Ellen Proctor, the FreeWheel 2010 Director, announced the route for this year's ride on Monday night. This will be the 32nd edition of Oklahoma's cross state event and will cover approximately 438 miles. The Tulsa Bicycle Club will host a series of training rides again this year beginning on March 13th and culminating at the Tour de Tulsa in May. In Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Bicycle Society will have a similar series as will the Bartlesville Pedalers. See their websites for details.
Registration forms will be mailed the first week in February. They will include a section for making reservations for bus transportation. Bus tickets will be sent in May. For the first time, on-line registrations will be accepted. They include a 6% surcharge. Non-riders will be charged $40 this year. Registration packets will include information about luggage transport, shower facilities, and the "Shuttle Guy" porter service.
The 2010 Route
Sunday, June 13th. Hugo to Clayton. 55 miles.
Hugo is a popular winter town for circuses. In fact, the town has a facility capable of holding 35 elephants. Texas is just 15 miles away, so many cyclists will arrive on Saturday in order to ride to Texas
and back. At the end of the week long tour, they have the possibility of visiting five states!
Breakfast will be available at 5AM, with a mass start at 630AM. Ellen said, "You won't need an alarm clock. You'll wake up to the sound of hundreds of tent zippers opening."
Monday, June 14th. Clayton to Heavener. 70 miles.
Heavener is home to the mysterious rune stone, an ancient rock carved with Norse symbols. No one knows how this occured. The town may offer bus transport out to the park, but the route passes it on the way into town, so many cyclists will undoubtedly stop to see this rock.
Tuesday, June 15th. Heavener to Muldrow. 71mi.
Muldrow, with a population of only 3000, has a claim to fame. The former Miss America, Shawntel Smith, grew up in Muldrow. No, she will not be greeting FreeWheel riders as she now lives in Tennessee.
Muldrow is 8 miles from Arkansas. A short side trip will allow FreeWheel riders to add another state to their itinerary.
Wednesday, June 16th. Muldrow to Tahlequah. 61 hilly miles.
This is the hilliest section of the 2010 tour. Ellen Proctor used the touring euphemism "scenic." SpeedWheel will take place in Tahlequah. This is a separate event from FreeWheel as it is a sanctioned racing event held in conjunction with the tour each year.
Thursday, June 17th. Tahlequah to Pryor. 50 miles.
FreeWheel re-visits a popular route from years past.
Friday, June 18th. Pryor to Miami. 67 miles.
On this next-to-last day of the tour, the FreeWheel organization offers a catered dinner to all participants, followed by a bluegrass concert by Byron Berline. This is tentatively scheduled for the Coleman Theater Beautiful, one of the attractions along historic Route 66 through Miami.
Tom Brown said there will be no mechanical support in camp on Friday evening. "If your wheel is square, we don't care!" He advised that riders with mechanical issues should see one of the mechanics before reaching Miami.
For folks new to Oklahoma, Miami is pronounced mi-AM-ah, to the great consternation of nearly everyone.
Saturday, June 19th. Miami to Joplin, Missouri. 38 miles.











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