Edmond Life and Leisure - November 11, 2021

Some 233 bicyclists start their 66-mile ride through Edmond, Oklahoma City, Jones, Luther and Arcadia for Cycle 66.

Inaugural biking event a success

By Richard Stephens Jr.

Special to Edmond L&L

“Awesome”, “invigorating” and “worthwhile” were comments heard in Edmond on Nov 7th as the town shifted gears by offering a unique – and healthy – event called Cycle 66 that saw 555 bicyclists pedal on three routes through the local area. The Cycle 66 theme was chosen to increase visitation on Route 66 in Oklahoma, including Edmond, which claims 18 miles of the Mother Road. Portions of the $40 and $10 registration fee adults and children paid, respectively, will be donated to Oklahoma’s Route 66 Association and OU’s Autumn Life Behavioral Health Center.

Jennifer Seaton, President of Cycle 66 and Director of Visit Edmond, said cyclists would gather at the corner of 1st Street and Broadway Ave., downtown Edmond. Those cycling 66 miles took off at 7:50 a.m., followed by the 33-mile group at 8 a.m., and finally, the 10-mile cyclists at 8:10 a.m. The fall weather was cool, crisp and sunny, perfect for cycling outside with friends and family.

Two hundred and thirty-three experienced riders petaled the 66-mile route through Edmond, Oklahoma City, Jones, Luther, and Arcadia, taking them on portions of Route 66. Alex Adriaanse and Evan Floyd of Edmond smiled as they related their experience on the longest course: “Excellent stretch ride! Fantastic!”

The 33-mile group of 232 intermediate riders, including Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell, rode south through Edmond heading to the State Capitol. They rode on Lincoln Boulevard (Route 66) but took a different route back to Edmond. At a rest stop at OU Health Center, Lynn and Barbara, both OU employees, liked their 33-mile ride thus far, exclaiming it was, “invigorating” and “awesome.”

Ninety 10-mile cyclists, mostly families with children, took a “leisurely ride” that showcased “… downtown Edmond, the University of Central Oklahoma campus, and our community’s best parks and bike paths” announced the Cycle 66 website, https://www.cycle66ok.com/.

Each route returned to the starting point, where participants joined in a variety of free fun events at the Festival Market Place: music, six food and drink trucks, face painting, a kids’ bouncy house, and vendors providing goods and information until 3:00 pm.

Care was taken to provide for cyclist safety as they rode on Oklahoma’s public streets. Mike Osburn, President of PoliGRAM, contracted to hold Cycle 66, said his staff made sure to use plenty of law enforcement, crowd control, “support wagons,” and seven rest stops along the route. According to Marian Free, Event Coordinator, there were three minor accidents she knew of and one person was taken to a hospital (flipped over the front of bicycle). Despite many miles bicycled on public roads, few riders had problems.

Large scale events depend on a massive amount of help. More than 100 volunteers gave their time and 20 sponsors provided financial, in-kind, and volunteer support.

Free paused in the afternoon to give her assessment of the first-time event. “I felt very proud of Edmond. We feel like it’s a resounding success.” She also summed up Cycle 66. “Our primary purpose is to re-imagine Route 66 for a new generation of Oklahomans. We’re also aiming to encourage fitness and active lifestyles within our community and of course, our final purpose is to give back to the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and to Autumn Life.”