Lynn Adair
One by one, sometimes two by two, or even three by three, they rode into town, and by noon, hundreds of freewheelers had reached the fifth day of their destination where they would camp until morning.
The freewheelers gathered at the Pryor Creek Recreation Center where they set up tents, took showers and ate a nutritious meal which had been prepared for them inside the facility before resting up and preparing for the 16.60 miles to Grove Friday.
A volunteer effort organized by the Pryor Area Chamber of Commerce provided information about restaurants, special points of interest and anything else the group wished to learn about Pryor.
“They have great facilities here. I mean the showers are great and they have a pool. The people are really nice,” Melissa Horn of Vian said.
OkFreeWheel 2006, which included about 900 members of bicycle clubs from all over, began June 11 in Hugo and will conclude Sunday in Baxter Springs, Kan.
The annual tour attracts freewheelers from all over the U.S. Some of the towns along the way include Atoka, Wilburton, Warner, Tahlequah, Pryor, Grove and Baxter Springs.
“Some of the people showed up a day early because they wanted to leave from Texas, so they could cross three states,” Ellen Proctor, executive director of Freewheel Oklahoma, said.
“This is the 28th year for the event which is known as the second oldest cross state bike ride in the nation. Every year we choose a different route,” she said.
Proctor said the main purpose of Freewheel Oklahoma is to promote a healthy lifestyle through cycling and to showcase Oklahoma. We provide maps, fruit stops and places for the freewheelers to stay and services such as the port-a-johns and security that travel with us. We hope to make an economic impact on the towns and communities we visit along the way,” she said.
“This is our first overnight stay in Pryor and the facilities are great. We’re just delighted to be here,” Proctor said.
Throughout Pryor and the surrounding area, churches and civic organizations combined their efforts to make the freewheelers feel welcome.
Judy Bostic and other Saturday Seniors from the First Christian Church of Pryor set up a rest area near the Pryor Creek Golf Course.
“This is our fourth year of setting up a rest area. We call it ‘Welcome to Grandma’s House.’ We provide homemade cookies, water and other cold drinks for the riders. We think they need sugar about this time because we’re the last rest stop and we think they need that final boost to get to where they’re going. We have a lot of fun,” Bostic said.
One of those taking advantage of the cool shade was Norman Hinsdell of Bartlesville who said this is his fifth year to take part in Oklahoma Freewheel.
“I enjoy it. They call me ‘Uncle Norman,’” he said.
Sitting next to Uncle Norman, Jim Phelps, who claims to be from “Mission Impossible” said he has been participating in the rides for 10 years.
“I’m retired. I enjoy doing this because it’s good for my heart. My niece, who rides tandem with her husband, got me started on this,” he said.
Larry Schneider, 62, of Sedalia, Mo., said he went to Indiana last year and was enjoying the Oklahoma Freewheel tour.
Alan Sylvester of Tulsa said he joined the group in Tahlequah.
“I’m riding just for today. My wife had to get up at 5:30 a.m. to take me to Tahlequah so I could ride to Pryor,” he said.
Sylvester rode with world renowned bike racer Lance Armstrong in 2003 in Austin, Texas. The ride was held to promote the Lance Armstrong Foundation which inspires and empowers people affected by cancer.
One of the least happy campers Thursday was 14-month-old Claire Hirrill who rode in a child’s trailer behind her mother Christine.
“We try to ride when it’s cool during the early morning hours so Claire doesn’t get too hot,” her mother said.
As the day was winding down, freewheelers were looking forward to a free concert which was being held at the Pryor High School auditorium while others anticipated tomorrow’s ride.
“There’s nothing like it,” one biker sighed.
