About 900 riders are expected to participate in the event, which begins Sunday in Hugo and ends Saturday in Baxter Springs, Kan.

Don Pike, a volunteer who helped mark this year's route, said he is looking forward to the trek, although the hills might pose a challenge for the riders.

"It is scenic," he said. "We really go through some of the prettiest country in the state."

FreeWheel director Libby Stalter said the hills make the route challenging but not impossible.

"If people have trained to ride, they should be able to do it," she said.

Although the hills may be difficult, the heat will probably be the harshest obstacle of FreeWheel 2006, Stalter said.

"Hopefully, they've trained in the heat," she said.

Rest stops with water and shade are crucial to the riders being able to avoid dehydration or worse, Stalter said.

"We try to have some place where they can stop every eight to 10 miles," she said.

Temperatures for the first few days could top 100 degrees, Stalter said.

Sandy Hutchings, who has participated in FreeWheel for more than 15 years, has learned that the event is just as much about taking in the scenery as it is about riding a bike, she said.

"I didn't know places existed like this," she said.

Riders will stop overnight in Atoka, Wilburton, Warner, Tahlequah, Pryor and Grove, with rides averaging about 60 miles a day. Most bikers camp out for the night, but some stay in local inns, churches or schools.

FreeWheel puts an emphasis on the socialization of bicycling enthusiasts and gives them a chance to get together and catch up, Hutchings said.

"It's a ride; it's not a race," she said.

Going through smaller towns offers an opportunity to meet people and see state parks and interesting museums, as well as taking in the local color, Hutchings said.

"The townspeople are absolutely in awe," she said. "They say 'What are you doing? Why are you doing this? Wow, that's interesting.' "

Shannon Muchmore 581-8400
shannon.muchmore@tulsaworld.com