April 21, 1982

By a Staff Writer

For the fourth year in a row, Oklahoma's annual family bicycle ramble will wander across the Verdigris Valley.

This year, hundreds of riders will visit Oologah and Foyil on Tuesday, June 8, as they trek between overnight stops in Barnsdall and Adair.

The streets of both towns put FreeWheels volunteer map makers to scratching their heads.

In Oologah the challenge was how to put the estimated 600-800 riders onto Main Street and within striking distance of cafes - but to keep them off of busy U.S. 169.

The Solution: Wind them through town.

"In Oologah, watch for Maple Street, just before highway," instructs the map. "Follow Maple to rustic old downtown and nice city park.

"On other side of town, turn right on Sunday Street, then left onto Maple again. One block later, turn right onto Lake Street, then immediately left onto Maple again.

At the VFW (white building with BINGO on the side), turn left onto Oklahoma 88."

In Foyil, FreeWheelers have to watch for the school bus garage, be careful at US 66, then turn right at the Top Hat Dairy Bar.

The Hundred of riders will be some sight.

And having them stop at a lemonade stand you've set up outside your front door can be a good way for your kids, your club or you to make a little money.

If only 200 stop and spend 50 cents for a cup of Kool-Aid, you've made $100 on ingredients that cost you less than $10.

Or you can just put out a sign in front of your grocery store or run a FreeWheel special at your cafe - just to let them know they're welcome.

Riders travel 4-12 miles per hour.

They take their time. Some start at dawn. Others don't get up until 9 a.m.

That means some will make it to Oologah by 10 a.m. Others won't wander through until 4 p.m.

They'll have eaten breakfast at the Ramona Home Extension club.

By the time they reach Foyil, the majority will be looking for lunch.

Where will they eat?

If you're a member of a Foyil civic club, it would be a good idea to call the Tulsa World and let them refer you to a volunteer who will put you down as being interested in planning a picnic, hamburger fry or whatever. The volunteer will advise you as to how to price items, what to fix, where to set up - and will let you know if some other club has beaten you to the draw.

Another good lemonade stand point would be at Oologah dam. Or at the old totem pole near Foyil.

Or on Oowala Road at Claremore Mound.

Last June, hundreds of bicyclists trekked across Oklahoma on FreeWheel '81. They left hundreds of dollars behind at civic groups' stands all across the Sooner State.

They came from 26 states, Canada, Switzerland and Australia. Some came only fro a day. Others made the entire 500-mile trip.

They stayed in city parks and on football fields reserved for them by local chambers of commerce, schools, colleges and civic clubs.

In Chelsea, riders were greeted by Roy Draeger on a fire engine, a country and western concert at dusk, a raffle, FreeWheel souvenir Frisbees and a challenge by the chamber of commerce that any rider who could scale steep Tin Can Hill outside of town would get a souvenir ribbon. Over 300 riders proudly wore the green ribbons for days.

In fact, now that riders have discovered that this year's route is by-passing Chelsea, there has been much grumbling in the ranks.

One co-sponsoring club, the Tulsa Bicycle Club, is considering having a couple of special riders later on in the summer so members can revisit the Rogers County town.

And the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, too, expressed regret that the ride was going elsewhere.

"We had a lot of fun," said Mrs. Donna McSpadden, this year's residence.

As a consolation, the McSpaddens may find themselves involved anyway. Adair Chamber of Commerce President Van Poplin has expressed hopes that his friend Clem will serve as the master of ceremonies at the evening festivities when the ride stops for the night in Adair.

What kind of people will be ambling through Oologah and Foyil?

Average people who have discovered a wholesome, family way to get to know their kids, themselves and Oklahoma.

They're not great athletes.

Many catch rides on the "sag wagons," the buses and trucks that babysit the route.

With them will be Highway Patrol troopers, National Guard trucks, state Department of Transportation pickups, a large semitrailer full of luggage, and ambulance, bicycle repair vans, a Tulsa World portable photography laboratory and a big MK&O tour bus.

Behind riders will be as many as 50 campers, trailers and RV motor homes full of family members along for the vacation.

The riders will pedal about 70 miles a day. On the hilly 45-mile day between Adair and Jay, they'll have an opportunity to take a side loop into Missouri and Arkansas that will stretch the day to 120 miles.

Why are they riding? For fun.

Most will be taking a week of vacation.

Others will just be coming along for a day's ride - maybe as the route nears their house.

No permission is necessary to ride. The route takes public roads. If you want maps or would like the sponsors to carry your baggage fro you, watch the Sunday Tulsa World's Section A.

So, you don't ride a bicycle?

Then, maybe you like a parade.

Having 600-800 bicyclists pedal past is going to be quite a sight come June 6.

| Next | Previous | Back to 1982 Home |