El Tour de Zona, sponsored by Benson Healthcare, is a multi-day cycling festival and tour through Arizona’s most picturesque towns: Sierra Vista, Bisbee, and Tombstone. This three-day event is focused on FUN, and registration is available for all rider types, including non-riders. People can register to participate in the festival sponsored by Dragon Brewing Company to celebrate with cyclists at the end of each day’s ride.
Day 1, Friday, March 25, is in Sierra Vista. The route starts at Veterans Memorial Park through Ramsey Canyon Preserve and back to the park. It totals 29 miles with 1,446 feet of climbing. There are guided rides by Velo/Vets at select times, but cyclists can ride on their own any time after 9 am. Day 2, Saturday, March 26, starts in Sierra Vista and takes cyclists into the town of Bisbee and back. The route is 60 miles and 3,228 feet of climbing. Riders can stick to the ride or stop to explore Bisbee’s unique historic sites, Warren Ballpark and The Bisbee Mining & Historical, for example. Day 3, Sunday, March 27, is a ride from Sierra Vista to the wild west town of Tombstone and back. It is a total of 40 miles with 1,620 feet of climbing.
The El Tour de Zona festival associated with these daily rides provides entertainment each day starting at 4 pm at Centennial Pavilion in Veterans Memorial Park. Two bands perform on Friday and Saturday nights with dinner and drinks. This includes headliner bands like Badlands and Gigi and the GLOW. Breakfast is served each morning in the same location from 7 am-9 am.
Packet pick-up starts Thursday, so people may need a multiple-night stay in Sierra Vista. There are hotels close to Veterans Memorial Park, like Sierra Inn or RV, and Campgrounds, such as Sierra Vista Village RV Park. See the events accommodations page for all local options. Sierra Vista also has multiple restaurant options off Hwy 90. Wings as Native Grill Wings or Mexican food at La Casita Mexican Restaurant & Cantina
El Tour de Zona is affiliated with two other great regional events: El Tour de Mesa in April and El Tour de Tucson in November.
