This page will fill over the course of the months preceding FreeWheel 2009 to provide you with the information
you need to prepare for and participate in this great Oklahoma ride.
Planning began in late June of 2008 and is ongoing. This will be FreeWheel's 31st year! Whether this will be your
first FreeWheel or just another notch in your saddle, we're looking forward to having you join us. As are the friendly
folks in small towns across Oklahoma who are anxious to showcase their communities and make you feel like a member of the family.
Read on and check back often for details. If you don't find answers to all your questions, browse other
sections of the FreeWheel web site,
post a message on our forum, or contact us via email or phone!
1,000 riders + dozens of small towns + quiet Oklahoma byways + lots of home cookin' It's a recipe for Fun, Adventure, Folks and Fixin's you'll remember for years!
Join us June 7-13, 2009, and celebrate 31 years of riding across Oklahoma!
Each year FreeWheel participants are offered a colorful jersey and t-shirt for purchase. And the 31st ride
will be no different!
Jersey
Pre-ordered Jerseys should be available for pick up at the Mapco Plaza Building when walk-in registration begins
in late May or may be picked up when you arrive in Duncan for the ride in June. For those who don't order ahead
a limited number of jerseys will be available for sale on the ride. To assure that you get one in the size you prefer,
you should order now. If you've already sent in your registration but want to order a jersey now, email or call the
FreeWheel office to arrange to have a jersey added to your registration.
Sizing - Indications are that the jerseys run true to size, so the recommendation is that you should order
the same size jersey as you would a regular T-shirt.
The 2008 Jersey design was created by Tulsa Bicycle Club's Derek Swift again this year, and it's a beauty!
Jerseys may be ordered when registering for FreeWheel and will be available for purchase on the ride, though size
selection may be an issue if you wait until the ride to make your purchase. Note that jerseys must be purchased;
their cost is not included in your registration fee. Okay, enough for the details ... here's the
eye-catching design ...
Front of Jersey ...
Back of Jersey ...
Tee
The 2009 T-shirt design is also a Derek Swift creation. It's not ready yet, but we'll display it here when it's
finalized.
MAILING OF REGISTRATION PACKETS DELAYED BY ROUTE CHANGE
For those of you looking for your packets that you paid to have mailed, we have delayed the mailing due to the
route change necessitated by the tornado in Anadarko. If changes cannot be incorporated into the packet information
in a timely manner, you will pick up your packets in Duncan and your mailing fee will be refunded. We apologize for
any inconvenience this may cause. Maps will be posted on the website in PDF format as soon as they're completed.
If you have any questions, please contact Ellen Proctor, FreeWheel Director, at 918-835-1699 or e-mail her at
FWoklahoma@sbcglobal.net.
Registration forms have been sent to riders who've been on FreeWheel in recent years. If you're new to FreeWheel, or haven't
received a registration form in the mail, you can download a registration form in PDF format, fill it out, and mail it in.
Note: You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open
the PDF Registration Form. If you don't have the reader installed on your machine, you can
download it for free from the Adobe website.
Full and half-week registrations will again being offered. Riders who can't join us for the entire week may register for
Sunday through Wednesday, June 7th-10th, or Wednesday through Saturday, June 10th-13th. We'll be using wristbands again
to identify riders and help us keep track of folks.
Registration is limited to 1,000 riders - We continue to maintain this limit so that we can better plan the logistics
surrounding such a large event. We had 860+ riders in 2008 and we anticipate a large turnout for 2009. So be sure to register
early!
Note that rates have not been increased for 2009. Also note that early registrants will again receive a substantial discount.
So don't procrastinate!
Registration Fee for FreeWheel 2009
Through April 30th, 2008:
Full Week
Adult: $110
Child 6-15: $70
Under 6: Free
Half Week (Sunday-Wednesday or Wednesday-Saturday
Adult: $70
Child 6-15: $55
Under 6: Free
After April 30th, 2009:
Full Week
Adult: $130
Child 6-15: $90
Under 6: Free
Half Week (Sunday-Wednesday or Wednesday-Saturday
Adult: $80
Child 6-15: $65
Under 6: Free
Here's what you get for your registration fee:
Route maps for each day
Well-marked route
Route security provided by Oklahoma Highway Patrol
At least two free fruit and drink rest stops each day
SAG support on the route each day
Mechanical SAG support on the route each day and in camp each afternoon/evening
Luggage transportation for up to two 35 pound bags between host communities
Camping space in each host community
Shower truck and portable toilets to supplement provisions in host camp sites
Registration packet full of info
End-of-ride packet
Identifying bike tag, two baggage tags, and wrist band
End-of-the-Trail meal and entertainment on Friday evening
Wrist Bands - Wrist bands identify FreeWheel riders will be provided when you check in at the start community.
You'll need your wrist band to participate in the End-Of-The-Trail meal and entertainment celebration.
Bands may also be recognized by host community merchants in offering discounts to FreeWheel participants. Wrist bands
will also be available for purchase by non-riders for the End-of-the-Trail meal and celebration.
Packet Pickup & Walk-in Registration - Registration packets will be available the
week of May 20th. Once again, walk-in registration and packet pickup will be available in Tulsa at the Mapco Plaza
Building, 1717 South Boulder Avenue. The FreeWheel office at the Mapco Plaza building will be open from noon until 6pm
on each of the following dates:
Wednesday, May 20th, through Friday, May 22nd
Tuesday, May 26th, through Friday, May 29th
NOTE: Office will NOT be open the week of June 1st!
Registration and packets will also be available in Duncan on Saturday, June 6th, at the FreeWheel
Information Canopy. Additionally, you may elect to receive your registration packet via mail for a small
additional charge.
Refunds - registration fees will be refunded, less a $10 processing fee, for cancellations made in writing and
received by midnight, Sunday, May 31st, 2009. There will be no refund for T-shirts or Jersey's you've already picked up or
received via mail.
If you have questions regarding registration that aren't answered here or on the registration form when they're
made available the second week of February, feel free to contact us.
Not much has changed for this year's FreeWheel, which, in these uncertain times, is a good thing! Here's some
of what you can expect, both old and new ...
NO Increase in Price! - That's right, you get the same great week or half-week vacation
for the same low price as 2008! What a deal.
Date-certain Route Announcement - For the second year in a row we've had a date
certain announcement of the host communities for the year's ride. This is a trend we plan to continue.
Early Registration Benefits - In an effort to encourage you to plan ahead and register
early, we began offering early registration benefits last year. We'll continue offering that benefit this year. Those
registering prior to May 1, 2009, will enjoy a $20 cheaper rate (full week) than those who dally.
As you might imagine, the earlier we know about how many riders we'll have on the ride, the better we and our host communities
can prepare to serve you.
Route Maps On Line Prior to Ride - The daily route maps will be made available
on line a couple of weeks before the ride. You'll be able to see the complete route, download, and print PDF versions.
Last Night Celebration - 2007 began a tradition with a great meal and musical concert on
the final night of FreeWheel. Rider recognition and prize drawings that used to be done at the finish town on
the last day were added to the that celebration in 2008. We'll be hard-pressed to come up with something new in 2009,
but we'll do our best to continue improving this opportunity to celebrate your accomplishments for the week in grand
style.
Shower Truck - We really found a winner with this addition to our traveling city of
spandex. ShowerMobile will be on hand again in 2009 offering hot showers conveniently located to each night's campsite
for road-weary cyclists. Last year's participants were unanimous in their appreciation of this addition to the services
FreeWheel provides to registered riders. Mike and the ShowerMobile will have 17 hot showers waiting to cleanse the dust
from your tired bodies each afternoon with separate facilities for men and women including sinks, mirrors, and a spacious
dressing area. The shower facilities are provided by ShowerMobile.
Reminders for 2009 riders
No More than 2 bags of 35 pounds or less each - Along with the SUV craze of the past 10 years,
FreeWheelers bags seem to have trended toward "super" size. In keeping with the recent themes in finance and politics, we'd like
to return to reason and reduce excess by requiring riders to limit the size and weight of their bag or bags. Bags larger than a
standard Army duffle bag are simply too big to handle effectively and safely. So, be considerate of yourself and others this year
and pack two smaller bags rather than that one you could put a charcoal grill in. Your back will thank you, as will the helpful
volunteers in each host community who unload the luggage truck each day. Don't make us turn you away at the luggage truck steps
or have you tossing out extra gear like someone having to discard sharp objects and liquid shampoo at the security line at the airport.
We'll all be the better for our combined efforts at downsizing.
No Bikes or Cleats Indoors - With strong approval from all of our host communities, we'll be
continuing the practice of keeping bicycles and cleated shoes outside of any indoor accommodations. Bring a lock for your bike
so that you can secure it outdoors. And thanks in advance for helping us care for the host community facilities and show them
how much we appreciate their providing a place for us to lay our weary bodies down.
No Gloves at Rest Stops - In our continuing efforts to make your FreeWheel safe and free
of health problems, we'll again be promoting removal of bike gloves at each rest stop. Several recent event rides have been
plagued by outbreaks of viral or bacterial illness. Removing your gloves, using hand sanitizer, and using common sense food
and drink handling precautions will assure that we all enjoy a week free of illness!
ROUTE CHANGE - ANADARKO SUFFERING FROM TORNADO AFTERMATH
The city of Anadarko was devastated by a tornado the week of May 11th and is unable to host us this year. 160 buildings were
destroyed and had major damage to a power station. The Chamber of Commerce and city worked very hard to see if they could find a
way to accommodate our needs but, for safety reasons, had to cancel our visit.
The city of Apache has agreed to welcome us back for a stay in their city on Sunday, June 7. We so appreciate their taking making
us welcome on such short notice! They may not be able to pull off entertainment, etc., but we have a place to sleep and food to eat.
What more could we want? Apache has always been a favorite stop for FreeWheelers and we know this year will be no different.
We extend our very best wishes to the city of Anadarko as they clean up and rebuild.
The 2009 FreeWheel route is ready! FreeWheel Director Ellen Proctor announced 2009's host cities at the
first Tulsa seminar, Tuesday evening, January 20th. Here are the host communities for each day and the approximate
daily mileages (NOTE that mileages are APPROXIMATE but should be within 2-4 miles plus or minus of the actual route).
Day 0, 6/6 - Duncan
Day 1, 6/7 - 50+ miles, Duncan to APACHE (was Anadarko)
Day 2, 6/8 - 60+ miles, APACHE to Cordell
Day 3, 6/9 - 65 miles, Cordell to Cheyenne
Day 4, 6/10 - 67 miles, Cheyenne to Thomas
Day 5, 6/11 - 54 miles, Thomas to Fairview
Day 6, 6/12 - 55 miles, Fairview to Alva
Day 7, 6/13 - 42 miles, Alva to Kiowa, KS
Route Maps - click on the links below for PDF versions of each day's route in color or black and white! Each file is about 2 meg in size.
Links and Info - Host Communities and Beyond This section contains information about our 2009 host cities; there history, local attractions, and more. Learning a little about the towns and communities
we're visiting will make your trip more enjoyable.
From Wikipedia: The Chisholm Trail passed to the east of Duncan prior to the
town's founding. An estimated 9,800,000 Longhorn cattle were herded up the trail between
Texas and Abilene, Kansas during its existence. After learning that an extension of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad was being built from Kansas to Texas, Scotsman
William Duncan brought his wife, parents, and other relatives and created a trading post situated at the intersection of the north-south Chisholm Trail and the east-west
military passage between Fort Arbuckle and Fort Sill. The first train arrived on June 27, 1892; that date is considered the official birth date of the town.
Centrally located in Stephens County, Duncan was made the county seat in the first years of the 20th Century. As a compromise between residents of the northern and southern
parts of the county, the county courthouse was located in the middle of Duncan's Main Street, half of it in the northern part of the city and county and half in the southern.
Main Street made a wide circle around it on both ends.
Duncan once adopted the slogan, "The Buckle on the Oil Belt." Its main claim to fame is as the birthplace of the Halliburton Corporation. Erle P. Halliburton perfected a
new method of cementing wells, making oil production much easier and more profitable, and established the New Method Oil Well Cementing Company in 1919. He died in 1957, at
which time the company had 201 offices in 22 states and 20 foreign countries. Halliburton maintains seven different complexes in Duncan plus an employee recreational park, but
the corporate offices relocated first to Dallas and later to Houston.
From Wikipedia: Anadarko, self-titled, "Indian Capital of the Nation," is home to the
annual American Indian Exposition and is one of two places in Oklahoma where a Lenape tribe is headquartered, the other being Bartlesville.
Anadarko is named after the Nadaco, a Caddoan band now affiliated with the Caddo Nation. The term "nadako" means place of the bumblebees in the Caddo language.
Incidentally, the Caddo are a federally recognized American Indian tribal entity for which Caddo County is named; Caddo County is part of the former reservation of the
Caddo/Wichita/Western Delaware (aka Absentee Delaware), prior to allotment in the post-Dawes Allotment Era.
Indian City USA is located 2 1/2 miles southeast of Anadarko.
Culturally, Anadarko is unique among Oklahoma cities as Native Americans form a near-majority. Locals are often familiar with a few basic Indian words, such as
"haw-nay," being Kiowa for "no." Wichita and Apache words are sometimes employed in casual conversation as well like "ninit, wee, hangy dawg, stink guy) . Indian motifs are
commonly used for design, art, and other aspects of daily life.
Anadarko is also sometimes called Dodge, a reference to Dodge City, Kansas because of the town's rough reputation; additionally, the town may be called Darko,
as an abbreviation.
Anadarko is the home of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Office. The town is situated between the Wichita, Caddo, and Delaware reservations to the north, and the
Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache reservations to the south. These reservations, along with all but the Osage Reservation in northeastern Oklahoma, were dismantled by the allotment
of tribal lands and the opening of the "excess" lands to settlement in a series of land openings; the area surrounded by Anadarko was opened to settlement by a 1901 land
lottery affecting the Kiowa, Comanche, Wichita and Caddo lands.
Anadarko is home to Riverside Indian School, a boarding and day school for Native American students.
From OnLine Highways: Although the first white man in Washita county established a small
colony along Cobb Creek, major immigration occurred during the Land Run of 1892.
The county, once a part of the Cheyenne-Arapaho lands, was formally created in 1900 and is located in western Oklahoma with Cordell serving as the county seat. It is named
for the Washita River which was called by the French "Faux Ouachita" literally meaning "false Washita." The Washita tribe was one of the minor tribes of the Caddoan stock.
Water sports and recreation can be found near Crowder Lake and Crowder Lake State Park which are just off SR 54 in the northeast portion of the county.
County attractions include a strip of about 15 miles of old Route 66 in the northwest corner. In addition, the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum is located just across
the Custer County line to the north in Clinton while the National Route 66 Museum is just east in Beckham County.
From Wikipedia: Cheyenne is the location of the Battle of Washita River
(also called Battle of the Washita; Washita Battlefield), where George Armstrong Custer’s 7th U.S. Cavalry attacked Black Kettle’s Cheyenne village on the Washita River
on November 26, 1868.
During the 1970s Cheyenne and the surrounding area benefited from the natural gas and oil development in the Panhandle-Hugoton field, the largest-volume
gas field in the United States, and the world’s largest known source of helium. Between 1973 and 1993 the field produced over eight trillion cubic feet (230,000,000 m³) of gas.
There are six museums in the City Park where FreeWheelers will be camping.
Brief History of Roger Mills County
Coronado crossed here in 1541 and mentioned the Antelope Buttes, thus this land was first claimed by Spain, ceded to France and then became a part of the USA in
1803 by right of the Louisiana Purchase. Even though being set aside for the Indians in 1830, it led to white men who "soonered" into graze their cattle upon the lush grasses
of the land.
Following Civil Wartimes, cattle herds trailed across our county on way to Kansas railheads. Before this country was thrown open to white settlement on April 19,
1892, authorities had surveyed the land and named it "F" County, under which name it went until an election of the people in November of 1892 who voted to name it Roger Mills
County, after a then great Texas statesman.
At noon on April 19, 192, five thousand people, who lined upon the Texas line, heard the fired gun of the cavalry and "ran" to stake their 160-acre claim.
By nightfall, fifty people called Cheyenne their home, named for the Cheyenne Indians who still hold allotments in the eastern part of the county.
From the rugged pioneers of dugout days, we have been through the dust bowl days, depression and a dairy industry that was the best in the state to only one
dairy in the county, have had a gas boom in the 1980’2 to bust and then returned to mini-boom. Farming and ranching are the main income of the area known as the Cradle of
the Quarter Horse. Several wildlife loops are set-aside in our hunter’s paradise of deer, turkey and quail. The best of our county is its people who are content with the
relaxed way of life, wholesome and helping their neighbor, who is their friend.
Roger Mills County is also the home of the Washita Battlefield National Historic Site. The 7th U.S. Cavalry, under Lt. Col. George A. Custer, attended the
Southern Cheyenne village of Peace Chief Black Kettle just before dawn on November 27, 1868 during the era of the Plains and Indian Wars. The Washita Battlefield is tied
to the histories of Sand Creek Massacre, Bent’s Old Fat, Fat Larned and Little Bighorn Battlefield. The Washita Battlefield is located just west of the town of Cheyenne.
The new Cultural Heritage Center is at the Washita battlefield. The Grand Opening was held on April 20, 2007 during the Old Settlers/Centennial Celebration, April 17-21, 2007.
From the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture:
Located in northeastern Custer County, Thomas is situated at the intersection of State Highways 33 and 47. Originally, Thomas was a trading point, where William Thomas had a
general store and served as the first postmaster of a post office designated on February 12, 1894.
The townsite, platted by the Oklahoma Railway Townsite Company in 1902, was part of Joseph W. Morris's homestead, which he had claimed during the Cheyenne-Arapaho
Opening in 1892. In 1902 the Blackwell, Enid and Southwestern Railroad (later the St.Louis and San Francisco Railway) constructed a line through Thomas. Four years later
the Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway (later the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway) also connected the town with outside markets. Outbound shipments included grain
and livestock; inbound shipments brought oil, gas, and building materials to the bustling community.
Early settlers included the Amish, the Dunkards, and the River Brethren or United Brethren in Christ. Early on, Rev. A. L. Eisenhower of the United Brethren in
Christ established the Jabbok Orphanage, which was maintained until 1924.
As a support and trade center for a surrounding agricultural area, Thomas had two banks, two cotton gins, four grain elevators, and a flour mill in 1909. Nine
years later the town supported an ice factory, a theater, an opera house, and two automobile repair shops. In early years a canning factory processed the locally grown sweet
potatoes. By the 1940s town amenities included a four-acre city park, tennis courts, a hospital, and a public library. Two grain elevators and a cotton gin continued in
operation.
From the Fairview Chamber of Commerce: Strategically located in the center
of the northwest quadrant of the state, Fairview is located 60 minutes north of I-40, 60 minutes West of I-35 and 5 minutes from US 412. Fairview is a progressive community
and known nationwide for light industry metal fabrication and as an emerging leader in web and internet based technology. It is the home of the Major County Historical Society
Museum and Village Grounds; recognized nationally as a top tourist destination, and home of the National John Deere 2 Cylinder Show.
A Century Community of 2,700 residents, Fairview is a city instilled with pride and is often described as the cleanest city in Western Oklahoma by many visitors.
Economic development is on the forefront by providing expertise and support to existing businesses and aggressively pursuing new retail and manufacturing enterprises. Local
leaders are vigorously involved in improving the quality of life issues to enhance the experience of living in Fairview.
From TravelOK: Visit Alva once and you might just decide to stay! The town is a peaceful, quiet community with plenty of
activities and a Downtown Square reminiscent of the picturesque gathering places of yesteryear.
Alva is a community full of warmth and hospitality, where you can expect to be greeted with a friendly "Hello." It's the home of Northwestern Oklahoma State University
(NOSU) and the 1999 NAIA National Football Champions-- the Rangers.
Alva is the home of three museums. The Cherokee Strip Museum contains 40 rooms of displays including a drug store, kitchen, firearms, model railroad, military items
and an old-fashioned schoolroom. The Alva Municipal Airport Museum contains a section on the World War II prisoner of war camp formerly located in Alva and other Alva-related
history. Finally, the Stevens-Carter Museum of Natural History, housed at the NOSU campus, contains fossils, geological and archaeological materials and other natural history
specimens, including an endangered species collection.
Visitors also can enjoy a variety of shops, boutiques and restaurants on the Downtown Square and throughout the city. Nearby are three outstanding Oklahoma state parks,
including the Great Salt Plains State Park, Alabaster Caverns State Park, and Little Sahara State Park. The latter comes complete with sand dunes--a real surprise for many
tourists!
Kiowa, KS Community Contact Number: (620) 825-4636
Finish location - To be determined
City Data City Info
From City Info: Kiowa was one of the five official Kansas starting points for the Cherokee Strip land rush of 1893. Kiowa
was also the place where Carrie Nation began her hatchet-wielding campaign against "demon rum" and the museum still has her chosen weapon.
TravelOK - Visit the state's tourism site for lots of
information about our host communities and all points in between! This site is a gold mine with
information you can order for free on line;
from brochures, to a DVD called Oklahoma Rising produced for Oklahoma's Centennial ... and they're all FREE!
About Oklahoma - General information,
geography, history, fun facts, student guide, Oklahoma Symbols, and the State Song are all presented on these
informative pages from TravelOK.
Oklahoma History Center - Oklahoma's new History
Center just across the street from the Capitol in Oklahoma City, houses a vast array of information, displays,
and activities. The web site is a great source of information and you won't be disappointed if you get a chance
to visit the next time you're in the area.
Oklahoma Historical Society
The Oklahoma Historical Society has been collecting, preserving, and sharing the history of Oklahoma and its people
since before statehood. OHS started by collecting newspapers throughout Oklahoma Territory. Now, OHS has grown from a
handful of people with this same desire to collect, preserve, and share the history of the area now known as Oklahoma
to several departments, museums, and historical sites from across the state and the Southwest.
Oklahoma Historical Society's Encyclopedia of History and Culture
Oklahoma became the 46th state in 1907. To commemorate the Centennial of Statehood in 2007, the Oklahoma Historical Society, with funding from the National
Endowment for the Humanities, developed the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture to inform and educate citizens, students, historians, and the world at
large about the fascinating history of this most unusual state. The Encyclopedia contains articles written by leading scholars in the field and is published
by the Oklahoma Historical Society. The online edition is presented by the Oklahoma State University Library Electronic Publishing Center.
When was the last time you looked at your bicycle? Sure it's been cold outside, but that's no
excuse. It's time to saddle up and begin training for spring and summer riding, including that
week-long adventure known as FreeWheel!
Expectations
You'll need to be able to ride 50-70 miles a day for seven days in a row. Don't panic!
Yes, it sounds like a lot if you haven't done it before. But every year, men, women, and children of all ages,
shapes, sizes, and fitness levels make it into camp each night and on to the finish line at week's end.
You can do it if you prepare.
There is full support on the ride, which means that injured or ill cyclists and
those with mechanical problems that can't be resolved on the road can signal one of many volunteer "SAG" vehicles
to get a ride. However, we expect all participants to be sufficiently prepared to complete each full day on
their bicycle baring injury, illness, or mechanical difficulty. Get on your bike and train. For training
opportunities and suggestions, check out what follows.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
So, it's been a while since you were on a bike ... heck, maybe it's been a while since you've been off the
couch for any length of time? Before you begin any exercise or training program, you should assess your present
physical state. A tool available to help you is the "Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire" or PARQ.
This questionnaire, used widely by exercise professionals, will help you assess your fitness level and
encourage you to visit with your physician before entering into an exercise program if you identify certain
risk factors, including not having exercised regularly in a long while. Be honest in your assessment of yourself
and err on the side of caution. Refer to the previous paragraph on "Expectations." You owe it to yourself to
adequately prepare and not to put yourself at risk in getting ready.
You can download
a copy of the PARQ at the
American Heart Association's web site. Take a minute and check it out now!
Need training help or advice?
Local Bike Clubs - Check your local bicycle club's calendar for rides and join them for fun,
fitness, social interaction, and for training.
Group Rides - For group rides around the state, check the ride calendars on the
Oklahoma Bicycle Society's and the
Tulsa Wheelmen's
web sites. And check the
Tulsa Bicycle Club's web site for a complete set of training rides to begin in early March, 2009,
with two rides each weekend until the end of May, with gradually increasing mileage each weekend.
Don't know of a bike club near you? Check our growing list of state and
area bike clubs and let us know if you're aware of others
we've not listed (please include contact information). And if you don't have a club nearby, get out on your own
or find a few like-minded neighbors and get on your bike!
Training guides - There are many training "plans" and suggestions available on the internet. Following
are a few that we think are good, but there are a host of others. Take a few minutes to search the internet
for training plans that will fit your fitness level, lifestyle, time available for training, etc.
Tour de Cure Cyclist Guide - This is a great document from the
American Diabetes Association,
with lots of info on preparation and riding and training info on pages 5-7 that would be helpful for any event
ride training, not just for getting ready for FreeWheel.
Ride the Rockies Training -
Though the altitude recommendations at this site don’t so much to us here on the plains, the rest of the
information is very good and is applicable to training for any extended bicycling adventure.
Boulder Performance Network - This site is referenced by the
Ride The Rockies web site and has
downloadable spreadsheets with training plans for different rides and the time someone has available to train.
You can take these spreadsheets and adapt them easily to your own training goals and lifestyle.
Optimize Endurance Services - This site is also referenced by the
Ride The Rockies web site and has
downloadable training plans for different rides and the time someone has available to train.
You can take these plans and adapt them easily to your own training goals and lifestyle. No, Oklahoma is not the Rockies, but Oklahoma is NOT flat, and
don't let anyone tell you otherwise. These training plans will work just as well for you as for those headed to altitude!
Strada -
Cycle Oregon references this web site that has training programs that folks can purchase for $15.
The programs are similar to those from the Boulder Performance Network, but may be of interest to some.
Bus transportation will once again be provided by Kraft Tours
of Tulsa.
Bus
Bus transportation will be available for the 2009 event from Tulsa to Duncan on Saturday, June 6th, and
returning from the Kiowa, KS, to Tulsa, as well as from Kiowa, KS, to Duncan, after the finish on Saturday, June 13th.
Departure and Return Info - The bus(es) will leave from Tulsa for Duncan at 7am sharp the morning of June 6th. The return buses from Kiowa, KS,
to Duncan and to Tulsa will leave Kiowa at 2pm on Saturday, June 13th. Riders need to plan their final day's ride so that they arrive in time to box
and load their bike for the return trip.
Bus reservations will be taken beginning Monday, April 20th..
Note that reservations are not taken directly by Kraft Tours.
Prices for the three different travel options are listed below.
Reservations may be made by calling the FreeWheel phone number, (918) 835-1699 beginning Monday, April 20th, 2009.. Be sure to
leave your phone number if you have to leave a message; your phone call WILL BE RETURNED!
Please, DO NOT CALL KRAFT TOURS. Kraft is NOT taking the reservations!
Here are the details (in all three instances, bikes are included in the transportation plan, though cyclists must provide
their own boxes if they wish to box their bike and boxes can be carried, collapsed, in the luggage truck during the week):
Tulsa to Duncan Cost: $40/person
Departure Date and Time: Saturday, June 6, 2009, 7:00am sharp!
Departure Location: Buses will leave Tulsa from the northeast parking lot of the Eastwood
Baptist Church located at 949 S. 91st E. Ave. This is not an enclosed lot but police will be checking the lot throughout
the week. Neither FreeWheel, Inc. nor Eastwood Baptist Church are liable for any theft or damage that may occur.
Here's a map of the parking arrangement.
Kiowa, KS, to Tulsa Cost: $40/person
Departure Date and Time: Saturday, June 13, 2009, 2pm
Kiowa, KS, to Duncan Cost: $80/person
Departure Date and Time: Saturday, June 13, 2009, 2pm
Bikes are carried by the luggage truck that leaves with the buses. Most bus riders "box" their bikes.
FreeWheel, Inc. is not responsible for any loss or damage to bicycles. After unboxing bikes at the start, boxes
are flattened and carried at the front of the luggage truck until the end of the ride when bus riders re-box their
bikes for the return to Tulsa or the start town from the finish town.
Parking in Duncan, OK, and Kiowa, KS
Parking will be available in Duncan and in Kiowa for those driving to the start or finish and leaving their
car for the week. We'll provide the exact location and directions as soon as they're available. Though we ask local
law enforcement to keep an eye on vehicles parked in the start and finish towns for the week, they are not guarded
24x7 nor is the parking location likely to be fenced or otherwise secured. In other words, parking is at your own risk.
We've not had any problems with cars being bothered or vandalized in the past, but that's not a guarantee.
Boxing Your Bike
If you've never "boxed" your bike before, you may wish to get assistance from your local bike shop.
So, what do we eat on FreeWheel? A little bit of everything and whatever you'd like. The cost of meals is not
included in your registration fee, with the exception of dinner on Friday night, which is included as part
of the End-of-Trail celebration. But reasonably priced meals are provided for breakfast and dinner in all of the
host communities. And we generally arrange for a community along the route to provide lunch unless there's a wide
selection of eateries a bit beyond the mid-point of a day's ride.
Breakfast - Each host community is asked to provide a breakfast of some sort starting at 5:00am. This could
be anything from pancakes, to biscuits and gravy, to oatmeal and fruit, to all of the above. Cost for breakfast
generally runs $4.00 to $6.00.
Lunch - We generally arrange for a community along our route to provide a lunch meal. We try to pick a spot
a little beyond half-way for the day, around 40 miles or so. Lunch prices are generally in the $5.00 to $7.00
range. Note that we may not pre-arrange a lunch stop if there are a number of dining choices available along a particular
day's route at the 40-mile mark or so.
Evening meal - The host community will have an evening meal for riders that will be in the $5.00 to $8.00
range. Or you're welcome to partake of the local cafes and restaurants if you'd like.
Meals provided by communities along the way are most often prepared by some civic, school, or church
group as a fund raiser. There are also, in most communities, local cafes and restaurants that welcome
FreeWheel riders whole-heartedly.
One thing is absolutely certain; you will NOT go hungry. And don't plan to lose weight on FreeWheel. It
Just ain't gonna happen!
Oklahoma FreeWheel is PRIMARILY A CAMPING TOUR. The majority of riders bring their own shelter and
become a part of each night's "tent city," generally located on park or school grounds near shower,
toilet, and other facilities. FreeWheel will be providing a shower truck again in 2009, which
will be located near campers offering hot showers at the end of each day. Additionally, FreeWheel provides clean
and convenient port-a-johns to supplement facilities available in the host communities. Each host community is
instructed to have emergency facilities available and plans prepared to evacuate campers to a safe haven should
foul weather threaten. Riders should be sure to check at the host city's information area to determine where
this shelter area is in each camp.
Indoor Camping
Though host communities are requested to provide indoor camping opportunities as well, indoor facilities are generally
limited. These facilities are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Some communities get local churches
and other organizations to host indoor campers as well, generally for a small fee. The bottom line is that indoor
facilities are not guaranteed to all who might want them. You should plan accordingly.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR INDOOR CAMPERS: Indoor campers are NOT
allowed to wear bicycle cleated shoes in the indoor facilities, nor are riders allowed to take their bicycles into the
indoor camping facilities. We ask all FreeWheel riders to treat the facilities offered in each community as you would your
own home by removing cleated shoes or sandals, leaving your bicycle outside, and leaving the facilities clean when you depart.
You should come prepared with a lock to secure your bike outside any indoor sleeping facilities.
Motel/Hotel
Limited motel/hotel accommodations may be available in some of the towns that host FreeWheelers.
You will have to contact the local Chambers of Commerce for information on availability and location of such
facilities and make your own arrangements. If you elect and are able to find motel accommodations, you
are also responsible for getting your luggage to and from your motel. Bags must be on the luggage
truck by 8am each morning. Plan accordingly.
Shuttle Guy - Tent Services and more
The Shuttle Guy offers a variety of services and can provide, for a fee, tents and more for those who prefer to get into
camp with their tent already set up, a relaxing chair available in the shade, their luggage in the tent, cool refreshment
at the end of your day's ride, etc. See the section on Special Services below for more information.
Seven days on the road ... what do I need to take? Ah, now there's a question that has as many answers
as there are people to ask. Everyone has their own "needs" and "philosophy" regarding what to bring and
what to leave behind. You'll have to develop a list and get a container that's right for you. But here are
some guidelines and requirements that will help you put your "kit" together.
Here are the "requirements/restrictions" you have to work with:
No more than 2 bags per registered rider of 35 pounds or less each
You have to load your own bag(s) on the luggage truck
Do not pack in trash bags, plastic bins, or external-frame backpacks, and don't bring a luggage cart/buggy
Items may not be "tied" on the outside of your luggage
Leave hazardous or flammable materials at home
Avoid fragile or breakable items or pack them well
How much? Most folks manage the week with an amount of gear that would fit in a standard army duffle
bag; that's roughly 20" x 36"; a little over 10,000 cubic inches. Some people bring more, many bring less.
Remember that you have to be able to lift your bag and carry it to and from the luggage truck each morning
and evening. And when you load it in the morning, you need to be able to get it over your head and toss it
up on top of the luggage that may already be loaded. 35 pounds is probably a good rule of thumb as a weight
limit per bag.
What should I pack? Check Nickie's packing list in the FAQ section of
the web site for an exhaustive list of potential items to bring. Remember, we won't be traveling through wilderness. There
will be stores in the communities we pass through where you can purchase most items you might
need other than cycling or camping-specific items. So you don't need to bring "everything." Some folks
get by with a single change of clothes and sleeping gear, washing their riding gear each night for use the
next day. Others bring fresh riding clothes for each day and camp clothes, camp chairs, queen-size inflatable mattresses
and more (just remember you have to carry all of this and load it in the truck!). You'll develop a list that's
right for you. As a rule, riders are more likely to pack more than they need rather than less than they need for the week.
So "when in doubt, leave it out!"
How should I pack? It's best to pack everything in plastic bags, even if your duffle is waterproof.
Bags are unloaded each day and, depending on the weather, may be rained on or may be unloaded in a damp area.
Lining your duffle with a trash bag, or a heavier trash compacter bag, provides added protection. Zip-lock
bags in all sizes were surely developed with the event cyclist in mind. Bring along a few extra bags to replace
those that may be damaged during the week. Though a standard army duffle will generally hold all of the clothing
and camping gear a single rider will need for the week, many riders elect to have two bags; one with their camping
gear and another with their clothing and other items. Regardless of the bag or bags you elect to bring along, it's best
to make them easy to identify by selecting brightly colored duffels or painting a unique design on your bags. It can
be difficult to find a single olive-drab duffle in a sea of 1,000 or more bags!
DISCLAIMER: You knew this was coming? FreeWheel Inc. nor any of the volunteers are responsible
in any way for items lost, stolen, broken, or otherwise damaged. Bags are "piled" in the truck and are tossed
out of the truck at each campsite ... select duffels and pack with this in mind!
Staying in touch with home can be difficult while on an event ride like FreeWheel; but it's not impossible.
We suggest that you arrange with your family or friends to contact them at pre-arranged times during the
week to keep them posted on your progress, get updates from home, and deal with any other issues that may come up
while you're on the road.
In the event your family should need to reach you while on FreeWheel due to some emergency situation, they
can contact one of the numbers of local law enforcement agencies near our route (if possible, leave your family a
copy of your route maps so they can follow your progress each day).
There will be a message board at the FreeWheel information canopy each day that riders may wish to check
periodically for non-emergency messages from friends, family, or other riders.
Special services are available on FreeWheel that provide you the opportunity, for additional cost, to
enjoy rental tent services, chair rental, towel services, and perhaps even a massage.
Tym Allison and crew will be back at FreeWheel again for the fifth year in 2009, offering excellent tenting
services for those not inclined to want to carry or set up their own. Check the
Shuttle Guy web site for
a full description of the various service levels you can arrange, and rest assured that those who've
taken advantage of these services in the past have only glowing remarks about their "country
club" experience!
Massage Services
Another perennial service in the FreeWheel campsite each night is massage. Few experiences compare to
a relaxing massage at the end of a long, perhaps hot(?) day on Oklahoma back roads. For a nominal fee you
can have your attitude and your muscles adjusted in preparation for a sound night's sleep and a good start
the next morning. The massage therapists set up shop in the campsite each day shortly after noon and
schedule appointments well into the evening hours. You may want to arrange a standing appointment for each
night of the week ... you deserve it!
The final night of FreeWheel will be celebrated with a great
meal and equally great entertainment. When we've firmed up arrangements we'll supply more detail here.
And it's all included in your registration fee; there's no extra charge for these week's end events!
SpeedWheel is a cycle racing event that became a part of FreeWheel almost 20 years ago,
and has been a favorite of FreeWheelers ever since. It's fast-paced and very exciting.
SpeedWheel is a "criterium" race. A criterium is a circuit race held on a short course entirely closed to
traffic. The length of the course can range from half a mile to three miles or so. The race is very similar to a
NASCAR event, only on bicycles; there's a "pit" area, where riders may change wheels or
make other repairs and adjustments. Riders may only advance in the pack while on the course.
Prime Laps (pronounced "Preem") are a frequent addition to criterium races. These are
single-lap "races within a race." During the criterium, a bell is rung and an
announcement is made to make racers aware that the current lap will be a prime lap. The
winner of this single lap will enjoy a cash or merchandise award separate from any prizes
awarded the criterium winner. Prime Laps add another dimension to the interest and
excitement of short-course cycle racing.
Racers can race in age or ability-graded groups, and some participate in both. Age
groups include Juniors (age 10-18), Seniors (age 19-29), and Masters (age 30-80+).
Masters are often further divided into 5- or 10-year age groups. Ability-graded groups
range from 1 to 5; 1 representing the best racers and 5 representing beginners. Previous
race results play a large part in determining a rider's group placement.
If you'd like more information related to cycle racing in Oklahoma, contact Jack McNeal
(smilinjack2@prodigy.net) and check out the event calendar on the
Tulsa Wheelmen web site.
And if you still haven't gotten enough of bicycle racing, check out the
USA Cycling web site! USA Cycling is the
umbrella organization for USCF (United States Cycling Federation), NORBA (National Off-Road Bicycle
Association), USPRO (United States Professional Racing Association), and NCCA (National Collegiate Cycling
Association). That's a whole lot of cycling!
Seminars will be held again this year in Tulsa to prepare those new to FreeWheel and to refresh
the memories of previous participants. The seminars are being planned and facilitated by Tom Brown,
cycling enthusiast and owner of Tulsa's Tom's Bicycles.
Where and When? - Seminars will once again be held at the OSU Center for Health Sciences at 1111 W. 17th in Tulsa.
This is just off I-244 at 17th and Southwest Boulevard (map and directions). Seminars will begin
at 7pm and be completed by 9pm.
Schedule - Here's the schedule of dates as they currently stand; topics and updates will be made as the info becomes available:
Tuesday, January 20th
Tuesday, February 10th
Thursday, February 19th
Tuesday, March 10th
Thursday, March 19th
Tuesday, January 20th Get Me Ready! Kevin McFarland, DPT, is a Tulsa-area physical therapist who is also an avid cyclist & runner. A veteran of several FreeWheels,
he will inspire you to do off-the-bike training and exercising this winter to ensure a great start to your '09 cycling season.
Join other first-time FreeWheelers and a host of veterans in this first of five "get ready" presentations to get you, your
bike, your equipment, and your "head" ready for FreeWheel 2009. Attend all five seminars and you'll be well on your way to
enjoying a summer adventure you'll remember for a lifetime!
"Announce The Route Already!" And a special added incentive to join us for this first Tulsa seminar will be the opportunity to learn the route for
FreeWheel 2009. Ellen Proctor, FreeWheel Director, will join seminar attendees and share the names of the communities that
will host 2009's spandex-clad peloton.
Tuesday, February 10th Get Your Bike Ready! Continuing with the "get ready" theme, Tom reveals bicycle maintenance secrets previously only whispered about in the
inner circles of the bike mechanic world. Learn how to anticipate problems with your bike before that minor problem
becomes an expensive, ride-stopping, bone-jarring one.
Thursday, February 19th Get Your Head and Tail Ready!.
Bobby Williams, FreeWheel route planner and bike-fitting guru, will show you how to get a comfortable fit on your
chosen machine for a week-long ride. There is both science and art to bike fitting and Bobby will walk you through both.
Richard Hall, veteran of several FreeWheels, delivers a wry, yet informative, discourse on road riding techniques and
etiquette. What to watch for, where to ride, and several perennial FreeWheel-related group riding issues will be addressed,
illustrated by appropriate photographs from FreeWheels past.
Tuesday, March 10th Get Moving Already! Dr. Susan Payne will be sharing her expertise on getting your heart pumping and how to make best use
of a heart rate monitor (whether computerized or in your head!). What's the best way to train for endurance? For speed? For
both? You may think you know it all, but you'll find out otherwise if you elect to attend this fascinating program delivered
by Dr. Payne, Department Head/Professor of Sport Management at Rogers State University.
Thursday, March 19th Everything FreeWheel, Are You Ready? The final "Get Ready" presentation included in this year's FreeWheel seminar series will be a
catchall presentation and question and answer period. Additional information about the route and host towns will be provided and
you'll have an opportunity to ask all of the unanswered questions bouncing around in your head.
Are you up for a zigzagging 500-mile bicycle trek across Oklahoma? Our Shel Wagner discovers that this is not a journey
for the undetermined, but a test of one's resolve. Join her (and 800 other riders) on this week-long adventure as she
discovers that, like life, this is about the ride itself... not just your intended destination.
Hope the FreeWheel faithful didn't miss this short but entertaining segment with recollections from Shel's participation
in FreeWheel 2008. However, if you missed it, we've got a link right here to the segment as loaded on YouTube.
Shel's interested in doing FreeWheel again, this time with daughters Cricket and Prairie Kei. No doubt husband Kurt will
be along to perform in camp "Sherpa" duties and to film the adventure along the road.
Discover OK - FreeWheel Segment
Tune in regularly to Discover Oklahoma to learn more about our state. The short vignettes of all that is interesting
and accessible about Oklahoma will fill you with the desire to see more; and why not do it on your bike!
This page will fill over the course of the months preceding FreeWheel 2009 to provide you with the information
you need to prepare for and participate in this great Oklahoma ride.
NO Increase in Price! - That's right, you get the same great week or half-week vacation
for the same low price as 2008! What a deal.
No More than 2 bags of 35 pounds or less each - Along with the SUV craze of the past 10 years,
FreeWheelers bags seem to have trended toward "super" size. In keeping with the recent themes in finance and politics, we'd like
to return to reason and reduce excess by requiring riders to limit the size and weight of their bag or bags. Bags larger than a
standard Army duffle bag are simply too big to handle effectively and safely. So, be considerate of yourself and others this year
and pack two smaller bags rather than that one you could put a charcoal grill in. Your back will thank you, as will the helpful
volunteers in each host community who unload the luggage truck each day. Don't make us turn you away at the luggage truck steps
or have you tossing out extra gear like someone having to discard sharp objects and liquid shampoo at the security line at the airport.
We'll all be the better for our combined efforts at downsizing.
So, what do we eat on FreeWheel? A little bit of everything and whatever you'd like. The cost of meals is not
included in your registration fee, with the exception of dinner on Friday night, which is included as part
of the End-of-Trail celebration. But reasonably priced meals are provided for breakfast and dinner in all of the
host communities. And we generally arrange for a community along the route to provide lunch unless there's a wide
selection of eateries a bit beyond the mid-point of a day's ride.
Evening meal - The host community will have an evening meal for riders that will be in the $5.00 to $8.00
range. Or you're welcome to partake of the local cafes and restaurants if you'd like.
Oklahoma FreeWheel is PRIMARILY A CAMPING TOUR. The majority of riders bring their own shelter and
become a part of each night's "tent city," generally located on park or school grounds near shower,
toilet, and other facilities. FreeWheel will be providing a shower truck again in 2009, which
will be located near campers offering hot showers at the end of each day. Additionally, FreeWheel provides clean
and convenient port-a-johns to supplement facilities available in the host communities. Each host community is
instructed to have emergency facilities available and plans prepared to evacuate campers to a safe haven should
foul weather threaten. Riders should be sure to check at the host city's information area to determine where
this shelter area is in each camp.
Seven days on the road ... what do I need to take? Ah, now there's a question that has as many answers
as there are people to ask. Everyone has their own "needs" and "philosophy" regarding what to bring and
what to leave behind. You'll have to develop a list and get a container that's right for you. But here are
some guidelines and requirements that will help you put your "kit" together.
Tym Allison and crew will be back at FreeWheel again for the fifth year in 2009, offering excellent tenting
services for those not inclined to want to carry or set up their own. Check the
Another perennial service in the FreeWheel campsite each night is massage. Few experiences compare to
a relaxing massage at the end of a long, perhaps hot(?) day on Oklahoma back roads. For a nominal fee you
can have your attitude and your muscles adjusted in preparation for a sound night's sleep and a good start
the next morning. The massage therapists set up shop in the campsite each day shortly after noon and
schedule appointments well into the evening hours. You may want to arrange a standing appointment for each
night of the week ... you deserve it!
SpeedWheel is a cycle racing event that became a part of FreeWheel almost 20 years ago,
and has been a favorite of FreeWheelers ever since. It's fast-paced and very exciting.
SpeedWheel is a "criterium" race. A criterium is a circuit race held on a short course entirely closed to
traffic. The length of the course can range from half a mile to three miles or so. The race is very similar to a
NASCAR event, only on bicycles; there's a "pit" area, where riders may change wheels or
make other repairs and adjustments. Riders may only advance in the pack while on the course.
Seminars will be held again this year in Tulsa to prepare those new to FreeWheel and to refresh
the memories of previous participants. The seminars are being planned and facilitated by Tom Brown,
cycling enthusiast and owner of Tulsa's 
Are you up for a zigzagging 500-mile bicycle trek across Oklahoma? Our Shel Wagner discovers that this is not a journey
for the undetermined, but a test of one's resolve. Join her (and 800 other riders) on this week-long adventure as she
discovers that, like life, this is about the ride itself... not just your intended destination.