Bicycle Riding the Osage Prairie Trail

Wednesday morning I loaded up the bike and drove to Skiatook about a half hour so north from Tulsa. There is a north south rails to trail called the Osage Prairie Trail that runs from just north of downtown Tulsa to a couple miles north of Skiatook. I always ride from the north end.

It was in the high 50’s when I started out with a pretty good breeze. I am glad that I brought a jacket. I started out going out and back the two mile segment north of Skiatook. It is a lot easier than what it used to be because their is now a pedestrian crossing with a light. Getting run over would ruin my whole day.

Very soon I was in some nice counryside, woods and meadows.

And some swamps. You can tell it has been raining here lately. There are several geocaches along the route and a few I have not found yet. I am not really wanting to wade in shin deep water to find them though.

Lots of cattle grazing on the route.

I loved the high thin clouds. After a short while it warmed up enough and I took my jacket off.

When I think northeastern Oklahoma, this is the kind of scene I think about.

The right of way for the trail is that of the old Midland Valley Railroad which was constructed early in the early 1900’s. It reached down into the oilfields around Tulsa and prospered for a while. They languished during the Depression. The railroad no longer exists. This is one of the original bridges.

I passed through the little town of Sperry and stopped at and old gas station what was used for filming a scene from the move “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton. They shot at locations all over the Tulsa area and I have tracked down many of them along with the new Outsiders Museum here in Tulsa. Check it out here.

I finished up at about 18.6 miles. There were no hills but I am kind of out of shape. I had fun though. It was like a two hour moving meditation and I was totally in the moment enjoying the wind and sun on my face and the bucolic scenery passing by. I came to and woke up at the country road crossings though. Don’t want to get run over at this point in my life. It was a fun two hours.

I have made several other posts of the Osage Prairie Trail over the years here, here and here if you are interested.

And then last night I noticed there was a little color in the sky at sunset so I launched my drone and snapped a few pics.

I am linking with Skywatch Friday, come join the fun!

19 thoughts on “Bicycle Riding the Osage Prairie Trail”

Carol May 13, 2021 at 1:15 pm

a beautiful day to be out and about

tomthebackroadstraveller May 13, 2021 at 1:28 pm

…I love the old DX gas station, neat find!

Peter B. May 13, 2021 at 2:59 pm

Love that old gas station. So small! I really like how the old RR tracks were converted to trails. Looks like you had a great ride!

Vicki May 13, 2021 at 3:22 pm

Looks similar to one of the trails near where I live. Even has an old tiny gas station.

Jocelyn May 13, 2021 at 3:53 pm

Beautiful pictures!

Sharon Wagner May 13, 2021 at 5:22 pm

I’ve biked the last two weekends and this weekend too. Happy trails!

Gaelyn May 13, 2021 at 5:44 pm

What a great trail through pretty country and historic sites as well. Very cool bridge. I am impressed with so many miles.

Driller's Place May 13, 2021 at 6:36 pm

What a great adventure you have shared. Love the bridge and the gas station. I’m gonna get me a drone…I swear I am.

Amy Franks May 13, 2021 at 9:38 pm

That looks like a really good ride, I like the gas station most of all.

JM Illinois U.S.A. May 13, 2021 at 10:32 pm

Greetings and Salutations! I use my camera for meditation. I can understand your bike is a moving meditation. I enjoy history so my favorite photograph is the DX gas station. What a find! Stay safe.