Tulsa Tough is a big huge bicycle party in Tulsa. It includes three days of closed loop short distance races (called criteriums) in three different locations in Tulsa and two days of bike rides in the countryside in and around Tulsa.
I typically go to the criterium on the last day of the race. The course includes part of Riverside Drive and loops up steeply on a brutal hill called Crybaby Hill. I used to go up to Crybaby Hill but I’ve declined the last few years. It is very crowded and kind of outrageous in some respects but all in fun. So maybe next year when my knee will be fully healed.
The criteriums start early in the morning and go into the evening. There are sorts of races segmented by age and gender, especially for the amateurs. The professional races are later in the day and those guys and gals are amazing.
So I only saw a few of the amateur races but they were fiercely competitive.
It was hot. I don’t think I could ever do one loop going up that hill.
It’s a big party for the cycling community which tends to be kind of close knit anyway. Me, I’m just a recreational rider. Twelve miles is my sweet spot on level ground.
I actually did one of the rides years ago. The shortest one that they had at 32 miles. Great right? Nope, I had never ridden that distance before. It was kind of fun until it wasn’t and I got off the official course and so I just went to my car, loaded up the bike and went home. Ironically, I ended up riding a little more than the official course distance. Read about it here.
I am linking with My Corner of the World.
…to be in good shape!
Wonderful photos, Yogi! These competitive bicycle riders have such amazing endurance! There are races here in Colorado that require participants to bicycle over a few high mountain passes, and I am always in awe that they can cope with the high altitude as well/
My twi sons, daughter in law, and I love riding bikes. My son and dil have done the Tough Mudder but we’ve never heard of a Tough Bicycle Races
I think I meant two not twi
I should have gone to Glasgow on Sunday, the city was shut down for a cycle race 😀
Exciting even to watch!
That’s great, Amazing photos
I preferer walking trips
That race looks like so much fun! Crybaby Hill sounds brutal, but also kinda epic. Hope you get to hit it next year! Sometimes the best adventures are the unplanned ones.