'Unsung
Heroes'
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June 13, 1979 By MARK KREIDLER As the last of the Free Wheel '79 entourage rode out of Ada Tuesday morning, Ray Tipton climbed into his yellow Dodge pickup, started the engine, sat back and heaved a sigh. It was going to be a long day. For Tipton, Free Wheel '79 was not the most exciting event in recent years. He had good reason not to think so. He was bringing up the rear. Tipton is among several "unsung heroes" on the trip who, though unnoticed, perform dull, tedious and yet important jobs. Tipton is an employee of the state Department of Transportation. As a sign foreman for 15 years he saw to it that signs were kept up to date on state roads. Two years ago he moved to an office job. Monday and Tuesday he took to the road again, following closely behind the last of the Free Wheelers in his truck, which bore a sign of warning on the back:
But Tipton did more than warn oncoming motorists of the bicyclers. He gave weary travelers a ride, explained directions, and picked up the Free Wheel direction signs as the last bikers rode past them. Tipton crept along most of the day at 10 mph, telling stories of his younger days, of the road we were traveling (he knew the man who paved it and most the folks who owned the land surrounding it), of life in Ada - anything to pass the time. "I think it's a pretty nice deal," he said of the bicycle ride as we helped a straggling mother and her son aboard the pickup. "I've met some real nice people." He didn't mind the slow ride much. "I've been driving these parts for 17 years," he said, "so it's no big deal." Tipton is one of several who performed jobs thoroughly and with little recognition. Another of the unknowns is Early Allen, a Facet Trucking co. employee who is in charge of transporting the riders' goods from one night's stop to the next. His workday amounted to a trip from Ada to Seminole with a truckful of tents and sleeping bags. Again, no complaints. "Shoot, everyone I've met has been really nice. I've enjoyed this," Allen said. "In fact, this trip is spoilin' me. I'll have to get back on the track after this. I'm used to 10-12 hour driving days." Also on the trip are a group of Owasso explorer scouts who man a roving ambulance, going back and forth over the day's route to handle injuries and pass out water. "Sure, it gets boring, but I don't mind," said Dan Mallory, a 21-year-old Owasso paramedic who volunteered to supervise the scouts. "I think it's fun. I love meeting people," the blond driver explained. "This has been a real learning thing for me. "The first day was murder on a lot of people, but since then it's been pretty quiet," Mallory added. He said the only serious injury occurred Tuesday when a boy, surprised by a car, hit a chuckhole and went flying off his bike. Mallory treated him for cuts and bruises, but he was not seriously hurt. Other than that, he said the trip has been quiet for the first aid crew. "A lot of these riders are really strange people," Mallory said. "They're very self-dependent. They pretty much keep to themselves until they need something from us." Jeff Shouse, 13, is one of Mallory's coworkers. "It's been fun," he said. I"I like camping out the most." Mike Fisher, a 17-year-old high school senior from Claremore,
agree: "It gets pretty bad sometimes, but by the time we get to
camp I know it's been worth it."
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