Freewheel 2008 Recap
There's something strange that happens when you come home from FreeWheel. It is difficult to explain, but every so often you find yourself back out on the road. It is hard to shake.
All next week at work, my mind will wander back out to the road, and a part of me wishes that I didn't have to work, but could ride every day instead.
When I first started doing this, I would wear a little rear view mirror on my glasses, and after riding all week, I would find myself looking up and to the left to see who is behind me at work. I find myself reaching down for a water bottle at the bank when I get thirsty. Bicycle gloves often leave a circular tan line on your hand. It is very distracting when you're trying to get back into the swing of things after a week long bike tour.
I wanted to take a little time for a recap of the week. Check it out.
My favorite town. Seminole. Now, I admit that I am biased. I work there twice a month, and I got to be involved in a little of their planning. But the reason I liked them best is the way they executed their contingency plan in the face of a crippling thunderstorm. If not for the rain, they would have surely won the vote for favorite town. They might win it, but I doubt it, because there were so many great towns this year. There is usually one that stands out, but this year there were several. Drumright, Perry, and Tonkawa were fantastic.
Best new development for 2008. The shower truck. Hands down, the shower truck was a great idea. No lines. Hot water. Drying off in nice breeze.
Best day. Its a tie. Day One, and Day Seven. Day One because of the tail wind. Day Seven because of the flat roads.
Worst day. Again, a tie. Monday obviously. Storms, rain, wind. It was a nasty day. Also, Thursday. The highways had way too much traffic, making it dangerous. And two flats in one day.
Biggest Party Pooper. The manager of the cafe in Perry who kicked Lisa and Snoop Dog out of her restaurant. We have been taking Snoop into restaurants for a long time, and it is the first time that has ever happened.
Greatest idea. Getting a hotel on Monday. A hot shower and a dry, warm bed were just the ticket for getting our morale back.
So what do you think? Any thoughts on FreeWheel?
Here are some pictures that didn't make the cut last week. Don't blame me if it causes you to be distracted at work.
Big sky in Arbuckle Country.
Always a presence on the road, Oklahoma's finest provide us with support along the way.
Its good to know its there, just in case you need some.
Hey, dogs are people too.
Luggage cart races at the hotel.
It was always a challenge to find wireless internet in each town, but we managed to do it.
I took a nap every day. Its part of the deal.
Spencer, too.
And Lisa
Even Snoop Dog.
One morning the fog was so thick, the moisture gathered on the hair of my arms.
I gave myself a gatorade shower when I failed to close my water bottles before hoisting my bike above my head.
Beautiful skies
Next year we are thinking about branching out and doing something different. At the top of my list of realistic bike tours is Vermont. Or we might look at RAGBRAI. Spencer wants to do the Katy Trail in Missouri. Any suggestions?
All next week at work, my mind will wander back out to the road, and a part of me wishes that I didn't have to work, but could ride every day instead.
When I first started doing this, I would wear a little rear view mirror on my glasses, and after riding all week, I would find myself looking up and to the left to see who is behind me at work. I find myself reaching down for a water bottle at the bank when I get thirsty. Bicycle gloves often leave a circular tan line on your hand. It is very distracting when you're trying to get back into the swing of things after a week long bike tour.
I wanted to take a little time for a recap of the week. Check it out.
My favorite town. Seminole. Now, I admit that I am biased. I work there twice a month, and I got to be involved in a little of their planning. But the reason I liked them best is the way they executed their contingency plan in the face of a crippling thunderstorm. If not for the rain, they would have surely won the vote for favorite town. They might win it, but I doubt it, because there were so many great towns this year. There is usually one that stands out, but this year there were several. Drumright, Perry, and Tonkawa were fantastic.
Best new development for 2008. The shower truck. Hands down, the shower truck was a great idea. No lines. Hot water. Drying off in nice breeze.
Best day. Its a tie. Day One, and Day Seven. Day One because of the tail wind. Day Seven because of the flat roads.
Worst day. Again, a tie. Monday obviously. Storms, rain, wind. It was a nasty day. Also, Thursday. The highways had way too much traffic, making it dangerous. And two flats in one day.
Biggest Party Pooper. The manager of the cafe in Perry who kicked Lisa and Snoop Dog out of her restaurant. We have been taking Snoop into restaurants for a long time, and it is the first time that has ever happened.
Greatest idea. Getting a hotel on Monday. A hot shower and a dry, warm bed were just the ticket for getting our morale back.
So what do you think? Any thoughts on FreeWheel?
Here are some pictures that didn't make the cut last week. Don't blame me if it causes you to be distracted at work.
Big sky in Arbuckle Country.
Always a presence on the road, Oklahoma's finest provide us with support along the way.
Its good to know its there, just in case you need some.
Hey, dogs are people too.
Luggage cart races at the hotel.
It was always a challenge to find wireless internet in each town, but we managed to do it.
I took a nap every day. Its part of the deal.
Spencer, too.
And Lisa
Even Snoop Dog.
One morning the fog was so thick, the moisture gathered on the hair of my arms.
I gave myself a gatorade shower when I failed to close my water bottles before hoisting my bike above my head.
Beautiful skies
Next year we are thinking about branching out and doing something different. At the top of my list of realistic bike tours is Vermont. Or we might look at RAGBRAI. Spencer wants to do the Katy Trail in Missouri. Any suggestions?
I vote for Vermont. It is one of the prettiest states in the country, in my opinion and it would be amazing to see on a bike. Just be sure if you go to visit Dot's Cafe in Wilmington. They have the world's best sausage gravy and their mixed berry pancakes with vermont maple syrup are to die for.
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I am strongly leaning in that direction, Jake. I love the east, and it would be a lot of fun to ride there.
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Jason,
I have really enjoyed reading your reports this week. I have looked forward to what you had to say each day you wrote. Thanks for sharing your observations, reflections and pictures on the Freewheel.
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Jason,
It was great to meet you on the road last week, and I've enjoyed your daily entries for Freewheel. Take care....
TW
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Jason:
After reading each day of your ride comments, I wish that I our paths would have crossed on Freewheel. Did I understand that you were once in full-time ministry? I pastor the First Church of God in Ashland KS just north of Buffalo OK. I've been riding just over 3 years. I bought my 1st road bike in May of 05 and did a 3day self-contained trip across CO with a friend that July from Boise City OK to Julesburg CO. I did the entire BAK in 07 and decided to do Freewheel this year for a conditioning tuneup for the STP-Seattle to Portland 204 miles in 1 day on 7/12, 9500 riders total, 2300 did it in one day the rest in 2. B/c I'm a pastor, I left after church on Sunday, 6/8 and met up w/ the FreeWheel in Sulphur so I missed out on the good day and ended up riding in 60 miles of rain on Monday. After suffering 2 rear flats I wasn't sure I was going to want to ride on Tuesday but it was a beautiful day. After eating lunch in Henrietta, I rode 24 miles N on US 75 and then headed back to get my 1st of 4 consecutive century rides in. On Wednesday, after getting to Drumright, I rode 14 miles of Thursday's route and back to finish w/ 100 miles. The last 10 miles back to Drumright were brutal w/ temps in the mid 90's and a 10-20 mph headwind. On Thursday, after arriving in Perry, I road east on 64 highway for 16 miles and back for my c. The decision to go E meant a crosswind instead of a head wind. Friday ended up being my last day. After arriving in Tonkawa, I called my wife and we decided to meet in Caldwell. After a wrong turn that caused me to ride an extra 12 miles, I finished the day and the ride in Caldwell w/ 113 miles--487 miles total for the 5 days that I was on the Freewheel. I didn't care much for the roads in OK and I didn't think that the routes were supported near as well w/ SAG stops as the BAK, but I sure met some nice people. By the way, Bicylce Magazine has listed the STP as one of the top 10 bicycle rides in the US. Although I'm giving serious thought to the RAGBRAI for 2009. I was diagnosed w/ MS in Nov. of 2007 but I've been symptom free for 4 months and have been on medication for a little over 2 months. I figure that I'm going to do as much as I can for as long as i can and enjoy each day the Lord blesses me w/. Maybe our paths will cross some day. Thanks for pictures and your comments. I enjoyed reliving my Freewheel experiences. God Bless!
Roy
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Roy, you're a stud! I'm really impressed with those distances. I've done nine centuries in the last seven years, but have mostly given them up. I don't find that they help my fitness level that much, and I don't have the time to train for them like I would want to. I know how hard it is to do 100 miles (my longest ever one day ride is just over 105 miles), so I have a lot of respect for you and your ability. Keep it up!
Yes, I was in vocational ministry for 15 years. I tell people that I retired--somehow that makes it better than telling them I left the ministry. I just like it a lot better in the pew than I did in the pulpit. Pastoring was definitely more conducive to cycling than the brokerage business is, but that's okay. I'm content.
I'm sorry we didn't meet on FreeWheel too, but maybe next time. Best of luck on your trip, and I hope you will continue to visit and comment here.
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