OKLAHOMA CITY-
About 900 bicyclists have decided to take on the state's hilly terrain and dry, hot weather this week to participate in Oklahoma FreeWheel 2006.
The challenge includes biking 400 miles from Hugo, Okla., to Baxter Springs, Kan. The journey began Sunday and will end Saturday.
Don Pike, a volunteer who helped mark this year's route, said he's excited about the trek.
"It is scenic," he said. "We really go through some of the prettiest country in the state."
FreeWheel director Libby Stalter said the hills make the route challenging but not impossible.
The heat will probably be the greatest obstacle, Stalter said. Hopefully, participants took time to train on hills and in the heat before entering the challenge, she said.
Rest stops with water and shade are available every eight to ten miles to help the riders avoid dehydration, Stalter said. Temperatures could come close to 100 degrees the first few days of the event, according to predictions made by the National Weather Service.
Riders will stop overnight in Atoka, Wilburton, Warner, Tahlequah, Pryor and Grove, with rides averaging about 60 miles a day. Most bikers camp out for the night, but some stay in local inns, churches or schools.
FreeWheel gives bicycling enthusiasts an opportunity to socialize and meet other people with similar interests, said Sandy Hutchings, who has participated in the event for the last 15 years.
"It's a ride; it's not a race," she said.
Going through smaller towns also offers an opportunity to meet people, view state parks, visit interesting museums, and absorb the local color, Hutchings said.
"The townspeople are absolutely in awe," she said. "They say 'What are you doing? Why are you doing this? Wow, that's interesting.' "
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Information from: Tulsa World,
