Monthly GABA Meeting – Thursday, December 11

From France to Turkey:

Weaving through Europe's Cultural Tapestry

Our speaker at the December meeting will be Don Erickson.  He spent three months in 2023 on an epic cycling odyssey, pedaling from the Atlantic shores of France all the way to Istanbul, the gateway to Asia. 

This transcontinental route of over 2,500 miles crossed nine countries and four capital cities. Along the way, he immersed himself in a rich tapestry of human history, encountering everything from Roman ruins and majestic castles to medieval cities, towering cathedrals, and historic mosques, absorbing the unique artwork and local customs of each distinct region.

Please join your fellow GABA members to hear about Don’s adventure (and feel free to bring guests). The meeting will be held in the conference room at the at the Catalina United Methodist Church at 2700 E Speedway Blvd (SW corner of Speedway and Treat) starting at 7:00 pm on Thursday, December 11, 2025. There is free parking across the street at the SE corner.

Click here to view this location on Google Maps.

GABA's Annual Toy Ride

December 13th

More than twenty years ago a small group of GABA riders left Udall Park with toys strapped to their backs and bikes to ride downtown to the Tucson Police Department. When they got there, they put the toys in a toy collection box. Thus, began a holiday tradition of giving toys to be distributed to children in need. This year, as for the past few years, the toys will be given to the Salvation Army.

On December 13th, GABA organized rides will converge at the Rillito Racetrack. Rides will start from various points around Tucson and be timed to arrive between 10 and 10:30. Most riders will decorate their bikes (and themselves) for this fun and worthwhile event. It is amazing to see all the holiday outfits and toys strapped to bikes or in backpacks. Find rides on GABA MeetUp.

If you'd like to help a kid this Christmas but aren't able to ride with us, here's what you can do. First purchase a toy or two and take your donation to one of the locations where a drop box has been set up (more details coming). The second is to donate via GABA's 2025 Toy Ride Gift Fund. The money you donate will be used to purchase toys. Click Here to see how much has already been contributed. 

More information will be provided soon. Please check back often.

Toy Drop Box Locations:

• Earlybird Bikes: 8969 E Tanque Verde Rd Ste 213, Tucson, AZ 85749 ·
  
• Ben's Bikes of Tucson: 7431 S Houghton Rd Ste 100, Tucson, AZ 85747
• Oro Valley Bicycle Sunrise: 4749 E Sunrise Dr, Tucson, AZ 85718
  
• Sabino Cycle: 7045 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ 85715
• Tucson Endurance Performance Center on Speedway: 7231 E Speedway Blvd Tucson, AZ 85710
• Bicycle Ranch: 7090 N Oracle Rd Ste 156, Tucson, AZ 85704
  
• Oro Valley Bicycle-Rancho Vistoso & Oracle Road: 12925 N Oracle Rd, Tucson AZ 85739
  
• Copper Spokes Cycles: 5626 East Broadway, Tucson, AZ, 85711
  
• Oro Valley Bicycle-Ina & Shannon: 2850 West Ina Road, Tucson, AZ 85741
  
• Guru Bikes: 2634 N. First Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719
• Long Realty: 1880 E. River Rd, Tucson, AZ 85718
  

Support The Endurance Project

GABA is again partnering with The Salvation Army, and this year the Toy Ride also supports The Endurance Project, a Tucson-based nonprofit dedicated to meeting the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness and hardship.

The Endurance Project is assembling 200 backpacks for the most vulnerable members of our community. Each backpack will include essential items such as:

• Sleeping bags

• Toiletries and hygiene supplies

• Basic necessities and comfort items

Donations for The Endurance Project can be dropped off at the same bike shop and business locations listed above.

To see examples of the items most needed or to purchase directly, visit the Amazon donation list:

Wishlist

Community, Compassion, and Cycling

“The Toy Ride is one of Tucson’s most joyful cycling traditions,” said organizer Damion Alexander. “We ride together, we lift our community together, and we support families and individuals who truly need it. Whether you’re on a bike or simply dropping off gifts, you’re part of something meaningful.”

Get Involved

Businesses and community partners interested in hosting a toy collection box are encouraged to reach out.

Media & Collection Box Contact

Damion Alexander

Phone: 520-977-5664

Email: damion@DamionAlexander.com

Enjoy a GABA group discount of 20% and improve the safety of our group rides with Road ID

Looking for a Day Ride?
Check out our MeetUp page!
We have social rides, scenic routes and even training rides!
El Tour de Tucson Training rides are starting the end of August and early September!
Join a Bike Repair here also!

GABA Wants You...for the Supported Rides Group! Join the Supported Rides Group and help GABA make the magic of the Supported Rides program happen!

Have fun and make new friends while helping your club be the best it can be and learning from one of the best-supported rides teams in the country. No experience necessary!

Supported Rides is responsible for coordinating and organizing the Century and Overnight Rides for GABA. These rides and events are the pinnacle for this organization. Having someone new with new energy and ideas for Supported Rides would be great for GABA and the Tucson community.  This position is open to more than one individual.

The Supported Rides Coordinator is a Board member position. The Supported Rides Coordinator is responsible for the direction of Supported Rides and will contribute to the success of GABA.  If you’re interested in becoming a Supported Rides Coordinator, please contact John at supportedrides@bikegaba.org or Matt Harmon at president@bikegaba.org.

GABA has a monthly newsletter, Paceline, available to both active GABA members and nonmembers. If you would like to receive this wonderful update on GABA happenings, please click this button. Paceline

GABA members only Strava Club

We have learned that GABA members would like a member’s only Strava Club. Rather than close the existing GABA official Strava club off from public participation (because it allows GABA to promote its existence in the community), the board has created a second, closed Strava club that will be available to GABA members only.

To join the new Greater Arizona Bicycling Association (GABA) (Members Only) Strava club, log in to Strava and go to: 

https://www.strava.com/clubs/gaba-membersonly

and click on the button labeled “Request to join”.

If your GABA membership is up to date, an administrator will approve your request to join.