I went on a bike ride at Tulsa River Parks on a pretty clear day the other day. The trail runs north and south, I always check a weather app to see which the way the wind is blowing. I like the wind at my back wind I am heading back to my car.
It was a south wind so I started close to the north end of the trail system. I love this mural and it’s setting on the river.
I went a mile further north and crossed the river at the 11th street bridge and took this photo looking south.
We had some nice clouds that day. I love fluffy white clouds.
I crossed over to the west side of the river and went a couple miles south and crossed over the Williams Crossing pedestrian bridge. You can see that the river is still running full. The Arkansas River’s basin is huge. It starts close to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado so if is rainy there is potential for a lot of water.
I looked the other way to the refinery oil storage tanks. I was reminded of one time when I was on the bridge and group of people came by and one of them wondered what the tanks were for. One said it is for the refinery, another one said with air of authority, that those were water storage tanks for the city of Tulsa’s water system because everybody knows oil storage tanks are illegal inside city limits. Just so you know, the Arkansas River water is pretty nasty. Way back when, the city layed a pipeline to a lake northeast of Tulsa and that is where most of the drinking water comes from.
I crossed back over the east side of the river and went down to what I call the Bear Fountain at 71st street. It’s a great place to rest up a few minutes. A new friend of mine hid a geocache near here. I spent some time looking for it but couldn’t find it. So I’ll try next time.
Turned around and headed north. The kayak boat ramp is closed. The river is too high and moving too fast. You’d be swept downstream fast.

So a little less than 14 flat miles at a leisurely pace. The red marker is where I started. My knee is coming along nicely. The first half mile or so is still “ouch ouch ouch” as I turn over the pedals but after that it’s fine after that. I’m still building up strength and endurance.
…thanks for taking me along for the ride!
This looks like a scenic ride along the water, Yogi, although I’m sad to read that the Arkansas River water is nasty, as I’ve seen the river’s headwaters here in Colorado and they are crystal clear and beautiful! I hope you get some cool breezes from the water during your bike ride. The bear fountain is a beautiful accent along the way!
Great photos, I love the one with fluffy clouds and a view of the river with a bit of a tree surrounding it.
Lovely skies! The bear fountain is neat.
Great ride, Loved this post. Amazing skies. Beautiful photos.
Greetings
that kind of trail is my cup of tea.
Beautiful views of the mural, the river and sky!
I like the bear fountain. Great photos.
Take care, have a great day and a happy weekend!
You are doing a great job of building the stamina. I love that bear fountain. Too bad about the Arkansas River; I’ve seen it in Colorado and Kansas both but it’s been many years.
What a fun ride. I love fluffy clouds too … kinda missing them here in Sydney this winter. Lovely pictures.
The 3rd photo is my favourite!
Very impressive taking the bike out that far. You’re my role model for how a knee replacement should go. Tulsa not only has wonderful parks and recreation opportunities, but beautiful artwork as well. Beautiful photos!