Postscript

The 2011 Freewheel was a great experience.  Don Keylon is a great guy and it was a privilege to spend the week riding with him.  I do hope he joins me on another ride in years to come.  Don – I promise to be in better shape.  I only had minor problems during the ride and was most effected by my lack of conditioning.  The Ross performed great for a bike that is 29 years old.  I still think it is time to retire the Ross and get a new bike.  I will ride again next year.  Oklahoma Freewheel is still a great value and I would encourage anyone that is able and willing to give it a try.  If I can ride across Oklahoma almost anyone can.

Dennis is always a welcome sight at the end of a long day.  Thank you Dennis, hope to see you next year.

Day 7: Tonkawa, OK to Caldwell, KS

Don Keylon and Hal Capshaw, Kansas State Line

This was the last day of our ride and we were facing on 41 miles.  We elected to leave at about 7 AM knowing it was going to be a short day.  The ride was mostly uneventful with a slight cross/tail wind.  The last 10 miles were directly west with a full tail wind.

Day 6: Pawnee, OK to Tonkawa, OK

After spending the night with Uncle Ralph I was fully refreshed.  Our trip took us from Pawnee through Ponca City to Tonkawa.  On the way we passed Sooner Lake, the Marland Grand House in Ponca City and 10 miles of very flat country.

Leaving Pawnee we had a south-southeast tailwind for the first 5 miles.  We then made a left onto County RT 15 and encountered several rolling hills.  I felt great at this point and was actually able to rise out of the saddle and power up some of the hills.  At the end of RT 15 we came upon Sooner Lake.  The land is flat enough here to see the lake from a great distance away.  Our second rest stop was just short of the junction of US 177.  At 8 AM the wind was blowing hard enough to blow the fruit off the tables at the rest stop.  Most riders couldn’t wait to head north.  Don and I left the rest stop together and averaged 25 MPH for the next 17 miles.  We flew.  After lunch as Subway in Ponca City we turned back south into the wind for 2 very difficult miles.  Turning west we had 10 miles of flat riding into Tonkawa.

Day 5: Bristow, OK to Pawnee, OK

My new best friend, Boss!

Today was to be a long day and it was.  We rode 86 miles, the longest distance of this Freewheel and a personal best for me.  The day started in Bristow as 5 AM with a thunderstorm.  This delayed our start to about 6:45 AM.  The first 33 miles to Chandler were wet but not too hilly.  The most significant event of the day was encountering broken glass just outside of Stroud.  All day, from that point on, we saw riders with flat tires.  Fortunately, Don and I both avoided any damage.  I worried about it all day.  Turning north from Chandler we had the wind at our backs.  I was dreading this day from the minute the Freewheel route was announced but the weather made the ride enjoyable.  It was cool most of the day with a moderate south wind.

Turning east into Pawnee we had yet another group of thunderstorms approaching.  This turned the wind from the east.  The last 7 miles as into the teeth of this wind. 

I felt the best today and look forward to the next two shorter days.

Day 4: Checotah, OK to Bristow, OK

                Last night I camped at the Checotah High School Field House.  The building did not have AC so I decided to camp outside under the awning at the First Baptist Church.  At about midnight, a thunderstorm hit the town.  Apparently, the storm was so bad that they evacuated the main camp.  I was not aware and just tried to stay as dry as possible.  Once the storm was over I was able to get back to sleep.  Sleep was hard to get on this night.

                We covered 79 miles today.  This was, by far, the hardest day so far.  The morning started at 6:07 AM.  Unfortunately, I fell in downtown Checotah.  At a stoplight I was unable to get my foot out of the clip and over I fell.  The only thing that hurt was my pride.  I guess I am learning to roll when I hit the ground.

                The ride out of Checotah was smooth and fast.  I was able to hook up in a train with the Bartlesville Peddlers.  They pulled me to the first rest stop at an average speed of 19 MPH.  I had a great time, thank you Bartlesville Peddlers.

                Don was able to catch me at this first rest stop and we rode together most of the day from there.  Once again he was able to pace me through some of the hardest parts of the day.  At Dennis’ rest stop (the last of the day) I told him to head on to Bristow and find us a good camping spot.  Off he went and was in Bristow in less than an hour.

                For me the last 19 miles were painful.  By the time we reached the last stop the temperatures had climbed significantly.  In nearly gave up on the second hill we had to climb into Bristow.  Dad met me half way up the hill and gave me some strawberries and water.  What a welcome sight the high school was when I finally arrived.

Before picking up my luggage I found shade under Bradford Pear tree and laid down to slow my heart rate.  This was at 2:30 PM.  At the time I am writing this (7:15 PM) my heart rate is still over 90BPM.

Okmulgee Lake Spillway

We travelled through some very pretty country today.  Places like Morris, a quiet little town east of Okmulgee.  And, I have new respect for Okmulgee.  My impression of the town has been formed by the route through town on US 75, north to south.  Today, we travelled across from east to west.  There  are very nice neighborhoods, main street and then Okmulgee Lake.  Lunch was provided by Trinity Lutheran Church in Okmulgee and was the best lunch so far of the Freewheel.  I ate a loaded baked potato and salad.  They even provided ice for the riders.  It was great!  Slick, OK is a small town between Okmulgee and Bristow.  Hot and not much there.

Lunch also afforded the one mechanical problem of the day.  When I returned to my bike I found the front tire flat.  I struggled with changing the tire until a young man from one of the support bike shops offered to help.  He took my wheel and had the flat fixed in about 5 minutes.  He also gave me some good tips on how to repair a flat while on the road. 

Don looks cold on the Bristow air conditioning

This is indoor camping

Tomorrow is the route to Pawnee.  It’s a scheduled 86 miles and is going to be tough.  I am seriously considering cutting the dogleg and riding direct to Pawnee, on 55 miles.  I will let you know my decision tomorrow.

The facilities in Bristow are great.  We are located in the high school basketball arena.  AC and quiet.  I hope to sleep good.

Day 3: Wewoka, OK to Checotah, OK



The old Checotah Schoolhouse?

A typical Freewheel Rest Stop:  The fruit is always fresh!

                We had a great day of riding.  Leaving Wewoka the temperature was 81° with a 10 MPH south breeze.   The roads were relatively flat but rough.  In fact, they were so rough that my backside feels like hamburger tonight.  I have decided to retire the Ross after this ride.  I am sure that newer technology will help with my ride and a nice seat will surely help me avoid rider’s rash.  Of course, losing 50 lbs might help too.

Schooling in Checotah

                Don Keylon and I rode together most of the day.  I am certain he can smoke the course if he were to choose to do so.  He, however, has been hanging back with me.  I am grateful for his company and encouragement.  It’s been great doing the Freewheel with him.  We rode 74 miles today and face 79 miles tomorrow. Better get a good night’s rest.

Day 2: Coalgate, OK to Wewoka, OK

                I got an early start this morning, 5:30 AM.  Indoor camping is the way to go.   The truck was located just outside our door, no tent to take down and AC all night.

                I had a tough day riding today.  Starting out of Coalgate we had a number of rolling hills which took the wind right out of me.  For the most part, there was a strong south wind which became a cross wind when we were riding to the west.  In typical Freewheel fashion we had a long downhill ride into Holdenville, OK with a hard stop at the bottom of the hill.  I just hate to scrub off so much energy when it’s so hard to generate!

                I learned today that mass works for you going down hills but more than makes up the difference going up hills.  Duh! I need to lose lots of weight before I do this again.

                After getting lost early, minor mechanical issues and not feeling 100% I ran out of gas 5 miles from Wewoka.  I saw significant rollers ahead and knew I wouldn’t be able to climb the hills.  At this point in the ride I found a shade tree, rested and ate some peanut butter crackers.  I didn’t know that the route turned north just beyond my resting point.  After a 30 minute rest I rode the final easy 5 miles.

                We stayed at the fairgrounds in Wewoka.  This town did a great job taking care of 800 Freewheelers.

Day 1: Durant, OK to Coalgate, OK

The road out of Durant, OK

Milborn, OK Post Office

                Our first breakfast was served  in the student center at the college.  I had eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy.  It was very good.  I travelled 64 miles today.  I had trouble with my shifters all day.  The front derailleur would not stay in gear just as soon as we left Durant.  I the first stop I was able to borrow a screwdriver and fix the shifter.  However, I was afraid to use the shifter again all day.  With that problem solved at about mile 25 the rear derailleur developed the same problem.  I rode to mile 52 in my highest gear for most of the stretch.  In order to hold a lower gear I had to hold the shifters in position by hand.  At mile 52 I was able to flag down a SAG and tightened this shifter as well.  I was also able to top off with water as well.  It’s a good thing, I was just about out of water and we encountered a number of high rolling hills on the way into Coalgate.  I actually ran out of water just as I arrived into Coalgate.  In addition to the mechanical problems I encountered on the route, I completely missed the lunch stop; never saw it.  I was completely out of gas when I arrived into Coalgate.

                I have decided to camp indoors tonight to help with my recovery.  I am looking forward to a good night’s rest.  Today’s route was mostly flat with the exception of the last 12 miles.  A really tough day.

Day 0: Durant, OK to Carpenter's Bluff, TX and back

HC Capshaw's Original Home in Durant, OK

Dad and I arrived in Durant at about 9:30 AM.  On our way into town, we drove by my Great Grandfather’s home.  It appeared vacant and it looks like it is owned by Southeastern State University.  I made a note to ride over to the house after my ride to Texas and take look around.  We set up camp and I bid Dad farewell.  He had made plans to visit several local cemeteries to locate markers for a number of our family members and I did not want to impede that project.

                I started my journey down to the Texas state line at about 11 AM.  Immediately, I was able to feel the effects of a lack of training.  This was not a good sign for the rest of the week.  The temperature when I left was 93°.  The route was smooth with few hazards.  There was a slight headwind going down.

                Carpenter’s Bluff, TX consisted of a bar at the end of the longest one-lane bridge I have ever seen.  The bridge was constructed in the 1910s to allow trains to cross the Red River.  A footpath that served as a horse and wagon crossing was also constructed at the same time.  One could cross the Red River for a fee.  The bridge was about 1/3 mile long and was in such disrepair that portions of the guardrail had rusted away, leaving nothing between the riders and the Red River 75 feet below.  The water looked inviting but the word was that it was hot and dirty.

                I snacked and hydrated, then started back.  The way was gently uphill with a nice tail wind.  It was 97° when I returned to Durant.  Camping in Durant was hot.  We were located on the football field and I had to be creative the find a spot of shade.  I finally lay down on the west side bleachers and was able to cool off just a little bit.

The bike is in great shape.   At least it appears that I will be able to count on the bike.  I have plenty of storage on board and the Camel Bak is a lifesaver.

I met up with Don Keylon after my ride.  Don is close friend of Dan’s (my brother) and had been introduced to the Freewheel last year by Dan.  We actually rode through the home town of Don’s father during last year’s ride.  Don and I are going to try to ride together during the week.  But by looking and Don I don’t know how I will keep up.

The accommodations are very bad.  No showers, no cold water.  I can’t wait to get out of Durant.  I am calling home now and then off to bed.  All in all this was an okay day.