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-Editorial
Cyclists from across the region will gather on Saturday, October 25, for the 9th annual Mayors’ International Bike Ride. This free community event will begin at 8 a.m. at the Yuma Civic Center parking lot, 1440 W. Desert Hills Drive.
The family-friendly ride, hosted by mayors and elected officials from the 4FrontEd region, will bring together participants from Yuma County, Southern California, regional tribal nations, and Northern Mexico. Organizers expect more than 400 riders, some traveling from as far as Tucson and Ensenada.
Riders will follow a route that includes stops in Cocopah Korner, Somerton, Gadsden, and San Luis before crossing the border into San Luis Río Colorado, Mexico. Each stop will provide water, snacks, and restroom facilities. The event will conclude with a finisher’s celebration in San Luis Río Colorado featuring live music, local food, and medals for cyclists.
“This event has become a tradition for our international area, demonstrating the interconnected relationships of the region,” said Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls.
Public safety agencies from throughout the region will guide participants to ensure a safe ride. The first 400 registrants will receive a complimentary official T-shirt. Riders under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Online registration is available at yumaaz.gov/bikeride. On-site registration and check-in begin at 7 a.m. on the day of the event. Cyclists are required to complete a waiver and bring proper documentation for crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. Helmets, bicycles, sunscreen, and light belongings are recommended.
YCAT will provide transportation back to the Yuma Civic Center for those returning from San Luis Río Colorado. Participants who prefer to travel independently are encouraged to arrange their own transportation.
Founded by Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls and leaders from 4FrontED, the Mayors’ International Bike Ride has become a regional tradition that unites communities and showcases cross-border collaboration. Mayors and elected officials from Yuma, Somerton, San Luis, Wellton, and San Luis Río Colorado, along with representatives from Yuma County and the Fort Yuma Quechan and Cocopah tribes, host the event each year, welcoming cyclists along the route. Designed as a family-friendly ride at a leisurely pace, participants are guided by public safety agencies and make stops every four to five miles.