Supporting Veterans Through Cycling

Project Echelon is a UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) Continental Professional Cycling Team that educates, equips and empowers veterans and their communities through physical activity and self discovery.

As an organization, Project Echelon removes barriers to healing by fostering relationships between veterans, their communities, and professional athletes through mentorship, structure, and the promotion of long-term health and well-being through endurance sport.

As a Purple Heart Town, this mission matches the vision of the Town of Marana to support its Veteran community.

For the second year, the non-profit is hosting a Gran Fondo Ride (a non-competitive ride of either 50 or 75 miles) with Veterans and riders of all abilities. The ride is not a race or a competition; it is a group ride where participants will abide by all traffic laws and work together to ensure safe riding takes place and community is fostered.

WHEN: Saturday, April 5 (packet pickup and celebration from 5pm-8pm), and Sunday, April 6, 2025 (Ride begins at 9am)

WHERE: Packet pickup and the ride begin at Steam Pump Ranch in Oro Valley (10901 N. Oracle Road)

WHAT: Non-profit ride with North America's Top Professional Cycling Team Project Echelon

More information and how to sign up for the ride.

Project Echelon reports that 150 riders from around the world and the Tucson area participated in the Gran Fondo in 2024. Riders started in Oro Valley and took a rest break at Marana's Heritage Park in Gladden Farms where they were greeted by the local VFW (Veteran's of Foreign Wars) Post 5990 and a patriotic display of flags by Zoop Troop Flags. Thank you to both organizations for your support of this event!