“The Tour of the Gila has soul,” says Burke Swindlehurst, who prevailed overall in 1996, 1998 and 2005 editions of the race. “As long as it’s around, I will support it in any way that I’m able.”

The sponsorship director for First Endurance Nutrition, which is providing fuel for the Gila Monster Gran Fondo p/b/ Desert Springs Physical Therapy and Southwest Bone & Joint Institute, says the event fits naturally into the company’s mission. “As a company, we’re dedicated to fueling endurance athletes of all stripes in their pursuit of PRs, podiums and just plain big days of movement whether there’s a finish line involved or not.”

Swindlehurst also lists three additional reasons First Endurance Nutrition supports Tour of the Gila and the Gila Monster Gran Fondo:

1. Jack Brennan
2. Jack Brennan
3. Jack Brennan

“Seriously, though,” says the 14-time Tour of the Gila participant, “Jack and those of similar stitch in Silver City have made the Tour of the Gila a standout event on the cycling calendar for decades.”

He would know. After a two-decade cycling career and a dozen years as Race Director of his own Crusher in the Tushar, Swindlehurst has a unique perspective on what it takes to put on a top notch race.

Swindlehurst had hoped to ride the Gila Monster Gran Fondo until “an unscripted high speed get-off on some gravel” injured his lower back and crushed his dreams of returning to the site of his 2008 Gila Monster stage win.

Even though he won’t be there to offer pro tips for conquering the Gila Monster’s climbs in person, Swindlehurst did share some of what he finds so special about Tour of the Gila through the First Endurance Nutrition blog. Read it here.

“The first time I participated (1991), I was in my last season as a rider in the junior ranks. As a high school graduation gift, my Mother handed me the keys to the family car, along with a few hundred bucks, and more or less said, ‘Have fun – and don’t do anything stupid.’ And just like that, me and my best buddy hit the road for Silver City, New Mexico.”

A road trip with a buddy to the Gila Monster Gran Fondo this year could be the start of your winning cycling career too. You’ll at least have a shot at busting a PR.