FreeWheel 2005

On this page

Newspaper Articles    2005 Tulsa World articles
2005 FreeWheel still photos    More New 2005 Pics!!!
2005 FreeWheel DVD        Updated Info
Favorite Host City

This is all history for '05 ... start getting ready for 2006!
Registration            
FreeWheel-Wear   
Route Info
Transportation       
Accommodations
Special Services
SpeedWheel
Seminars               
Training Rides

Newspaper Articles From '05 Event!

Tulsa World Articles published during FreeWheel '05:

Each year the Tulsa World sends reporters and photographers with the FreeWheel cyclists to get a sample of "life on the road." And each year our family and friends are treated to daily vignettes of the riders, communities, and everything that goes into making FreeWheel what it is. This year was no different.

Below are links to articles that were published this year by the Tulsa World while we were all out there pumping up the hill out of Talihina and sizzling along the road to Drumright. The articles are provided in both html and PDF format for the benefit of those who'd like to print the PDF copy for their scrapbook. Enjoy!
2005-06-12, FreeWheel - A trip, a tradition, a great ride     (PDF)
2005-06-13, Tulsans kick off bike ride     (PDF)
2005-06-14, Riders exercise option, themselves     (PDF)
2005-06-15, FreeWheel's fun all in the family     (PDF)
2005-06-16, Riders halfway through journey, but biggest challenges still ahead     (PDF)
2005-06-17, Rain's both friend and foe to FreeWheelers     (PDF)
2005-06-18, Plenty of drivers along for the ride     (PDF)
2005-06-19, FreeWheel '05 fades into fond memories     (PDF)

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FreeWheeler's Photos!

Check out photos submitted by 2005 FreeWheel participants:

Below you'll find links to some terriffic still photographs taken by a number of 2005 Oklahoma FreeWheel participants. Thanks to all who've submitted photos so far.
And for those of you if you took any GREAT photos yourself and would like to share them with the FreeWheel family, you've got two ways to do that; you can get them to us and we'll post them here on the FreeWheel web site and/or you can get them to Ken Campbell for possible inclusion on his 2005 FreeWheel DVD!
To provide the for display on the FreeWheel web site, either email the pics (or a link to your web gallery) or burn a CD and put in the US mail to us at the addresses below:
Email photos or links to:
    FreeWheelPhotos@OKFreeWheel.com
OR
Mail CDs via standard US mail to:
    FreeWheel Photos
    Oklahoma FreeWheel
    PO Box 2389
    Tulsa, OK 74101-2389

If you want to send your pics to Ken for possible inclusion on the DVD, see instructions in the next section on this web page.

Okay, here are links to the pics we have to share with you currently ... enjoy!
    Photos by Jim Allshouse
       AND a journal by Laurie Allshouse
    Photos by Dean Anderson
    Photos by Richard Hall
    Photos by John Kidwell
    Photos by Dale Munn
    Photos by Jerry Neville
    Photos by Tim Noteboom
    Photos by Derek Swift
    Photos by Mike Schooling
          Day1
          Day2
          Day3
          Day4
          Day5
          Day6
          Day7
    Photos by Ryan Randolph (a.k.a. The Hythster)
    Photos by Tom Brown
    Photos by David Kincannon

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DVD for 2005!    

Order your 2005 DVD now:

Ken Campbell, official FreeWheel videographer, is hard at work putting together a DVD chronicaling this year's trek from Paris to Caldwell. For those of you who didn't have an opportunity to see the 2004 video Ken had playing at several of this year's campsites, know that he does a great job of capturing and presenting all the fun and excitement that make FreeWheel so great. You'll want to have this year's DVD to help you remember the ride and to share the experience with family and friends (and give them the FreeWheel "bug"!).

Order forms were included in your registration packet for FreeWheel 2005.
If you've misplaced yours, send your name and shipping address to Ken via email at:
    kcampbell31@cox.net
Or include $12 (make checks payable to Ken Campbell) and send via regular mail to:
    Ken Campbell
    1605 Ave B
    Dodge City, KS 67801-4510

Got any good photos you'd like to share on the DVD?
If you took any GREAT photos on FreeWheel and would like to share them with the FreeWheel family, Ken can put them on the 2005 FreeWheel DVD. If you've got just a few, e-mail them to Ken at the email address above. Or, if you've got a bunch (up to 99), burn them to a CD-ROM and mail them to Ken at the mailing address above. He'll use as many as space allows.

This is your chance to share all those great shots you got with the rest of us. We'll be glad you shared!

Wanna get a preview of the '05 DVD ???!!!
Ken's making progress on getting the 10 hours of video he shot edited down to a mere 2 hours. If you'd like to see a 5 minute preview of the beginning of the 2005 video, CLICK HERE. NOTE: This is a 6 Mb QuickTime file -- it may take some time to download if you have a dial-up connection. If you need a free copy of the QuickTime Player, go to: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/.

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Favorite '05 Host City!

The votes have been counted:

And the winner is (drum roll ... no pun intended), DRUMRIGHT!!! How can you not like a city that provides bag pick-up and load service! Wetumka and Ponca City tied for second, and all the towns were wonderful and each received votes. Our contratulations to Drumright; they were fantastic! Want to learn more about Drumright? Check out the city's web site: http://www.drumright.net/.

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Registration

Registration and Packet Pick Up:

NOTE: You'll have to register and/or pick up your packet in Paris; we're outta here!

You can register for FreeWheel in person beginning in late May and/or pick up your packet if you've already registered and elected not to receive your packet by mail.

FreeWheel staff will be on hand in the MAPCO Plaza Building at 1717 South Boulder Avenue in Tulsa on the following dates at the times shown:
Wednesday through Friday, May 25-27, noon to 6pm
Tuesday through Friday, May 31 & June 1-3, noon to 6pm
Monday through Wednesday, June 6-8, noon to 6pm

No Packets will be available at the MAPCO Plaza Office after June 8th AND no packets will be mailed after May 31st. For those paying the mailing fees, packets will begin mailing the week of May 9th. Packets will also be available on Saturday, June 11th, in Paris, Texas.

In addition to registering and picking up your packet, FreeWheel-wear and other merchandise will be available for purchase at the MAPCO Plaza office on the dates listed above. You'll want to supplement your cycling wardrobe with this year's jersey and t-shirt and may be able to score items from prior years' events ... ya never know what you might find. So, "come on down," register, get your packet, buy some cool stuff, and get pumped up for our June 12th departure from Paris!

If you'd like to register by mail, CLICK HERE to download the 2005 FreeWheel Registration Form in PDF format. You need Adobe Acrobat reader to open this file.
You can download the reader at http:\\www.adobe.com

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FreeWheel-wear

Here are the designs for the 2005 FreeWheel Jersey (left) and T-Shirt (below). The Jersey will have the same design on Front and Back. The T-Shirt has different designs on the front (left) and back (right). Be sure to order yours when you register! Heck, you'll probably want several of each!

Jerseys are by Revi again this year. Sizes provide a relaxed, touring fit with a three-quarter zipper for ventilation. You'll definitely want one or more of these jerseys for your cycling wardrobe! The T-Shirt design will be printed on a yellow T-Shirt.

Neither Jersey nor T-Shirt is part of your registration fee, so be sure to add them when you register in the quantities you desire. Prices are unchanged from 2004, namely $60 for jerseys ($70 for XXXL) and $10 for t-shirts ($13 for XXL and XXXL).


















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UPDATED MILEAGE FIGURES - It's official! The route has been nailed down and we've listed the mileage for each wonderful day of FreeWheel below.

Day 0 - Paris, TX
Day 1 - Antlers     48.3 miles
Day 2 - Talihina     60.7 miles,
    alternate route 73.5 miles
Day 3 - McAlester     59.6 miles
Day 4 - Wetumka     54.3 miles
Day 5 - Drumright     72.7 miles
Day 6 - Ponca City     78.2 miles,
    alternate century
Day 7 - Caldwell, KS     49.6 miles

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We have a new bus provider this year. Kraftours will provide charter service from Tulsa to the start of FreeWheel on Saturday, June 11th. There will also be service from Caldwell, KS, back to both Tulsa and Paris, TX, on Saturday, June 18th. Kraft is aware of the problems that occurred in '04 and they're ADAMANT about providing excellent service to FreeWheelers in '05.

Trucks will accompany the bus to carry your bicycle. We recommend that you "box your bike" for the trip. Don't know how to box your bike? Be sure to attend the final FreeWheel Seminar in Tulsa on April 28th for bike-boxing instruction; and be sure to get your bike box early as local bike shops may not have any if you wait too long!

Here are the costs for bus transportation:
NOTE: Tulsa to Paris bus is full. We'll maintain a waiting list in the event of cancellations.
   $40 - Tulsa to Paris, TX, on Saturday, June 11th
   $30 - Caldwell, KS, to Tulsa, on Saturday, June 18th
   $50 - Caldwell, KS, to Paris, TX, on Saturday, June 18th

Departure time from Tulsa on Saturday morning, June 11th, is tentatively set for 7:00 am (exact time and parking info will be provided with reservation confirmations). And end-of-ride departure from Caldwell, KS, back to Tulsa or Paris, TX, is tentatively scheduled for 2pm; be sure to check with the FreeWheel information center on Friday night, June 17th, to be sure you know when you need to get to Caldwell and gage your wake-up time and ride departure on Saturday the 18th to be in Caldwell with time to spare (Saturday will be a relatively short day, but you're the only one who knows how fast you ride and when you need to leave to get to Caldwell in time to stow your bike and board the bus!

Making Bus Reservations

Make your reservations today to secure your spot on the bus!

• First, determine which leg, or legs, you'll be traveling; Tulsa-to-Paris, Caldwell-to-Tulsa, Caldwell-to-Paris.
• Second, communicate your reservation information to us; DO NOT contact Kraftours. Reservations are only being accepted by the FreeWheel staff!
• Third, sit back and relax knowing that you'll be riding in comfort to Paris and/or back from Caldwell in June!

• Full name of each passenger
• Leg, or legs, to be traveled; Tulsa-to-Paris, Caldwell-to-Tulsa, Caldwell-to-Paris
• Payment via check, payable to Oklahoma FreeWheel, or credit card -- NOTE: credit card payment accepted by phone only!

• US Mail, send reservation information and check to ...
     Oklahoma FreeWheel, Bus Reservations, PO Box 2389, Tulsa, OK 74101-2389
• Email, to communicate reservation info only; payment will need to be either mailed (check) or phoned in (credit card) -- DO NOT includes credit card information in email for your own protection; phone it in separately ...
     BusReservations@OKFreeWheel.com
• Phone, to communicate reservation info and payment if paying with credit card (or payment can be mailed separately if paying by check) ...
     Phone Ellen at (918) 455-2302 (leave a message with your number if you don't catch her in)

FreeWheel host cities provide outdoor camping space and indoor sleeping space for registered riders at no charge. Showers and toilets are available at or near these facilities. These are usually located in gymnasiums, field houses or at the city pool. Additional portable toilets are set up at each campsite to supplement facilities in the host community.

Additional indoor facilities are often provided by host city churches and community organizations for a small fee.

Meals are at each rider's own expense. Host communities provide a variety of meal opportunities for both dinner and breakfast, ranging from home-cooked fare served up by local organizations for a nominal charge, to local cafes and restaurants offering the best of Oklahoma small-town cuisine. You won't go hungry, and you won't go broke!

Through the day, rest stops will be provided by towns and groups along the way. There will be at least two "official" rest stops provided each day, generally on portions of the route where no town or convenience stores are available. These "official" rest stops provide fruit and water and are free to registered riders.

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The Shuttle Guy will be coming to FreeWheel this year, offering a host of services for tour participants. The Shuttle Guy can provide, for a fee, a comfort camper package (tent, air mattress, set up and take down, complimentary chair and towel service), hotel shuttle, towel service, chair rental and more.

Check out more detailed descriptions of these services and how to sign up at The Shuttle Guy's Oklahoma FreeWheel Services web page.

Dwight Divelbiss and his talented crew will be back in '05 to help "work out the kinks" at the end of a day on the road. These folks have "magic fingers" and will be set up in the FreeWheel campsites each evening to provide a healing, hands-on experience you won't want to miss.

Hey, you will have worked hard on the road all day; you deserve to give yourself a treat, right?! So remember to seek out the massage tents at the end of each day; you won't regret it!

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SpeedWheel is a bicycle racing event that's become a regular part of FreeWheel. This year, SpeedWheel will occur on Day 5, Thursday, June 16th, in Drumright. For those not familiar with such racing events, they feature a pack of 30+- cyclists traveling at break-neck speeds on a short course through city streets or similar surroundings in small-town Oklahoma ... it's "edge-of-your-seat" excitement for participants and spectators alike!

Jack McNeal, president of the Oklahoma Cycling Association, shares his knowledge of these events here for us. CLICK HERE to get the full scoop on SpeedWheel!

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Seminars wrap up in Tulsa

The Seminars are over, but you can get the highlights here! The Tulsa FreeWheel Seminar Series is history for 2005! But that doesn't mean you can't still share some of the highlights. If you missed any or all of the seminars, check out the outlines, powerpoint presentations, and general comments about the semainars' content here (click here).
Seminars were well attended this year and, really, a good time was had by all. Libby Stalter wrapped up the series with an informative question and answer session following local bike shop owner Tom Brown's presentation on "boxing your bike."
Check out the seminars page for highlights from this years' series, and make a mental note not to miss a single one next year. They're informative, motivating, and entertaining and get better every year! And we'd like to say a big THANK YOU to all of this years' presenters. If you listen carefully you can hear those who attended giving you a really big round of applause!

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Tulsa Bicycle Club
FreeWheel training rides are being conducted by the Tulsa Bicycle Club each Saturday and Sunday from now until the end of May. The first two rides are behind us. Over a hundred riders gathered for the first 5-mile training ride on Saturday, March 19th. Join new riders and seasoned veterans on a training ride this coming weekend!

The series of training rides will culminate with TBC's "Tour de Tulsa" on Saturday, June 4th, one week before the start of FreeWheel 27! Each week's rides are 5 to 10 miles further than the week before, letting your confidence build gradually as your behind becomes accustomed to spending more time in the saddle!

For a complete schedule with starting times, locations, distances, and ride leader contact information, go to the Tulsa Bicycle Club's FreeWheel Training Rides web page.

Also, check out the Training Ride Information Sheet and the FreeWheel Tips that TBC has put together with general information and valuable tips related to FreeWheel and the training ride series.

Bartlesville Pedalers
FreeWheel training rides are also being conducted by the Bartlesville Pedalers bicycle club on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning on Tuesday, April 5th continuing through Thursday, June 9th, just two days prior to the start of FreeWheel. And their regular Saturday rides will also help you prepare for seven days in the saddle.

Check the Pedaler's ride calendar for all the details.

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Did you receive the first issue of "FreeWheel News & Notes", Oklahoma FreeWheel's e-newsletter? If not, you can take a look at the premier issue by clicking on the link below. And, if you like what you see and want to get future FreeWheel updates delivered to your e-mailbox, sign up by clicking here.

NOTE: We've experienced some "technical" difficulty in sending out subsequent issues of our email newsletter. But we're working diligently to resolve these problems so that we can resume email communication with the FreeWheel faithful! In the meantime, stay abreast of the latest FreeWheel 2005 developments here on the OKFreeWheel web site!

FreeWheel News & Notes Archive
Volume 1, Number 1, Early February, 2005

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