El Tour de Tucson 2026

Training read · Ridium AIThe 164 km Century route is a high-endurance road ride across the Sonoran Desert with a rolling profile and low technical difficulty, so the main demands are sustained aerobic fitness, steady pacing over many hours, and managing desert heat. With roughly 12 weeks suggested for preparation, building durable long-ride capacity is the priority.

• Endurance

  Anchor your preparation on progressively longer aerobic rides that approach the 164 km distance, since the route's high endurance difficulty and rolling terrain reward durable, all-day fitness over short high-intensity efforts.

• Pacing

  Practice holding a steady, sustainable effort on rolling roads so you avoid spiking power on the repeated small rises; a controlled, even pace across the rolling profile helps preserve energy for the back half of the century.

• Heat

  Because the route crosses the Sonoran Desert and desert heat management is a listed demand, rehearse your hydration and cooling routine on warm-weather rides if conditions are expected to be warm, and dial in how much fluid you can carry between aid stops.

• Fueling

  Plan and practice your fueling for a multi-hour ride, taking in carbohydrate regularly from early in the ride; using your long training rides to test foods and timing helps keep energy stable over the full distance.