But for the young riders at Oklahoma FreeWheel 2006, few things are better.

"There's a lot more than just bicycling," said Sam Eller, 11, of Kansas City, Mo. "There's all kinds of stuff. There's a lot of bicycling, but once you finish, you've got all this time to just hang out with people and meet friends and stuff. And there's lots of really good, cheap food."

Sam rode about half of Tuesday's 57-mile ride from Wilburton to Warner and will ride part of the 62 miles to Tahlequah on Wednesday. FreeWheel ends Saturday in Baxter Spring, Kan.

Sam, his brother and his father, Jim Eller, spent Monday night enjoying Wilburton by swimming and going to a movie. The ride is a good vacation for children because of the values it teaches, Jim Eller said.

"They learn adventure and perseverance," he said.

Although Sam enjoys the riding most, he also likes spending time with fellow cyclists.

"The people who ride, you can hang with them; you can relate pretty good," he said. "There's a lot of just hanging out. You have lots in common with people."

Braiden Beuke, 9, and his father, Bob Beuke, are riding a tandem cycle in FreeWheel this year.

Braiden, of Hugo, is participating for the first time. He enjoys riding, camping out and meeting people.

His friends think he's a little bit crazy for doing the ride, though.

"They say, 'What the heck are you doing, boy?' " he said.

Alex Battles-Wood, 14, of Tulsa has been on FreeWheel for rr three years and rides all the time at home. He thinks of FreeWheel as a vacation.

"You talk to friends and just get away from your work and stuff," he said. "It's a lot of fun."

All FreeWheelers have a feeling of accomplishment, but it is particularly strong in younger riders, said Ellen Proctor, the ride's interim director.

"It's a really big ego booster for some kids to be able to say, when they get back in school, (and are asked) what did you do on summer vacation, 'I rode my bicycle from Texas to Kansas,' " she said. "It's a tremendous self-esteem booster for kids."

Children also have a chance to learn Oklahoma geography and see small towns and unique museums, she said.

Shannon Muchmore 581-8400
shannon.muchmore@tulsaworld.com