tucson should account for 162.9 km, 910 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for El Tour de Tucson?
The pacing strategy for El Tour de Tucson should reflect 162.9 km, 910 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does El Tour de Tucson take place?
El Tour de Tucson takes place on November 21, 2026.
Where does El Tour de Tucson take place?
El Tour de Tucson takes place in Tucson, United States.
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