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June 17, 1979 By ROB KERBY CHETOPA, Kan. - Shaking hands, they crossed the Kansas state line Saturday, hours ahead of most of Free Wheel '79's die-hard bicyclist. Bill Sullivan, 58, Oklahoma city, and Steve Brazeal, 17, Broken Arrow, finished the 431-mile, week-lone ride's final 75 miles together, riding here from Bartlesville. Both had started a week ago at Denison Dam at the Texas border. "Then, I laid down on my back and propped my feet up on that derned bicycle,"said Brazeal. "I made it every inch of the way," said Sullivan, a bike racer in the 1930s and 1940s. The two were by no means the only ones to pedal up every hill around every busy curve and through or past every chuckhole. About 50 riders claimed the 'every inch' distinction, Another 50 started at the Texas line but rode sag wagons for part of the way before returning to the course. It was a week of incredible experiences. At the Okmulgee campground Norm Hollis, Tulsa, (who rode every inch) celebrated his 32nd wedding anniversary with wife, Jeanne. Stopping to rescue suicidal terrapins, John Shannon, 15, removed 23 of the sunning hard-shells from traffic lanes. He too, rode ever inch. Jean Kirby,26, Muskogee, won a $15 bet with an unbelieving friend when she rode ever inch. The 'every inch' list goes on and on: Bill Schindeler, and daughter Wilma, 17; Tom Pearson, 19; David Henderson, 36; Floyd Holland, 46; Diana Baker, 16; Ken Groves, 26; Kim and Tracy Christopherson, 17... How many Participated in the Tulsa World/Tulsa Wheelmen's scenic tour of Oklahoma's rural backroads? We have no idea. The whole idea of the ride was a good 'freewheelin'" time with no fees, no registration, and no headcounts. About 250 stared. At each city several more came out and rode portions of the route. Some stayed, some rode two days or three. About 125 crossed into Kansas. At the finish line was Brenda Mallory, who rode two days, Jack Welch, who rode on day, and Mary Christensen, 55, who rode 'every inch' except for about 40 miles during the most difficult first two days. "I did this to show that anybody can do anything if they are determined," said Mary, a counselor at Tulsa's Chouteau Elementary School. From Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana they came. Was the ride a success? "The whole thing was worth it., when some old man said to me, 'Where are you young boys going?' " said Henry Wallace, 52, Bartleville, who rode every inch. Some of us didn't make it. At 21st Street and Southwest Boulevard, Thursday, as the route touched southeast Tulsa, I veered off downtown and picked up my car, not riding the ten miles on in to Sand springs. I never went back to pick up the mileage, Saturday, between Copan and Lenapah, I hopped a sag wagon for 20 miles when my brakes started rubbing and the young lady with whom I was riding felt nauseous from a cafe brunch. So, I only pedaled 401 miles. But ask any of us who attempted this crazy thing if we're proud of ourselves. Yes. | Previous Day | Home to 1979 Page |
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