Greater Arizona Bicycling Association Inc

Where cycling is more than just riding a bike 

GABA's Annual Toys for Kids Toy Ride

December 14, 2014

More than twenty years ago a small group of GABA riders left Udall Park with toys strapped to their backs and bikes to ride and rode 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 14, more than five organized rides will converge at the Rillito Racetrack. Rides will start from various points around Tucson and be timed to arrive between 10:30 and 11. Use this link CLICK HERE to see all the rides and pick the one that's best for you. 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. And once we gather, we'll all enjoy hot chocolate, coffee, and cookies.

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, you can purchase a toy or two and take your donation to one of the bike shops where a drop box has been set up. The list of bike shops will be available soon. Please check back closer to the event. And second, you can make a donation via GABA's 2024 Toy Ride Gift Fund. The money you donate will be given to the Salvation Army.

Bruce Tucker 

Toy Ride Committee Coordinator 

+1 520-661-6210

btucker4sos@cox.net 

Thursday, January 9, 2025

Monthly GABA Meetings Return - Mark Your Calendar!

In January, GABA will restart its monthly meetings, with speakers giving presentations about their bicycling adventures and other cycling-related issues. 

Meetings will be on the second Thursday of each month. The first meeting will be on Thursday, January 9 at 7 pm. 

Our speaker for that first January meeting will be Lael Wilcox, a world-famous bicyclist. She recently set a new speed record for bicycling around the world, completing 18,125 miles in 108.5 days. She’ll be sharing her adventures with us at the January meeting. 

After that first meeting, meetings will continue to be held on the second Thursday of every month through the winter season – January through March this winter, stopping for the summer, and then resuming next winter from October through March. So, mark your calendars. 

Meetings will be held in the H230 conference room at the Catalina United Methodist Church at 2700 E Speedway Blvd (southwest corner of Speedway and Treat). Parking is directly across from the church in their parking lot on the other side of Treat. 

Please plan to come and hear Lael’s amazing presentation in January, and consider coming a little before the 7 pm start time to socialize with other GABA members. 

Finally, if you or anyone you know might have some bicycling adventures to share at future GABA meetings, please contact the program coordinator:

Barry Weiss at bdweiss@arizona.edu. 

GABA Jerseys for Sale

The Primal Store is open to purchasing the GABA Jersey through December 10th. 

The GABA jersey is offered in a SPORT CUT (NOT a tight-fitting race cut) for both men and women in short-sleeve and long-sleeve versions. 

GABA Lunch Ride

GABA is hosting the first annual Lunch After a Group Ride for, active GABA members, on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Brand Fenton Memorial Park. 

There will be Group Rides starting from multiple locations around Tucson. The rides will meet at Brandy Fenton Memorial Park for lunch. You and your significant other (whether or not they are riding) are invited to participate. More details will be posted in the January 2025 paceline and on the bikegaba.org webpage 

Take our survey to help finalize our 20-year transportation vision!

RTA Next is a 20-year $2.46 billion transportation plan that Pima County voters must approve in a future election to replace the prior 20-year plan, which funds over two-thirds of transportation improvements for drivers, bikers, and walkers through a half-cent sales tax.

Please help us finalize our plan. Without voter approval, progress may grind to a halt on new bike-ped projects.

Announcing a new GABA members-only Strava club

We have learned that GABA members would like a members-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 is available to GABA members only.

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

www.strava.com/clubs/gaba-membersonly

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

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

Greater Arizona Bycicling Association (GABA)

Mailing Address

PO Box 43273, Tucson, AZ 85733

Phone Number

(520) 999-7655