Free-Wheelin’ it!

The stretch of road from Muldrow to Tahlequah provided the toughest terrain in the first half of the bicycle tour.

By JOSH NEWTON Press Staff Writer

TAHLEQUAH — With the sun beating down on them early Wednesday afternoon, hundreds of bicyclists rolled into Tahlequah after a grueling day of travel. As the day wore on, those who hadn’t arrived faced the potential for severe thunderstorms that blew up west of Cherokee County.

The participants of the 2010 Oklahoma FreeWheel cross-state bicycle tour found a shower, water and shade at their evening pit stop and campgrounds, property near the Tahlequah high school and middle school. Estimates were that around 800 had participated in the first half of the ride.

“My GPS shows we had about 4,100 feet of climbing today,” said Ryan Jones, a third-year FreeWheel participant from Sapulpa. “That and the heat and humidity has made this the toughest day.”

Jones wasn’t the only one who believed that way. All around the campsites Wednesday, anyone who overheard another’s statement about the hills, curves and heat chimed in with a similar opinion.

One man said he participated in a bike tour through Tahlequah nearly 20 years ago, and when preparing for this event, remembered how tough the stretch was.

“I think this is the hardest leg of the race,” he said. “It was just as I remembered it. In fact, I think the hills got a little taller.”

Another said he never looked forward to going downhill between Muldrow - where riders launched from Wednesday morning - and Tahlequah, “because I knew I was going to have to go back up to get out of it.”

Yet another rider: “I didn’t realize it would be this tough!”

They all agreed the trip provided beautiful scenery.

Jones, who was also looking forward to Wednesday evening’s bike racing in downtown Tahlequah, said he fell in love with bicycling tours because of the camaraderie.

“I meet new friends every time,” he said. “It’s pretty crazy. I just like the feeling of community.”

Margie Selby and her son, both of Oklahoma City, were rounding out their trip in Tahlequah, like several others who were participating in half of the ride.

“It’s fun, friends and fitness,” said Selby. “Everybody’s real friendly, and the towns we stop in are just wonderful. People come out and do anything they can for you.”

Participants started in Hugo June 12-13, and made stops at Clayton, Heavener and Muldrow before Tahlequah - a stretch of nearly 300 miles. From Tahlequah, bicyclists will head to Pryor Thursday, Miami Friday, and end their journey in Joplin, Mo., on Saturday.

Kate Kelly, tourism director with the Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce, said FreeWheel participants began moving into the area early Wednesday morning. Numerous volunteers from the community spent the day shuttling them back and forth between tents and stations providing various amenities.

“It’s going real good,” she said.

Kelly said she, Chamber Executive Director David Moore, and Tahlequah Main Street Association Executive Director Danny Perry traveled to Muldrow Tuesday to speak during the tour’s nightly meeting. She said participants were informed about Tahlequah and its attractions, and received maps and other information.

The Oklahoma FreeWheel is an annual, week-long bicycle ride that travels various paths across the state. Around 1,000 riders are expected each year, and with them come friends and family. They ride an average of 60-70 miles each day.

The event started in 1979.

Check it out

For more information on Oklahoma FreeWheel, visit www.okfreewheel. com.

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