Tour de Scottsdale

Need a bike for Tour de Scottsdale? Uphill into the Wind has you covered
 

What would a bicycle ride – an important and impactful one – be without Uphill into the Wind?

We don’t want to know. Uphill into the Wind helps with the success of an event and delight of the participants.

They’ll be part of the Tour de Scottsdale on April 13.

“We are thrilled to be participating in another El Tour event, and especially excited to help a great cause like the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy,” said Kathy Griffiths, president of Uphill into the Wind.

The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy is a partner of El Tour’s for Tour de Scottsdale.

For more than a decade, Uphill into the Wind has helped El Tour-led events by helping cyclists find a bike so they can be part of the event.

To that, Uphill into the Wind's mission “is to put more bodies on bikes in support of charity cycling and triathlon events.”

The organization offers loaner bikes to individuals who are registered in a qualified 501(c)3 charity ride and cannot afford to purchase a bicycle.  Loaner bicycles are issued to the individual at the start of training through the completion of the assigned event. After the ride, the bicycle is returned so it can be loaned to someone else who wants to make a difference.

What a mission and idea. It’s a win-win for the event and the cyclists looking to get out and ride.

According to Griffiths, Uphill has loaned nearly 170 bicycles for El Tour events, including Tucson and Mesa.

“The total number of bicycles loaned to all charities (31 to date) is 424,” Griffiths said. “So, you can see that El Tour events have benefited from a considerable portion of our free bicycle loans.”

They are gearing up and will be ready for those looking to get a loaner in Scottsdale. As of Feb. 1, nearly 1,700 cyclists have registered. Anyone needing a bike can visit Apply for a Loaner Bicycle – Uphill Into The Wind.

“We are prepared to help as many people as possible experience the joy of riding in beautiful Scottsdale and fundraising for the charity of their choice,” Griffiths said. “We strongly encourage them to apply soon so they have plenty of time to train for the ride.”

The deadline to apply is March 9.

El Tour vouches for the program given its long-standing success. Anything to help raise money for their respective charities.

“We would love to help even more charities,” Griffiths said. “If there is an opportunity to educate them on our program and how easy it is to fundraise by recruiting more riders to their teams, we would be happy to meet with them either in person or virtually.”

Here are some key components of the program:

1)      Approved applicants are eligible to borrow the bicycle for a maximum of 14 weeks and a minimum of 4 weeks prior to an event.

2)      Approved applicants must agree to raise a minimum of $250, or the charity’s minimum, whichever is greater.

3)      Approved applicants agree to wear cycling shorts, shoes, eye protection and helmet while riding the bicycle.

4)      Approved applicants agree to obey all traffic laws and observe safe cycling procedures while riding the bicycle.

What a great day of cycling at the HonorHealth Tour de Scottsdale on March 28.

The weather – under a nice cloudy sky – made the morning ideal for a bike ride for nearly 2,800 cyclists who attacked the 62-mile and 32-mile events. Some cyclists also made it a casual ride.

“What a glorious day to show off the beauty of the Scottsdale desert and mountains,” said HonorHealth CEO Todd LaPorte. “But what made the day special was the fellowship through active living. I loved seeing the community drawn together: 3,000 cyclists with an incredible cast of volunteers. HonorHealth and our Blue Zones partners were proud to sponsor such a standout event.”

HonorHealth was the presenting sponsor. The McDowell Conservancy and Perimeter Bicycling Association of America have partnered to bring Tour de Scottsdale to fruition.

The atmosphere, the people, the vibe and, of course, the ride were all good.

Well, maybe even better than good.

“It was fantastic,” said Angy Shearer, CEO of the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. “We had more riders than last year and we raised more money than last year. Thanks to everyone for their support.”

It was her first Tour de Scottsdale, having been named the CEO in December of 2025. McDowell Sonoran Conservancy provided 200 blue-shirt wearing volunteers, who helped to get through the two days of the event, which included Friday’s Expo. They help grease the wheels of everything non-bike related.

“They have a lot of pride,” Shearer said. “You can see it on their faces. They take all this very seriously. They show up early for their shifts, wanting to make sure the riders are safe.”

LaPorte, Shearer, Scottsdale councilwoman Solange Whitehead and Perimeter Bicycling Executive Director TJ Juskiewicz addressed the early-morning cyclists – the 62-milers – before the ride, advising them to be safe and to have fun along the way. And they did.

“It was another highly successful tour de Scottsdale,” Juskiewicz said. “Lots of people had a great time riding the scenic roads around McDowell Mountain. We look forward to the future of Tour de Scottsdale.”

It took a village to make it all work.

"I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each of you for the time, energy, and heart you invested in the 2026 HonorHealth Tour de Scottsdale," said Sandra Sagehorn-Elliott, President & CEO of Vantage West Credit Union. "As the Volunteer Sponsor, Vantage West is proud to stand alongside others like you, a team of volunteers who embody the spirit of service. Your commitment reflects what it truly means to show
up for one another, and that commitment is felt in every moment of this worldclass cycling experience."