Tulsa Bikers - Experiences

[Colin Cummings]

Hello Riv Riders,

I currently live in Amarillo, TX but we're considering a move to Tulsa, OK. Anybody on the list live in/near Tulsa or have riding experience there? Looking to get a sense of the local atmosphere for commuters, ease of commuting and riding in the city, and the bike culture generally. Knowing that Riv owners live there is a plus!

Colin Cummings

Amarillo, TX

[Paul Clifton]

I've never been to Tulsa, but I now live nearby, and I'm interested to any other answers to this question, but here's what I know, for what it's worth. I met a guy who told me about the Tulsa Wednesday night ride, which is supposedly the largest weekly group ride in the ?country?. It sounds like a lot of fun, hundreds of people, and they all ride the same route every week. So the ride filters into slow and fast groups and there's always someone riding your pace and everyone knows the route. Sounds great. Here's some info, but I have no idea if it's the info: http://ramblen.co/tulsa/wednesday-night-group-ride/

I also chatted with a guy who told me about a couple good gravel routes and that the rive is really pretty. So it sounds like the cycling there is nice. I'm looking forward to a checking it out soon.

If you make the move, drop me a line. I'll drive a couple hours for that Wed. ride some time.

Paul in NW AR (which you'd be 2 hours from and has some primo mountain biking)

[MCT]

I recommend asking the question on ibob. Chuck Davis is a member of the group and used to own a bike shop in Tulsa. I believe he still lives there.

Matt

[Chris L]

I've never ridden in Tulsa but I know people really like riding on the Riverwalk and at Turkey Creek, so you might look into those.

Also, an hour away in Stillwater is District Bicycles, who are building up a good gravel scene in Oklahoma and who put on the Land Run 100 every year.  They are very much an alternative shop, having a good sized stock of Surly & Salsa and their head mechanic has a Jones steel spaceframe.   They also really like their beer, if you are into that kind of thing.  

Generally speaking, Tulsa is in a beautiful area with a lot of greenery (they call it "Green Country") and hills.  

On Thursday, October 17, 2019 at 10:54:47 AM UTC-5, Colin Cummings wrote:

[RonaTD]

On Thursday, October 17, 2019 at 10:54:47 AM UTC-5, Colin Cummings wrote:

Anybody on the list live in/near Tulsa or have riding experience there? Looking to get a sense of the local atmosphere for commuters, ease of commuting and riding in the city, and the bike culture generally. Knowing that Riv owners live there is a plus!

Well, it's been 33 years since I lived in Tulsa, so my view may need some updating. I lived south of downtown about 6 miles, not far off the river. My experience was that people weren't used to bikes in the road, making commuting a bit harrowing at times. The path along the river was great, making it possible to limit the amount of time I was on streets for my commute. People there tended to be very friendly, though, so I don't remember ever having any negative encounters - just some times where traffic was moving pretty fast and close.

I don't expect the geology and surround area roads to have changed much. The better riding is to the east of the city, toward (and into) Arkansas. If you like gravel, you'll have more options.

Ted Durant

Milwaukee WI

[ascpgh]

I lived and ran a shop over in Arkansas. The roadies gravitated to events the more developed Tulsa community sponsored. I recall events at Hallet motor speedway even.

We tended to ride our twisty mountain roads and hundreds of miles of double track forest service dirt and gravel. I’ve been out of the area for 20 years but back then Tulsa was a fluid part of our region, including the airport before XNA was built.

I know the Walton investment in cycling infrastructure, in NWAR has catalyzed other regional focus on cycling. Even though a college town, Fayetteville wasn’t a cycling mecca back then and given its change and development can’t be too far removed from Tulsa’s. There are readers from NWA here who may have some insight too.

Any Cheatham
Pittsburgh

[Clarence Smith]

Hi Colin,

I'm not a Riv rider but I have definitely adopted the Riv mentality. I live in Tulsa and do lots of commuting and monthly s24os. I work at Tom's Bicycles off of Route 66. Give me a call at the shop anytime at 918-592-2453.

Below is an interactive map that Incog made of all the trails in Tulsa. Check it out!

https://incog.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=2a173b86136c4f96adafb641f5c4cb01&fbclid=IwAR1aevOlKz0UyZHc3eAgI0qjKDngvZUrctZvW-7hLgD0JUZHn38mDHmTEv8

On Thursday, October 17, 2019 at 10:54:47 AM UTC-5, Colin Cummings wrote:

[Colin Cummings]

Thanks Clarence, I'm definitely going to check out the map.

Thanks everyone else for input. I don't know much about the area but we're making a weekend visit in a couple of weeks. I've been through before and remember the hilly, treed beauty of the area. I've also Googled "bike shops" and was encouraged by the quantity of options!

Cheers,

Colin Cummings
Amarillo, TX

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