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Each year the Central Tech Truck Driver Training School in Drumright, OK, provides a semi truck and
trailer to transport FreeWheel riders' luggage from one host town to the next. Cyclists are responsible for transporting (i.e.
carrying) their luggage to the trailer each morning AND loading their bag(s) into the trailer. Similarly, you have to
pick up your luggage at day's end and carry it to your camping area. Consider this when you're deciding what bag(s)
to use and how much "stuff" you elect to take. You'll be asked to carry your bags up steps into the trailer and load them
as far back and as high as possible to be sure there's plenty of room for the bags of all 1,000 riders.
The luggage truck leaves the camping area each morning at around 8:30am. Plan accordingly. It's not easy to ride a modern
road bike with a duffle bag slung across your back!
Each cyclist is restricted to no more than 2 bags of 35 pounds or less each. Two smaller bags are preferrable to one
large bag both for you in loading each morning and for those unloading the truck at the next host community.
Do not tie things to the outside of your luggage. Placing all items inside your luggage will make it easier
for those who have to unload your bag each day and will eliminate the likelihood of loss or damage. Please do not bring external
frame backpacks, trash cans or luggage carts/buggies. These items WILL NOT be transported.
Bags are unloaded at each new day's host community by local volunteers, usually school athletic teams. Bags are tossed from the
back of the trailer onto the ground as the truck pulls forward. Bags are not handled with kid gloves and if there is anything in
your bag that can break, it probably will. So, don't pack breakable or fragile items. For those items you must pack that could
be damaged by rough baggage treatment, like an extra pair of perscription eyeware, use a sturdy container and pack it in the middle
of your bag surrounded by clothing or your sleeping bag.
Do not pack hazardous or flammable materials of any kind.
FreeWheel Inc., Central Tech, and local community and other volunteers are not responsible for damage to or loss of bags or their
contents.
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