FreeWheel
'05 fades into fond memories
ANNIE
GASPARRO World Staff Writer
Tulsa World (Final Home Edition), Page A19 of News
![](3D"2005-06-19,FreeWheel'05fadesintofondmemories_files/image002.jpg")
Although
participants achieved goals and lived out dreams of bicycling across
Many fou=
nd
that it is not the grueling ride, but the cozy towns, friendly faces and
campsite camaraderie that draw them back year after year.
Judy Jon=
e of
Each yea=
r,
Jone joins with other FreeWheelers to form a bluegrass band.
"We=
only
get together once a year, during FreeWheel, and we just sit around and jam,=
and
a lot of people just come and listen," she said.
Some of =
the
towns where the traveling bicyclists camp also offer live entertainment.
"We=
can't
wait to find out what each town has in store," said Barbara O'Reilly, a
bicyclist from
Like many
veteran FreeWheelers, O'Reilly enjoys talking with friends she hasn't seen =
in
at least a year, she said.
"It=
's
like its own community," she said. "We come back every year and l=
ook
for the people from the years before and also make new friends."
She desc=
ribed
how the friendships feel age-old, even though she has known some of the oth=
er
riders for only a week.
The ride=
rs
began this year's trip in
![](3D"2005-06-19,FreeWheel'05fadesintofondmemories_files/image003.jpg")
FreeWheel is sponsored by Central Te=
ch
Truck Driver Training, the Tulsa World, Mapco Plaza Building, the Bartlesvi=
lle
Pedalers bicycle club, the Oklahoma Bicycle Society, the Stillwater Red Dirt
Pedalers and the Tulsa Bicycle Club.
Susan Do=
ss of
"Yo=
u get
to the next town and everyone hangs out and eats and gets to know each othe=
r,
but it's probably the cheapest vacation and bike ride," she said.
At the
campsites, there are always people ready to lead the weary travelers to cool
showers, restrooms, food and water.
FreeWhee=
lers
agreed that the host towns were generous and hospitable to the hundreds of
riders.
"The
people in the towns are always so nice and friendly, offering us food and
entertainment, not to mention a place to sleep," O'Reilly said.
Annie
Gasparro 581-8300
annie.gasparro@tulsaworld.=
com
Copyright= © 2005, World Publishing Co. All rights reserved.