Mayors’ International Bike Ride celebrates 10 years of bringing communities together

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - The Mayors’ International Bike Ride celebrated its 10th year Saturday, bringing cyclists and communities together across the U.S.-Mexico border.

The free, family-friendly event began at Desert Hills Golf Course in Yuma, taking riders through communities including Somerton, Gadsden and San Luis before offering participants the opportunity to cross into Mexico and finish in San Luis Río Colorado.

More than 500 riders registered for this year's event, which brought together cyclists, mayors and elected officials from across the 4FrontED region.

Martin Porchas, chairman of the Yuma County Board of Supervisors, was mayor when the first ride took place. He said the event has grown beyond what organizers initially expected.

“It's a good event that it brings the whole county together, plus our neighbors across the border," Porchas said. "I remember we were probably about 100 [riders] when we the first year that we did it. We were excited. We knew it was going to grow, but we didn't actually, you know, think that it was going to grow this big. But it's been great.”

What began with approximately 100 riders has developed into a regional tradition focused on bringing people together across city and international borders.

The 10th anniversary highlighted the event's continued growth and its role in showcasing the communities that make up the Yuma region and its neighboring communities in Mexico.