PS. I just heard a rumor that he left something else the other day at the restaurant is this true, Dan?
FreeWheel Update:
2 days have been completed and we have logged around 137 miles.
We are in Wilburton tonight and it has been a very nice place to stay. We are staying at the College and they had the indoor pool and hot tub opened up for us when we got here.
Today's ride (Monday) was the toughest ride of the week at 84 miles and the last 25 in some pretty good hills. It was a pretty ride, but with temperatures hitting in upper 90's,the hills, and then to top it off the wind shifting to the north it was a challenge just to finish. ( Not good since we are going from the south part of the state to the north part of the state. ) The wind was strong enough that you had to pedal going downhill just to maintain 16 mph. Without the wind I am sure that I could have coasted down the hills at over 20 mph.
Tomorrow we are headed to Warner and the weather forecast is for north winds again - should make things a little challenging. The ride is around 56 miles.
Good news is everyone made it and we had a good time - a little tired but we had fun. I will keep you posted.
My brother is here from Texas and is riding his triple along his 2 sons who are 8 and 9 1/2. They made it 84 miles today and did a great job. They are nicknamed Rhino (Ryan) and Hippo (Aaron) and when they attacked the hills they had Rhino power and Hippo power and that is why they made it today. They have become the talk of the camp.
PS-- you need to come next year!!
Tuesday. Day 3 - FreeWheel
Today we went 56 miles from Wilburton to Warner. It was a nice ride, but we had a north wind all day and by afternoon the sun had come out in all its glory. We went past Robbers Cave and a few of us took a detour to go and see it. To get there we had to go off the route and ride about 3 miles into the state park - what we didn't know was it didn't open till 8 am. We got there about 7:30. There was a gate across the road that was the bad news - the good news was around the west side of the gate there was a path that went around the gate. Now remember we might have road bikes, but who says a road bike can't go off roading. So after we talked to the Senior Member of our group "Dale Munn" and he informed us that we could reclassify our bikes to mountain bikes and the gate was only intended for vehicles using the road. We proceeded around the gate and continued our search for robberis cave - only problem there was a hill not a small hill, but a very steep hill (15 percent grade). So after climbing the hill, and yes I did beat Dale too - Just joking, we proceeded to see the caves. Now the bad news remember the steep hill we had to climb - we could not even enjoy the down hill (Speed) because of the gate that was closed at the base of the hill. Good news we found a short cut back to the Freewheel route and after carrying our bikes over a couple of gates (remember Dale's advice Gates are only meant for Road bikes - we had reclassified to trail bikes) we were back on course.
For lunch we ate at Pete's Place from the outside it looked like a gas station (very old gas station), but there is more to the story. This place is famous it listed in a Magazine - not just some local one we are talking National. I think it was called - Southern Living. It kind of remind me of home - making that a home town ride to Vera. It had sandwiches and its "World Famous" Cheese Burgers - you think I am making this up (buy the magazine - you will see). The only bummer - was I never got to meet "Pete". I think I saw him - that will have to do.
Oh one other thing we had a serious game of Sand volley ball in the evening and the group of mostly Bartlesville players won the best of 5 series with an amazing come back after losing the first 2 games to a bunch of 16 year olds. The Bartlesville team consisted of - Kevin Clark (my brother), Caleb Clark, TJ Johnson (friend of Calebs), a kid from Arkansas (that is another story - don't have time tonight), and myself (Keith "Trash Talking" Clark).
Hope all of you fellow pedalers are having a good time back at home, because we (the smarter ones - smile) are having a "Great Time" on FreeWheel.
PS - JoAnne hit oil today - the kind you put on the asphalt road to seal cracks. It was ugly that is her bike - she is OK and is in Great Spirits like usual. After about 7 people working on her bike with Kerosene for hours - we finally got most of it off. She will continue on the ride tomorrw!!!
Going to Bed - I have 50 plus miles to ride in the morning - according to weather man winds will switch back to the South. Good news because a few of us were thinking about turning around and heading to Texas if we were going to continue with North winds!
Day 4 - Wednesday
Today was a very interesting day -we left Warner and headed toward Tahlequah. Talk about a beautiful route up and down, over Lake Tenkiller (saw it from 3 different sides), up and up and up some more. We went from 580 ft to over 1025 ft and then back down and then back up. Did I mention that we went up and down a lot today, but it was so pretty and the views of Lake Tenkiller were very impressive.
Then there were many opportunities for "Speed" take that back - I need to make sure you understand "SERIOUS SPEED" on the downhills. Breathtaking descents and also Out of Breath ascents, but it was worth it.
Bruce and Bill Estes enjoyed the route so much that they spent an extra 2 plus hours riding today. They usually finish up around noon or before every day, but today they they stayed out riding and finished sometime after 2 pm. I heard Bruce say it was his most enjoyable ride of his life - well that is what he meant when he said it was the toughest ride he had ever taken. My daddy always said - the best things in your life are always the hardest. So he must have had the best ride of his life today.
Uncle Norman went swimming in the Illinois River and said the water was very nice and very refreshing once he caught his breath from cold water shock.
Eric, Kevin, Super Jack, and "Where is Dan", are just having a great time camping outside and enjoying a great time. Opps I forgot Dan has been sucked in to "The Dreaded Life of Indoor Camping". (Air Conditioning, Indoor Plumbing, Electricity, Water Fountains, and Beautiful Wood Floors). Alan Freeman and myself after being sucked in have broken the Indoor camping mind set and moved outdoors to be closer to "Nature". Maybe the heat has effected our minds - We gave up what?
New news - We might need to change our title of our Story from "Where is Dan's Schultes Stuff" to "Where is Dan Schultes and Shirley Martin's Stuff". I just heard that Shirley being the nice person that she is - made a very nice donation "cash" to some very lucky person in Hugo. They probably thought they won the lottery - I told here that I am sure some very need person found the money. I am not sure if it is tax deductible or not but it different meet the minimum requirement amounts ($200).
Just a little more information - Did I mention that we went up and down a lot today!!!! Everyone is still having fun - are you having fun!
One more thing my brothers boys went swimming at the pool today (it was free to all bicycle riders - what a deal) and forgot their hats. By the time we got back they were closed, but we could see the hats and one was close enough to the fence to use a stick to get it to the fence and retrive it. The other one was to far away and the fence had barb wire around the top of it. Where is Tim Welch when you need him - his nickname should be spiderman, because he loves to climp anything. The good news is the life guards (16 year olds) - as usually 16 year olds never quite finsh anything, did not let us down tonight, and left the back gate unlocked by mistake. So we snuck in and retrieved the hat and then we did our good deed and secured the pool for the city. We locked the gate and went to the bicyle races.
PS). Got to watch speed wheel to night some serious bicycle racing on the streets in downton Tahlequah. It was very fun and Free.
Going to bed now - Still thinking about how great Freewheel is.
Qoute of the Day from Chris (18 year old from Bixby). Last year I meet Caleb Clark at Cross Country Camp - he was talking about Freewheel and how much fun he had. So this year I decided to go with a friend of mine - here it comes. "I just wish I had known about this years ago - this will become an annual event. I have never had this much fun". It is not to late to come and join us for a few days!!!!!!
Day 5 - Destination Pryor
Today we are going backwards - Let me tell you about what we are doing right now at 7 pm. We are in a concert and the guy singing is famous country (pop) singer. He is a stocky guy that sings with a headset - it is private concert just for FreeWheelers - a once in lifetime experience. You all screwed up - Did I tell you should have come on FreeWheel - Ya I even told you to drive over the last 2 days. Oh he is local Oklahoma Boy and he can sing - You missed it.
Ok back to Bicycling - it was a pretty easy day, but we had some interesting things happen:
Dana - well let's just say she has a new nickname. From now on she will be known as the "Arkansas Girl". More to come later about that,
Tim Welch ( handlebars who needs them). If you have ever ridden with him you understand - most of the time we are saying Tim do you want to steer that bike or do you just like drifting all over the road. Oh the reason I bring Tim up is while out riding today he found an old abandon railroad bridge and for some reason my son, Caleb Clark, was with him and Thank God our web page guru, Dale Munn, was also there. Oh the bridge over river was at least a quarter mile long and guess what two teenage boys decided to do - you have seen the movie "Stand by Me" and the boys were crossing the railroad tracks and then the train came. Oh Tim and Caleb decided it would be fun to go check out the railroad bridge - You think I am going to tell you a train came and they had to run and jump off the bridge - no but damn that would have made a Great Story!!
Here is what really happened - thinking like two teenage boys they decided to cross the bridge. The only problem was when they got to the middle of the bridge Tim came up with this idea - remember most ideas that come out of a teenagers minds are (how can I say this) not exactly the brightest . Thank you Dale for vetoing it - they wanted to jump off the bridge.
Back to Arkansas Girl (Dana) she made a wrong turn and started heading toward Arkansas and thank goodness she read the sign that says now entering Arkansas -she was in the "Zone - The Bike Riding Zone". I am glad to inform everyone that she did make it back to Pryor and she had fun - just like everyone on Freewheel. If I haven't told you - Just Do It!!! If you have done it - I don't have to tell you, because you are here with us.
Oh by the way - did you guess who the Country Pop Singer is?
Garth Brooks - can you believe it!!!
Going to bed - According to mom (Reva Fury). I should be getting more sleep so I can ride my bike better.
PS. Ok I have to tell the truth It wasn't Garth but it was one great show with special guest dancers (some of the girls, high school age, that are on FreeWheel went up and started singing and dancing with the band). I have never seen Dale, Uncle Norman, Dan, Allan, Dwight, Eric and his wife, Bruce, Myself and I am sure I missed someone laugh so hard - it was something we will never forget.
Day 6 - Destination Grove
Legs, Butts, Neck, and entire bodies are feeling the 7 days of biking - we are pushing 400 miles so far and still have the final day which is about 42 miles. This year we have seen some incredible views and experienced unforgetable moments.
Caleb just experienced a Full Moon - not just one butt, a total eclipse of the moon.
The ride today was very pretty and we rode on parts of the Dam Jam Course so come September we can all come back to Pryor and experience a great ride. Oh by the Uncle Norman a 3/4 Jam is 72 miles - did you see it painted on the road.
It was hot and wind was out of the Southeast and we will riding in southwest direction so we got some head winds along with some hills.
This year has been a very challenging and beautiful course and the people that have done it should be very proud of themselves for taking on the challenge. FreeWheel is an adventure that test your will power and your endurance - it is also something every bicycle rider should experience. You will make life long memories.
I am going to bed early tonight, because I am very tired. I also want to get a good nights rest, because tomorrow I get to see my great wife and my beautiful daughter.
For all the pedalers - I will see you soon and it has been fun. For the rest of you - come next year and enjoy the fun.
PS - if you haven't started a journal of your experience at FreeWheel - you should and let's all work together to make the next one the best ever. Keep on riding your bike and be safe!!!!!
Day 7 - Arrival to Baxter Springs
First of all let me step back to Friday -
The Clayborns invited everyone out to their house on Grand and the short time I was there I know everyone had a "Grand" time. Thanks Again!
Also at the Baseball Field - I got to witness a great baseball game. I know that there was some unbelievers (Bruce and Jim being two of them), but I saw them and it was a great game. You have to believe and you can see anything (Field of Dreams).
Saturday morning started with a washing off our tents (another name for a little rain) - not a problem for some, but it was an issue for me. Being the risk taker of our group - I chose to take a chance and go Fly less on my tent. I am glad I didn't bet Uncle Norman on the chance of Rain - I might have lost some of my gatorades that I won on our Dam Jam Bet.
So at 4:45 am I put on my fly in record time - no better way to wake up then having rain drops hit you up side your head. Now I have to tell you another story: We got home and I layed down to take a nap around 2:30 and I was in a deep sleep when all the sudden I heard Caleb say "can you believe how hard it is raining" - I jumped up and ran out the front door to put my fly up again and then I realized I was home. So as I walked back in - I realized I am back to being an indoor camper in my "Home Sweet Home".
Back to the bike ride - most of us tried to get out of camp as soon as the rain let up and took off to beat the next storm that was about 80 miles to the west. We rode in light rain for awhile and as we crossed Grand Lake there was a beautiful double rainbow over the lake. It turned out to be a sign that things were soon to get better at least as far as the weather and it did. Now my next statement is only my theory: I think there must be a serious amount of alcohol consumed in bottles while driving those roads, because I have never seen so many flats. This day will be known as "The day the rain came and the air left the tubes"
As this week comes to an end - I will miss the people I met, great times I had, the beautiful roads, the towns, and I will never forget the hills. Not only the ascents, but also the descents which were breath taking at times. I know hills are tough to climb, but with out them what would you have - Flat Lands. Ok I know some of you including myself at times felt like you might "flat line" going up, but you didn't.
I just have one last thing - It was great and I will see all of you and hope to see the rest of you next year on FreeWheel.
Looking forward to our 4th of July Ride - with lots of riding options. More to come soon!
Don't forget Sunday Evening rides they will continue, but I will probably take tomorrow off.
PS: Pink Panther did make it to Kansas, but he got off my helmet and got in my back pocket until the rain stopped. Then as the sun came out - he climped out on my handlebars and rode into Kansas
FreeWheel 2006 -- Great Moments
The "Resturant" in the old train depot in Hugo - all you could eat for $5. Grilled Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, and Spagetti.
Watching my son throw a Frisbee - it was at that moment that I realized that I had failed to teach him the proper technique of throwing a frisbee.
Atoka - How great a pool felt after riding a bike in the sun. And the amazing water slide that was designed by an engineer that must have failed the basic laws of slope. Which is - the angle must be great enough to overcome the weight of slider.
Also that an Expedition can hold 11 people easy. Bruce and Alan can fit in one seat and looked really cutie doing it.
The best deal at Mazzio's when trying to buy for 11 people is the Super Family Deal with an extra Large Supreme pizza added to it. It took about 15 minutes to figure out what to order, but it was the perfect order (no left overs and everyone was full)
Another thing the Indoor Campers found out was - how long it takes to cool a gym down with only one A/C unit turned on - finally someone figured out that the other A/C unit was off. Us outdoor campers were not to worried about it, because we only had wind power.
Also I found out that my 9 year old nephew could ride a bike for 5 hours and never get hurt, but put him on a playground for 15 minutes and he could get a blister on his hand the size of a quarter.
Kevin Doggett found out that the path in the park was higher than he popped his wheelie and ended up coming face to face with ground.
Bill and Bruce figured out away to get out of loading the truck - amazing what a little money can do to convince two teenage boys to get up early and load the truck.
Also found out why we wear helmets after T J Johnson's incredible crash. Still can't believe he was able to finish the ride.
Wilburton - Got to meet the owner of the Railroad and the local feed store. Jim Sturges (Bruce's Dad)and I have a free trip promised driving the train next time we are in town. Look out - I always wanted to drive a train.
Also after 84 miles on a bike and indoor pool and hot tub are amazing.
Indoor campers slept in the gymnastics room with a 2 1/2 inch pad covering the floor and A/C - is that camping or what.
The teenager's had an ultimate frisbee game - amazed no one got hurt.
Found out that the local resturant was very good and some had steak and others had Catfish / Shrimp.
Warner - indoor and outdoor pools and incredible indoor camping just ask Dana (soon to be Arkansas Girl)
Also had snow cones - they were good
Sand Volleyball Court - What a series?
Also heard a guy snore that was amazing. I stepped off 150 feet and could still hear him. I remembered his tent and made sure I was always 300 feet away in the future. I think they should have a snoring section and if you are a snorer you get sent off to it - just an idea. Next year I will bring ear plugs.
Also got to see what happens to a bike if you ride threw newly laid black tar. JoAnne and Dale Munn know exactly what happens.
Tahlaquah - found the best restuarant of FreeWheel if you like Catfish. Dwight and I were the King Catfish Eaters - it was great and cheap.
Pryor - Incredible 50 cent dnow cones ( had 3 of them)
Also best hamburgers on FreeWheel - Goldies (they were great)
Indoor campers found out that there was no way to turn off all the lights in the gym.
Incredible concert and the Naked Ladies (not really - naked) made the show a hit. I laughed until I had tears coming out.
Grove - Got talked into eating at a German Restuarant. ( I drank a pitcher and a half of ice tea - spent the rest of the night watering trees)
Baxter Springs - Finished the ride and started thinking about next years FreeWheel. Make plans on coming!!!!
Sunday after FreeWheel - Caleb threw a frisbee at the pool and I was not embarassed. He did learn something on FreeWheel.