Oklahoma FreeWheel – Day 7

A short day today – only 35 miles from Miami to Joplin.

We kind of took our time getting there, following the gravel route for awhile, then switching to road.

We did make a few stops along the way to take some photos of Route 66, including at the Tar Creek Superfund site near Picher. Before this week, I’d never been to this area and, even though I’d heard about it, just didn’t realize the scope of the clean-up.

A shameful part of Oklahoma history. That’s all I’ll say about it. I did find a very good article about it, if you care to learn more:  https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna89611

We also stopped briefly to harass Wendy and Scott at a water stop. They were working hard.

When we rolled in to the finish at Joplin, quite a few riders had already made it in. From the Texas/Oklahoma state line at Texola, Oklahoma to Joplin, Missouri, they covered 482 miles!

Trevor was congratulating each rider, who were (mostly) all smiles.

The shower trailer was up and running, and lots of folks were on hand to cheer the riders in. It was a festive atmosphere.

Several people asked me if I enjoyed volunteering with FreeWheel this year.

It was hot and dry in western Oklahoma, and it was hot and humid in eastern Oklahoma. I suspect the wind was trying to kill us a couple of times. Everyone was constantly covered in sweat. I didn’t know my feet could even get that dirty. I hammered my hand and a finger. I got bitten by bugs. I got sunburned, or maybe windburned (or both). I dropped the Jetboil on my toe. The Ride with GPS cyber woman jacked with our routes a couple times, causing us to have to correct them. And did I mention the dust?

I saw areas of Oklahoma I’d never seen before. People were generally very friendly and welcoming. The pie sampling we took was superb. I saw lots of pretty wildflowers, and even prettier smiles from old friends, and new ones. I learned how truly divine a shower can feel. I got to peek into the workings of an organization that has been bringing riders together for 40 years. I spoke with people who were interested in our tents, the bikes, and generally why we’d be crazy enough to be out in the summer heat with a mini-city, traveling across the state. I saw beautiful vistas, Main Streets, mom & pop restaurants, Route 66 history and kitsch, a bang-up kick-off party in Elk City, a huge welcome from the tiny town of Luther, thousands of fireflies at our camp in Miami, and the joy of laughing, talking and having a beer with friends.

Yeah, I did enjoy the week. I wonder where we’re going next year?

Oklahoma FreeWheel – Day 6

Gravel grinders Phil and Charlie somewhere west of Miami, Oklahoma.

Keith and I marked the gravel route from Catoosa to the ride end point at Joplin, Missouri. Since we completed that yesterday, we will be on hand to provide SAG support today, if needed.

The riders are tackling their longest day, at 93 gravel miles from Catoosa to Miami.

Hilarious dog hill.

We packed up the campsite at Catoosa High School, and headed toward Vinita, where we again stopped at Clanton’s for pie. (Who wouldn’t?)

Clanton’s Cafe in Vinita was a popular place.

After that treat, we found some shade at a park in Vinita to hang out in case we were needed in this part of the course. I was a bit concerned about all of the riders today because it was the longest segment on this year’s ride, and temperatures were in the 90s. They were actually helped along by a fantastic tailwind today, so most of them made very good time.

Soaking up shade at a park in Vinita. That splash pad looked mighty inviting.

We finally headed toward tonight’s campsite in Miami.

The people there made a lot of small signs welcoming the gravel riders to town. Very nice welcome!

I know it wasn’t for me, but I’m taking it anyway.

We arrived in time to see Trevor being interviewed by a local news station.

After scoping out possible campsites, we headed into town for a bite and a beer, then came back to set up camp.

To be fair, we did order it with salt and lime. Hilarity ensued.

Miami’s park next to the Neosho River is spacious and well-kept.

The entertainment for the evening was the annual last-night talent show. We enjoyed several performances. Our girl, Dee Dee, won first place with her rendition of Blue Bayou!

Oklahoma FreeWheel – Day 5

Today, FreeWheel gravel riders are doing 57 miles from Bristow to Catoosa, but we’re marking Day 6 – a long one. It’s 93 miles from Catoosa to Miami, plus we will also mark the last day – 35 miles from Miami to Joplin. So that will make a total of 128 miles.

Since we had spent the night at home, that meant we needed to meet up with Scott somewhere to pick up the stakes he had pulled up yesterday.

We went to Phat Tire bike shop in the Blue Dome District in Tulsa to wait. Got to see a lot of riders come through while we were there.

We also had a delicious early lunch at Dilly Diner. (Try the Spicy Bacon Cheeseburger -yum!)

Bikes waiting outside the Dilly Diner.

We finally hit the road and traveled to Catoosa, where we started marking the gravel route.

Near Foyil, we stopped briefly at Ed Galloway’s Totem Park. Fun and kitschy stop on the route.

Pie was calling to Keith, so we stopped in Vinita at Clanton’s Cafe. Just right.

While we were there, we told the owner she’d probably be getting lots of business from riders the next day. She recalled filling lots of water bottles when FreeWheel came through town on a prior year.

We proceeded marking the rest of the route, mainly through countryside, and crossed into Kansas North of Picher. It’s sad to see what a mess the superfund site is.

We ran across an interesting bit of Route 66 memorabilia at the Rainbow Curve Bridge, which is apparently the only one of its kind left along Route 66.

From there, it was a short hop into Galena, Kansas, and then on into the end of the route at Joplin, Missouri.

We knew it would be close, but actually had a few stakes left when we arrived.

After grabbing a quick supper, we headed back to the camp at Catoosa. We arrived late and found almost everyone had turned in, but discovered a group of friends still up on the edge of camp, so we had a few beers and laughs then set up our tent.

Of course, I had to find some interesting plants along the way.

I think these may be (in order): Queen Anne’s Lace, an ant farm flower, daisy fleabane, trumpet vine (see the bee inside?), mullein, and some tall corn.

Oklahoma FreeWheel – Day 4

Keith and I had a day off marking the Day 5 gravel course today because the gravel riders will be traveling on pavement with the main group from Bristow to Catoosa. Apparently, the city of Tulsa has paved everything within a reasonable distance, so there was just no gravel to mark.

Day 4 riders started out from Luther this morning and traveled to Bristow, where they camped. Since Luther isn’t that far from our home in Perkins, Keith and I came on home to do laundry and hang out. Probably a better (and cheaper) idea than running around Tulsa all day.

It occurred to me that, prior to starting out on Day 0, I didn’t explain exactly what Oklahoma FreeWheel is all about. I suppose some readers are not familiar with this program, so a few words of explanation are in order.

FreeWheel is a week-long bicycle tour. The route changes each year, so it’s fun to see what organizers will come up with for a route and theme. This year, FreeWheel is following Route 66. The official start was in the western Oklahoma town of Elk City, and the ride will conclude in Joplin, Mo. For riders who want to make it a true cross-state tour, there’s also a Day 0, which extended from the Texas line to Elk City.

Each night is spent in a series of host towns, which offer a campsite and a variety of extras such as foods and entertainment. It’s really up to the town to decide how big of a production they’d like to make of it. For example, Elk City hosted a fun evening with food trucks and live music. The town also provided water and neat swag items.

This year, the overnight stops are Elk City, Weatherford, El Reno, Luther, Bristow, Catoosa, Miami, and Joplin.

During each daily ride, cyclists enjoy the countryside and towns, stopping where they’d like and traveling as fast or as slow as they want. There’s no ‘official’ start time each day. Some riders are up before dawn and head out at a fast pace to avoid the heat of the day; other riders take their time, leaving later, and making more stops throughout the day.

FreeWheel volunteers provide support to riders in the form of water/rest stops, and SAG (support and gear) service in case riders need mechanical or even medical assistance.

The FreeWheel organization offers a lot of rider support, including gear for the volunteer effort. It also provides water and specific services such as charging stations and a hot shower semi-trailer.

There’s a lot of camaraderie between those who participate, many of whom have joined FreeWheel for decades. Since this is the ride’s 40th year, there’s lots of opportunity for that. Riders of all ages and abilities participate in FreeWheel. In fact, this week I met a 92-year-old man who has been riding for years! (I can’t recall exactly how many years. Hopefully, someone will comment on this post and provide that info.)

Well, that’s it in a nutshell. FreeWheel has been a great experience. I’ll provide a link to the organization website below, if you’d like to learn more.

http://www.okfreewheel.com/

Oklahoma FreeWheel – Day 3

We spent a pleasant night in El Reno. There was a chance of rain overnight, but it held off til this morning.

Storm clouds approaching from the north.

About the time we started marking the Day 4 gravel route, it started raining. We ducked into the 116 Farmstead Market & Table in Luther for a cup of coffee and a lemon bar. Keith had apple cake. Both were very good.

We got several miles marked before the thunderstorm started in earnest. A flash flood warning was issued, so we found a high spot to wait out the storm.

Bear Creek near Fallis.

At least we don’t have to put up with dust and wind today!

I’m always on the lookout for interesting plants, and found a couple different kinds of milkweed.

Also found copious amounts of poison oak and ivy.

We came upon a fire at some oil storage tanks. Probably caused by lightning. I think it was around mile 31.

We stopped off at the Rock Cafe in Stroud for lunch. Such a neat little place! They are expecting us tomorrow and said they’ll have a food truck open.

There’s a variety of gravel surfaces tomorrow; all pretty soggy!

FreeWheel camp at Luther is a hopping place. The town really rolled out the red carpet and made us feel welcome.

Oklahoma FreeWheel – Day 2

There’s a wide variety of road surfaces today, especially this kind.

Today started hazy. The weather report said there’s a lot of humidity in the air. I suspect that won’t stick around for long once the wind kicks up.

Hazy day.

Though it’s”officially” Day 2, Keith and I are marking the Day 3 gravel route from El Reno to Luther.

El Reno campsite.

The El Reno campsite is nice and shady this morning. The site is in a beautiful area next to the country club and El Reno lake.

The Day 3 gravel route stays in rural areas for the most part, and it’s especially nice east of I-35 and north of Luther. Lots of different surfaces today.

A rough spot north of Luther.

We were surprised to note a castle along the route today!

Well now, that’s not something you see every day in Oklahoma.

There are lots of pretty wildflowers, too. I saw Mexican hats, and several others that I don’t know. I’m pretty sure that last one is nightshade.

We rolled into Luther and found they’ve already put up lots of little signs.

They were also busy putting up a large tent at the campsite.

We stopped at a diner for lunch and heard local residents talking about FreeWheel coming to town. They seem to be looking forward to our visit.

El Reno tent city.

At tonight’s riders meeting, the Luther mayor, the parks and rec director, and the owner of a local BBQ restaurant got everyone stirred up and ready for our visit there.

Tired volunteer feet. We were comparing tan/dirt lines.

Oklahoma FreeWheel – Day 1

The gravel route stays on pavement for several miles but soon turns a bit rowdy.

Another very breezy day in western Oklahoma! Today, I suspect the wind was trying to kill us. It did almost take out our tent. Hopefully, we got it repaired and will be able to keep using it.

State troopers ready to provide an escort.

Keith and I loaded up and hit the road around 7:30 a.m. By that time, most of the riders had already packed up and gone.

Some riders crossing I-40.

We drove to tonight’s stop, Weatherford, where we’d start marking tomorrow’s gravel route.

Route 66 and veterans monument at Weatherford.

The folks in Weatherford were already setting up the campsite. Mayor Mike Brown came over and welcomed us to town.

Weatherford Mayor Mike Brown.

During the morning , we saw lots of large fields interspersed with rocky arroyos and small canyons.

Where’d the road go? Oh yeah, there it is waaaay over there.

Lunch stop was in the town of Hinton.

We saw lots more wheat ready to cut, and plenty of wildflowers.

Don’t know what these are, but they’re gorgeous.

Sections of the Mother Road are still here!

Route 66 – the Mother Road.

The campsite in Weatherford features a ginormous windmill blade.

Tents set up next to a windmill blade.

Lots of friends in camp, too!

Stillwater friendly faces (from left) Bill, John, Jack, Scott, Keith, and Carl.