Beginners, Pros Share Tales, Ride

June 10, 1979

By PAUL HART
Of the World Staff

DENISON, Texas - Allen Merrill is an old pro at it. Dave Hardage is on his first trip.

Whether experienced or beginner, a busload of bicyclers arrived her Saturday evening for the start of Free Wheel '79. Merrell, and his two children are making what is almost a family tradition, by taking a long-distance bike tour.

"I guess our longest trip was to Houston four years ago," Merrill said. "We made it in nine days, and ever since then we've tried to do something special as a family every summer." But for Hardage of Claremore, Free Wheel '79 will be his first long bicycle trip. "I read about it in the Tulsa World and thought why not try it?" My wife said I was crazy and I may be but I'm going to try it."

The bus load of 45 bikers left Tulsa for the three and a half hour trip here Saturday afternoon. Snatches of conversation during the journey showed fears and hopes of the group.

" I hear your seat wears out on the third day," one man said.

"I just hope it doesn't rain. We got in a storm one time and I was never so wet in my life," another one added.

Experienced bikers were telling 'war stories' of past trips, including god bites, and tales of biking around Europe.

Some of the group were just out of high school including 17-year old twins Tracy and Kim Christopherson. "We ride a lot around Tulsa but I don't know if I can make a trip like this," Kim said.

"I hope so," Tracy said with a laugh.

Several of the group were retirees, and had well-equipped bikes with luggage carriers, water bottles, and air pumps. Not all of the group were Tulsans. Jerry Custer, president of the Arkie-Okie Bicycle Club of Ft.Smith, Ark., is making his first long-distance trip in some time.

"I rode from Tulsa to Norman in one day a while back," the Tulsa Junior College graduate said. "And I vowed I'll never ride over 100 miles again."

One of the most experienced riders is Niki Hall-Hensley. She recently returned from a 24-day bike tour of Wales where she went back to her family's home area.

I've done a lot of riding in my time, and I've seen just about any kind of a problem," Mrs. Hall-Hensley said. "I can take anything as long as it doesn't get hot"