Perimeter Bicycling Association of America
2609 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson
520/745-2033
www.pbaa.com

The Tucson-based nonprofit PBAA puts on several road-bike races in Southern Arizona that raise millions for local charities and bring tough, wiry bicyclists to Tucson from all over the world. The most popular of these is the Tour de Tucson in late November, when the weather here is more like spring than fall.

The main 109-mile route takes riders all over the Tucson valley, up into the foothills and mountains and back, as thousands of spectators line portions of the route cheering and holding up signs to egg on the exhausted cyclists. The tour typically draws more than 9,000 riders and includes shorter routes of 80 miles, 67 miles, 35 miles, and even a 4-mile fun ride for kids and families.

Another popular local PBAA event is the Tour of the Tucson Mountains in late April, with 70- and 27-mile courses, and in October the group puts on the Cochise County Cycling Classic, with 45-, 92-, and 157-mile routes, and even an insane 252-mile route that requires riders to have a back-up crew.