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WELCOME
Welcome to the premier issue of FreeWheel News & Notes,
the official e-newsletter of Oklahoma FreeWheel!
The Tour Director, Libby Stalter, and all the folks helping plan this year's tour
are very excited about the 27th Oklahoma FreeWheel scheduled for June 12-18th,
2005! New FreeWheelers and veterans alike will enjoy discovering, or rediscovering,
the scenic byways that comprise this year's route through the eastern part of the state.
And we're hopeful that you'll enjoy this and subsequent issues of FreeWheel News
& Notes where we'll share tour information with regularly until the event
begins.
So, are you ready to go? Then LET's RIDE ...
IN THIS ISSUE OF FREEWHEEL NEWS & NOTES
• Dedication - Rick Mattioni, FreeWheel founder
• 2005 FreeWheel route and host cities
• For first-time FreeWheelers
• Administrivia - Registration, seminars,
training rides & more
• OKFreeWheel.com - Check us out on the Web
• FreeWheel News & Notes - Format and content
• Next month in FreeWheel News & Notes
DEDICATION - FREEWHEEL FOUNDER
FreeWheel began in 1979 largely through the efforts of Tulsa resident Rick Mattioni.
Rick co-founded the Tulsa Wheelmen bicycle club in 1978 and pursued the idea of a week-long
bicycle tour across Oklahoma, finally making it a reality in 1979.
The ride, Oklahoma FreeWheel - now in it's 27th year - is still enjoyed each June by hundreds
of cyclists from Oklahoma and across the country.
Rick passed away in December of last year. This year's FreeWheel is dedicated to his memory. Take
a few minutes to reflect on FreeWheel's origins and enjoy the pictures and newspaper articles
available on the OKFreeWheel web site from the
'79 maiden
tour ... you may even see a few folks you know?
(Above photo and information from the Tulsa
World, Wednesday, December 29, 2004.)
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2005 FreeWheel Route and Host Cities
You asked for it, you got it ... we have a route for Oklahoma FreeWheel 2005 and here
it is: Paris Texas, Antlers, Talihina, McAlester, Wetumka, Drumright, Ponca City,
Caldwell Kansas. You can see from the map of last year's route at the left
that we're hitting the flip-side of the Sooner State for FreeWheel number 27.
Like to learn more about our host cities? Here are links to web sites for each one;
check'em out!
Paris, Texas
Antlers
Talihina
McAlester
Wetumpka
Drumright
Ponca City
Caldwell, Kansas
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FOR FIRST-TIME FREEWHEELERS
So, you're contemplating riding FreeWheel this year? That's great! Thousands, literally, have
participated in and completed this annual cross-state tour over the past 26 years. And trust us,
many of them were not in nearly as good a shape as you. You can do it!
You can find answers to most of the questions you have on the OKFreeWheel web site; just go to the
FAQ tab and read through all the entries.
From cost-to-camping and meals-to-miles, it's all covered there. And if you don't find an answer
to your specific question, click on the Forum tab and post your query. Lots of FreeWheel veterans frequent the
forum and will respond with practical information based on their experiences. No question is too
insignificant, so ask away!
Folks of every shape, size, and fitness level participate in and complete the ride every year.
If you don't believe it, check out the photo archives where you'll see young and old, thin and not so, all
having the time of their lives. Of course, the better shape you're in, the more
you'll enjoy the ride. So start training now. Check your local bicycle club for training rides or get
out on the road on your own. Remember to be safe, wear a helmet, and follow the rules of the road!
Want to find a bicycle club in your locality?
Check out the clubs listed on the
Links page of the OKFreeWheel web site.
Or check out a similar and more comprehensive list on the
Oklahoma Bicycle Coalition's web site.
If you're from out of state, you're sure to have a bicycle club nearby. Search the internet by
entering your state's name and the words "bicycle" and "clubs".
More to come ...
We'll have more detailed information in subsequent issues of FreeWheel News & Notes, so stay tuned for
information that will help you have a great experience on FreeWheel 2005!
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ADMINISTRIVIA
Registration - You can access the
OKFreeWheel 2005
Registration Form (PDF file) on the OKFreeWheel web site.
The cost for FreeWheel is unchanged from 2004;
$80 for a an individual - child and family rates available, see the registration form for details.
That's less than a hundred bucks for a week of joyous cycling, 2-3 official rest stops a day, indoor
and outdoor camping facilities with showers and restrooms in each host city, sag support on the road
and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and local authorities watching out for our safety. You'll have to
admit, as will those who've made the trip before, that's quite a bargain!
Seminars - Seminars will begin in Tulsa on February 24th. They'll be presented at Tulsa's
Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine, 1111 West 17th Street, Building D room 007, from 7pm to 9pm.
Topics and instructors are being finalized. Newcomers and old-timers will gather to learn about the route, basic
road repairs, tour etiquette, packing tips, biking nutrition, bike selection and fit, and much more.
Watch the OKFreeWheel
web site, the TBC web site, and the next issue of FreeWheel News & Notes for more details.
Training Rides - The Tulsa Bicycle Club already has training rides scheduled. These rides
begin March 19th and continue every Saturday and Sunday through June 4th. Saturday, June 4th
will mark the 18th year for TBC's Tour de Tulsa, a fitting climax for your FreeWheel training!
For all the details (starting location, time, mileage, etc.), check the schedule on the Tulsa Bicycle Club's
FreeWheel Training Rides web page. Other Oklahoma
bicycle clubs may also have training rides and do have regularly scheduled rides that will help you
prepare for our week-long tour. So get on your bike and ride!
Bus Transportation - We have a new bus provider this year.
Kraftours will provide charter service
from Tulsa to the start of FreeWheel on June 11th. There will also be service from Caldwell, KS, back to
both Tulsa and Paris, TX, on Saturday, June 18th. Kraft is aware of the problems that occurred in '04 and
are ADAMANT about providing excellent service to FreeWheelers in '05.
The cost for the service and additional details are being worked out and will be communicated when they're
finalized.
Towel, Chair, Tent Services & More! - The Shuttle
Guy will be coming to FreeWheel this year, offering a host of services for tour participants.
 The Shuttle Guy can provide, for a fee,
comfort camper package
(tent, air mattress, set up and take down, complimentary chair and towel service),
hotel shuttle, towel service,
chair rental and more.
Check out more detailed descriptions and how to sign up at The Shuttle Guy's
Oklahoma FreeWheel Services
web page.
More??? - Check the OKFreeWheel web site
for updates and watch for the next FreeWheel News & Notes as we continue to "fill in the blanks"
related to this year's 27th Oklahoma FreeWheel!
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OKFREEWHEEL.COM
For up-to-date information and answers to all your questions, point your web browser to
http://www.OKFreeWheel.com/.
The FreeWheel site contains lots of info for first-timers and veterans alike!
You'll find separate "tabs" for:
The 2005 event,
a page that will fill with information as the next few weeks pass.
FAQ's answering most questions
you might have if you're new to FreeWheel;
Photos from past FreeWheel's;
Archives containing newspaper
articles, journals, photos, maps and other information from prior years;
Forum
where you can post messages with questions, statements or observations and receive input
from the rest of the FreeWheel family;
Links to other web sites of
interest, from state bicycle clubs and other touring organizations to the sites of
businesses and organizations who sponsor or support FreeWheel;
Contact Us provides email,
address and phone information should you need it.
Lots of information available here, so take the time to become familiar with the site. And if you don't find
the answer to a particular question you have, post a note on the forum or use the information on the contact
page to reach us via email, letter or telephone.
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NEWSLETTER FORMAT AND CONTENT
So, you've just about finished the first-ever issue of FreeWheel News & Notes. What do you think? We hope
it has been, and will continue to be, a valuable source of education, inspiration and motivation as you
contemplate, no, prepare for participation in Oklahoma FreeWheel 2005!
If you're not already signed up to receive email updates from Oklahoma FreeWheel, take a second to
SUBSCRIBE now.
We're planning to send FreeWheel News & Notes to you at least monthly.
Each issue will have a brief table of contents message at the top.
We'll follow with timely information for new riders and old hands.
And we'll end with a teaser for what we're hoping to include in the next issue.
Sound like something you'd be interested in receiving? If so, be sure you're signed up to get the latest
scoop directly from the FreeWheel staff each and every month!
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NEXT MONTH
Watch for information on the following topics in next month's FreeWheel News & Notes -
• Profiles of Paris, TX, and Antlers, OK
• Updates on Seminar schedule and topics
• Additional route information
• Tidbits from past FreeWheels
• And lots more !!!
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FORWARD TO YOUR CYCLING FRIENDS
Do you have friends who may not be on our mailing list but would enjoy reading FreeWheel News & Notes?
Forward this message to them and encourage them to visit the
OKFreeWheel web site to sign up to receive their
own copy! And thanks for spreadin' the word.
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