Sabino Cycles Sees Surge Before El Tour
The Eastside Tucson bike shop reports its busiest stretch of the year as cyclists prepare for El Tour de Tucson.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Cycling
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Sabino Cycles, an Eastside bike shop in Tucson, Arizona, reports that its phones are ringing and its shop floor is busier than it has been all year. The surge comes as riders prepare for El Tour de Tucson on Nov. 21.
Why it matters
El Tour de Tucson draws thousands of cyclists to the city each year and raises millions of dollars for charity. For local bike shops, the weeks before the ride bring a concentrated rush of customers seeking repairs and preparation advice.
Sabino Cycles has received about 100 calls from customers about El Tour de Tucson preparation. The shop has not released figures on total repairs or revenue tied to the event.
The players
Sabino Cycles
Sabino Cycles is an Eastside bike shop in Tucson, Arizona, serving local riders preparing for major cycling events.
Bruce Rhoades
Bruce Rhoades is the manager of Sabino Cycles, who describes the weeks before El Tour as the shop's biggest surge of the year.
The details
Customers are calling Sabino Cycles to request tune-ups before the ride, and staff are answering questions about routes, clothing, helmets, and tires. Shop manager Bruce Rhoades describes the weeks before El Tour as the busiest stretch of the year for the store.
Timeline
Nov. 21: El Tour de Tucson ride through Tucson
Weeks before Nov. 21: Sabino Cycles sees its surge in calls and shop traffic
Season Trajectory
The seasonal rush at Sabino Cycles follows the recurring pattern set by El Tour de Tucson, which each year draws thousands of riders and millions of dollars for charity. The ride's annual timing shapes the shop's busiest stretch before each November event.
Riders planning to join El Tour de Tucson are seeing tune-up appointments fill up as the event approaches. Cyclists who wait until the final weeks may find the local shop especially busy.
The takeaway
Scheduling a bike tune-up well before the ride can help riders avoid the busiest weeks at local shops.
What happens next
El Tour de Tucson is scheduled for Nov. 21, 2026, when riders will take to the course through Tucson.
Further reading
For more on the sport, see our Cycling coverage across Tucson.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KGUN.
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