FreeWheel: A trip, a tradition, a great ride

FreeWheel's fun all in the family
NICO= LE DORN World Staff Writer
06/15/2005
Tulsa World (Final Home Edition), Page A9 of News

After a long absence, a repeat rider gets to experience the cross-state trek with his son.

McALESTER -- Many riders i= n a cross-state bicycle ride going on this week are family, not only on a frate= rnal level because of relationships made along the 400-plus mile route, but also= in a literal sense.

Kent Tallakson, a resident of Kelle= r, Texas, decided to bring his 14-year-old son Caleb to FreeWheel this year.

"It= was a birthday present," Tallakson said Tuesday, the third day of the weeklo= ng ride.

"We decided that we were going to spend money on biking gear and getting him all set to ride. And it seemed like a fun thing to do." =

Tallakso= n said they decided to train about three weeks before FreeWheel, which began Sunday and continues through Saturday.

"So= we practiced about 30 miles a day," he said. "And we hit it!" <= o:p>

Caleb sa= id he is enjoying the ride, but that it's not easy.

"It= 's tough," he said. "It's fun, but it's tough. It is worth it." <= /span>

Tallakso= n said he and his son's ride began on a high point but has been more challenging each day.

"Our first day was really good," he said. "The second day was not so g= ood, and the third day was a little bit worse. So we're going a little bit downhill," he joked.

The two = said they make it a point to maintain good timing throughout the route.

"We always seem to be one of the first ones in, so that's a good thing," Tallakson said. "We're real competitive; we see another bike, and we j= ust try to pass it."

Tallakso= n has not participated in FreeWheel since 1985. He said getting married, raising kids, not having time to train, and other responsibilities have kept him fr= om participating.

But Cale= b claims that he is the one who's responsible for bringing his father back.

"I = drug him back into it," he said.

His fath= er said this year's ride might be the first in regular participation in future years.

"No= w that the kids are old enough to ride and life's kind of coming around full circl= e, we're going to probably do a lot more" FreeWheels, he said.

Tallakson hopes that next time, it won't be only him and his son. He hopes other fami= ly members will join in.

"We= may bring more kids," he said. "I've got another son that we're going= to try and talk into it; also my wife and my daughter."

Caleb is excited about continuing the route, even though he endured some unexpected troubles Monday: "I (sun)burnt my face," he said.

From McAlester, riders = will head Wednesday for Wetumka. Successive stops are in Drumright, Ponca City and Caldwell<= /st1:City>, Kan., where the ride will e= nd.

Nicol= e Dorn 581-8300
nicole.dorn@tulsaworld.com